Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is the wild, free-flowing, beating heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Its real showstoppers are the geysers and hot springs – nature’s crowd-pleasers – but at every turn this land of fire and brimstone breathes, belches and bubbles like a giant kettle on the boil. The park’s highways traverse these geysers, through meadows and forests, past roadside herds of bison and campsites aromatic with pine needles and family campfires. In between lies the country’s largest collection of elk, the continent’s oldest, largest wild bison herds and a pristine wilderness roamed by wolves, grizzlies, moose and antelope.

Explore Yellowstone National Park

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Mammoth Hot Springs
The imposing Lower and Upper Terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs are the highlight of the Mammoth region. An hour’s worth of boardwalks wind their way between…
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Upper Geyser Basin
While Old Faithful gets the most attention, there's lots to explore in Upper Geyser Basin, which has the densest collection of geysers in Yellowstone. On…
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Grand Prismatic Spring
At 370ft wide and 121ft deep, Grand Prismatic Spring is the park’s largest and deepest hot spring. It’s also considered by many to be the most beautiful…
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Lamar Valley
Of Lamar Valley's abundant wildlife, the most famous – and to some, controversial – resident is the gray wolf. Wolves were missing from the ecosystem…
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Canyon Visitor Education Center
This major center is well worth a visit for its innovative and interactive displays on Yellowstone’s geology. The highlight is a room-sized relief model…
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Artist Point
Artist Point is probably the most famous of the canyon’s viewpoints, offering a long overview of the Lower Falls and canyon. It was not, as many people…
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Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin comprises Porcelain Basin and Back Basin, accessed through two connecting loops. If the world's tallest geyser, Steamboat Geyser, isn…
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Lookout Point
Popular Lookout Point, near Canyon Village, offers the best views of the Lower Falls. An adjacent 0.5-mile trail drops 500ft to Red Rock for even closer…
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Inspiration Point
A side road branches off North Rim Dr to reach busy Inspiration Point, which offers an overview of the length of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and a…

M
Mammoth Hot Springs
The imposing Lower and Upper Terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs are the highlight of the Mammoth region. An hour’s worth of boardwalks wind their way between…
U
Upper Geyser Basin
While Old Faithful gets the most attention, there's lots to explore in Upper Geyser Basin, which has the densest collection of geysers in Yellowstone. On…
G
Grand Prismatic Spring
At 370ft wide and 121ft deep, Grand Prismatic Spring is the park’s largest and deepest hot spring. It’s also considered by many to be the most beautiful…
L
Lamar Valley
Of Lamar Valley's abundant wildlife, the most famous – and to some, controversial – resident is the gray wolf. Wolves were missing from the ecosystem…
C
Canyon Visitor Education Center
This major center is well worth a visit for its innovative and interactive displays on Yellowstone’s geology. The highlight is a room-sized relief model…
A
Artist Point
Artist Point is probably the most famous of the canyon’s viewpoints, offering a long overview of the Lower Falls and canyon. It was not, as many people…
N
Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin comprises Porcelain Basin and Back Basin, accessed through two connecting loops. If the world's tallest geyser, Steamboat Geyser, isn…
L
Lookout Point
Popular Lookout Point, near Canyon Village, offers the best views of the Lower Falls. An adjacent 0.5-mile trail drops 500ft to Red Rock for even closer…
I
Inspiration Point
A side road branches off North Rim Dr to reach busy Inspiration Point, which offers an overview of the length of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and a…

