Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is the wild, free-flowing, beating heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Its real showstoppers are the geysers and hot springs – nature’s crowd-pleasers – but at every turn this land of fire and brimstone breathes, belches and bubbles like a giant kettle on the boil. The park’s highways traverse these geysers, through meadows and forests, past roadside herds of bison and campsites aromatic with pine needles and family campfires. In between lies the country’s largest collection of elk, the continent’s oldest, largest wild bison herds and a pristine wilderness roamed by wolves, grizzlies, moose and antelope.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Mammoth Hot Springs
Yellowstone National Park
The imposing Lower and Upper Terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs are the highlight of the Mammoth region. An hour’s worth of boardwalks wind their way between…
Upper Geyser Basin
Yellowstone National Park
While Old Faithful gets the most attention, there's lots to explore in Upper Geyser Basin, which has the densest collection of geysers in Yellowstone. On…
Grand Prismatic Spring
Yellowstone National Park
At 370ft wide and 121ft deep, Grand Prismatic Spring is the park’s largest and deepest hot spring. It’s also considered by many to be the most beautiful…
Lamar Valley
Yellowstone National Park
Of Lamar Valley's abundant wildlife, the most famous – and to some, controversial – resident is the gray wolf. Wolves were missing from the ecosystem…
Canyon Visitor Education Center
Yellowstone National Park
This major center is well worth a visit for its innovative and interactive displays on Yellowstone’s geology. The highlight is a room-sized relief model…
Artist Point
Yellowstone National Park
Artist Point is probably the most famous of the canyon’s viewpoints, offering a long overview of the Lower Falls and canyon. It was not, as many people…
Norris Geyser Basin
Yellowstone National Park
Norris Geyser Basin comprises Porcelain Basin and Back Basin, accessed through two connecting loops. If the world's tallest geyser, Steamboat Geyser, isn…
Lookout Point
Yellowstone National Park
Popular Lookout Point, near Canyon Village, offers the best views of the Lower Falls. An adjacent 0.5-mile trail drops 500ft to Red Rock for even closer…

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Attractions

Top picks from our travel experts

9 of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park

Curated by Bradley Mayhew

Old Faithful Snow Lodge
Yellowstone National Park
This modern lodge was built in 1999 in a ‘New Western’ style and offers the only winter accommodations available at Old Faithful. The main lodge has a…
Boiling River
Yellowstone National Park
One of the few places where you can take a legal soak in Yellowstone is Boiling River, halfway between Gardiner and Mammoth. From the parking area by the…
Artist Point
Yellowstone National Park
Artist Point is probably the most famous of the canyon’s viewpoints, offering a long overview of the Lower Falls and canyon. It was not, as many people…
Brink of the Lower Falls
Yellowstone National Park
The first of the North Rim viewpoints leads down a steep 0.75-mile trail, descending 600ft for exciting close-up views of the tumbling white water as the…
Norris Geyser Basin
Yellowstone National Park
Norris Geyser Basin comprises Porcelain Basin and Back Basin, accessed through two connecting loops. If the world's tallest geyser, Steamboat Geyser, isn…
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Near Canyon Village, this is one of the park's true blockbuster sights. After its placid meanderings north from Yellowstone Lake, the Yellowstone River…
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
Yellowstone National Park
The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is worth a visit even if you're not staying. Piano music echoes around the lobby from 5pm, followed by video or slide…
Lamar Valley
Yellowstone National Park
Of Lamar Valley's abundant wildlife, the most famous – and to some, controversial – resident is the gray wolf. Wolves were missing from the ecosystem…