Source 2026 Wyoming Official Travel Guide - Wyoming Official Travel Guide
Old Faithful & Special Finds in Yellowstone National Park
2025-12-29 02:56:40
Connected by the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks both offer dramatic scenery and unforgettable outdoor adventures. But make no mistake: They each deliver distinctly special experiences.
HIGHLIGHTS & EXTENDED-STAY TIPS FOR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
A dynamic volcanic hot spot that also boasts more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails, nearly 300 waterfalls and the largest concentration of mammalian wildlife in the lower 48 states? That’s what we call a national treasure. Here’s how to cash in on Yellowstone’s riches, no matter how much time you have to spend wandering.
PARK HIGHLIGHTS
While you can’t see all of Yellowstone in a weekend, it’s relatively easy to hop in your car and prioritize the fascinating geothermal features for which the park is best known. West Thumb Geyser Basin , on the edge of Yellowstone Lake , features two short boardwalk loops that will take you past the steaming Thumb Paint Pots, vibrant Abyss Pool and minuscule Fishing Cone.
Make a beeline for the park’s most famous feature, Old Faithful Geyser . With approximately 20 eruptions every day, this reliable geyser’s frequency can be predicted with 90% accuracy, within about 10 minutes. Avoid the crowds with an early-morning visit, then tuck in for a hearty breakfast at the Old Faithful Inn, a true icon of pioneer architecture.
Another must-do is Midway Geyser Basin, a park destination known for the vaporous clouds clinging to its banks. The main attraction here is Grand Prismatic spring — the third-largest hot spring in the world. This pool is bigger than a football field. Its enchanting colors are caused by the different species of heat-loving bacteria that live in the spring.
Don’t miss the Grand Loop. Take Firehole Lake Drive, a 3-mile scenic trip past at least a dozen geothermal features. With luck, you’ll catch one of Great Fountain Geyser’s breathtaking and highly unpredictable displays.
Make time for Artist Point’s bucket-list overlook of the Grand canyon of the Yellowstone’s tumbling Lower Falls, then head over to Brink of the Upper Falls overlook for more cascading grandeur.
Feeling hungry? Pause for lunch at Geyser Grill or for a hearty dinner at the historical Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room.
BEST THINGS TO DO …
FOR SIGHTSEERS
See the Old Faithful Geyser spout grandly. Find up-to-date ranger eruption predictions at travelwy.com/predictions.
FOR FAMILIES
Saddle up for a guided horseback ride, then listen for bugling elk at Madison Campground from the comfort of your tent.
FOR ADVENTURERS
Rent a bike at Old Faithful Snow Lodge — ask the staff for tips on the best places to pedal around the park.
EXTENDED STAY
ADVENTURES TO ADD ON IF YOU HAVE A WEEK…
Come in through the park’s north entrance and head to Mammoth Hot springs . With a fantastical landscape straight out of Middle Earth, it’s like a limestone cave turned inside out. Two boardwalks give you access to more than 50 geothermal features — including free-standing Liberty Cap, colorful Minerva and Palette Springs and Angel Terrace. History buffs will enjoy a quick side trip to Fort Yellowstone, just a stone’s throw from the springs.
You can’t miss hiking around the Grand canyon of the Yellowstone , either. This 20-mile-long, 1,000-foot-deep natural work of art is best explored while hoofing it, with the canyon’s colorful walls rising around you. There are 10 official overlook spots in the canyon, and Artist Point is one of the most popular. After uttering your “oohs” and “aahs” at the spectacular view of Lower Falls crashing into the river below, leave the paved trail and keep hiking along the canyon’s south rim to Point Sublime.
# Yellowstone Pledge
Help the National Park Service protect Yellowstone for the enjoyment of future generations by taking the Yellowstone Pledge, a promise to help protect yourself and be a steward of the park by taking safe selfies, following speed limits, staying on boardwalks and trails, and keeping a safe distance from wildlife. Then, share your park photos with the hashtag #YellowstonePledge to encourage others to do the same. Learn more about traveling responsibly in Wyoming at travelwy.com/wyresponsibly.
Another Yellowstone priority is the Lamar Valley Thanks to a reliable water supply, lush vegetation and panoramic vistas, it’s known as “America’s Serengeti” for its large, easily visible wildlife population. On any given day, you might see herds of bison, pronghorn or deer; bald eagles and osprey in flight; or a badger, coyote or grizzly.
Nature-loving anglers can spot Wyoming wildlife as they fish (turn to p. 69 for wildlife-safety information), as the tranquil Lamar River offers some of Yellowstone’s best fly-fishing. Surrounded by rolling, verdant hills in all directions — and interrupted only by glimpses of the valley’s plentiful fauna — visitors can expect to hook both rainbow and native Yellowstone cutthroat trout up to 15 inches long.
Get an up-close view of Yellowstone Lake, too. As the largest high-elevation lake in North America and nearly 400 feet deep in places, it’s a wonderful location to explore by kayak or canoe. Because of the lake’s many hidden underwater geysers, submerged fumaroles and other geothermal features, we recommend a guided tour with one of the many outfitters in the area. After your paddle, enjoy a rewarding dinner in the waterside Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room before bidding farewell to the park.
“The land around Yellowstone was historically claimed by many native Indigenous tribes, my tribe — the Northern Arapaho — being one of those. The translation we have for Yellowstone is ‘the water goes up,’ which I think is a cool translation. I know that historically my family members have been there and seen that.” — ROBERT MARTINEZ
Award-Winning Northern Arapaho Artist, martinezartdesign.com & instagram.com/robertmartinezartist
YOUR HOME BASE IN YELLOWSTONE
(HINT: BOOK NOW)
Find the ultimate headquarters for your getaway and book it as soon as possible. Depending on the season, spots get booked months — or sometimes even a year — in advance.
LODGES, HOTELS & CABINS
From the elegant Lake Hotel to the Roosevelt Lodge inspired by Teddy himself, there are nine different lodging facilities in Yellowstone. Wi-Fi and TVs can be scarce in this neck of the woods, however, so bring that paperback book you’ve been saving.
OUTSIDE THE PARK
Whether you’re seeking a bed-and-breakfast hideaway, a cozy cabin or a Western-inspired inn, there are dozens of accommodation options within the gateway communities of Cody (50 miles east), Jackson (60 miles south) and Dubois (80 miles southeast).
CAMPGROUNDS
There are 12 campgrounds that together total more than 2,000 sites, plus permitted backcountry sites. Reservations are made through yellowstonenationalparklodges.com and recreation.gov.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Explore more things to do at Yellowstone National Park, plus tips for mapping out your visit: travelwy.com/yellowstone. Browse listings for places to stay starting on p. 81 and find outfitters starting on p. 94.
The icon marks areas where accessible parking, trails and/or viewpoints are located.
MOST WALKWAYS AND SELF-GUIDING TRAILS HAVE AT LEAST ONE ACCESSIBLE ROUTE. VISIT TRAVELWY.COM/YNP-MOBILITY FOR DETAILED MAPS & MORE ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION.
YELLOWSTONE ROADS
Yellowstone’s weather can change quickly and this map’s features are subject to change. Check for road closures and for real-time status updates at nps.gov/yell. Drive times seen on this map are approximate, and delays — depending on season, weather and wildlife — can be expected.
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