In a nutshell
- This guide covers everything you need to know before you go: admission prices, entrances, hours, and a map to help you get oriented.
- We walk you through our personal Top 10 Yellowstone highlights — from Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring to the bison herds of Lamar Valley.
- Plus, we share our hotel recommendations for staying near Yellowstone — so you can skip the overpriced in-park lodges and still be right at the action.
Yellowstone National Park Highlights on the Map
Yellowstone is located in the western United States in the state of Wyoming.
Unfortunately, the park is quite far from the other national parks in the western US, which makes it tricky to work into a US road trip. You can combine Yellowstone with a city trip to Seattle, Salt Lake City, or Vancouver, for example.
Getting your bearings in the park is pretty straightforward. As you can see on our map, there are two loops that run through the entire park — the North and South Loop.
You should definitely plan to spend more time on the South Loop than the North Loop, as the vast majority of Yellowstone’s highlights are located there.
Important: Never underestimate the distances in the park! Yellowstone stretches over 60 miles in length and is roughly the same size as the entire island of Corsica.
Admission to Yellowstone National Park
Admission to Yellowstone National Park costs $35 per vehicle and everyone inside. If you’re visiting solo, you only pay $20. Your ticket is valid for seven days.
Our tip: If you’re planning to visit two or more national parks on your trip, the America the Beautiful Pass is seriously worth it. It costs $80 and gives you twelve months of free admission to almost all national parks.
Hours and Getting to Yellowstone National Park
The park has a total of five entrances: to the south, west, north, northeast, and east. However, only the north and northeast entrances are open year-round. The others close from November through April.
Keep in mind that during this period, many roads are also closed due to snow. You can then only travel through the park as part of a snowmobile tour.
Our Top Attractions in Yellowstone National Park
Now for the most exciting part: what do you absolutely have to see when visiting Yellowstone National Park? Here are our top 10 Yellowstone highlights.
Mammoth Hotsprings
Along the North Loop, a truly special landscape awaits you: the travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs.
Not sure what travertine terraces are? Here’s the short version: they’re natural springs formed by calcium carbonate deposits. The water from the springs runs at around 160°F, and the steam looks seriously cool. On top of that, the limestone glows in all kinds of colors thanks to certain minerals. It’s a genuine spectacle of nature!
There’s a 1.2-mile wooden boardwalk through Mammoth Hot Springs — easy walking and totally worth your time.
Norris Geysir Basin
Most of the geysers are located on the South Loop. The exception is Norris Geyser Basin at the very southern end of the North Loop.
Honestly, the pools here aren’t quite as colorful as those on the South Loop. But what you will find are some of the largest geothermal pools in the entire park — steaming, deep-blue springs as far as the eye can see.
Norris Geyser Basin is divided into two areas: the Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin. A boardwalk runs through both.
Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley genuinely left us speechless — suddenly there were about 200 happily grazing bison just a stone’s throw away from us.
The valley itself isn’t the most dramatic scenery — especially if you’ve just come from the geysers. But most visitors come for the bison, and you’ll almost always spot some here.
Just be prepared for a bison traffic jam on the way to Lamar Valley. In Yellowstone, it’s completely normal to sit and wait while a herd of buffalo casually strolls across the road.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
The most impressive sight in Yellowstone aside from all the geysers is definitely the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Just like its namesake in Arizona, it’s a massive gorge with a river running through it. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is up to 1,000 feet deep and about half a mile wide.
The real showstoppers, though, are the two waterfalls — Upper and Lower Falls. They’re twice the height of Niagara Falls!
The best viewpoints at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone:
- Lookout Point
- Inspiration Point
- Artist Point
- Upper Falls View
Mud Volcano Area
After the West Thumb Geyser Basin, the Mud Volcano Area is the largest concentration of geothermal activity in Yellowstone.
If you’re expecting more rainbow-colored springs, you’ll be disappointed — here, only mud bubbles away. And despite the name, there’s no actual volcano anywhere in sight.
Bottom line: if you’re short on time, the Mud Volcano Area wouldn’t be our first pick. But if your schedule is relaxed, it’s worth a detour.
Fun fact: The vents smell absolutely hellish of sulfur! And if that’s not enough reason to keep your distance, the acidity inside is on par with that of the human stomach.
West Thumb Geysir Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin is one of the most impressive areas in the park — and a top priority on any Yellowstone park guide.
On one side of the basin you can see Yellowstone Lake, and on the other there are steaming vents and geysers in the most beautiful colors. It’s a really special combination.
