14 Places You Can't Miss in Yellowstone National Park

14 Places You Can’t Miss In Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a place unlike any other. And if you planning to visit this otherworldly destination, there are a few spots you simply can’t miss!

I had the pleasure of visiting this national park with Bindlestiff Tours twice in one summer.

Bindlestiff Tours

This company provides all-inclusive camping tours with all your gear and a professional guide! If you’ve never camped or you don’t own a tent or any camping gear, it’s a great introduction.

I highly recommend this 4 day tour including Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Park.

Tips for Yellowstone

The park is large, be prepared to drive 30-60 minutes between destinations.
Summer days can drawn large crowds so start your days early and if you plan to eat at the restaurants, go for an early lunch or late lunch to skip on long wait times.
The best time to visit is late April- May or September- early October. These shoulder months offer mild weather, less crowds and little to no road closures. Although I visited in summer and it was still lovely.

1. Old Faithful Geyser

Perhaps the most well-known destination in the park, this legendary geyser erupts approximately 17 times a day.

You can watch it from the boardwalk with the crowds or hike up above to the overlook and have an aerial view of the eruption. If you have time, do both! Otherwise I suggest snagging a front row seat on the boardwalk. There will be signs posted with when the next eruption will be as you approach. It is usually within 10 minutes of their estimate.

2. Grand Prismatic Overlook

This iconic view in Yellowstone is just a short hike up to the overlook platform. Park at Fairy Falls parking lot for the 1.2 mile trail.

There isn’t a lot of shade so if you’re hiking it in the summer, it’s most enjoyable in the morning or later in the day.

3. Grand Prismatic Boardwalk

Seperate from the overlook hike, this boardwalk brings you right to Grand Prismatic to see the geological wonder up close! It is the star of the Midway Geyser Basin, a boardwalk that brings you alongside several incredible springs.

4. Yellowstone Lake

Be sure to catch a sunset here on this massive body of water, 110 miles of shoreline!

5. Hayden Valley

This valley (which used to be an ancient lake bed from when Yellowstone Lake was much larger) is one of the best places for wildlife spotting.

Drive through here and it’s almost guaranteed you’ll spot herds of bison!

6. Artist Point

This overlook point is on the edge of a cliff looking over the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Be sure to do the short hike alongside it as well! You’ll get to see the falls from a closer viewpoint.

7. Mammoth Hot Springs

With it’s 50 hot springs in the area, this area of the park is not be missed! It truly feels like another planet.

8. Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center

This non-for-profit rescue center is an incredible place to see the wolves and grizzly bears of Yellowstone up close!

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is located in a cute Montana town, West Yellowstone. And this town also happens to be a good place to get inexpensive souvenirs or try huckleberry ice cream!

Try to go earlier in the day so you can catch the wolves playing. They will usually be resting in the shade once the hottest part of the day hits.

9. Sunrise at West Thumb Geyser Basin

Easily my favorite morning in Yellowstone!

In my opinion, West Thumb Geyser Basin is the absolute best spot for sunrise in the park. Not only is it empty in the morning but the views of the sun coming up over the water and the geysers cannot be beat!

10. Norris Geyser Basin

One of my favorite spots in the park! This geyser basin provides vast, uninterrupted views of a bizarre, sulfuric landscape.

11. Camping inside Yellowstone

Yellowstone offers 12 campgrounds with over 2,000 sites. If you can, I suggest camping in the park for at least one night!

We camped at Grant Village.

Just keep in mind, you’ll need to follow these bear safety rules.

12. Old Faithful Inn

Located near Old Faithful geyser, this historic inn towers over the landscape.

As a national historic landmark, Old Faithful Inn is the most requested lodging facility in the park. Built in 1903-1904 with local logs and stone, the Inn is considered the largest log structure in the world. The towering lobby features a massive stone fireplace and a hand-crafted clock made of copper, wood and wrought iron serving as focal points.

13. Sheepeater Cliffs

There is a short, unmarked hike here along the Sheepeater Cliffs that provides some nice views of the basalt lava cliffs from 500,000 years ago alongside the river.

14. Lamar Valley

Located in the northeastern corner of the park, Lamar Valley is situated along the Lamar River.

This iconic destination in is often called America’s Serengeti for its large and easy-to-see populations of animals.

It can be difficult to reach with road closures (as it was in summer 2021) but it also is one of the best places to try and spot the wild wolf pack in the early morning.