One Day Yellowstone Itinerary
Enter the park via the West Entrance
You’ll parallel the scenic Madison River for 14 miles. Keep an eye out for bison and elk.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Third-largest hot spring in the world. Brightly-colored. Accessible by boardwalk. You can see everything here in about 40 minutes.
Mystic Falls
Easy 2.4-mile out-and-back hike to the falls. Plan on 1-1.5 hours to complete the hike.
Upper Geyser Basin & Old Faithful Observation Point Loop
View beautiful geysers and hot springs on this 4.9-mile loop trail. An easy asphalt path from Old Faithful to Morning Glory Pool. Boardwalks to several groups of geysers and hot springs. Moderate hikes uphill to Observation Point and geysers. This is one of the best ways to view Old Faithful. Plan to spend about 2 hours here.
Hayden Valley
Watch for wildlife. This is one of the best areas to see bison, bears, elk, wolves, and more. It only takes 15 minutes to drive through the Hayden Valley, but it will take longer if you stop to view wildlife in the area.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Amazing view of the Yellowstone River and the contrasting colors of the canyon. Plan on 2-3 hours to view both North and South Rims.
Canyon Village
Fill up your gas tank, grab a bite to eat, and purchase souvenirs from a gift shop before heading back out the west entrance.
Optional- If you have time:
Norris Geyser Basin
This is currently closed. Once it is open, you don’t want to miss the Steamboat Geyser, the largest active geyser in the world. 1-2 hours.
Artist Paint Pots
Springs, geysers, and mud pots are reached by an easy, short paved trail. Optional hillside view of the basin. 20 minutes is all you need here.
TWO-DAY Yellowstone Itinerary
Day 1
Enter the park via the West Entrance
You’ll parallel the scenic Madison River for 14 miles. Keep an eye out for bison and elk.
Natural Bridge
The trail to the bridge can be accessed from the marina at Yellowstone Lake. Expect to spend approximately an hour here.
West Thumb Geyser Basin
View geysers, mud pots, and gorgeous blue hot springs with Yellowstone Lake as the backdrop via well-maintained boardwalks. You don’t need more than half an hour to see everything here.
Grant Village
Visitor Center, restaurants, general stores, camping, and lodging.
Lone Star Geyser
Erupts up to 45 feet approximately every three hours. Expect to stay 2-3 hours, as it might take a while to erupt.
Upper Geyser Basin & Old Faithful Observation Point Loop
View beautiful geysers and hot springs on this 4.9-mile loop trail. Plan on approximately 2 hours to complete. An easy asphalt path from Old Faithful to Morning Glory Pool. Boardwalks to several groups of geysers and hot springs. Moderate hikes uphill to Observation Point and geysers. This is one of the best ways to view Old Faithful.
Have lunch at one of the restaurants in the area. Stop by the Old Faithful General Store for snacks and souvenirs.
Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin
Third-largest hot spring in the world. Brightly-colored. Accessible by boardwalk. You can see everything here in about 40 minutes.
Lower Geyser Basin and Fountain Paint Pots
This is the largest geyser basin in the area. Visit the Fountain Paint Pots to see geysers and bubbling mud pots. Expect to spend 45 minutes at this stop.
Head back out the West Entrance
Day 2- Option 1
Fishing Bridge
Visitor Center, Gas Station, General Store
Mud Volcano Trail
Easy, .8-mile loop trail. Paved sections and boardwalk. Don’t miss Dragon’s Mouth and Churning Caldron. Plan to spend an hour or two at most here.
Hayden Valley
Keep your eye out for wildlife. The Hayden Valley is famous for spotting bison, bears, elk, wolves, and more. You can drive through the Hayden Valley in 15 minutes, but it often takes longer when there is wildlife in the area.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
A breathtaking, must-see during your Yellowstone vacation. Plan on 3-4 hours to see both North and South Rims.
Canyon Village
Visitor Center, Gas Station, Gift Shops, Restaurants
Norris Geyser Basin
This is currently closed. Once it is open, you don’t want to miss the Steamboat Geyser, the largest active geyser in the world. 1-2 hours.
Artist Paint Pots
Springs, geysers, and mud pots are reached by an easy, short paved trail. Optional hillside view of the basin. 20 minutes is all you need here.
Optional Hike:
Monument Geyser
Moderate 2.3-mile out-and-back trail. Follows the river initially. A steep climb leads to a geyser basin with beautiful views. Plan on 1-2 hours.
Gibbon Falls
An easy half-mile out and back trail to beautiful views of the falls. This is a quick, 15-minute stop.
*Note- There is fantastic fly-fishing between Norris and Madison Junctions. You will likely see Bison in the area as well.
Day 2- Option 2
Enter the park via the West Entrance
Mammoth Hot Spring
Beautiful limestone terraces, hot springs, and pools are accessed via boardwalks. Visitor Center, restaurants, gift shop, and gas station. Plan to spend 2 hours here.
Bunsen Peak Trail
Moderate 4.5-mile hike with sweeping views at the summit. Bird’s eye view of Mammoth Hot Springs. Takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete.
Golden Gate Canyon and Rustic Falls
This canyon is the path of the first stagecoach route into Yellowstone. The initial Golden Gate Bridge was built entirely of wood planks in 1885. Spring is the best time to view Rustic Falls. You need less than an hour here.
Roaring Mountain
A large, acidic thermal area that contains many steam vents. Quick, 5-minute stop.
Twin Lakes
A moderate 3.2-mile loop trail with breathtaking views of the mountains and lakes. Plan to spend 1-2 hours here.
Norris Geyser Basin
This is currently closed. Once it is open, you don’t want to miss the Steamboat Geyser, the largest active geyser in the world. 1-2 hours.
Artist Paint Pots
Springs, geysers, and mud pots are reached by an easy, short paved trail. Optional hillside view of the basin. 20 minutes is all you need here.
Optional Hike:
Monument Geyser
Moderate 2.3-mile out-and-back trail. Follows the river initially. A steep climb leads to a geyser basin with beautiful views. Plan on 1-2 hours.
Gibbon Falls
An easy half-mile out and back trail to beautiful views of the falls. This is a quick, 15-minute stop.
*Note- There is fantastic fly-fishing between Norris and Madison Junctions. You will likely see Bison in the area as well.