Yellowstone National Park is famous for its large scale and myriad geothermal features: gushing geysers, rainbow-colored hot springs, turquoise pools, and roaring steam vents. Every year it attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. In fact, Yellowstone National Park has so much more to offer. With a massive size of 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone National Park is home to a rich diversity of landscapes, including mountains, canyons, valleys, alpine rivers, and lush forests. The park also nourishes hundreds of wild animal species. In Yellowstone, You have plenty of opportunities to see bison, elk, moose, and bear. 

Grand Loop Road, the main road to tour the entire park, connects five entrances and travels in a figure eight shape between the attractions.

We visited Yellowstone in September 2022. At that time the North and Northeast Entrances were still closed, so we stayed in West Yellowstone, MT, which is a very popular area for travelers. We designed our itinerary to travel conveniently from West Yellowstone to the attractions.

Day 1

Morning	Old Faithful, Observation Point, and Geyser Hill
Late Morning	Black Sand Basin
Afternoon	Biscuit Sand Basin and Mystic Falls
Late Afternoon	Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook and Midway Geyser Basin

Old Faithful

Old Faithful geyser is one of the most famous thermal features in the park for its regular and predictable eruption. The geyser erupts every 60-90 minutes, and an eruption can reach 100-180 feet high. You can find the estimated time of the next eruption on NPS or at the Old Faithful Education Center. Note that there is no cell signal inside the park, so check the updated information before you leave your hotel.

You can watch the magnificent Old Faithful eruption from either the stands in front of the geyser or from the observation point on the hill. We saw the eruption from both locations, and we think being close by you can feel the power of the hot water pushing out of the ground

The Observation Point Trailhead is located northwest from Old Faithful Geyser. It is a very short, 0.2 miles, uphill trail to the Old Faithful Observation Point.  

Along the way to observation point trailhead, you will pass by a lovely blue star-shape hot spring: Blue Star Spring.

Geyser Hill

After hiking to Observation Point, continue walking west, toward Geyser Hill trail. Geyser Hill is the fourth largest geyser field on earth, home to over 50 geysers. 

Black Sand Basin

Along the 0.5 mile wooden boardwalk, you will see a few beautiful pools and Cliff Geyser that erupts every few minutes. Sometimes Cliff Geyser can reach to an impressive 40 feet.

Biscuit Basin

Biscuit Basin Trail is a 0.6-mile wooden boardwalk that leads you to all the pools in the area. Sapphire Pool is one of the most beautiful blue pools in the park.

Mystic Falls

The Mystic Falls Trailhead is located in the middle of Biscuit Basin boardwalk. Mystic Falls trail is an easy 2.4 mile out-and-back trail that follows along a canyon divided by a creek. The trail is very enjoyable to hike, and you will see two 70-foot waterfalls dropping into the river at the end of the trail.

Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook

The Grand Prismatic Spring is so large, it is hard to see all of it at once from ground level, but you can enjoy an amazing view of the whole spring from the overlook on the hill.

The trail to Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook starts at Fairy Falls trailhead, south of Grand Prismatic Spring Parking Lot. The hike to the overlook is an easy 1.6 mile out-and-back hike. At the overlook, you will have a commanding view of the vibrant Grand Prismatic Spring.

Tip: visit Grand Prismatic Spring in midday or afternoon. In the morning, there is a lot of steam right above the pool, and you won’t have a clear view.

Midway Geyser Basin Trail

After hiking to Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, drive to the Grand Prismatic Spring Parking Lot. The Midway Geyser Basin Trail starts here. The trail leads you to to some amazingly beautiful hot springs and pools, including Grand Prismatic Spring, Excelsior Geyser Crater, Opal Pool, and Turquoise Pool. You will have a closer view of the vivid colors of Grand Prismatic Spring along the trail.

Day 2

Morning	Norris Geyser Basin
Afternoon	Grand Canyon of The Yellowstone

Norris Geyser Basin

The world’s tallest geyser, Steamboat Geyser, is in the Norris Geyser Basin area. Major eruptions of Steamboat Geyser can tower over 300 feet. However, Steamboat Geyser erupts unpredictably. You are more likely to see the impressive giant steam sizzling from the ground.

The Norris Geyser Basin Complete Loop Trail is a 2.9 mile figure eight loop trail. From the parking lot, head south, you will see Emerald Spring and Steamboat Geyser. Head north to see the Black Growler Steam Vent, Sunday Geyser, and Norris Porcelain Basin.

Grand Canyon of The Yellowstone

About 20 minute drive from the geysers and hot springs, you will see some different landscapes: waterfalls, river, lush forests, and the Grand Canyon. Nature mush have a magic power to create such a beautiful scenery.

In this area, take two detour routes — South Rim Dr and North Rim Dr — right off the Grand Loop Road. Along the North Rim Dr, take a short hike to the Brink of The Lower Falls, and follow the one-way drive, stopping by every lookout point until you turn off to Inspiration Point. On the South Rim Dr, drive along the road and stop at all the pull-offs, you will see Upper Falls View, and at the end of the road, the most photographic spot in Yellowstone, Artist Point.

Day 3

Morning	Fountain Paint Pot
Late Morning	West Thumb Geyser
Afternoon	Mud Volcano
Late Afternoon	Hayden Valley

Fountain Paint Pot

A 0.5 mile Fountain Paint Pot trail leads you through an area of unique thermal features.

West Thumb Geyser

We didn’t see West Thumb Geyser as it was closed at the time we were visiting Yellowstone. If you have the chance to see the area, follow the West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail, and you will see picturesque pools and geysers.

Hayden Valley

Hayden Valley is one of the best places to see wildlife in Yellowstone. Come here in the afternoon, ideally around 4 PM to 5 PM, you will have a great chance to see herds of bison crossing the road, causing the impressive ‘Bison Jam.’ We missed the Bison Jam here, but luckily, we saw herds of bison crossing street at the Mud Volcano area.

Mud Volcano

Walk along the 0.6 mile trail in Mud Volcano, you can see Dragons Mouth Spring, Mud Volcano, and Churning Caldron. Mud Volcano is close to Hayden Valley and it is another place where you have a great chance to see herds of Bison crossing the road, especially if you visit this area in late afternoon, around 5 PM. But be prepared, you might be stuck in the Bison traffic for a while.

Day 4

Early Morning	Artists’ Paintpots
Morning	Hike Mount Washburn
Afternoon	Mammoth Hot Spring

Artists’ Paintpots

Artists’ Paintpots has a 1.6 mile trail that loops up and down along the side of the hill past a few pools and mud pots.

Mt Washburn

The Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn trail is a 6.8 miles of gradual incline along a wide, open path. You will be hiking most of the time with no shade. Bring sunscreen for this hike. Along the trail, you will have expansive views of the surrounding mountains and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

On our way back along this trail, we saw a black bear high up on a tree, happily eating pine nuts. We also heard from other hikers who went half a hour earlier than us that they saw another black bear along the hike. Bring bear spray with you when you go hiking in Yellowstone.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs is located close to the North Entrance of Yellowstone. You can drive the Upper Terrace Loop Drive and walk along the Lower Terraces Trail.

If you are in the Mammoth Hot Springs area, you can drive to the North Entrance to see Roosevelt Arch. The North Entrance of Yellowstone was closed due to flood in that summer.

The Wildlife We Saw in Yellowstone National Park

If this is your first time visiting Yellowstone National Park, this article can help you prepare your trip.