19 Best Things To Do In Yellowstone National Park

Planning a trip and looking for some of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park? From can’t miss attractions to day hikes, we’re covering the best of Yellowstone so you can create the ultimate itinerary.

Co-written by: Guest Author Lauren Stuart and Two Wandering Soles Director of Content, Amanda

Yellowstone is the oldest National Park in the United States and is home to some of the most unique ecosystems in the world. As you drive along Yellowstone’s scenic loop road, you’ll pass by hydrothermal hot springs and geysers, encounter wildlife, and witness geologic sites like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 

From geological wonders to epic day hikes, there are so many things to do in Yellowstone National Park. Oh, and did you know Yellowstone is home to more geysers and hot springs than any other place on earth? Pretty cool, right?!

The park is not only unique in its ecosystem, but also in its location. Yellowstone National Park straddles three U.S. states. Located primarily in Wyoming (96% of it) with small portions of the park reaching into Montana (3%) and the rest in Idaho (1%). 

Whichever state you decide to enter the National Park from, one thing is for sure, you’ll have plenty of things to see and do in one of the most popular National Parks in the US. In this article we’ll go over all the details you need to plan the ultimate Yellowstone National Park experience, from the logistics to the bucket list experiences. 

Yellowstone National Park Guide

For more tips and advice for planning your trip to Grand Teton National Park, jump to the following sections (or just keep scrolling to see it all!).

• Yellowstone National Park overview
• Best Time to Visit
• How much time to spend in Yellowstone?
• How to get to Yellowstone
• Park Entrances
• Entrance fees and permits
• Best way to explore
• Yellowstone National Park Map
• Things to know before visiting
• Where to stay in Yellowstone National Park
• Roundup of things to do in Yellowstone National Park

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Best things to do in Yellowstone National Park

While it would take years to compile a list of everything there is to see and do in this park, we did our best to put together a list of the best things to do in Yellowstone including the must-see attractions and sites. We think this list will give you a good idea of where to start your itinerary planning.

If you’re looking for the very best things to do in Yellowstone National Park, here are our top recommendations: 

1. Drive Yellowstone’s scenic Grand Loop Road
2. Discover the rainbow colors of Grand Prismatic Spring
3. Watch Old Faithful erupt
4. Experience the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
5. Spot wildlife in Lamar Valley & Hayden Valley

Keep reading for more detailed information on each of these activities and more ideas of fun things to do in Yellowstone National Park.

1. Drive Yellowstone’s scenic Grand Loop Road

First up is to drive Yellowstone’s Scenic Loop. The only way to circumnavigate the entire park is along the scenic loop. Sometimes also called the Grand Loop, Yellowstone Scenic Loop is 142 miles and takes visitors through the national park.

When planning your trip to Yellowstone, it’s best to break the Scenic Loop Road into two parts, the North Loop and the South Loop. 

The North Loop consists of popular sights like Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley. Whereas the South Loops has popular park sights like Old Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Yellowstone Lake, just to name a few.

Psst! Check out our perfect 3 day Yellowstone itinerary, which has all of the logistics and details planned for you!

2. Discover the rainbow colors of Grand Prismatic Spring

One of, if not the most popular geyser in all of Yellowstone is Grand Prismatic Spring which is located in Midway Geyser Basin. Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the iconic photographed landmarks of Yellowstone and rightfully so.

So, what makes Grand Prismatic Spring so, well, grand? 

It’s the largest geyser in the United States and the third-largest geyser in the world. It’s larger than a football field and packed with bold rainbow colors like orange, yellow, green, and blue. 

To say it’s beautiful and impressive is an understatement (in our opinion) and a must-see stop as it ranks among the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park.

Tip: Get here early to avoid crowds! We saw the first tour bus arrive by 8:15 a.m. Also note that early morning fog can takeover and completely block any views of the spring. In this case, you may need to wait until later in the day when the sun burns off the early morning fog.

You can walk right up to the edge of Grand Prismatic Spring from the boardwalk trail in Midway Geyser Basin, however, the best views are from the Grand Prismatic Overlook trail. This easy, 1.5-mile out and back trail starts at the Fairy Falls Trailhead Parking Lot and has a gentle incline of just about 200 ft in elevation gain, which brings you to a platform in the woods, overlooking the spring.

