What better way to end a road trip, than by exploring the breathtaking and awe-inspiring beauty and diverse natural wonders of Grand Teton, nestled in the heart of Wyoming’s Rocky Mountains.

With its magnificent mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife, there is so much to see and do here but honestly, you only really need one day in Grand Teton National Park.

Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking on the crystal-clear waters, or simply soaking in the stunning vistas, a visit to Grand Teton National Park promises unforgettable memories and a deep appreciation for the wonders of our natural world.

In this guide, we’ll show you all the things to do in Grand Teton National Park in one day, so you can make the most out of a 24 hour trip here.

Is Grand Teton worth visiting?

As soon as I say the majestic mountains rising sharply out of the valley floor, I knew we will be back for a longer visit because even though I was burned out from a year on the road, I was totally and completely mesmerized by the beauty.

Even though we had weather issues and road closures due to black bear activity, which took away a day of scenic driving and small hikes, we absolutely fell in love with Grand Teton and feel it’s absolutely worth visiting Grand Teton National Park for nature lovers.

We were fortunate enough to see the beginnings of fall and boy was it beautiful. It lit up the cloudy and gloomy skies.

It’s not just the jagged snow peaks of the Teton Range that had us mesmerized, but the Jackson Hole Valley it stands guard over, with the Snake River winding through the yellow grasslands and cottontails that line its bank.

But we couldn’t see too much on our scenic drive down from Yellowstone (meant to be beautiful and worth a meander) the colors definitely grabbed our attention.

Where is Grand Teton National Park?

Grand Teton National Park is in the Northwest of Wyoming between Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole, a popular ski region in the US.

The Grand Tetons National Park encircles the Teton mountain range, the 4,000-meter Grand Teton peak, and the valley known as Jackson Hole.

Seven day entrance passes cost $35 per car and $20 per hiker. If you plan on visiting multiple USA national parks, it’s best to get your America the Beautiful Pass.

Jackson Hole Airport is served by most major U.S. networks, although flights here can be pricy. Salt Lake City (about 5 hours drive) is the closest major international airport.

We highly recommend incorporating Grand Teton, Jackson and Yellowstone on a Wyoming road trip. Also consider including the hidden gem of a state Idaho, which sits at the opposite side of the Teton range.

What are the Grand Tetons?

This park is named for Grand Teton, the tallest mountain in the 40-mile Teton Range, which runs through the park.

The naming of the mountains is said to be from early 19th Century French-speaking trappers, who called them Les Trois Tetons (the Tree Teats) which was later shortened to Tetons.

Grand Teton rises over 7,000 feet above Jackson Hole. Mount Owen is the second highest summit in the range.

The 310,000 acres includes lush valley floors, mountain meadows, hiking trails, wildlife, alpine lakes and the rising peaks of the Teton Range.

There is something for everyone to experience, not matter the season (although limited in winter).

While Fall is the most scenic, summer is the most popular with the opportunity for viewing wildlife, including bison, elk, moose, bears and bighorn sheep.

We didn’t see too much wildlife in the Grand Teton (best time to see them is dawn and dusk), but did check off the one animal we most wanted to see.

Things To Do in Grand Teton National Park In One Day

If you don’t yet know what to do in Grand Teton National Park, keep reading, and no matter how long you stay or how deep you explore, you’ll instantly acknowledge that this national park deserves the words ‘jaw dropping’.

We only had time to spend one day at Grand Teton National Park. We focused on the area most people told us not to miss: Jenny Lake and Mormon Row Historic District.

We were going to stay longer to explore more things to do in Jackson Hole but the snow storm due to arrive sent us headed straight back home to Raleigh, North Carolina.

Grand Teton NP can be easily explored in a day and many do this in order to have more time at Yellowstone NP.

But the Tetons are just as wild and beautiful and offer so much for you to enjoy.

1. Visit Jenny Lake: Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Hike

Exploring Jenny Lake is one of the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park and a highlight of any day trip to Grand Tetons, and it could easily take up your entire day.

But you can also choose to spend less time. It all depends on what you want to experience at Jenny Lake.

