Yellowstone National Park was the first National Park in the United States and the world, so there are tons of things to do and see when visiting. Founded in 1872, Yellowstone National Park attracts millions of people to its unique and varied landscape every year. Between technicolor hot springs, rambling rivers, mudpots, unique wildlife (get ready for bison traffic jams) and bursting geysers, there is A LOT to see in Yellowstone National Park. With over 2.2 million acres of land to explore, going into your trip with a plan of what to see in Yellowstone is imperative.
Yellowstone is also one of the most visited national parks in the United States, second only to the Great Smoky Mountains—and for good reason. Yellowstone is one of a kind. The park sits atop the largest super volcano in North America, houses some of the most distinctive geothermal features, like half of the world’s active geysers (more than 500), and is larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined!
I’ve visit Yellowstone National Park more times than I can count and have seen it all during every season (yes, even during the winter when most of the park is closed). I’ve put together a list of 4 spots that you need to see in Yellowstone during your first trip.
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS
Mammoth Hot Springs is at the very top of Yellowstone. When visiting Yellowstone, I always recommend starting at the northern entrance and driving south on the western side of the park and making a big loop. If you follow this recommendation, Mammoth Hot Springs will be your first stop. Be aware that this isn’t a hot spring that you can relax in, as a matter of fact, it’s WAY too hot. These one-of-a-kind travertine terraces are created by a unique hydrothermal phenomenon. There is a boardwalk that you can take a walk along to experience the unique geothermal activity. Due to Yellowstone’s location on a volcanic hotspot, extremely hot water runs underground, melts the limestone and pushes it above ground to create these cave-like features.
While some people have mixed opinions about Mammoth Hot Springs, I’m including them on this list because it’s truly unique from anything else in the park. Sure, you could spend days visiting all the colorful pools and geysers that Yellowstone has to offer, but you’re going to get bored fast. Visiting this area provides something different and special. Don’t skip this stop!
My Mammoth Hot Springs Tips:
- Start your day here if you can!
- You can drive the Upper Terrace Loop if you’re short on time, but I prefer walking the boardwalk.
- Hot Springs is located in a small town center near the north entrance where you’ll find plenty of facilities and food options compared to other areas around the park. Take advantage of the bathrooms, gas station and food options here.
- Keep your eyes open to elk! You will find LOTS hanging out around here.
OLD FAITHFUL
Old Faithful is one of the most well-known “must see’s” in Yellowstone. It’s safe to assume, you already had this on your list! If it’s your first time visiting the national park, I highly recommend making the effort to see it erupt. It’s eruption schedule is very predictable – You can watch it erupt 20 times every day, anywhere from 100-180 feet high for about 1 – 1.5 minutes at a time. Yellowstone rangers can even predict the next eruption based on the duration and length of the previous one, with 90% accuracy at a 10 minute variation. I guess the name “Old Faithful” makes sense, huh?
Because Old Faithful is easily the most famous and easily accessible site in the park, it gets extremely busy. The parking lot will feel like Disneyland’s at times. Personally, I prefer things a little more quiet with less crowds, so this attraction isn’t my favorite, BUT if it’s your first time in the park, you have to experience it. Since seeing it the very first time I visited Yellowstone, I’ve only seen it a couple of times since when I was traveling with a first-timer.
My Old Faithful Tips:
- Check the daily eruption schedule when you first arrive so you know how much time you have to kill (or not kill).
- This is a good mid-day adventure. There is a restaurant to eat at and gift shop to shop in for a break.
- Try finding a seat in the front row if you can. There are wooden benches to sit on. Don’t worry if you can’t find a seat – There is plenty of standing space. You can also just wait until the next eruption if you have time.
GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING
The Grand Prismatic Spring is my absolute favorite thing to see (besides the wildlife) in Yellowstone. The colors are unbelievably vibrant and perfect for photographing. The best part are the wild textures and colors—yellows, oranges and greens encircling the most vibrant blue you have ever seen. These rainbow hues come from the different species of thermophile—or heat-loving bacteria—living in the much cooler water surrounding the spring. In line with the park’s ever-changing landscapes, these colors shift from heavily orange in summer to a deeper green in winter.
This is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest spring in the world! It’s 370 feet in diameter and takes up more room than a football field. What’s even crazier? The spring is more than 10 stories deep.
My Grand Prismatic Spring Tips:
- While visiting in the early morning will avoid crowds here, you run the risk of the spring being covered in steam. Your best bet is to head here mid-day on a sunny day and suck up the crowds to ensure you see the best colors come out at Grand Prismatic.
- Parking isn’t as easy here as it is at Old Faithful. There is a small parking lot, but a long line to find a spot. I’ve always found one, but if you’re on a time crunch, I recommend parking along the road and walking through the parking lot and up the boardwalk.
- If you’re wanting to get a shot from above of Grand Prismatic Spring, you actually need to head to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook at Fairy Falls Trailhead – This is a different spot!
ARTIST’S POINT
Artist’s Point is at the Grand Canyon of the national park. Yup – There’s another breathtaking canyon right here in Yellowstone with the added features of hydrothermal activity and complex geological history. Running as deep as 1,200 feet, the beautiful valley has been slowly eroded over time by the Yellowstone River which runs the 20 mile length of the canyon.
Because this part of the park is on the opposite side from all the more famous sites like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, I feel like this area often gets overlooked, and I haven’t personally experienced as much traffic in this section as the others. But if you have more than a day in Yellowstone, I wouldn’t skip it. It’s definitely one of the most gorgeous things to see in Yellowstone.
My Artist’s Point Tips:
- Great place to catch the sunset!
- This won’t be a long stop – You can view what it has to offer pretty quickly.
- If you want to try and catch the famous rainbow over the waterfall at Artist’s Point, head there in the morning between 9:30-10:15 AM.