Tip: Get there early to avoid crowds and ensure a parking space. The lot is fairly large, but fills up fast and you’ll have to take turns with the crowd that gathers at the viewing platform.

3. Watch Old Faithful erupt

Seeing Old Faithful erupt as it sends steaming water 100-180 feet into the air is something to experience. First discovered in 1870 by the Washburn Expedition, Old Faithful was named for its timely eruption schedule. Erupting on average every 90 minutes (give or take 10 minutes), an Old Faithful eruption lasts around one minute to a minute and a half.

You have several options for where to watch the Old Faithful eruption:

• The Boardwalk: Great for those with accessibility needs, the boardwalk offers paved walkways and benches for views to watch the eruption upclose.
• Observation Point: To get a bird’s eye view of Old Faithful, you’ll need to hike around 0.8 miles uphill (it’s a moderate hike up) to get to the Old Faithful’s Observation Point.
• Old Faithful Inn: The Old Faithful Inn has a viewing deck for visitors to use. Grab a drink and wait for the next eruption to take place.

The boardwalk is the most popular option for visitors, so if you are looking to avoid crowds, you should try to avoid peak viewing times. The earlier you get to Old Faithful, the better. Once tour buses start to arrive, it can be hard to find a decent place with a good view to watch the eruption. 

Amanda’s personal experience note: I hiked to Observation Point to watch Old Faithful erupt when I was in Yellowstone and while the views were very impressive (and well-worth the pretty moderate hike up), the actual eruption was a bit anti-climactic from so far away. The whole eruption just looked like a big steam cloud from that point. I’d recommend watching the eruption from up close to get the full experience and then hiking to the Observation Point just to get the views later on.

Tip: To get a better idea of when Old Faithful’s next eruption is estimated to be, you can check the posted prediction at the Old Faithful Visitor Center, follow @GeyserNPS on Twitter, or view the Old Faithful eruption schedule online.

4. Explore Upper Geyser Basin & Morning Glory Pool

If you arrive at Old Faithful a little too early and have some time to kill before the next eruption, no worries at all. There is plenty to do in the area. Old Faithful sits on what is called the Upper Geyser Basin.

Home to other geysers, like the famous Morning Glory Pool, Castle Geyser, and Black Sand Basin, Upper Geyser Basin is not only the largest basin in Yellowstone but has the highest concentration of geysers in the world.

Spanning between the Old Faithful area and the Grand Loop Road, the Upper Geyser Basin has more than 150 geysers for visitors to see.

It’s easy to spend a half day exploring the Upper Geyser Basin. The entire Upper Geyser Basin loop is a 4.5-mile paved boardwalk with Morning Glory Pool being the furthest away at 1.5 miles from Old Faithful.

5. Experience the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

If you only have one day in the park, be sure the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone makes your list of things to do. It really is one of the best places in Yellowstone National Park and should be included in anyone’s itinerary.

So, why is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone so special? Let me explain…

Yellowstone Canyon is 4,000 ft wide, over 1,000 ft deep in some sections, 24 miles long, and home to two Yellowstone waterfalls, the Upper and Lower waterfalls of the Yellowstone.

With observation points scattered across both rims, visitors can get expectational views of the waterfalls and canyon below. Here are the top observation points we recommend visiting:

On the North Rim:

• Brink of the Upper Falls
• Brink of the Lower Falls
• Lookout Point
• Inspiration Point

On the South Rim:

• Upper Falls View
• Artist Point

In addition, both the North Rim and South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are accessible to those looking to get a little hike in. Point Sublime via Artist Point, Brink of the Lower Falls (see below) and the North Rim Trail are among the most popular trails in the area.

6. Hike to Brink of the Lower Falls

• Distance: 0.7 miles out-and-back
• Elevation gain: 265 ft
• Difficulty rating: Easy
• Trail notes on Alltrails 

If you’re planning to do just one hike in Yellowstone National Park, make it this one. This was hands-down the coolest hike I (Amanda) did in the park with the most bang for your buck. 

Start by parking in the North Rim lot and set aside about 45 minutes for this brief yet steep hike. 