We’ll share what we did with children (7, 8 and 12), two of them experienced hikers, and one not. No matter your age, it’s a Grand Teton day trip that anyone can do.

Jenny Lake sits at the base of the Cascade Canyon and is two square miles of pristine water and beautiful views of the Tetons.

Motorboats are allowed here and the Jenny Lake ferry shuttle service runs across the lake.

You can also rent Kayaks and canoes from Jenny Lake Boating for either $25 per hour or $100 per day. Rentals are first-come, first-served.

For those seeking serenity, head to North Jenny Lake where fewer people visit. South Jenny Lake is where we explored and has more amenities.

Also, go early in the morning to find easier parking, avoid crowds and ferry waits (if you are catching it). In the summer they start running at 7am.

Photography may be better in the afternoon from Inspiration Point however. But, really it’s so beautiful that any time is great.

Jenny Lake Hiking and Boat Shuttle

If you want to spend most of your day at Grand Teton National Park, then the 7.6 mile Jenny Lake Trail loop  is for you. The Jenny Lake Trailhead starts near the visitor center.

You can hike from the visitor center to Inspiration Point and back along the trail, which is 2.5 miles one way.

To save time and little legs, we decided to catch the Jenny Lake boat over to the other side of the lake from the visitor center.

Jenny Lake Boat Details

The Jenny Lake ferry departs from South Jenny Lake around every 15-minutes and carries you across the water to the Cascade Canyon trailhead at the West Shore boat dock.

The boat takes about 15-minutes and offers spectacular views and guided commentary along the way. It’s a great way to learn more about the lake and Grand Tetons.

For more learning, be sure to stop in at the visitor center to grab a Junior Ranger booklet for the kids, so they can earn their Junior Ranger badges.

You can find ferry times and prices from the official website.

Hidden Falls

One of the most popular things to do in Grand Teton National Park is the hike to Hidden Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in the park.

It’s very easy to incorporate into your visit to Jenny Lake.

Hidden Falls is a serene family-friendly activity at Grand Teton NP, especially if you combine it with the boat ride.

It will be busy here so join the fun as you walk through the forest, over a beautiful gushing river and then turn left into a pocket of forest which opens up to Hidden Falls.

Hidden Falls is a thundering cascade dropping 200-ft. down a series of rocky ledges.

Shuffle your way through the crowds for a photo. This is a good spot for family photos.

The hike from the dock is 1.3 miles return.

Inspiration Point

From Hidden Falls, the trail continues left up to Inspiration Point, one of the other popular Grand Teton National Park hikes.

It is a little more strenuous than the Hidden Falls trail, and a small section of it is rocky, steep and narrow.

Along this trail, you’ll have views of the Cathedral Group, which is Teewinot Moutnain, Grand Teton and Mount Owen and spectacular views out over Jenny Lake across to the Gros Ventre Mountains.

From the boat dock to Inspiration Point it is 2.2 miles return.

We’re experienced hikers, but I think its quite manageable for anyone with plenty of stopping points along the way to catch your breath.

Our girls would have handled it no problem, but they wanted to stay at the viewing rest spot with their cousin.

Those with more time and energy, can continue hiking up into Cascade Canyon. We’ve put that on our Grand Teton National Park things to do list for our next visit!

Hike back to Jenny Lake Visitor Center

After a bit of math calculation at Inspiration Point, and a bit of glorious sunshine for inspiration, we decided it would be easier, quicker and less mileage to walk back the 2.5 miles via a short detour to Moose Pond from Inspiration Point, rather than take the boat back.

2. Hike to Moose Pond

We were going to take the boat back and then walk the 1 mile one way to Moose Pond from the visitor center.

Since it would only be an extra mile at the most of walking, it made better sense to stretch the legs, soak up the warmth and enjoy the views.

The ferry gets busy which means wait times. I’d rather use my time better by walking with the earth and all its beauty.

The walk all the way to Moose Pond was relatively easy and beautiful, offering stunning views of Jenny Lake the entire way.

I think I enjoyed this part of hike more than any other during our day here.

Look out for the sign coming back from Inspiration Point that points you to turn right to walk back to the visitor center rather than go back to the edge of the lake for the ferry.

