Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

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Artist Point

Artist Point offers breathtaking views of the stunning landscapes in Hayden Valley. Visitors can enjoy panoramic vistas that capture the beauty of the surrounding scenery, making it an ideal spot for photography and reflection. This viewpoint embodies the artistic inspiration of the area, inviting guests to experience the natural beauty that has captivated many.

Inspiration Point

Grand View

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Tower Fall Overlook

Tower Fall Overlook offers stunning views of Tower Fall's dramatic cascade, framed by striking brown rock. A newly designed accessible asphalt trail, approximately 150 yards long with gentle grades, provides easy access from the Tower General Store. While the lower trail is closed due to erosion, you can take a leisurely 0.75-mile stroll to see Tower Creek meet the Yellowstone River.

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Brink of the Upper Falls

The Brink of the Upper Falls offers a close, dramatic view of the Upper Falls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, making it a standout roadside viewpoint. The viewing area is just off the Grand Loop Road south of Canyon Junction, between the North and South Rim drive entrances; the canyon bends so you cannot see both falls from one spot, and off-trail travel is prohibited.

Canyon Lookout Point

Perched above the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Canyon Lookout Point offers classic views of the canyon and views of the dramatic Upper and Lower Falls. Walkways at Lookout Point (and nearby Brink of the Lower Falls) lead to superb waterfall overlooks, though you won't see both falls from the same spot, and parking at the Lookout or Grand View lots gives access to the longest accessible trail; away from the rim, trails lead through meadows and grasslands.

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Brink of the Lower Falls

At the Brink of the Lower Falls in Hayden Valley you can watch the Yellowstone River plunge and see the falls' distinctive green stripe; a notch in the brink deepens the water so it doesn't froth as it goes over. The North Rim walkway connects this viewpoint with Lookout Point (Artist Point and other rim viewpoints offer different perspectives); on sunny days a rainbow often appears in the spray. Off-trail travel in the Canyon area is prohibited.

Wraith Falls

Wraith Falls is a long, 79-foot (24-m) cascade just east of Mammoth Hot Springs, notable for its graceful drop and easy access. A short 1/2-mile (0.8-km) hike takes you to the base, making it an ideal quick outing while exploring the area; nearby Undine and Rustic Falls offer additional waterfall stops if you’re touring east and south of Mammoth.

Undine Falls Viewpoint

Undine Falls is a charming 60-foot (18.3 m) cascade just east of Mammoth Hot Springs, an easy and satisfying stop when exploring the area's hydrothermal features. Pair it with nearby sights; Wraith Falls is a short 1/2-mile (0.8 km) hike east and Rustic Falls lies south through the Golden Gate to make a compact waterfall tour while visiting the Mammoth Hot Springs area.

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Point Sublime

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Roaring Mountain

Roaring Mountain is a large, acidic hydrothermal area at Norris Geyser Basin, famed for its many fumaroles and for the thunderous "roars" visitors reported in the late 1800s and early 1900s when fumarole activity was larger and louder. Located just north of Norris on the Norris–Mammoth section of the Grand Loop Road, the fumaroles are most easily seen in the cooler, low-light conditions of morning and evening, when their steam and hissing are most conspicuous.

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Red Rock Point

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Upper Falls View

Lake Butte Overlook

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Mount Haynes Overlook

Mount Haynes Overlook provides sweeping views into Hayden and Pelican Valleys, two vast, marshy lowlands rich in wildlife: grizzly bears, bison, elk, coyotes, foxes, waterfowl (including American white pelicans), shorebirds and raptors such as bald eagles and northern harriers. Hayden Valley lies about six miles north of Fishing Bridge Junction and Pelican Valley about three miles east; the clay‑rich glacial till keeps the ground marshy with few trees, making wildlife easier to spot. Maintain safe distances: do not approach or encircle bears or wolves within 100 yards (91 m) or other wildlife within 25 yards (23 m).

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Sunbeam

The Sunbeam viewpoint in Hayden Valley offers a stunning experience during sunrise and sunset. Visitors can enjoy brilliant skies reflected on the calm waters of Yellowstone Lake and witness the steam rising from geysers near West Thumb and along Firehole Lake Drive.

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Two small geysers

These two small geysers sit within the Old Faithful/Upper Geyser Basin, part of one of the park’s most concentrated groups of hydrothermal features, offering intimate, up‑close views of steaming geyser eruptions along boardwalks. Geysers are hot springs with constricted plumbing; eruption water can be well above the surface boiling point (199°F/93°C), so stay on boardwalks and check the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center for eruption predictions and safety information.

