21 Best Things To Do In Yellowstone National Park
Last updated August 2, 2025
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Yellowstone National Park is without a doubt among the best USA National Parks.
It features hot bubbling mud pools, steaming sulfur vents, immense gorges teeming with waterfalls, erupting geysers, and a plethora of wildlife wandering about.
In fact, there isn't any shortage of allures in Yellowstone, and if you are uncertain about things to do, I am here to assist you.
Find out the 21 best things to do in Yellowstone National Park!
1. Visit Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful is the most popular among the attractions in Yellowstone and is best entered through the western entrance.
It erupts its steaming water 100 ft. into the air right at a consistent interval every day (every 40 to 90 minutes).
Predicted times for eruption can actually be seen on the website of the National Park Service.
This makes Old Faithful Geyser a thrilling attraction in Yellowstone for the majority of guests since numerous other geysers are not as frequent or as predictable.
You should even make it your first spot to visit, allowing you to organize your day more effectively around this foreseeable geyser.
2. Check Out Storm Point Walk
A trail you should definitely complete in Yellowstone is the easy and brief StormPoint Walk alongside Yellowstone Lake.
It provides another viewpoint of Yellowstone National Park.
This loop trail of 2.3 miles goes through some open meadows across the forest, then out to Storm Point.
You can observe the rocks in this area and you are also likely to see marmots.
The path runs along the coast for a while before winding back into the woods.
It is a simple stroll for everyone and should be included in your itinerary of activities to explore in Yellowstone for families with children.
3. Travel Through Lamar Valley
Another best activity in Yellowstone is traveling through the picturesque Lamar Valley.
It’s among the most incredible picturesque routes in the United States, and it proceeds through the park's East Entrance straight to Bear Tooth Highway leading into Montana.
Here, you have an excellent opportunity to observe wolves and grizzly bears against a scenery of towering mountains and a gentle stream winding through the lovely valley.
The valley is actually very large so search for a spotter by the roadside in order to locate the animals - you can't overlook them.
Expert wildlife observers usually visit to catch a rare sight and take a picture of these stunning creatures.
The scopers here dedicate many hours to this location and will usually allow you to have a glimpse, so feel free to inquire.
During this journey, you can also spot black bears, though you may not see any grizzly bears since they are usually elusive not only in Yellowstone but throughout all locations where you can discover these creatures in the US.
4. Have Fun in Midway Geyser Basin
There is a boardwalk of 0.8 miles that guides you through this basin to Grand Prismatic Spring's outer rim, one of Yellowstone's most magnificent attractions.
It starts at the gorgeous Firehole River and leads to the start of the path where water flows over the riverbank from the geothermal springs producing a vibrant display of orange and yellow natural marvels.
You can then approach a bubbling pool of bright blue water, Excelsior Geyser.
This geyser ejects over 4000 gallons of scalding water every minute over their crater rim straight into this river.
Exercise caution while on the available boardwalk here because it is quite slim.
Also, observe your kids and keep in mind; you should avoid leaving the boardwalk, as there's just a narrow crust layer dividing your foot from scalding water.
Though, some tourists do it to snap some pictures.
5. Explore the Mud Volcanoes
This region of warm muddy fumaroles and springs can be found close to a vent of the Yellowstone Volcano.
You will observe the steam coming up from the street while you're driving through this region.
Surprisingly, bisons enjoy pasturing in this region due to its sulfuric terrain that smells extremely unpleasant.
A circuit of 0.7 miles guides you around the gurgling mud pools and boiling water having names such as Sizzling Pool, Roiling Cauldron, and Dark Dragon's Cauldron.
Some even appear as if they’re on the verge of making waves.
There’s also a sharp incline at the start that leads you by “Cooking Hillside”, extending on either side of the pathway.
Follow the loop using a clockwise manner and conclude with the dragon opening.
Dragons Mouth Spring stands as a location where hot water has slowly worn down the slope, forming a cave that echoes consistently with thundering waters, almost as if a dragon is truly hiding within.
Your children will really enjoy coming here especially if they have learnt the Native American legend around it at the park's Visitor Center.
In fact, these volcanoes are among the most distinctive sights in Yellowstone.
And opposite these Mud Volcanoes stands a viewpoint for Sulphur Cauldron.
Don't forget to cover your nose when you get there because the place smells awful.
However, as the park's most acidic spring, it's a worthwhile visit.
6. Visit Castle Geyser
This is a conical geyser located in Yellowstone's Upper Geyser Basin.
It is a geyser that the Yellowstone National Park is well-known for and it's situated adjacent to OldFaithful Geyser.
It’s estimated that water from its eruptions can soar up to 24 meters (75 feet) and persist for up to 20 minutes.
And after that, for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, there is a loud steam.