The paved trail descends directly into the canyon, leading to two viewing platforms. One platform offers the sensation of standing right at the edge (one might say “brink” – see what I did there!?) of the falls, while the other is located just above it.

7. Take in the views from Artist Point

The aptly named Artist Point offers one of the most iconic and breathtaking views in Yellowstone National Park. Perched on the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone’s south rim, this scenic overlook provides a stunning perspective of the Lower Falls framed by the colorful canyon walls.

The vibrant hues of the cliffs, combined with the powerful waterfall, make it a favorite spot for photographers and visitors alike. The overlook is easily accessible, just a short walk from the parking lot, but does include some stairs to get to the view.

8. Spot wildlife in Lamar Valley & Hayden Valley

No trip to Yellowstone is complete without spotting a field of bison or a moose wading through the river. From endless deer to the ever-sneaky black bear and pack of wolves, Yellowstone is home to a variety of birds, reptiles, and mammals. 

The best places to catch wildlife are at Lamar or Hayden Valley.

Tip: Plan to bring some binoculars. Really, the only animals that are close to (or on the road for that matter) are the bison. More than likely, any moose, bears, or wolves you’ll see will be far away and will require a pair of binoculars to get a better view.

Visitors to Yellowstone often skip Lamar Valley for Hayden Valley due to the fact that Lamar Valley isn’t located near many other Yellowstone attractions. However, if you are looking to spot moose or wolves, Lamar Valley is your best bet. 

We were VERY lucky to see both during our trip in October. As they say, the early bird gets the worm. So aim to get to Lamar Valley at sunrise to see what wildlife you can spot.

When exploring Hayden Valley, understand a traffic jam is always caused by bison. It’s just another normal day in the park!

Tip: If you are short on time, or only have one day in Yellowstone, plan to explore the South Loop. The South Loop covers more of the best things to do in Yellowstone versus the North Loop.

9. Walk around Mammoth Hot Springs

If you are coming from Gardiner, Montana, one of the first things to do when you enter the park is to explore Mammoth Hot Springs, a unique geothermal area unlike any other in Yellowstone.

Mammoth Hot Springs is a set of terraced limestone hot spring formations making up some 3,472 square miles. Broken into two sections, you can walk the upper and lower terrace boardwalks to get expansive views of not only the park but of the hot springs themselves.

10. Hit the trails

From stunning summits and meandering riverside trails to tranquil lakes and boardwalks that get you up-close and personal to the park’s geysers and springs, there are some pretty incredible hikes in Yellowstone to discover. Many of the best trails lie well away from its star attractions.

See our round up of the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park on our sister site to get some inspiration and help you prepare to hit the trails!

11. Take in the view at Yellowstone Lake

Located in the southern end of the park, Yellowstone Lake is the largest high elevation lake in North America. Sitting at 7,730 ft above sea level, Yellowstone Lake is best explored and enjoyed by boat. Even during the summer months, the lake water temperature sits at around 41°F making it a little too cold to swim.

With its blue waters and mountain peaks in the distance, Yellowstone Lake is perfect for a quick pitstop if you are short on time. If you have more time to spare, you can hike to Storm Point or pack a lunch and have a meal along the lake shore.

12. Explore the beautiful West Thumb Geyser Basin 

Even though West Thumb Geyser Basin is the smallest geothermal area in Yellowstone, it happens to be one of our favorites. We’re not sure if it’s the beautiful backdrop of Yellowstone Lake and mountain peaks, but this small geyser basin is one not to miss.

Visiting the West Thumb Geyser Basin is easy. The boardwalk is a 1.1 mile paved path and can take around 30 minutes to one hour to complete. Home to the Abyss Pool, Yellowstone’s deepest hot spring, West Thumb is just gorgeous and well worth the stop!

13. Wander around Norris Geyser Basin

Of all the geyser basins in Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin is the one that is rapidly changing the most. Norris is broken up into two sections: Black Basin and Porcelain Basin.

Back Basin is the larger of the two and home to popular thermal pools like Steamboat Geyser. 

Porcelain Basin, while smaller, offers much more to look at when compared to Back Basin. From bubbling thermal pools to turquoise hot springs, if you must choose between the two, we’d suggest spending your time at Porcelain Basin. 

