21 Fun Things To Do in Yellowstone National Park

Cole grew up in the West and in college he was a Japanese speaking tour guide at many National Parks including Yellowstone. We have loved traveling to Yellowstone as a couple, with friends and family, and now with our kids. In no particular order, here is our list of favorite things to do while visiting Yellowstone National Park!

Tips:

National Park Services advises the following:

*Hike in groups of 3 or more; keep your group together.

*Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

*Know your route, carry a map, and be able to navigate.

*Do not hike after dark.

*Stay on established trails; off-trail travel prohibited in thermal areas

*Leave What You Find: Do not collect anything from the park.

*Do not approach or feed any animal.

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1. OLD FAITHFUL GEYSER & OLD FAITHFUL INN

Old Faithful is a world famous geyser and must-see for every Yellowstone visitor. The geyser is named for it’s frequent and predictable eruptions that can reach heights of 106 to 180 feet! Nearby you’ll find the impressive Old Faithful Inn, a national historic landmark and the most popular lodging facility in Yellowstone National Park. It is considered the largest log structure in the world!

2. GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING

Grand Prismatic Spring is Yellowstone’s largest hot spring. At about 370 feet in size and 121 feet deep it is also one of the largest hot springs in the world. The rainbow color waters caused by thermophilic bacteria make Grand Prismatic Spring a favorite sight in Yellowstone which you can also view from the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail.

3. EXCELSIOR GEYSER CRATOR

Excelsior Geyser Crator is a now dormant fountain-type geyser which was once the largest geyser in the world. It’s last known major eruptions were in the 1880’s with eruptions reaching 300 feet high. Today, Excelsior’s pool discharges about 4,000 to 4,500 gallons water per minute. The water temperature is 199 °F and flows directly into the nearby Firehole River. Excelsior Geyser Crator is the first pool you pass on the boardwalk when visiting the Midway Geyser Basin, the other main attraction being Grand Prismatic Spring.

4. FAIRY FALLS TRAIL

One of Yellowstone’s most spectacular waterfalls is the 200 feet high Fairy Falls. From the trailhead, which also leads to the Grand Prismatic overlook, hike about 5 miles through a lodgepole pine forest to the falls. It’s easy to combine a visit to Fairy Falls and Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook since they share the same trail.

5. GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE

Perhaps my favorite place in Yellowstone National Park, although it is hard to just pick one, is the impressive Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It is the first large canyon on the Yellowstone River and is about 24 miles long, and between 800 and 1,200 feet deep. You can experience the canyon from a variety of overlooks, at different times of day, and in any season. There are a number of trails and walkways along the rims and down partway into the canyon.

6. UNCLE TOM'S TRAIL

Update: Sadly, due to costs to repair and maintain the stairs, the trail has been permanently closed.

Uncle Tom’s Trail was a steep 328-step metal staircase descending into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It was named after “Uncle Tom” Richardson who built the trail in 1898. The trail would take thrill-seekers from the top of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone down to the base of the 308 foot high Lower Falls for up-close views of the powerful falls and oftentimes rainbow cutting through the mist. Of course after descending the stairs, you would have to make your way back up!

7. HORSEBACK RIDING IN PLEASANT VALLEY

One of my favorite experiences in Yellowstone was horseback riding in Pleasant Valley for my birthday. These guided trips are a great way to slow down and experience Yellowstone National Park. We met our guides at the Roosevelt Corrals and the tour took us through sagebrush flats in Pleasant Valley.

8. MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS

Mammoth Hot Springs is a beautiful terraced hot spring that looks unlike any other place in the park. The terraced hot springs are ever changing and was created over thousands of years. You can walk along the boardwalk or drive around the colorful terraces.

9. CHUCK WAGON COOKOUT AT ROOSEVELT RANCH

An evening with the old west chuck wagon cookout was one of our favorite activities when visiting Yellowstone with our kids and grandparents. We rode horse-drawn covered wagons to the cookout site for a delicious dinner of steak, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, chuck wagon corn, corn muffins, watermelon, fruit cobbler and drinks. After dinner the group enjoyed stories and music by the campfire and the kids loved meeting the horses.