Castle Geyser remains known for its massive cone structure resembling a castle (hence its name).
This cone structure is thought to be created from trees originating from the region which have been blanketed in years of sinter.
Castle Geyser is projected to erupt each 14 hours.
7. Lodge in Old Faithful Inn
If you're in the region of Old Faithful, you may want to stop by this inn – it’s a top attraction of Yellowstone on its own.
The Inn stands as a countrywide historic site constructed with indigenous timber and rock.
It is regarded as the world’s biggest log structure.
Old Faithful Inn is also the most sought-after accommodation in Yellowstone National Park, with its vistas of Old Faithful and the UpperGeyser Basin.
Numerous visitors even come here to stare at the inn’s entrance's soaring visible wooden beams and its huge stone hearth.
It also has a lobby playing live music, a dining area, and a terrace overlooking Old Faithful.
It’s really nice to enjoy a drink here while observing the geyser erupt.
8. Drive Yellowstone North Rim
The 1-way beautiful circuit from the scenic Grand Canyon stands as a stunning scenic route known as the Yellowstone NorthRim Drive.
The drive leads you to numerous overlooks of the historic North Rim's Grand Gorge.
Try to strategically organize your stops to ensure you drive it just once.
9. Check Out Edge of Upper Falls
You will enjoy the round trip of 0.8 miles through the woods and down serpentine steep paths to the viewpoint located at the summit of Yellowstone's Lower Falls as it cascades 308 ft over the edge into the core of the gorge.
The perspectives along the river right into the vibrant canyon make the switchbacks valuable.
The Lookout Point provides the simplest access to see the Lower Falls from this North Rim.
And if you are eager for a different Lower Falls perspective, you can descend the steps along Red RockPoint Trail from the Bottom at Falls Lookout Point to move deeper into the canyon.
You can also stroll to Grand View Point from Look out Point, offering you vistas near the edge of the canyon.
There, the canyon perspective expands, offering stunning sights of the soft pinks, yellows, oranges, and greens.
10. Explore Norris Geyser Basin
This is Yellowstone National Park's most intense, ancient, and unpredictable thermal area
No flora, algae, or microorganisms can be able to survive here.
This location consists of two sections: Back Basin and Porcelain Basin.
The Back Basin remains more densely forested with different features dispersed throughout the walkway trail of 1.5 miles.
Steam boat Geyser is located in this Back Basin region and ranks as the highest geyser globally spraying water from 300 to 400 feet.
Then, the Porcelain Basin definitely is breathtaking, and my favorite Yellowstone pastime is overlooking the basin.
A boardwalk surrounds this basin and provides a remarkable sensory experience.
11. Hike Yellowstone South Rim's Grand Canyon
Seeing this Grand Canyon is one thing and hiking it is another thing.
Hiking offers a very satisfactory experience as it lets you witness the most breathtaking natural locations.
It’s a 1.8-mile distance in one direction, beginning at Chittenden Bridge south and concluding at the picturesque Artist Point while showcasing stunning sights of the Lower and Upper Falls.
South Rim's Trail offers some finest vistas along the path and is among the most enjoyable activities for children in Yellowstone.
There are also several key features of this trail.
12. Explore Artist Viewpoint
Here is where you can discover the complete beauty of the rainbow hues of the gorge and the cascading waterfalls at the center of the scene.
9 am is the ideal time to arrive here and potentially spot an arc of colors spanning the waterfall.
There is also a brief path to descend to a viewpoint for the scenery.
13. Visit Grand Prismatic Spring
This is one of Yellowstone National Park's top attractions.
With a span of almost 113m (370 feet) and a depth of 37m (121 feet), Grand Prismatic is the biggest hot spring inside the United States and is also among the largest globally.
It always bubbles and steams, showcasing a rainbow-like, bright appearance.
The optimal spot to view Grand Prismatic Springs is from Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail.
It ascends 105 ft. over a 0.6-mile distance from the FairyFalls Trailhead.
That is the perspective and spot where you’ll obtain that image you’ve always envisioned of Yellowstone’s main attraction.
However, if you come late, you won’t experience Grand Prismatic at its peak and won't be able to view
You can just stroll around it to appreciate its beauty, though it will be mostly covered in steam.
14. Check Out Yellowstone National Park's Grand Canyon
I discovered that Yellowstone has a breathtaking Grand Canyon which is an attraction you can't miss.
Yellowstone River flows through this area, dropping 109 ft. at the terrific Upper Falls. Then, 308 ft. at the stunning Lower Falls into Yellowstone's Grand Canyon.
Even, I found Lower Falls more lovely.
I suggest taking time to discover both the Grand Canyon’s South and North rims, as it provides an expansive view of its breathtaking beauty.