Lehardy rapids

LeHardy Rapids offers dramatic, close-up views of the Yellowstone River’s fast-moving water from two roadside pullouts. Park at the north end and walk about 150 feet (46 m) to the river overlook. The short trail shifts from boardwalk to a level natural surface (the southern end has stairs), and note that fishing is permanently closed for 100 yards up- and downstream of the rapids.

Pumice Point

Pumice Point offers stunning views of the surrounding area, showcasing the unique geological features that define this region. Visitors can witness the vibrant colors of the acidic mudpots and paint pots in the West Thumb area, as well as the impressive hydrothermal activity. The nearby Sulphur Caldron, with its strikingly acidic waters, adds to the captivating landscape that is sure to leave a memorable impression.

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Sheepeater Cliff

Sheepeater Cliff is notable for its striking hexagonal basalt columns, which are massive pillar-like rock formations created when a basaltic lava flow slowly cooled and cracked into polygonal shapes. Located along the Gardner River between Mammoth and Norris in the Mammoth Hot Springs area, the cliffs provide an exceptional opportunity to view classic columnar basalt.

Calcite Springs

Calcite Springs’ chalk-white travertine deposits shine here because hot groundwater dissolves calcium carbonate from underlying limestone and deposits it at the surface, creating changing, living sculptures. These features grow and dry quickly as the amount of water, ground slope, and objects in the water’s path shape their form, while thermophiles add color to the pools. The water begins as mountain rain and snow that soaks into the ground, is heated below the surface, and rises to sculpt the terraces.

Crystal Falls overlook

Observation Point

Glacier Boulder

Glacier Boulder is a striking reminder of Yellowstone’s glacial past, showcasing the massive erratics and moraines left behind as ice sheets retreated. Located in Hayden Valley, this solitary glacial erratic is set against a landscape sculpted by ancient ice, allowing visitors to appreciate the park’s unique geological history.

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Washburn Hotsprings Overlook

The Washburn Hotsprings Overlook offers expansive, high-elevation panoramas of Mount Washburn and the surrounding Hayden Valley, a great place to spot bighorn sheep and seasonal wildflowers. Access follows the Washburn Spur Trail descending steeply toward the hydrothermal Washburn Hot Springs; stay on the trail in this fragile area; storms are common, and hikers should be prepared for high elevation and changeable weather with rain gear and warm layers (wool hats and gloves).

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Kepler Cascades overlook

Kepler Cascades offers an easy, beautiful view of a multi-step waterfall tumbling through a gray rock canyon framed by pine trees. The cascades are visible from a viewing platform at a pullout about three and one-half miles (5.6 km) southeast of the Old Faithful overpass along the Grand Loop/main road; a level boardwalk leads to the overlook and accessible parking is provided.

West Overlook

Norris Geyser Basin Overlook

Norris Geyser Basin Overlook provides sweeping views of Yellowstone’s hottest, most dynamic geyser basin, including Steamboat, the world’s tallest geyser. The historic Norris Geyser Basin Museum and Information Station, built in 1930 as a trailside museum, sits on the ridge and is staffed during summer to offer park information and ranger programs; restrooms are located in the parking lot.

Upper Falls View

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Colonnade Falls Overlook

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Mallard lake overlook

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LeHardys Rapids Overlook

LeHardys Rapids Overlook offers close, accessible views of the Yellowstone River’s rushing rapids from two roadside pullouts near Lake Village. Park at the north end; the walk from the parking lot to the river views is about 150 feet (46 m) and the trail shifts from boardwalk to a level, natural surface (the southern end has stairs), so expect a short, mostly easy stroll.

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Devil's Den

Morning Glory Pool

Morning Glory Pool is a stunning hot spring located in Midway Geyser Basin. Its brilliant blue center is beautifully contrasted by concentric bands of orange, yellow, and brown, with steam gently rising from the surface. The scalloped, whitish mineral edges create a striking visual against the surrounding landscape, whether it's the barren ground or a lush forest backdrop.

Kepler Cascades

Kepler Cascades is a stunning waterfall located just southeast of Old Faithful, where water gracefully tumbles through a gray rock canyon surrounded by lush pine trees. Visitors can enjoy a level boardwalk and viewing platform at a roadside pullout along the Grand Loop Road, making it an easily accessible and family-friendly stop to admire the natural beauty. Don't miss the chance to witness this picturesque cascade and capture some memorable photos!

