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Top Yellowstone National Park Attractions
- Go horseback riding through the park on a guided or private trip.
- Explore Yellowstone’s famous hotsprings and geysers.
- Bike through the park and take in some fresh air.
- Hike across 1,000 miles of trails.
- Spot some rare wildlife.
- Go fishing in Yellowstone's rivers.
- Experience Yellowstone National Park camping and fall asleep under the stars.
- Try your hand at snowshoeing or skiing across the backcountry.
Yellowstone National Park Tours & Travel Guide
Yellowstone National Park Attractions & Landmarks Guide
Yellowstone National Park: a natural treasure, the holy grail for outdoorsmen -- many of us have grown up hearing stories about the park and its majestic herds of buffalo, rolling valleys, winding rivers, and breathtaking mountains. It’s no wonder that this park is at the very top of many travelers’ bucket lists; there’s so many things to do in Yellowstone!
Where is Yellowstone
The beautiful national park is spread in three states in the western region of the United States. Most of the part of the park is in the northwest corner of Wyoming state, and a little portion is spread to the states of Idaho and Montana.
Volcanoes, Geysers, and Hot Springs - Oh My!
One of the most fascinating and unique features of Yellowstone is the fact that it sits on top of a massive, dormant volcano. The volcano is what creates the many steaming Yellowstone hot springs, gurgling mud pots, and spitting geysers in the park. In fact, Yellowstone National Park has more geysers than anywhere else on the planet!
Of all Yellowstone’s geysers, Old Faithful remains the most famous. The notorious geyser sits in a historic district and can be viewed on a boardwalk. About every hour, it erupts, jetting hot water over 100 feet into the air. A visit to Yellowstone provides an opportunity to see such rare hydrothermal features, like Old Faithful, up close.
The geysers are not the only feature created by Yellowstone’s volcano. Some of the most interesting and unique attractions in the park are the fascinating “mud volcanoes.” These mud pots (also called paint pots because of the minerals which tint the mud an array of colors) seem like something out of a science fiction film, and can often be heard and smelt -- they are also called “sulphur caldrons” -- before they are seen.
One of the most photographed spots in Yellowstone is at the Grand Prismatic Spring - and any grand tour of Yellowstone would be incomplete without it. The Grand Prismatic is one of several pools in Yellowstone and is the largest hot spring in the United States. The pool is filled with dazzling, neon blue water in the center, and rimmed with vibrant yellow and orange residue. The stunning, otherworldly colors are a result of the minerals and bacteria in the pool.
The Scenery
Aside from its impressive geothermal features, Yellowstone is also known for its magnificent natural scenery and pristine wilderness. Among the best sights include gushing waterfalls, like the Tower Waterfall, rock formations like the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and the peaceful Yellowstone Lake. Another important natural element of the park are its valleys, such as Hayden Valley, which are popular areas amongst tourists to have a picnic lunch and spot wildlife.
Wildlife in Yellowstone
One of the main reasons behind all Yellowstone tours is to experience the amazing wildlife of the national park. Among the 48 lower states, Yellowstone National Park is home to the largest population of wildlife.
The park is a natural home to more than 60 mammal species roaming about in their natural habitats, 6 reptile species, 16 different fish species, four amphibians, and about 300 bird species.
Some of the most significant animals of Yellowstone wildlife are the bison, grey wolves, grizzly bear, black bear, mule deer, moose, elk, pronghorn antelope, mountain lions, panthers, cougars, bobcats, Canada lynx, coyotes, bighorn sheep, chipmunks, martens, ground squirrels, otters, marmots, and beavers. You will witness the peregrine falcon flying around and nesting near the valleys and rivers.
There are also 10 beautiful trumpeter swans living here. The park is also home to the national symbol of America, Bald Eagles, which are sitting on the large trees near waters to prey on the fish.
Because a hunting ban has protected all of the animals within Yellowstone since the park’s inception, animal sightings are common, and some are even unafraid of humans. As a result, there are many Yellowstone wildlife tours that focus specifically on the animals!