Psst! Want to combine your trip to Yellowstone with another of America’s greatest national parks, check out our 4 day Grand Teton to Yellowstone itinerary on our sister site to help you plan an epic road trip!

14. Visit the Fountain Paint Pots

A quick stop at Fountain Paint Pots is nice as it highlights all of Yellowstone’s geothermal features in one stop: hot springs, geysers, mud pots, and fumaroles. 

However, in relation to other hot springs and geysers you’ll visit, the Fountain Paint Pots are a little lackluster in comparison. Nevertheless, the half mile long boardwalk loop makes visiting quick and easy.

15. Chase a Yellowstone waterfall… or five

Scattered through Yellowstone National Park is a series of around 300 waterfalls. Some are found along the side of the road, others requiring a bit of a hike to get to. 

Regardless of whether you want to chase as many as you can find or just a few, be sure to at least see one waterfall during your visit to Yellowstone. 

Outside of the aforementioned Lower and Upper Falls in Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, below are a handful of the most popular waterfalls to see in Yellowstone:

• Udine Falls: Located about 10 minutes south of Mammoth Hot Springs and can be viewed from the road.
• Fairy Falls: Requiring a 4.8-mile hike, you can access the trailhead near Grand Prismatic Spring.
• Tower Falls: Located about a half-hour away from Udine Falls, lies Tower Fall, a 132ft waterfall that requires a 0.8-mile hike.
• Gibbon Falls: Dropping 84-ft into the Gibbon River is the Gibbon Falls. This waterfall requires a short walk along a paved path to get your sights on it.
• Firehole Falls: Located along scenic drive in Firehole Canyon lies Firehole Falls. You can witness this 40ft fall easily from the road.

16. Relax in Yellowstone’s Boiling River Hot Spring

If you are near Mammoth Hot Springs and want to rest for a bit, consider resting and soaking in the boiling river! 

We know, not the most welcoming name, is it?

You can find the boiling river parking lot along the road between the North Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs. Once parked, a half-mile walk along the Gardiner River will take you to the designated swimming area of the Boiling River.

Note: As of 2022, there is no swimming allowed in Boiling River due to the affects of flooding. Check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

17. Trek the Mount Washburn Trail

• Distance: 6.8 miles, out and back
• Elevation gain: 1,394 ft 
• Difficulty rating: Moderate
• View the trail notes

If you are looking for one epic day hike in Yellowstone with expansive views of the park, hiking the Mount Washburn Trail is for you! The most popular place to start this hike is from Dunraven Pass.

From Dunraven Pass, the trail is a nearly 7-mile out and back trail that may take you anywhere from 3-6 hours to complete depending on your physical fitness. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to spot bighorn sheep and wildflowers.

Tip: Plan to pack some bear spray. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

18. Drive through the Roosevelt Arch

If you are coming from or exiting through the North Entrance of the park, you’ll notice a giant stone archway. In 1903, the Roosevelt Arch was constructed with the cornerstone laid by President Theodore Roosevelt. 

As you drive through the arch, you’ll notice the inscription on the top sets the tone for your trip into the park, “For The Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.”

19. Take a scenic drive along Blacktail Plateau Drive

Looking to experience an additional scenic drive in Yellowstone National Park? Blacktail Plateau Drive should be added to your list.

Blacktail Plateau Drive is a 7-mile lightly trafficked dirt road which takes around 20-30 minutes to drive. However, if you plan to stop to take in the view along the way (which you should) the drive will take much longer. 

Ranking among the best places to spot wildlife in the park, Blacktail Plateau Drive is in the northern loop section of the park, about 25 minutes from Mammoth Hot Springs.

Psst! Want to combine your trip to Yellowstone with another incredible U.S. National Park? Check out our 5-Day Glacier National Park to Yellowstone on our sister site to help you plan an epic road trip!

