Geysers, wildlife, hot springs, and more… Yellowstone National Park is a sight to behold! It’s situated on top of a volcanic hotspot, which is responsible for many of the park’s breathtaking features. Not only is Yellowstone the oldest national park in the United States, but it’s also larger than the size of both Delaware and Rhode Island combined.
Because Yellowstone is so massive, you could easily spend several days exploring the park’s millions of acres. However, if you’re short on time like I was, I’ve highlighted the must-see stops you have to make during your visit. It’s a lot of driving, but entirely worth all the time spent in the car.
Here are 9 must-see stops in Yellowstone National Park!
1. Mammoth Hot Springs
Located near the north entrance in Gardiner, Montana, Mammoth Hot Springs is one of Yellowstone’s most interesting sites. This impressive geothermal formation consists of several travertine terraces, easily viewed from a paved or wooden walkway. There are two boardwalks, Lower Terrace and Upper Terrace, which total about 1.75 miles and a 300 foot difference in elevation. Arrive early to snag a parking spot and enjoy the view without a crowd!
2. Roaring Mountain
Roaring Mountain, a hillside of fumaroles (steaming vents), was named for the intense roaring sound the steam and gases once made as they escaped into the air. Today, however, the roaring isn’t as extreme – it’s more of a quiet hiss. Situated between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin, Roaring Mountain isn’t the most spectacular sight in the park, but it’s worth a quick stop along the way.
3. Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin is one of my favorite spots in Yellowstone. This collection of geothermal pools is the hottest and one of the largest geyser basins in the park. A wooden boardwalk allows visitors to view these remarkable hydrothermal features up close. I’ve heard that parking can be an issue here, but I arrived early in the morning and had no trouble finding a spot.
4. Grand Canyon Of The Yellowstone
While not as grand as the actual Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is impressive in its own right. Both the North Rim and South Rim offer picturesque views of the waterfalls, as well as hiking trails for those who have more time.
If you only have limited time, take South Rim Drive to Artist Point for a gorgeous view of the Lower Falls. If you want to stretch your legs a little bit, climb down Uncle Tom’s Trail for a closer view of the falls. Alternatively, you could take North Rim Drive to Lookout Point for a similar perspective of Lower Falls. No matter which you choose, the scenery will be incredible!
5. Hayden Valley Overlook
Hayden Valley Overlook is the prime wildlife viewing spot in Yellowstone. If you haven’t spotted any bison yet during your drive through the park, chances are you’ll see some here. This area is home to the largest herd of free roaming bison in the world. Along with bison, coyotes, elk and grizzly bears are also commonly seen here. Remember to keep a safe distance from the wildlife, sit back and enjoy the view.
6. Mud Volcano Area
The Mud Volcano Area is a group of mud volcanoes and fumaroles, situated about six miles north of Fishing Bridge Junction. It’s not the most beautiful place in the park, but it’s very cool to see the bubbling mud in these hydrothermal features. Dragon’s Mouth Spring, Black Dragon’s Caldron, and Churning Cauldron are a few highlights of this stop.
7. West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin is my favorite stop in Yellowstone. It’s located along the shore of Yellowstone Lake, which provides a stunning backdrop for photographs. Take a short walk around the boardwalk and you’ll be rewarded with brilliant views of various thermal features. Fishing Cone, Abyss Pool, and Thumb Paint Pots were a few of my favorites!
8. Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most famous stops in Yellowstone and the largest hot spring in the park. Known for its bright bands of color that surround the spring, this stunning feature should be a definite must on your Yellowstone itinerary.
To get the best view of Grand Prismatic Spring from above, you’ll want to park at the Fairy Falls parking lot. Then, you’ll take the Fairy Falls Trail for about half a mile until you reach a fork in the trail. Take the path to the left and after a short, but slightly steep walk, you’ll arrive at the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, which offers postcard worthy views of the spring.
It should be noted that while it’s much easier to find parking early in the morning, sometimes steam from the spring may cloud your view. I arrived around 8 am and this is exactly what happened during my visit. Nonetheless, I still recommend this bucket list stop, no matter what time you fit it into your plans.
9. Old Faithful
A trip to Yellowstone isn’t complete without a stop at Old Faithful. Named for its frequent and regular eruptions, this world renowned geyser is one of only a few that park rangers are able to predict with reasonable accuracy. You can check the time of the next expected eruption online before you arrive, saving you time at this stop. This area of the park has a visitor center, shops, restrooms, an inn, and a few dining options. Grab a snack and a seat around the geyser while you wait and the time will fly by.
Have you been to any of these stops already? Which was your favorite? Comment below!
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