Best time of year to visit Yellowstone
The Yellowstone National park is a year-round destination, and the best time to visit depends on your interests and expectations from the park. Summertime, June to August, is the peak time with the warm temperature and huge tourist crowds. Accommodations are taken up quickly so if you intend to plan your trip in this busy time, make sure to book your accommodation in advance. July is also popular because of various festivals in the surrounding towns.
According to the weather conditions, autumn is an ideal time to plan the Yellowstone tours. With mild weather, there is still a good chance to encounter wildlife, huge crowds are gone, and you can get a good discount on campsites and hotel rooms. Most facilities like general stores, post offices, visitor centres, etc. are closed till March. Be prepared for the cold nights as you can feel the winter stepping in with the chill breeze.
November to March is the wintertime with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures during day and night. Bring all necessary gear if you are planning a winter trip like sleeping bags, extra food, flashlights, etc. as the roads, shops, and other facilities will be closed.
April and May have pleasant spring weather with reasonable temperatures, and if you set your timing right, you can witness the park emerging out of the wintertime without encountering the huge tourist crowds. These shoulder months are among the best times to visit the park.
Yellowstone by the Seasons
Located in the heart of North America, Yellowstone is subject to a drastic seasonal change. In the summer, temperatures average in the low 70’s, and in the winter temperatures below zero are common.
The summer is the most popular time to visit Yellowstone National Park, and although there are certain places that can get crowded, these crowds can be easily avoided -- summer is still a beautiful time to visit the park. During the summer months, all roads and campsites are open, and this allows visitors to see all of the seasonal attributes: the breathtaking wildflower bloom, the trout spawn, elk and mountain goat calving, and the bison rut.
In the fall, enjoy one of North America’s greatest masterpieces: the autumn. Explore Yellowstone with a backdrop of vibrant yellow and reds as the forest changes color. At this time, black bears and grizzlies are particularly active as they strive to fill their stomachs before hibernation. The park’s population of elk is also in rut, the time of the year that they mate. As a result, visitors can expect to their them bugling and perhaps witness an intense clash between two males.
Can I visit Yellowstone in winter?
The winter is a magical time in the park. With many roads blanketed in thick layers of snow, snowmobile tours of the park are a popular and thrilling way of getting around. For those uninterested in the intensity of the snowmobiling, don’t worry -- you can still tour Yellowstone in a historic snowcoach.
The Yellowstone National Park has a different impact in every season. Winter is very cold with heavy snowfall and most of the facilities and shops, etc. are closed but it is an intimate and unique experience. Only the North Entrance of the park is open. If the freezing temperature doesn't stop you and you wish to witness the snowy beauty of the park, just make sure you bring all the necessary gear to fight the winter temperature.
With the roads closed, you can have a guided tour of snowmobiles or snow coaches in the snow-covered wonderland. Enjoy cross-country skiing or follow the groomed trails snowshoeing, or have a nice and calm retreat.
Things to do in Yellowstone
The adventurous park is filled with numerous fun activities and awe-inspiring wonders of nature. Let’s have a look at the most Yellowstone attractions and activities.
1. Enjoy Yellowstone’s hot springs and pools, like Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, which is the third largest in the world.
2. Spot grey wolves, grizzly bears, wild bison, moose, golden eagles, and trumpeter swans.
3. Stretched upon 20 miles, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the primary attraction and is one of the most beautiful spots of not only the park but of the whole wide world.
4. Take a hike through the amazing trails and enjoy the wild off-beaten paths.
5. Go fishing in the Madison River or Yellowstone Lake and have an experience of a lifetime.
6. Raft down the rivers or go paddling along the lake shores near the lakeside geysers.
7. Indulge your inner cowboy at a guest ranch, the Old West Gun Fight, or a rodeo.
8. Visit all the paleontological sites and explore the fossils, dinosaurs, and rocks.
9. Witness a tribal ritual at some nearby Native American reservations.
10. Experience Yellowstone national park camping and sleep under the stars.
Getting to Yellowstone
The nearest airport to Yellowstone National Park is Yellowstone airport in the western downtown Montana. But this is a seasonal airport that is open from June to September during the peak months.