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Yellowstone National Park overview

• Open: All year round, but certain areas of the park are only accessible during certain times of the year.
• Entrance Fee: $35/vehicle, $30/motorcycle, $20/hiking & biking or free as part of an annual America the Beautiful Pass
• Wildlife: Bighorn sheep, bison, elk, moose, grizzly bears, mountain lions, and wolves
• Established: March 1, 1872
• Ancestral Lands: Given the vastness of Yellowstone, 27 tribes called this land home. Tribes like the Crow, Umatilla, Shoshone, Bannock, and Blackfeet used the area for hunting and gathering.
• Area: 2,221,766 acres

Best time to visit Yellowstone

While Yellowstone National Park is open all year round, the best time to visit the park is from mid-May to the beginning of mid-September. During the summer months, the weather is nice and all the facilities in the park are open and accessible. However, the summer months are also considered peak season, which means lots of crowds, especially from June to August.

The shoulder seasons, like spring and fall, are options for those looking to avoid the crowds. If visiting during shoulder seasons, be prepared for inclement weather—maybe even snow! During our first visit to Yellowstone in October, we had a nice little snowfall welcoming us to the park.

Visiting Yellowstone during the winter months is also possible, you’ll just have to plan for limited access to facilities. The best way to explore the park during the winter months is to book a snowmobile or snow coach guided tour.

Psst! Did you know Yellowstone is one of the best national parks to visit in winter?

How many days do you need in Yellowstone? 

Can you see all of Yellowstone in one day? No way.

The Park is massive, like REALLY massive, and without skipping sites, seeing Yellowstone in one day is pretty much impossible. At the bare minimum, plan to spend at least two days, ideally three days in Yellowstone National Park.

Two days allows you to break up the park into two sections, the North Loop and South Loop. By having two days, you’ll be able to see the park highlights at a nice pace. Our tip is to start early. The earlier you start, the fewer crowds there will be.

If you have the time, spending three days in Yellowstone is amazing. Not only will you have more time to see the lesser-known sites, but you’ll also have the time to take a day hike and experience the best things to do in Yellowstone at your leisure.

3 Days in Yellowstone Itinerary

How to get to Yellowstone 

If you are not road tripping to Yellowstone, you’ll need to book flight arrangements. The closest airports to Yellowstone National Park are its two small regional airports:

• Yellowstone Airport (WYS) located in West Yellowstone
• Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) located in Cody, Wyoming

There are also a handful of larger nearby airports you could fly into a rent a vehicle from there.

• Jackson Hole Airport: 70 miles, 1.5 hour
• Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport: 80 miles, 1.5 hours
• Idaho Falls Regional Airport: 110 miles, 2 hours
• Salt Lake City International Airport: 325 miles, 5 hours
• Denver International Airport: 511 miles, 8 hours and 15 minutes

Yellowstone park entrances

There are a total of five entrances to Yellowstone National Park. Three of which are in Montana and the other two are in Wyoming.

• North Entrance: Located 5 miles from Gardiner, Montana and is the closest entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs.
• Northeast Entrance: Located 10 minutes from Cooke City, MT and is the closest entrance to Lamar Valley.
• West Entrance: The most convenient entrance for those coming from Idaho or Missoula, MT. This entrance will put you in the heart of geyser country.
• East Entrance: Located 53 miles from Cody, Wyoming and is the closest entrance to Yellowstone Lake.
• South Entrance: Located 1 hour and 15 minutes from Jackson, Wyoming. To get to the south entrance of Yellowstone you’ll have to drive through a part of Grand Teton National Park (and pay double entrance fees if you don’t have an annual pass).

For those looking to fly into larger airports, Jackson Hole and Bozeman Airport will be your two closest options.

Entrance tickets and fees

• Private vehicle: $35, valid for 7 days
• Motorcycle: $30, valid for 7 days
• Per pedestrian: $20, valid for 7 days

If you’re planning to visit more than one of the U.S. National Parks, we’d highly encourage you to look into getting an annual park pass. At $35 per vehicle, entering Yellowstone along with other national parks in the U.S. can get expensive.

For just $80 per year, you can purchase the America the Beautiful park pass. This pass grants you free access to all of the national parks. Plus it also covers your entrance to over 2,000 natural, historical, and recreational sites across the United States.

If you still need convincing, check out our article: America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass: Is it Worthwhile?

Best way to get around Yellowstone

Since the national park is so vast, the best way to explore Yellowstone is by car. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can plan to rent a car (or campervan!) at the airport you fly into.

