What are the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park?

The top 10 things to do at Yellowstone National Park are watching Old Faithful erupt, touring Grand Prismatic Spring, going to Yellowstone Lake, driving the Grand Loop Road, hiking Lamar Valley, visiting the Grand Canyon, walking at Mammoth Hot Springs, observing wildlife at Hayden Valley, joining the ranger programs, and stargazing at the night sky.

Why Should You Visit Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone is the world’s first national park, spanning over 2.2 million acres in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.

It is where the Earth comes alive underneath your feet.

The Yellowstone is home to half the world’s geysers, bubbling hot springs that shine with surreal hues, and scenery so grand it appears almost endless.

Here, you can see a geyser eject boiling water 180 feet into the air, hike across terraces that resemble icicle-encased waterfalls of rock, and look down into a canyon splashed with hues of golden and crimson paint.

Wildlife moves unfettered—traffic-stopping bison, elk bugling at sunrise, and wolves roaming the valleys like ghosts of the wilderness.

Yellowstone doesn’t present nature to you; it engulfs you in it.

It is where the earth steams, the heavens erupt with stars, and the next curve on the highway brings the promise of a brand-new adventure.

If one place deserves a place on your bucket list, it is this raw American wonder.

Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

1. Experience the Eruption of Old Faithful Geyser

Old Faithful is the showstopper of Yellowstone, which erupts like clockwork every 90 minutes or so.

Imagine the ground shuddering beneath your feet before a spout of boiling water erupts into the heavens, sometimes up to nearly 185 feet into the air.

Crowds stand eagerly anticipating, cameras at the ready, and when it actually erupts, the gasp is one of universal disbelief.

If you’re only going to have one geyser in your lifetime, make it this one.

2. Explore the Grand Prismatic Spring

Nothing can truly prepare you for the otherworldly appearance of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States.

From the top, the hues emanate outward like a painter’s palette with a blue center and bands of green, yellow, and burnished orange.

If you walk the boardwalk, you will feel the steam rising, but if you hike up the Fairy Falls overlook, you will see the entire kaleidoscope stretch out beneath you.

3. Visit Yellowstone Lake

At more than 7,700 feet above sea level, Yellowstone Lake is as magnificent as it is expansive.

Under a summer morning sky, the still waters mirror snow-tipped peaks, and bald eagles soar above.

In winter, ice freezes it into silence.

You can paddle a canoe, fish for cutthroat trout, or walk the shores.

Few places make you reflect on the majesty and strength of nature like Yellowstone Lake.

4. Drive the Grand Loop Road

Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road is more than just pavement—it’s your passport to the park’s greatest hits.

This 142-mile figure-eight drive connects steaming geyser basins, towering waterfalls, sweeping valleys, and wildlife galore.

Roll down the windows and let the scent of pine and sulfur mix in the air, and be ready to stop at any moment—because in Yellowstone, traffic jams are often caused by a herd of bison strolling casually across the road.

Every mile is an adventure.

5. Hike the Lamar Valley

Lamar Valley is where the wild heart of Yellowstone beats strongest.

Famously known as the “Serengeti of North America,” this vast open region is inhabited by wolves, grizzlies, and roving bison herds.

In the morning, the valley is filled with sounds of bugling elks, howling wolves and bison hooves.

Pack binoculars and patience, and you might see predator-and-prey drama unfold in real time.

Walking through Lamar Valley is seeing Yellowstone as it has been for thousands of years.

6. Visit the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

The Yellowstone Grand Canyon appears to be a canvas painted by fire.

Its walls are illuminated by tints of red, gold, and rust and were shaped by the Yellowstone River over thousands of years.

Deep at its core, the massive 308-foot Lower Falls drops twice as high as Niagara Falls into the base of the canyon.

When you stand at the Artist Point, you’ll see why artists and photographers have been drawn here for centuries

7. Walk Through Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs is otherworldly.

Here, steaming waters course over smooth white limestone terraces to create formations that resemble frozen falls or time-worn staircases.

The constant flow reshapes the terraces each day, and hence, each visit is unique.

You can take a stroll on the boardwalks and feel the warmth emanate from the ground itself.

Mammoth Hot Springs reminds us that Yellowstone is situated on top of one of the world’s largest volcanoes.

8. Join the Ranger Program

If you are interested in discovering the secrets of Yellowstone, consider taking a ranger-led tour.

From campfire programs at night to guided walks, ranger programs bring the park’s history and nature to life.

You’ll discover why bison roll on the ground, how geysers are formed and function, and even how to search for wolves in the wild.

Children participate in the Junior Ranger program and earn a badge, while adults leave with a greater appreciation for park phenomena.

It’s as if a skilled storyteller transforms the scenery into a classroom.

9. Interacting with Wildlife in Hayden Valley

Hayden Valley is Yellowstone’s ultimate wildlife experience.

Imagine broad, green meadows lined with the river, with bison foraging, elk bugling, and bald eagles riding the skies.

On an ordinary day, you may spot a grizzly bear ambling down the riverbank.

Early mornings see mist rising from the stream, making the scenery so movie-like that you’ll think you are in Africa and not America.

10. Stargazing Under Yellowstone’s Night Sky

At dusk, Yellowstone presents one final wonder—its dark skies.

Almost unpolluted, you can observe the Milky Way spread across the sky in glorious definition.

You’ll be able to lie out on a rocky outcrop at Hayden Valley or on the shore of Yellowstone Lake and see shooting stars zip across the sky.

Take a ranger-led astronomy night, and you’ll get to see Saturn’s rings with a telescope.

The day doesn’t end at Yellowstone at sunset—it just trades one type of magic for another.

This concludes our list of the top 10 things to do in Yellowstone Park.

How do you find this list? Did we miss something?

Please let us know in the comments section. We would love to hear from you!

Happy Travels!

People Also Ask…

1. What is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?

Late May to September is the best time to visit the national park.

It is because most of the trails, roads, and visitor facilities are available during this time.

2. How many days are enough for Yellowstone National Park?

You will need 3 to 4 days to explore all the major sites at Yellowstone without feeling hurried.

During that period, you can visit geysers, waterfalls, animal-inhabited valleys, and scenic routes.

3. What is the number one attraction in Yellowstone?

Old Faithful is the number one attraction in Yellowstone National Park.

This world-famous geyser erupts every 90 minutes and is a must-see for first-time visitors.

4. Why is Yellowstone so famous?

Yellowstone is renowned as the world’s first national park, established in 1872, and is celebrated for its remarkable natural phenomena, including geysers, hot springs, canyons, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.

Half of the world’s geysers are found there, along with some of North America’s finest large-animal viewing.

5. How much does it cost to visit Yellowstone National Park?

The 9-hour tour of Yellowstone National Park, which allows access to sights like Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon waterfalls, and Hayden Valley, costs $375 for visitors of all ages.

6. Is driving in Yellowstone difficult?

Driving in Yellowstone is not hard, though it is slow, and you never know when you need to stop, as there are animal pass-throughs, sharp mountain roads, and heavy summer traffic.

7. How long does it take to drive the entire Yellowstone loop?

It typically takes around 4 to 7 hours without taking any stops. However, with wildlife delays, traffic, and sightseeing, you will need an entire day to cover the Yellowstone loop.

8. What is better, Yosemite or Yellowstone?

The right choice depends on our preferences.

If you are seeking geothermal wonders and wildlife, Yellowstone is the number one choice.

However, for those interested in waterfalls, granite cliffs, and hikes, there is no place better than Yosemite.

9. Is Yellowstone National Park open?

Yes, Yellowstone National Park is open throughout the year.