Yellowstone National Park is a great vacation for all kinds of nature lovers. Whether you are content with just a walk to a lookout or down for an intense hike, Yellowstone has it all! Yellowstone is very diverse. Your vacation can be a great mix of adventure and relaxation. This unique National Park has so much to offer it is hard to pick just a few things to do. But if you are short on time, here are the places you can’t miss!
Old Faithful
Old Faithful is one of the most classic and popular sites to see in Yellowstone. This geyser erupts approximately every ninety minutes, so you are likely to see the great water shoot out of the earth into the sky. You will need some patience though as you are trying to visit this site. First, it is very popular, so there will likely be crowds. Second, the geyser is on its own schedule so it could take longer than expected to erupt, but it is worth the wait! While you are at Old Faithful, you can also visit the visitor center and the Old Faithful Lodge.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Another amazing site that Yellowstone is famous for is the Grand Prismatic Spring. It is the most photographed spot in Yellowstone, so it must be special! This natural wonder has beautiful, vibrant colors. The spring itself is larger than a football field and is deeper than ten stories! It is hard to tell the magnitude, but when you see it in person it is breathtaking. This site is also very popular so be ready for crowds of people. This site is very accessible and has boardwalks throughout. To get the full experience, take the short hike up to the overlook and see it from a bird’s eye view!
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
The mixture of red and yellow rock with a waterfall makes this almost a twin to the Grand Canyon! This is also a very iconic site within Yellowstone National Park. There is an overlook which gives you a view as seen above. There are also many hikes around this area to see the lower and upper falls. Uncle Tom’s Trail is a steep descent to the lower falls. Mount Washburn hike is a strenuous day hike that leads to a summit and gives stunning views of the Grand Tetons and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs is unlike any of the other thermal features you will see in Yellowstone. The limestone formations look like an inside-out cave. The water streams down the rock and vibrant colors appear. Boardwalks surround this area and there are many places to see near Mammoth Hot Springs.
Yellowstone Wildlife
Yellowstone is known for a variety of wildlife. The Buffalo is the star of Yellowstone and you will likely see many throughout your vacation. Other common species you will likely see is elk, foxes, mountain goats, and wolves. Be on the lookout for grizzly bears and black bears! Every time I have been to Yellowstone we have spotted some but it is very hard so keep your eye out! Bald eagles are also found in Yellowstone but are harder to spot. The best places to see wildlife are in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley. Beautiful wildflowers also cover these amazing valleys during the spring and summer months!
Boiling River
A river that feels like a hot tub! The hot water from the springs and the cold water from the river mix to create a warm and safe river to play and swim in. This is perfect for families that need a break in their day from all the walking or just to have a relaxing swim.
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is the largest, high elevated lake in North America. It freezes over every winter. As it thaws for the summer months, it is still way too cold to swim in. It is highly recommended not to swim in. But there are other activities to do at Yellowstone Lake! You can see the lake from the road. You can also take a boat or kayak on the water to soak in the views on the water. Fishing is also very popular on this lake if you enjoy fishing.
Hiking
Because Yellowstone is so extensive, there are many different hikes for every level of hiker. It is hard to highlight just one! There is everything from Mount Washburn which takes you to the summit and gives panoramic views, and Fairy Falls trail which is an easy hike to a mystic waterfall. Whatever your skill level, there is a hike for you! Check out Alltrails to find more hikes in Yellowstone National Park
Petrified Forest
Take a step back in history and see the Petrified Forest. Through chemical and geological processes trees have been turned into essentially stone. There is a hike through the fossilized Petrified Forest. It is more advanced and is a 3.5-mile hike. There is also an option to drive to a single petrified tree and is more accessible than the hike.
Picnics
This is not a particular site but something to take advantage of in Yellowstone. There are so many picnic spots around Yellowstone and in great locations too! Save a little money and time by picnicking with the family. Having lunch or dinner surrounded by nature will top off your great vacation to Yellowstone.
Because Yellowstone is so breathtaking and massive, it is hard to pick just a few things to do. But if you do these ten things, your trip to Yellowstone is bound to be unforgettable! There is still a lot to do in Yellowstone that wasn’t highlighted, so go check out Wander Camp’s Pinterest for more ideas on how to make your trip to Yellowstone National Park incredible.
Post written by Hannah Curtis