Fairy Falls

Fairy Falls is one of Yellowstone’s most spectacular waterfalls, plunging about 200 feet and reachable from two trailheads: a 6.7-mile (10.7 km) northern route across meadows and hydrothermal features, and a 5.4-mile southern route along the edge of Midway Geyser Basin. A side-hike reaches the Grand Prismatic Overlook; trails are dry and the overlook trail is open, but the Fairy Falls Trail is closed to stock (unsuitable) despite recent clearing of the northern nine miles.

Upper Yellowstone Falls

The 109-foot Upper Falls plunges into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, offering dramatic canyon views best seen from the Brink of the Upper Falls Trail and the Upper Falls viewpoints. Water flow varies widely, from about 63,500 gallons per second at spring peak to roughly 5,000 gallons per second in autumn, so expect changing character at the falls and remain on designated trails (off-trail travel in the Canyon area is prohibited).

Lower Yellowstone Falls

The 308-foot Lower Falls plunges into the dramatic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, offering one of the park's most iconic and photogenic vistas. Viewpoints like Artist Point, Lookout Point, Red Rock Point and the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail provide different perspectives; on sunny days a rainbow often appears in the spray, and off-trail travel in the Canyon is prohibited.

Mystic Falls

Mystic Falls is a charming waterfall located in the Old Faithful area, accessible via a delightful day hike that begins at the far end of the Biscuit Basin boardwalk loop. This easy hike takes you to the base of the falls, or you can opt for a loop that ascends the nearby hillside for sweeping views across the Upper Geyser Basin. Enjoy the scenic surroundings as you explore this beautiful area.

Frog Rock

Petrified Tree

Petrified Tree is an excellent example of an ancient redwood and one of the park’s most accessible petrified specimens, located near the Lost Lake trailhead west of Tower Junction in the Lamar Valley. Nearby Specimen Ridge along the Northeast Entrance Road contains the largest concentration of petrified trees in the world, with leaf impressions, conifer needles and microscopic pollen that reveal past climates; many deposits can also be seen from the road with binoculars.

Osprey Falls

Osprey Falls, located near Bunsen Peak in the Mammoth Hot Springs area, is a stunning trail destination. The Osprey Falls Trail offers beautiful views and has recently reopened to visitors. Please note that the trail is not suitable for stock, so plan to enjoy this hike on foot.

Gibbon Falls

Gibbon Falls is an 84-foot (26 m) waterfall that tumbles over remnants of the Yellowstone Caldera rim; the rock wall opposite the road is the caldera’s inner rim. A decent-sized parking area, long viewing walkway, and a picnic area with tables and an accessible vault toilet make it an easy, family-friendly stop for travelers, and anglers should note the Gibbon River is fly-fishing only below the falls.

Artists' Paintpots

Artists' Paintpots is a colorful hydrothermal area in Norris Geyser Basin where bubbling mudpots and clay-rich pools showcase volcanic activity. Located 3.8 miles (6.1 km) south of Norris Junction, the one-mile (1.6 km) round-trip trail has a wheelchair-accessible lower portion but the upper trail is steep with stairs and not recommended for wheelchair users; mudpot activity and consistency vary with season and precipitation.

Natural Bridge

The Natural Bridge is a rhyolite arch carved by Bridge Creek, with its top about 51 feet (16 m) above the creek; crossing the bridge is prohibited to protect this feature. From pullouts near Bridge Bay Marina and Bridge Bay Campground, trails range from an easy one‑mile walk to semi‑paved 2.5–3 mile round trips; check with Bridge Bay Marina or Fishing Bridge Visitor Center for current conditions and seasonal closure (autumn–early summer) for bear/trout protection.

LeHardys Rapids

LeHardys Rapids offers a short, accessible way to view the rushing Yellowstone River, with two pullouts and parking at the north end placing river views about 150 feet (46 m) from the lot. The trail transitions from boardwalk to a level natural surface and the southern end includes stairs; note that fishing is permanently closed for 100 yards (91 m) up- and downstream of the rapids.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful's reliably spectacular eruptions roughly every 90 minutes make it Yellowstone's most iconic geyser, set in the Upper Geyser Basin among hundreds of other geysers and hot springs and adjacent to the historic Old Faithful Inn. Arrive early for a front-row view since the peak height comes shortly after an eruption starts, and follow boardwalks to safely explore nearby thermal features.

Beehive Geyser

Beehive Geyser is one of Upper Geyser Basin’s most dramatic features, erupting irregularly with intervals ranging from roughly 22 to 36 hours to stretches of more than two weeks; eruptions last about five minutes and reach heights over 150 feet (45+ m). You can access Beehive and many of the basin’s roughly 150 geysers and hundreds of hot springs via boardwalks that loop through the area; walk or drive to nearby Black Sand and Biscuit Basins to view additional features.