10. PETRIFIED TREE

While Yellowstone is famous for geysers and hot springs, you can travel off the beaten path and see one of America’s oldest natural wonders. The petrified tree is a relic from over 50 million years ago! The tree is fenced off to protect it from harm and to preserve it for years to come. While many hike to the petrified tree, you can easily drive directly to it which makes it an easy and quick stop while on your way to other attractions which is what we did on our way from Roosevelt Ranch.

11. PETRIFIED FOREST TRAIL

If one petrified tree is not enough, hike the short but challenging Petrified Forest Trail. Giant petrified trees along this trail are redwoods and pines from over 50 million years ago. The route is challenging and not recommended for families with young children.

12. BRINK OF UPPER FALLS TRAIL

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River begins at Upper Falls and you can walk right up to the edge of the dramatic waterfall on the Brink of the Upper Falls Trail. This is an easy but worthwhile stop on your way to other attractions which is what we did before a hike to Riddle Lake.

13. LAMAR VALLEY

Lamar Valley is a must for wild life watchers visiting Yellowstone National Park. The area is home to bison, elk, coyote, grizzly and wolves. We recommend visiting Lamar Valley at sunset for its beauty but also because it is the time when most wildlife activity occurs. Our kids loved spotting wildlife on our drive as well as stopping to hike or fish.

14. HAYDEN VALLEY OVERLOOK

Another favorite place to observe wildlife is Hayden Valley at the heart of Yellowstone National Park. On our most recent visit we even spotted a wolf! The area is teeming with bison, elk, bears and is good for bird watching including bald eagles.

15. DRAGON'S MOUTH & MUD VOLCANOES

Perhaps one of my kids’ favorite stop is Dragon’s Mouth, a hot spring near Hayden Valley. The spring boils, gurgles, and growls deep in a cave while releasing steam that looks like it’s coming from a dragon!

16. WEST THUMB GEYSER BASIN

West Thumb Geyser Basin is a a nice boardwalk trail with a wonderful variety of geysers. The fact that the geysers are located right on the shores of Yellowstone Lake make this one of the most stunning areas of park.

Related blog post: Yellowstone’s West Thumb Geyser Basin

17. CHARTER FISHING ON YELLOWSTONE LAKE

One of our favorite things to do when traveling or camping is to charter a fishing boat with a local guide. Charter fishing on Yellowstone Lake did not disappoint! It is such a fun way to enjoy the sunshine, beautiful scenery, and have an adventure!

18. YELLOWSTONE LAKE HOTEL

The historic Yellowstone Lake Hotel is proudly designated a National Historic Landmark and set on the picturesque shores of Yellowstone Lake. We enjoyed a visit to the hotel for the lunch buffet in the hotel dining room, then explored the architecture and history of the 1920’s era hotel.

19. PELICAN CREEK NATURE TRAIL

This easy 1 mile hike is not so well known to visitors but is a gorgeous location to view Yellowstone’s wildlife and landscape. Walk down to the shores of Yellowstone lake, watch for birds, and keep an eye out for wildlife. Nearby Pelican Valley is known for grizzly bear and elk sightings.

20. RIDDLE LAKE

Hike across the Continental Divide to Riddle Lake. The name supposedly came from early explorers being confused about not knowing which ocean the lake drained toward because it is so close to the Continental Divide. The easy-going trail makes for a great day hike.

21. YELLOWSTONE JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

Free full-color Junior Ranger booklets are available at any Yellowstone National Park visitor center. The self-guided program for kids ages 4 and up includes fun age-appropriate activities to teach about hydrothermal geology, wildlife, fire ecology, and more. After completing the requirements, turn in the booklet to a park ranger at any visitor center and receive an official Yellowstone Junior Ranger badge!