All the other airports are at 2-5 hours distance from the park, and you need to get a bus or shuttle service to reach there. The park has five entrances in a different direction, and each of them is very far from the other so, make sure to check the status of the roads to the entrance that you are travelling to before starting your journey.
Each popular destination inside the park is about 50 miles distance or more. It is better to travel in a car or hire one to go to the park as it will make your inter-park movement easier. There is no public transportation inside the park, but many private companies provide shuttles and tour services.
Nearby towns
There are five entrance gates of the Yellowstone National Park near different towns, which provide a convenient gateway from the park. Each of the towns has a unique character, different vacation attractions, and activities for the tourists. These lovely towns are:
1. Gardiner
The beautiful town with spectacular scenery is located exactly outside the North Entrance of the park. The year-round park entrance for the visiting vehicles makes this old west-style town the most popular, especially among the winter visitors.
2. Cody
The town is located towards the east of the eastern entrance of the park in northwest Wyoming. There is a distance of about one hour drive between the entrance and the town. The place has various amazing dining with a huge variety of cuisines.
3. West Yellowstone
Right next to the Western entrance of the park, sits this beautiful town with various attraction spots. This is an ideal tourist town with various facilities and wonderful attractions, including some special points like the Yellowstone Historical Center, the IMAX, and the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.
4. Island Park
The beautiful small town is an ideal gateway for summer and winter visitors. It is located near the western entrance of the park, in western Idaho. The place is famous for having the world's longest main street, 36.8 miles long and the world's largest caldera, 23-mile in diameter.
5. Cookie City
This unique small town located outside the northeast entrance of the park is a small remote mountain town. The scenic beauty and variety of outdoor recreation activities make this peaceful town an ideal destination.
6. Jackson
This historic old-west-style town is located at an hour’s drive from the southern entrance of the park and is a perfect small town filled with modern city amenities. A little towards the east of the Wyoming Idaho border, the town is nearest to the Grand Teton National Park.
Similar US national parks to Yellowstone
There is a huge variety of amazing national parks throughout the US. Here is a list of a few of them that you would love to visit.
- Acadia National Park, in northern Minnesota, is full of stunning waterscapes.
- Arches National Park, in southeastern Utah, has a colorful landscape filled with red rock arches and desert landscape.
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio is an ideal destination for nature lovers, with amazing natural landscapes.
- Glacier Park is located in northwest Montana and is full of majestic peaks, glacial valleys, alpine meadows, lakes, and a variety of trees and vegetation.Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited national parks in California with beautiful waterfalls, granite rock formations, and much more.
- Grand Canyon is such an awe-inspiring part of Arizona that even the best of pictures can't justify the beauty of this stunner.
- Grand Teton National Park is a wild wonderland in Jackson Hole with more than 200 miles of trails going through lakes, snow-capped peaks, prairies, and a lot more.
- Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is your big chance to be face to face and as close as you can go to the most attractive volcanoes of the world, i.e., Kilauea, Loa, and Mauna.
Yellowstone National Park Reviews & Ratings
B
Barbara Ruth Hefter
Oct 2022
Written on
Western Frontiers end Rapid City
It was a great experience to see so many national parks, monuments and memorials. Wonderful trip. Gave us a flavor of the area in the event we want to return for a...
R
Richard Russo
Oct 2022
Written on
Western Frontiers end Rapid City
Great itinerary. AAnd tour guide.
C
Clement Restine
Oct 2022
Written on
Western Frontiers end Rapid City
Covered even more than advertised
J
Janice Tryba
Oct 2022
Written on
Western Frontiers end Rapid City
I was not pleased with the motel in Jackson Hole which was under renovation. The food for the most part on this trip was very disappointing. Breakfasts foods were al...
A
Andy Means
Sep 2022
Written on
Western Frontiers end Rapid City
With the exception of Las Vegas "Off the Strip" eatery with terrible service and not quite up to par food and exposure to filled smoke casino, the rest of tour was e...
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