25 Apr 6 Must-See Spots in Yellowstone National Park [With Map]
We are committed to following CDC guidelines for safe traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of our family and others.
Drew and I live near West Yellowstone, Montana — what I think is the best entrance to Yellowstone National Park — half of the year. We’re lucky to be able to say that we’ve spent countless days in the Park and have seen many of its features and highlights.
But visiting the Park for the first time can be overwhelming. Yellowstone National Park covers 3,500 square miles so to see everything in a single visit is impossible!
That’s why I wrote this post of the 6 must-see places in Yellowstone. It’s perfect for first-time visitors or those with limited time. These are the spots you simply should not leave the park without seeing!
(If you’re on the hunt for hiking gear and clothes for your trip to Yellowstone, check out my travel shop!)
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I’m Sarah – a southern gal who found her way to the Las Vegas desert! Welcome to my travels with my husband, life with our two dogs, and all the things in between.
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Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
This is one of the main landmarks in Yellowstone National Park — and one of the most photographed.
There are four awesome viewpoints for the Lower Falls adn the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone that you’ll want to check out. If you only have time for one viewpoint of the Lower Falls, I’d chose Artist’s Point.
Artists Point
The first is from Artist’s Point. This is perfect spot to see the Lower Falls for anyone with mobility issues because it is an easy, paved walk out to an amazing viewpoint.
Brink of the Lower Falls Trail
The second is the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail. If you want to fully experience the Lower Falls — without donning a barrel, of course — this is the spot! Perched on a platform right at the Lower Falls ledge, you’ll be able to feel the Falls’ power as it dumps around 635,000 gallons of water per second. The trail is a little strenuous and steep, so be mindful if there are members in your group who have heart conditions or knee problems.
Red Rock Point Trail
Red Rock Point Trail is located off North Rim Drive near the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail. It gets you down into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for a really interesting viewpoint of the Falls.
Uncle Tom’s Trail
The third is viewing the waterfall from below by taking Uncle Tom’s Trail. 328 steps down takes you to an up close and personal view of the Lower Falls — and you may even get rewarded for your hard work with a rainbow in the Fall’s mist.
Related Posts:
My Yellowstone National Park Essentials
Old Faithful
Old Faithful is probably the world’s most famous geyser and an obvious must-see in Yellowstone National Park. It erupts about 20 times per day (every 50-110 minutes). Check the Old Faithful Visitor’s Lodge for estimated eruption times (don’t miss the information about geysers and other thermal features inside!).
Pro Tip: To miss heavy crowds, avoid the hours between noon and 6 p.m. Shoulder seasons are also a good way to have Old Faithful to yourself.
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Upper Geyser Basin
The Upper Geyser Basin is one of the most special and unique places on this planet. It contains 25% of the worlds geysers (150 to be exact)—including Old Faithful— and several groups of hot springs. Plan to spend a good bit of time in this area.
In addition to Old Faithful, several even more impressive (but less frequent) geysers are in the area, including Grand Geyser — the tallest predictable geyser in the world — and the stunning Beehive Geyser.
Pro Tip: Check the Visitor’s Lodge for times of the ranger led walks around the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk area. We try to go on these walks often because we learn something new every time.
Grand Prismatic
Located in the Midway Geyser Basin, the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is Yellowstone’s most photographed thermal feature and when you see it in person it’s not hard to understand why.
I’m always struck by how something this crazy and beautiful is 100% natural.
The view changes a lot with the light. Contrary to what you might think, the best time to photograph Grand Prismatic is when the sun is high overhead on a bright and sunny day. That really makes Grand Prismatic’s colors pop!
So what gives Grand Prismatic its beautiful rainbow color? Thermophiles — or heat-loving bacteria — cause the colors you see in Yellowstone National Park’s Grand Prismatic Spring. Each specie thrives at a different water temperature. As the water gets progressively cooler away from the springs center, different types of thermophiles set up their home.
While you’re in the Midway Geyser Basin, check out Excelsior Geyser — you’ll pass it on the boardwalk to Grand Prismatic — its beautiful blue colors are always memorizing to me.
Please stay on the boardwalk in this area (and in every area of Yellowstone National Park). Leaving the boardwalk is illegal and dangerous. Most importantly, it damages the sensitive bacterial mats that take thousands of years to develop.
I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen stick their fingers into the water to see how hot it is — or how many kids I’ve seen shove each other on the tight boardwalk. Don’t risk it.
Pro Tip: To get the aerial view like in the photo above, you’ll want to head to the viewing platform off the Fairy Falls Trail. The hike isn’t long or strenuous but you will want to wear a good pair of walking or hiking shoes.
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Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley is one of the best places to see bison and other wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, bear, mule deer, pronghorns, coyotes and even wolves!
Mammoth Hot Springs
I feel like I say this about every place in Yellowstone, but Mammoth Hot Springs is a completely unique spot in the Park — and the world! People describe it as looking like a wedding cake or the inside of a cave and I have to say that I agree!
The massive terraced structures are created by hot, acidic water that dissolves limestone underground. That dissolved limestone is then redeposited by hot springs that boil to the surface and reform into a chalky structure when it cools. That means that this area is constantly changing!
For the best views, walk along the Lower Terraces Boardwalk.
Hotel Options in
West Yellowstone, Montana
Drew and I have spent a lot of time in West Yellowstone and we’re a little biased — but we believe it’s the best entrance to Yellowstone National Park! The town is extremely cute and — from zip lining to hiking to boating — there is so much to do around the town without even stepping foot in Yellowstone.
Bucking Moose “Elk Cabin” — This property is right in the center of West Yellowstone, Montana. It’s convenient to the West entrance of Yellowstone National Park, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, Gallatin National Forest and many delicious places to eat.
Tera Nova Cabins — These modern, new cabins are across the street from the beautiful Hebgen Lake and just a 15-20 minute drive to the Park entrance.
1872 Inn — This adults only property will have you sleeping like a baby after a long day of exploring Yellowstone’s thermal features, hiking, and animal spotting!
The “Continental Divide” Room at the Adventure Inn is perfect if you need to fit more people. This room can sleep up to 7 people and has a full (gorgeous) kitchen!
Frequently Asked Questions
The best times to visit Yellowstone National Park are from April to May and between September and October. These shoulder months offer mild weather and fewer tourists.
Spending three to five days in Yellowstone National Park is ideal.
For private, non-commercial vehicles, a 7-day pass to Yellowstone National Park costs $35/vehicle.
There are so many things to see in Yellowstone National Park — it can be overwhelming! But the top 6 things to see are the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Upper Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Lamar Valley.
Driving The Grand Loop takes between 4 to 7 hours to drive in full. If you plan on doing this, make sure to check for road closures which are typical in the shoulder seasons and winter.
We think the West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana is the best. The town is cute and the people are friendly!
The best airports to fly into to visit Yellowstone National park are in Bozeman, Montana and Idaho Falls, Idaho.
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I’m Sarah – a southern gal who found her way to the Las Vegas desert! Welcome to my travels with my husband, life with our two dogs, and all the things in between. learn more >>
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