Steamboat Geyser

Steamboat Geyser, located in Norris Geyser Basin, is renowned for its dramatic and unpredictable major eruptions, which can shoot water and steam over 300 feet (91 m) into the air. These major eruptions last more than 10 minutes and are often followed by hours to days of steam phases. In addition, more frequent minor-phase eruptions reach heights of 10 to 40 feet (3 to 12 m).

Midway Geyser Basin

Midway Geyser Basin is home to two of Yellowstone’s most spectacular hydrothermal features, the massive Excelsior Geyser Crater, which continually discharges over 4,000 gallons of water per minute into the Firehole River, and the chromatic Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s largest hot spring at roughly 200–330 feet across and more than 121 feet deep. Boardwalks take you close to these features and a nearby trail climbs to an elevated viewpoint; the basin lies about six miles north of the Old Faithful area.

Fountain Paint Pot area

Fountain Paint Pot is a must-see, where you can view all four major hydrothermal features, including geysers, hot springs and fumaroles, and some of the park’s most famous mudpots along a colorful boardwalk. About eight to nine miles north of Old Faithful (two miles north of Midway Geyser Basin), the area has designated-accessible parking and a level, wheelchair-friendly boardwalk to Silex Spring, but other boardwalk sections have stairs; drive Firehole Lake Drive to see additional springs and geysers (no restrooms).

Lewis Falls

Lewis Falls is a picturesque cascade on the Lewis River, located about 11.3 miles (18.3 km) south of West Thumb Junction in the West Thumb area of the park. The falls can be admired from a roadside pullout, offering a beautiful view, although there is no designated parking. Visitors should use caution when stopping along the road.

Tower Fall

Tower Fall is a dramatic cascade pouring from brown rock into a scenic gorge, long admired for the large boulder once perched at its brink until it fell in June 1986. A redesigned accessible asphalt trail of about 150 yards (137 m) with 2–4% grades and designated accessible parking leads to the overlook, which is just a short walk from the Tower General Store, and the Lamar Valley's wildlife viewing areas lie nearby.

Fishing Bridge

Fishing Bridge is a historic viewing spot on Yellowstone Lake, long known as a major cutthroat trout spawning area and a once-popular angling site; the original bridge dates to 1902 and the current span was built in 1937. Because overfishing contributed to cutthroat declines, fishing from the bridge was banned in 1973, but it remains an excellent place to watch trout and has nearby services including a year-round gas station.

Biscuit Basin (CLOSED)

Biscuit Basin is closed until further notice due to a 2024 hydrothermal explosion. Biscuit Basin is one of the hydrothermal geyser basins near Old Faithful, located three miles (5 km) north of the Old Faithful intersection on the main road. Visitors can normally reach it by walking or driving from the Upper Geyser Basin and view features from boardwalks.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

West Thumb Geyser Basin is the largest geyser basin on Yellowstone Lake’s shore and a caldera within a caldera formed about 174,000 years ago, with its hydrothermal heat source roughly 10,000 feet below the surface. A boardwalk provides views of steaming pools, Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Range and shows features that flow into and beneath the lake; visitors using wheelchairs may need assistance on the lower loop, which has grades up to 10 percent.

Boiling River Pools

Boiling River was a popular natural soaking spot where visitors once gathered along the riverbank, but extensive damage from the 2022 floods has made swimming and soaking impossible. Accessible parking and the first 50 yards (45 m) of the trail remain open, but the trail beyond and the actual soaking area are unsafe and inaccessible; remember park rules prohibit soaking in thermal features and river conditions can be hazardous.

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin is Yellowstone’s hottest, most dynamic thermal area, perched where major faults and a ring fracture concentrate heat; it is home to Steamboat, the world’s tallest geyser. Temperatures measured in a scientific drill hole reached 459°F (237°C) below the surface and many features boil; eruptions (such as Echinus and Steamboat) are irregular, so check current eruption updates, and visit the nearby Museum of the National Park Ranger for local history.

Yellowstone Gateway Garden

Firehole Swimming Area

The Firehole Swimming Area offers a unique swimming experience in a thermal-influenced river setting. Located along the Firehole River on the scenic Firehole Canyon Drive, it is approximately two miles south of Madison Junction. This area typically opens in mid-summer when water flows decrease. Swim during designated hours while following the established rules: bathing suits are required, water wings are allowed, life jackets are recommended, and please refrain from bringing food, alcohol, soaps, or engaging in cliff jumping.

