Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park, United States of America

Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the world's first national park, spans over 2.2 million acres across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. This geological wonderland sits atop an active supervolcano and features the world's largest collection of geothermal features, including the famous Old Faithful geyser, vibrant hot springs, and bubbling mud pots. The park's diverse ecosystems support an incredible array of wildlife, from grizzly bears and wolves to bison herds and elk. Beyond its geothermal marvels, Yellowstone offers dramatic landscapes including the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its thundering waterfalls, pristine alpine lakes, and vast wilderness areas perfect for hiking and camping. The park's unique combination of natural phenomena, wildlife viewing opportunities, and outdoor recreation makes it one of America's most iconic destinations, attracting millions of visitors annually who come to witness nature's raw power and beauty in this protected wilderness sanctuary.

Top Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

Wildlife Watching Tours

Experience Yellowstone's incredible biodiversity through guided wildlife tours that offer the best chances to spot grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, bison, elk, and mountain goats. Early morning and evening tours provide optimal viewing opportunities when animals are most active. Professional guides use spotting scopes and share expert knowledge about animal behavior and park ecology.

Booking Tip: Book wildlife tours 2-3 months in advance, especially for summer visits. Tours typically cost $75-150 per person and last 4-8 hours. Choose operators with small group sizes (under 12 people) and experienced naturalist guides. Spring and fall offer the best wildlife activity.

Geyser Basin Exploration

Explore Yellowstone's world-famous geothermal features including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Upper, Middle, and Lower Geyser Basins. Walk along boardwalks and trails to witness erupting geysers, colorful hot springs, and steaming fumaroles up close. The diversity and concentration of geothermal features here is unmatched anywhere on Earth.

Booking Tip: Self-guided exploration is free with park admission ($35 per vehicle for 7 days). Guided geyser tours cost $40-80 per person and provide expert interpretation. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and capture the best photography lighting.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Tours

Marvel at the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, featuring the dramatic Lower Falls plunging 308 feet into the colorful canyon below. Multiple viewpoints including Artist Point and Uncle Tom's Trail offer different perspectives of this geological masterpiece. The canyon's yellow and red rock formations create a painter's palette of natural colors.

Booking Tip: Canyon access is included with park admission. Guided photography tours cost $60-120 per person and help capture the best shots. Visit Artist Point during golden hour for optimal lighting. Uncle Tom's Trail involves steep stairs but offers the most dramatic waterfall views.

Backcountry Hiking Adventures

Venture into Yellowstone's pristine wilderness on multi-day backpacking trips or challenging day hikes to remote areas like Mount Washburn, Avalanche Peak, or the Thorofare region. These adventures offer solitude, pristine landscapes, and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities away from the crowds. Trails range from moderate day hikes to strenuous multi-day expeditions.

Booking Tip: Backcountry permits required for overnight trips ($3 per person per night) and should be reserved months in advance. Guided hiking tours cost $80-200 per person per day. Choose operators certified in wilderness first aid and bear safety. Best hiking season is July through September.

Photography Workshops

Capture Yellowstone's stunning landscapes, wildlife, and geothermal features through specialized photography workshops led by professional nature photographers. These tours focus on optimal timing, composition techniques, and accessing the best vantage points for iconic shots. Workshops cater to all skill levels from beginners to advanced photographers.

Booking Tip: Photography workshops range from $150-400 per person for day trips, with multi-day workshops costing $800-2000. Book 3-6 months ahead for popular seasons. Look for instructors with published Yellowstone work and small group sizes (6-8 people maximum) for personalized instruction.

Getting There

Yellowstone National Park has five entrance gates accessible by car year-round (though some close seasonally due to snow). The North Entrance near Gardiner, Montana, and Northeast Entrance near Cooke City, Montana, are the only year-round vehicle entrances. Other entrances include West (West Yellowstone, Montana), South (Grand Teton National Park), and East (Cody, Wyoming). The closest major airports are Jackson Hole Airport (48 miles), Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (90 miles), and Billings Logan International Airport (130 miles). Most visitors rent cars at airports, though limited bus services operate from some gateway towns during summer months.

Getting Around

A private vehicle is essential for exploring Yellowstone as the park covers over 2.2 million acres connected by the Grand Loop Road system. The park has limited cell service and no ride-sharing services. During summer, free shuttle services operate in some congested areas like Old Faithful. Many roads close from November through April due to snow, with only the road between North and Northeast entrances remaining open to regular vehicles. Snowcoaches and snowmobiles provide winter access to interior areas. Plan for slow travel due to wildlife jams, construction, and winding mountain roads - it can take several hours to cross the park.

Where to Stay

Old Faithful Area

Grand Canyon Village

Lake Yellowstone Hotel Area

Mammoth Hot Springs

West Yellowstone Gateway

Gardiner Gateway

Food & Dining

Dining options within Yellowstone range from casual cafeterias to upscale lodge restaurants, with most facilities operating seasonally from May through October. The historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room and Old Faithful Inn Dining Room offer fine dining with regional cuisine featuring bison, elk, and trout. Casual options include grills, cafeterias, and general stores with limited groceries and snacks. Gateway towns like West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Jackson offer more diverse dining scenes with local steakhouses, breweries, and cafes. Due to the park's remote location, food prices are higher than average, and reservations are recommended for lodge restaurants during peak season.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Yellowstone depends on your interests and tolerance for crowds. Summer (June-August) offers the warmest weather, full facility operations, and all roads open, but also brings peak crowds and higher prices. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) provide excellent wildlife viewing, fewer crowds, and beautiful scenery, though some facilities may be closed and weather can be unpredictable. Winter (November-March) transforms the park into a snowy wonderland perfect for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and unique wildlife viewing, but requires special transportation and most roads are closed to regular vehicles.

Insider Tips

Download the NPS Yellowstone app before visiting for offline maps, geyser predictions, and wildlife tracking since cell service is limited throughout the park

Carry bear spray at all times when hiking and maintain at least 25 yards from bison and elk, and 100 yards from bears and wolves - wildlife encounters can be dangerous

Book accommodations 12-18 months in advance for summer visits as lodges fill quickly, and consider staying in gateway towns for more availability and lower costs

Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park