Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is the flagship of the National Park Service and a favorite to millions of visitors each year. The park is a major destination for all members of the family. Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, and includes small areas of Montana and Idaho as well. It’s also the site of America’s greatest concentration of geysers and hot springs, which form a visible and spectacular link with the primeval forces of the Earth’s creation. Yellowstone is also the oldest national park in the country.

Top Attractions

Old Faithful

The world's most renowned geyser is a must-see for every Yellowstone visitor. Although it isn't the largest geyser in the world, Old Faithful's eruptions are definitely awe-inspiring, averaging around 130 feet high and at times clearing 180 feet.

Hayden Valley

This valley, centrally located in Yellowstone National Park, is the first place to go to see wildlife in Yellowstone. As you drive along this beautiful, broad valley you are likely to see herds of bison, scattered elk (and the occasional herd), and the occasional grizzly bear. You are also likely to see waterfowl, including ducks, Canada geese and pelicans, swimming in or lounging near the Yellowstone River.

Mammoth Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs is a large hot spring terrace that has been created over thousands of years as hot water from the spring cooled and deposited calcium carbonate.

Mud Volcano

A few miles below Fishing Bridge are the striking mud pots of the Mud Volcano Area and the simmering Sulphur Caldron, one of Yellowstone's most acidic springs. Visitors must take care to stay on the boardwalks. From the parking lot, a short wheelchair-friendly loop passes by the steam-belching Dragon's Mouth Spring and the Mud Volcano.

Yellowstone Lake

The largest high-altitude lake on the continent (7,737 feet), Yellowstone Lake is an angler's paradise. Submerged nutrient-rich fountains nurture an amazing diversity of plant and animal life such as earthworms, sponges, native cutthroat trout, as well as invasive lake trout. Birds are abundant here, especially many species of waterfowl.

Tower Fall

This is the most popular waterfall in Yellowstone other than the Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon. The waterfall is located behind the General Store. A short walk will take you to an overlook, but we also recommend you take the short-but-steep hike down to the base of the waterfall.

Grand Canyon

The Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon, at 308 feet high, is one of the most photographed features in all of Yellowstone. There are numerous vantage points on both the North and South sides of the Canyon, and we recommend that you take the time to view the Canyon from both sides. Also, be certain to take the 3/8 mile (one way) hike down to the edge of the Lower Falls. The experience at the lip of the falls is breathtaking.

The Lamar Valley

The Lamar Valley, located entirely within Yellowstone, is one of the park’s best places to spot wildlife – the stretch between the Lamar River Trailhead and the Lamar Canyon in particular is a favourite haunt of wolf packs.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Sitting in the Midway Geyser Basin, this is the largest hot spring in the United States, approximately 250 by 300 feet in size and around 160-feet deep. But it's Grand Prisimatic's rainbow waters that really make it fascinating: While the center of the pool's deep cerulean hue is pretty characteristic, the deep reds, bright yellows and fiery oranges encircling the edges are not.

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin may be the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone and it contains the largest geyser in the world, Steamboat Geyser which occasionally erupts. The basin has few plants but instead has a spectrum of different colors caused from mineral oxides.

Firehole River

The Firehole River is unique in that it is high in temperature (up to 86° F) due to geothermic activity emptying into the river. Rainbow trout live in this river, making it a very popular fly fishing river. The Firehole River has 3 breathtaking waterfalls.

Entrance Fee

$25 - Private, noncommercial vehicle

$20 - Motorcycle or snowmobile (winter)

$12 - Visitors 16 and older entering by foot, bike, ski, etc.