15. Explore Yellowstone Lake
Do you know that the riskiest spot in Yellowstone National Park is the Yellowstone Lake?
A lot of visitors have lost their lives due to the freezing temperatures here, so I advise against swimming here.
It is 7752 feet above ocean level and ice-covered for half the year.
Yellowstone Lake features geysers, thermal springs, and submarine gorges.
It covers 136 square miles, making it quite large and providing plenty of activities to see and do in the surroundings.
You can also set up camp in this region and listen to the elk's calling at night.
The ideal season to come here is the mating season and mid-September.
There are even hostile grizzly bears in this region, so proceed with caution.
It also features the WestThumb Geyser Basin.
16. Discover Hayden Valley
You will enjoy traveling via Hayden Valley and will never get weary of its undulating green hills and the lovely Yellowstone River sprinting past.
You'll also see a vapor ascending from the road's edges, reminding us of the uncertain reality that existed beneath us.
Additionally, you will find the bisons here amusing, even when they're causing traffic jams at street intersections and camera shuttering.
Observing them closely is undoubtedly among the highlights of a visit to Yellowstone National Park.
Wolves, elk, coyotes, and sometimes a grizzly bear additionally visit this zone for grazing, drinking, and feeding.
Indeed, numerous activities await you in Yellowstone's Hayden Valley region.
17. Stroll Along Upper Basin
The Upper Basin holds almost a quarter of the world's geysers, which is remarkable, given its compact dimensions.
This is the location where you'll encounter most of the Yellowstone geysers, along with hissing fumaroles and vibrant hot springs.
In fact, it is really essential to visit while in Yellowstone.
Also, make sure to venture past Old Faithful to check out the surfaced trails and walkways that meander through theUpper Geyser Basin.
It is a very calm and beautiful experience with the Firehole River winding through.
You can start your day at the visitor centre to collect the anticipated eruption times for the geysers on a daily basis.
Then, schedule your breaks around those times and determine how many you'll be able to accommodate.
18. Immerse Yourself in the Stunning Boiling River
Near Mammoth Village lies an unexpected attraction that is a must-see in Yellowstone.
I know you are imagining entering into a sizzling spring after witnessing numerous ones in Yellowstone National Park but these hot springs are actually hazardous.
So, go to the iconic Boiling River instead, which is not as risky as its name suggests.
It flows parallel to and overflows into the beautiful Gardner River.
Here, there are little regions at the riverbank where the waters aren't bubbling as they blend with the extremely chilly river water.
Take care not to venture too close to the river's edge, as that’s where this water becomes quite extremely hot.
The landscape in this area is breathtaking and is among the most exciting locations to explore in Yellowstone.
19. Visit the Various Visitor Centers & Junior Ranger Program
Visitor Centers are located in all the key villages and regions of Yellowstone National Park, and they are an attraction on their own.
Ensure you take time at these visitor centers, watch a movie, and explore their interactive exhibitions.
Each visitor center features its own park ranger presentations and guided tours.
They also possess a vast amount of knowledge.
It’s actually wonderful to receive current info on schedules of geyser eruption, hiking tips, closures, safety measures, wildlife observation tips, sunrises and sunsets, bear safety, and much more.
The Junior Ranger’s Program is also essential for everyone traveling to Yellowstone with children.
This book is filled with must-dos that will assist your children in discovering additional information about the significance of the park and the wild ecosystem they will encounter.
Your kids will also enjoy receiving Yellowstone's Junior Ranger badges.
20. Explore Mammoth Hot Springs
I was really stunned by the beauty of the springs.
The Springs is an extensive network of springs formed over millions of years.
The springs' hot water cooled down and left behind calcium carbonate, resulting in striking bright white shades of frozen terraced cascading pools.
You may stroll along the walkways over the hydrothermal structures of the higher and lower levels here and feel a sense of wonder.
Also, try to search for the numerous elk resting in the warm location between the boiling terrain and bubbling hot springs.
To me, these thermal springs are definitely one of Yellowstone's most amazing attractions.
21. Admire Beehive Geyser
Beehive Geyser is among my favorite attractions in Yellowstone.
Named after the cylindrical cone of 4 feet that looks like a beehive, the Bee Hive Geyser ejects water 200 feet straight upward into the sky.
Its eruptions last approximately 5 minutes before concluding with a thundering stream that you can hear from a distance of a quarter mile.
It’s a must-see in Yellowstone though nobody ever knows the particular time it will erupt, but it typically erupts two times a day.
Final Thoughts
Yellowstone is among North America's most fascinating locations.
In fact, I believe it deserves a spot on the list of the best places to visit in the world.
And at this point, you have seen that indeed there are numerous attractions and activities in Yellowstone National Park.
I trust this article will assist you in planning your trip and provide you with ideas for the best attractions to see here.