What’s the best rental car company? The one that gives you the best deal!

For road trips in the US, we’ve personally had good experiences with DiscoveryCars.com and Booking.com (formerly RentalCars.com). We’ve booked through them several times and have found some really great deals. 

Search & Compare Rental Car Prices

• Discover Cars: We personally use this aggregate site to compare rental car prices from all the big name companies and get the best price possible. 
• Booking.com: We’ve had good experiences finding rental cars with this site (formerly RentalCars.com) in the past. 

Discover Cars

Booking.com

If you have a travel trailer or RV, exploring Yellowstone is totally possible with these forms of transportation.

The only warning is parking. Parking is already hard to come by during peak season, but if you have a larger/longer rig, you may find it difficult to navigate parking lots and to find room along the side of the park road to pull off.

We recommend leaving your trailer at your campsite and exploring with just a vehicle. If that’s not possible, just know you may struggle with parking a longer vehicle.

Wanna give vanlife a try while visiting Yellowstone? 

It’s no secret we’re obsessed with #vanlife. However, if you don’t have the time (or interest!) in building your own conversion but you still want to give vanlife a test drive, we’ve got options for you…

Check out our list of top companies for USA Campervan Rentals from budget to bougie, we’ve even included some exclusive discounts for our readers. 

One company we’d recommend looking into is Escape Campervans. They have 12 different locations across North America and come fully loaded with all the gear you need for an epic road trip. Plus, their rates are fair and affordable.

BONUS: We’ve partnered with them to give you a 10% off discount when you use our link!

Yellowstone National Park map

This map shows all the best things to do in Yellowstone, plus logistical information like entrances. You’ll see it covers a fair bit of ground so it’s best to plan your trip in sections.

Things to know before visiting Yellowstone National Park

• Road closures: For information on current or upcoming road closures in Yellowstone National Park, check out the latest updates on road conditions here.
• Accommodations & tours: Whether you’re staying in the park or nearby, camping or looking for a hotel, you should book accommodations and any tours well in advance as things book up quickly!
• Cell phone reception: Limited to nonexistent in the park, so download offline Google maps and Alltrails to help you navigate before you go.
• Park restaurants: For a full list of Yellowstone restaurants, check out the NPS site here.
• Be bear aware & respect the wildlife: Do not leave food out and do not feed the wildlife, keep your distance from all animals, and please pick up after yourself.
• Bathrooms: Bathrooms can be found at Visitor Centers and entrances to popular geyser basins and sites
• Gas stations: Old Faithful Service Station, Grant Village Service Station, Fishing Bridge Service Station, Tower/Roosevelt Junction Service Station and Mammoth Hot Springs Service Station

Where to stay in & nearby Yellowstone

Within Yellowstone National Park, you have 9 accommodation options to choose from. For any reservations at the below in-park accommodations, visit the Yellowstone National Park website to reserve your stay.

• Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins
• Mammoth Hot Spring Hotel and Cabin
• Old Faithful Inn
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins
• Canyon Lodge and Cabins
• Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
• Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
• Grant Village
• Lake Lodge Cabins

If you want to stay outside the park, the closest accommodation options to Yellowstone will be in Gardiner, Montana (North Park Entrance) or West Yellowstone, Montana (West Park Entrance).

Gardiner, Montana Accommodations

West Yellowstone, Montana Accommodations

Tip: As soon as you know the dates of your Yellowstone visit, BOOK YOUR HOTEL room. Places within and near the park book up fast. To secure your desired accommodation type and location, book well ahead of your planned visit.

Camping in Yellowstone National Park 

If you are looking to pitch a tent or park your campervan or RV, Yellowstone has 12 in-park campgrounds with over 2,000 sites for you to choose from. All campsites in Yellowstone require advanced reservations which can be made on the official websites linked below.

Fair warning: these sell out fast! Like, really fast. 