The boardwalk through the basin is only about a mile long. But you can also walk the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail — about two hours round trip — which leads to a gorgeous vantage point overlooking the geysers.
Old Faithful & Upper Geysir Basin
Old Faithful is the crown jewel of any Yellowstone National Park visit. It’s one of the largest geysers in the park, shooting up to 8,000 gallons of water 200 feet into the air!
What we find even more incredible than the height is how remarkably consistent it is — it erupts roughly every 90 minutes. You can plan your visit quite precisely, since the visitor center posts predictions for the next eruption.
Just be prepared for crowds — there are always a lot of visitors gathered around Old Faithful.
If you have some time before the next eruption, explore the Upper Geyser Basin nearby. It features 17 more gorgeous geysers, and it’s way less crowded.
Grand Prismatic Spring & Midway Geysir Basin
Grand Prismatic Spring is the most fascinating spring in the park — and the third-largest hot spring in the entire world. The play of colors is simply jaw-dropping!
A staggering 500 gallons of water evaporate here every minute. And that’s also the catch: from the boardwalk, the steam often makes it hard to see the colors clearly.
Our tip: A short distance to the south, you can hike from the Fairy Falls Trail parking lot to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook (1.6-mile loop). From up there you get the perfect bird’s-eye view of the spring — totally worth the extra effort!
Grand Prismatic Spring is just one of the hot springs in Midway Geyser Basin. It’s one of the most popular photo spots in all of Yellowstone, so if you want to beat the crowds, go early in the morning.
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is a perfectly ordinary lake — no bubbling heat, no jets of water. But it really is gorgeous and wonderfully peaceful. Since it’s on the South Loop, you’ll pass by it anyway — so make sure to stop.
At over 7,700 feet in elevation, Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America. As you might expect, the elevation also makes it far too cold for swimming.
Keep an eye out along the shoreline — you’ll sometimes spot moose grazing near the water.
Grand Teton National Park
If you have enough time, a side trip to Grand Teton National Park is absolutely worth it. It’s a separate but much smaller park located just about 10 minutes by car from the southern end of Yellowstone.
The park is famous for its dramatic Grand Teton mountain range — some of the glaciers rise above 13,000 feet! You’ll also find stunningly beautiful mountain lakes here, like Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake.
In spring or late fall, you can sometimes even spot bears from your car. In summer, Grand Teton offers really fun rafting trips on the Snake River, and in winter there are horse-drawn sleigh rides through the snowy landscape.
From Jackson: Whitewater Rafting on the Snake River
From Jackson: Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride in Grand Teton
Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park
There are nine lodges inside the national park. Sure, that’s convenient, and the accommodations are lovely — but they come with a seriously hefty price tag. You can find an overview of all lodging options inside Yellowstone National Park on their official site.
Our recommendation? Stay at a hotel outside the park. They’re significantly more affordable and many are just a short drive from the entrance.
We’ve put together hotel recommendations for various areas around Yellowstone so you’ll always have a convenient base no matter where you are in the park.
Frequently Asked Questions about Yellowstone National Park
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?
The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is between May and October. In winter, large portions of the park close due to snow.
Keep in mind that July and August are peak season — visitor numbers are at their highest, so expect crowds at the major spots.
How many days do you need for Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone is seriously vast and there’s an enormous amount to see. We’d recommend at least two days, and ideally three — that gives you enough time to do both loops properly and not feel rushed.
Are there wild animals in Yellowstone National Park?
Absolutely! Yellowstone is home to bison, grizzly bears, black bears, and moose, among others.
The bison in particular are completely unbothered by people. Traffic jams are a regular occurrence because they casually block the road — one walked right past our window, just a hand’s width away.
If you spot a bison or a bear, stay calm and remain in your car with the windows and doors closed. The animals aren’t aggressive by nature, but you should always keep a safe distance.
For longer hikes or camping trips, bear spray is a smart idea. You can pick it up at nearby supermarkets or borrow it from the visitor center.
When do you have the best chance of seeing wildlife in Yellowstone?
Your best odds are at dawn or dusk. If bison are top of your list, head straight to Lamar Valley — you’ll almost always find them there.
Is there food and shopping inside Yellowstone National Park?
Yes, there are a few restaurants and mini-markets in the park. Both are pretty expensive, though, and the selection is nowhere near what you’d find at a regular supermarket. Stock up before you enter — inside the park, you’ll only find the bare essentials.