Mud Volcano Area

Mud Volcano in Hayden Valley is a striking hydrothermal area of bubbling mudpots, fumaroles and steaming pools, including the huge seething mud pot known as the "Gumper" (the most dramatic features are open to the public only on off-boardwalk ranger-guided walks). The site has accessible parking, restrooms and a lower boardwalk loop; a nearby staging area north of Mud Volcano provides views of the intensely acidic Sulphur Caldron (pH ~1.3) and other pools.

Bacteria Mats

Distinct concentric, rust-tinted muddy rings with bubbling vents showcase vibrant microbial activity and hydrothermal gases. Here, thermophiles and sulfur-metabolizing cyanobacteria play a crucial role in breaking down rock into clay and mud. This fascinating display highlights the unique ecosystem at work in this area.

Volcanic Tableland

The Volcanic Tableland showcases the dramatic volcanic forces that shaped Yellowstone. Here, broad lava flows, caldera collapse, and hotspot activity have created a stark, steam-touched landscape. This area is part of the same volcanic system responsible for Yellowstone’s massive eruptions, boiling mud, fumaroles, and hydrothermal pools, offering visible evidence of past lava flows and geothermal activity.

Red Spouter

Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces

Mammoth Hot Springs’ chalk-white travertine terraces, created where hot water interacts with limestone, are among the park’s fastest-changing geothermal features. Walk the boardwalks or drive the Upper Terrace Drive (recreational vehicles and trailers are not permitted); accessible boardwalks reach Canary Spring and Orange Spring Mound (with wheelchair parking), and some Lower Terrace sections are seasonally open, with winter access and ski and snowshoe opportunities depending on snowpack, so check with a ranger at Albright Visitor Center.

Wraith Falls

Wraith Falls, a long 79-foot (24-m) cascade east of Mammoth Hot Springs, is notable for its graceful drop and easy access. A short 1/2-mile (0.8-km) hike brings you to the base, making it one of three waterfalls, along with Undine Falls and Rustic Falls, that are especially easy and rewarding to visit in the Mammoth Hot Springs area.

fishing bridge

Fishing Bridge offers stunning views of Yellowstone Lake, where visitors can observe the majestic cutthroat trout in their natural spawning habitat. This historically significant bridge, built in 1937, is a prime location to enjoy the lakeshore scenery. With facilities including a year-round gas station and seasonal visitor services, it’s a great spot to relax and take in the beauty of the area.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s largest hot spring, is a chromatic, otherworldly pool, with an azure center rimmed by colorful bacterial mats, measuring about 370 feet across and more than 121 feet deep. Visitors can view it from boardwalks in Midway Geyser Basin or take a short walk from the Fairy Falls Trailhead to the only elevated overlook; off-trail travel, even on surrounding hills, is prohibited and parking is very limited, so please use designated parking areas.

Clearwater Springs

Clearwater Springs in Norris Geyser Basin is a natural feature nestled in a beautiful landscape. Visitors can explore nearby attractions including Soda Butte Creek and Pebble Creek, both of which are accessible for fording. Republic Pass offers good conditions, making it an excellent choice for hikers and those using stock. Enjoy the scenic surroundings as you discover this serene area.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring is Yellowstone’s largest hot spring, a vast, steaming azure pool ringed by vivid bacterial mats that create a surreal, chromatic display. Boardwalks in Midway Geyser Basin provide close, ground-level views, and a short walk from the Fairy Falls Trailhead leads to the only elevated overlook; off-trail travel, even on the hills above the spring, is prohibited, and parking is very limited, so please use designated parking areas.

Roosevelt Arch

Roosevelt Arch marks Yellowstone's historic north entrance, a monumental stone gateway designed by Robert Reamer and set with its cornerstone by President Theodore Roosevelt during his 1903 visit. The arch, inscribed 'For the benefit and enjoyment of the people', was built large enough for horse-drawn coaches and stands amid riverbanks of sagebrush, yellow-leaved trees, and tall conifers, making it a memorable first stop for visitors from Gardiner.

Soda Butte Cone

Soda Butte Cone is a stunning geothermal feature located in Lamar Valley, characterized by its striking fumaroles and unique mud pots. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, making it a perfect spot for photography and wildlife observation. The area is rich with vibrant geothermal activity, providing a fascinating glimpse into the Earth's geological processes.

Lone Star Geyser Basin

Lone Star Geyser Basin is a secluded backcountry basin centered on Lone Star Geyser, offering a quieter geothermal outing accessed by a trail. The basin is easily reached by about a 5-mile (8.0 km) round-trip hike, and visitors who witness an eruption are asked to note the time and report it at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center.