• Bridge Bay Campground (full hookups)
• Canyon Campground (full hookups)
• Fishing Bridge RV Park (full hookups)
• Grant Village Campground (full hookups)
• Indian Creek Campground
• Lewis Lake Campground
• Madison Campground Yellowstone (full hookups)
• Mammoth Campground
• Norris Campground
• Pebble Creek Campground
• Slough Creek Campground
• Tower Fall Campground

For more information on Yellowstone Camping, reference the NPS site for the latest information on site availability and pricing. If sites are all booked up, try using the popular camping app The Dyrt to find additional camping sites near Yellowstone National Park.

Note from the official website: “No car camping or overnight vehicle parking is allowed in pullouts, parking areas, picnic grounds, or any place other than a designated campground.”

The Dyrt App

If you’re traveling in a campervan or simply hoping to save money on your visit to Yellowstone National Park by camping along the way, we have a deal for you!

The Dyrt is our favorite campsite locating app with the largest database of campgrounds (44,000+ campsites and counting!) and over 1 million user-submitted reviews. Plus, it’s super user-friendly, and has some pretty cool features, like outdoor gear contests and forums to connect and seek advice from fellow campers, that you won’t find on any other camping app.

Try their Pro Membership for FREE for 30 days and gain access to the offline version of the app, utilize their trip planning feature AND get exclusive discounts on campsites and gear!

What to pack for Yellowstone National Park 

• Snacks: You’ll be in your car a lot and your days will be busy so having snacks is key. You’ll be spending long days in Yellowstone, and no one wants to be hangry.
• Sunscreen: You’re at a higher elevation and spending loads of time outside.  Lather up and protect that skin of yours. If you can, go the eco-friendly route to protect our lovely little planet of ours.
• Reusable water bottle: Avoid plastic bottles. Do your part to limit waste and opt for a reusable water bottle instead.
• First aid kit: For any blisters or accidental cuts. It’ll save you the hassle (and pain) of trying to track band aids/medicine down from strangers or park rangers.
• Layers: In the mornings and evenings, the temperatures are chilly. Plan to have a jacket or fleece with you. Something you can take off as the day heats up.
• Comfortable footwear: Comfortable sandals like Chacos or Tevas are great options, especially for summer! If you’re going on any trails or looking for a closed-toe shoe, sneakers with tread or a hiking boot is a great option.
• Bug spray: The mosquitoes are alive, well and THRIVING in Yellowstone.
• Binoculars: We can’t tell you how many times we used our binoculars to see and spot wildlife. You’ll be able to see wildlife much better if you have a pair of binoculars with you.
• Portable charger: Whether it’s a portable charger you can take with you or a USB you can plug into your car, you’ll want to have something with you to keep your phones charged up.
• Offline Maps: Cell phone reception is practically non-existent in the park so if you require GPS, make sure to download offline Google maps or Maps.Me to help you navigate the park when reception is not available.

If you plan to have lunch on the go, plan to pack a cooler in your vehicle. However, if you are driving a truck, just make sure to keep the cooler out of your truck bed as it could attract bears.

Round up of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park

Here’s a recap of all the best things to do in Yellowstone so you can see everything in one place.

1. Yellowstone’s scenic Grand Loop Road
2. Grand Prismatic Spring
3. Old Faithful
4. Upper Geyser Basin & Morning Glory Pool
5. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
6. Brink of the Lower Falls
7. Artist Point
8. Mammoth Hot Springs
9. Lamar Valley & Hayden Valley
10. Hiking
11. Yellowstone Lake
12. West Thumb Geyser Basin 
13. Norris Geyser Basin
14. Fountain Paint Pots
15. Yellowstone waterfalls
16. Boiling River Hot Springs
17. Mount Washburn Trail
18. Roosevelt Arch
19. Blacktail Plateau Scenic Drive

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• 5 Day Glacier National Park to Yellowstone Itinerary
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• Ultimate Road Trip Packing List

Love exploring USA National Parks?

Us too—in fact, we’re kind of obsessed with them!

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• Acadia National Park, ME
• Arches National Park, UT
• Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
• Canyonlands National Park, UT
• Capitol Reef National Park, UT
• Death Valley National Park, CA & NV
• Glacier National Park, MT
• Grand Teton National Park, WY
• Joshua Tree National Park, CA
• North Cascades National Park, WA
• Olympic National Park, WA
• Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
• Yosemite National Park, CA
• Zion National Park, UT

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