Latest Stories from Yellowstone National Park

Hiking 7 best hikes in Yellowstone National Park
Jan 28, 2023 • 7 min read
The best hikes in Yellowstone, from wheelchair-accessible boardwalk strolls to multiday backpacking trips, taking in geysers, waterfalls and mountain summits.
National Parks Yellowstone reveals new visitor access plan as parts of national park remain closed
Jun 20, 2022 • 3 min read
Yellowstone National Park has announced its partial reopening plan for visitors following record-breaking flooding that closed the park.
National Parks 10 of the most spectacular waterfalls at Yellowstone National Park and how to see them
Apr 13, 2022 • 9 min read
In addition to geysers that blow on the regular, Yellowstone has hundreds of cold water cascades. These are the best.
Hiking I'm a Yellowstone guide — here's what you need to know if you plan on visiting in 2022
Apr 4, 2022 • 5 min read
The inside scoop from a Yellowstone tour guide: top 5 do’s and don’ts for your visit during the park's 150th season.
Camping Yosemite vs Yellowstone: which national park is best for you?
Jan 24, 2022 • 8 min read
Both parks are wildly popular, but there are significant differences between the two. Here's how to choose the one that's right for you.
National Parks Experience Yellowstone National Park sustainably: your guide to going green
Sep 24, 2021 • 5 min read
Yellowstone's popularity puts a strain on its unique ecosystem. Here's how to support sustainability on your next visit.
Sports 8 US national parks where you can scuba dive
Apr 16, 2021 • 5 min read
Looking for somewhere to scuba dive nearby? These top underwater locales are in some of the US' best-known national parks
History Shimmering Vegas installation celebrates the beauty of America's national parks
Feb 5, 2021 • 3 min read
Coming to the Vegas branch of Meow Wolf this year, the installation is made up of intricate patterns of white lines that were delicately hand-painted on layers…
National Parks A wolverine has been caught on camera in Yellowstone for the first time
Jan 19, 2021 • 2 min read
Animal experts captured footage of a wild wolverine outside of the Mammoth Hot Springs area of the park.
Sustainable Travel Why winter is the perfect time to spot Yellowstone’s wildlife
Nov 23, 2020 • 6 min read
Geothermal wonders and stunning landscapes have drawn visitors to Yellowstone National Park for almost 150 years, but winter is when the real magic happens.
Wildlife & Nature America's 'pocket planet': exploring Yellowstone National Park
Aug 20, 2020 • 11 min read
On exploring Yellowstone National Park: this wondrous packet planet that is the world’s first and, some would argue, most magnificent, national park.
Cycling A new cycle route will take you from Yellowstone to Minneapolis
Jul 14, 2020 • 1 min read
The 1287-mile route by the Adventure Cycling Association is called the 'Parks, Peaks and Prairies Bicycle Route'.
Wildlife & Nature Everything you need to know about paddling in Yellowstone National Park
Jun 11, 2020 • 5 min read
The lakes and ponds of Yellowstone National Park are paradise for paddlers. Here's where to kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board in Yellowstone.
National Parks Registration is now open for Yellowstone National Park’s summer field seminars 2020
Feb 10, 2020 • 1 min read
Yellowstone has opened registration for a range of interesting and education experiences taking place across the park this summer.

Planning Toolkit

Discover some of the most unique and fulfilling experiences your next destination has to offer.
Tips & Travel trends to help you pick the perfect time to visit this destination.
Golden rules to keep in mind when traveling to this destination.
Check out these fun-filled activities that the entire family can enjoy.

Discover some of the most unique and fulfilling experiences your next destination has to offer.
Tips & Travel trends to help you pick the perfect time to visit this destination.
Golden rules to keep in mind when traveling to this destination.
Check out these fun-filled activities that the entire family can enjoy.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Yellowstone National Park.

See
Mammoth Hot Springs
The imposing Lower and Upper Terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs are the highlight of the Mammoth region. An hour’s worth of boardwalks wind their way between…
See
Upper Geyser Basin
While Old Faithful gets the most attention, there's lots to explore in Upper Geyser Basin, which has the densest collection of geysers in Yellowstone. On…
See
Grand Prismatic Spring
At 370ft wide and 121ft deep, Grand Prismatic Spring is the park’s largest and deepest hot spring. It’s also considered by many to be the most beautiful…
See
Lamar Valley
Of Lamar Valley's abundant wildlife, the most famous – and to some, controversial – resident is the gray wolf. Wolves were missing from the ecosystem…
See
Canyon Visitor Education Center
This major center is well worth a visit for its innovative and interactive displays on Yellowstone’s geology. The highlight is a room-sized relief model…
See
Artist Point
Artist Point is probably the most famous of the canyon’s viewpoints, offering a long overview of the Lower Falls and canyon. It was not, as many people…
See
Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin comprises Porcelain Basin and Back Basin, accessed through two connecting loops. If the world's tallest geyser, Steamboat Geyser, isn…
See
Lookout Point
Popular Lookout Point, near Canyon Village, offers the best views of the Lower Falls. An adjacent 0.5-mile trail drops 500ft to Red Rock for even closer…
See
Inspiration Point
A side road branches off North Rim Dr to reach busy Inspiration Point, which offers an overview of the length of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and a…

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Yellowstone National Park with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.