We’re so glad we did not skip Moose Pond, because as the name suggests, and from the many tips we received as it being one of the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park, we did see moose!

A family of moose – Mom, dad and baby moose.

We first saw them from high above on the trail and watched them eating from the pond and running around.

Then we walked down to the bottom trail to get closer to the pond. They were on the other side of the pond so not close to us.

You can walk around Moose Pond so we set off on the trail keeping an eye on the moose who took off in a sprint. We think they heard hikers coming from the other side as we saw them in the distance.

We kept walking until just ahead hikers came towards us walking right past the moose in the bushes. They are more than a little on edge.

We stood with them for just a minute watching Mom from a safe distance in the bushes munching on the grass.

It was incredible to be so close to the moose. She then stepped onto the path and turned her head to look at us.

Without a word to each other, all of us turned at the exact same time and backed slowly away.

Mum was clear in her eyes: “If you don’t go now, you’re going to feel my antlers.”

Needless to say we did not complete the Moose pond loop. #ordersfromthemoose

If you wanted to just walk to Moose Pond from the visitor center the trail is also easy.

If you don’t feel like hiking to Moose Pond, you can also drive along Teton Park Road.

3. Mormon Row and Antelope Flats Scenic Drive

Mormon Row is where you’ll find that classic Grand Teton photo.

In fact, Mormon Row and the Moulton Barns may be the most photographed destinations in the park. It is at the south entrance to the park.

In the 1890s a group of Mormon homesteaders arrived from Idaho to establish a community with the intention of clustering their farms to share labor and develop community bonds.

That area is now known as Mormon Row, within the Grand Teton National Park, and has been historically preserved for all those budding photographers wanting the perfect shot of those infamous Moulton Barns with the Teton Range in the background.

The clouds weren’t cooperating too well with us on our visit!

Whilst here, drive down Antelope Flats to the Gros Ventre River, an open grassland and prairielands that is meant to be popular with bison. We did not see any.

The views along here of the Teton Ranges are spectacular. The Gros Ventre Campground here looked amazing alongside the Gros Ventre River amidst the tall cottonwood trees and sagebrush.

The river here is also a popular place to spot moose.

There were some moose hiding in the bushes and had been spotted only moments before we arrived. But they were good at camouflaging themselves.

Anglers will love throwing in a rod here. There were several enjoying themselves in the sun.

This is a loop road that links up to the Gros Ventre-Kelly Rd and takes you back to Jackson.

Biking through this section of the Jackson Hole Valley is also popular.

4. Visit Jackson, Wyoming

No trip to Grand Teton would be complete without making a stop in Jackson. What a cute cowboy town!

Jackson is a very unique USA town and offers much in the way of restaurants, cafes, breweries and shops.

To clear up any confusion, Jackson Hole is the valley, Jackson is the town that is in Jackson Hole Valley. There is so much to do in this area, we really want to explore more in depth on another trip. Here are just a few tips.

Stop in at the Cowboy Bar is a must.

The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar was establied in 1937 and is a landmark watering hole famous for its Western Swing Dance lessons, and live music. The decor will intrigue you.

Jump on one of the saddles at the bar and be sure to visit with the stuffed grizzly bear to learn how he was killed by man during an attack who bit his jugular! Crazy story.

• We also enjoyed the Snake River Brewery which had fantastic pizzas and industrial feel. Busy place but worth it.
• Roadhouse Brewery in the middle of downtown serves food and craft beer.
• The Stillwest Brewery & Grill had a lovely outdoor deck right at the bottom of Snow King Mountain. Best for views!

5. Visit the Elk Ranch Flats

Elk Ranch Flats is a historic site that was once a thriving irrigated cattle and hay ranch.

It’s surrounded by stunning natural beauty, and provides visitors with a unique opportunity to witness the harmony between human activity and the wilderness.

Explore the remnants of the ranch structures while immersing yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the Teton Range.

6. Drive the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive

The Jenny Lake Scenic Drive is a picturesque drive that takes you past stunning views of the Teton Range, with the opportunity to spot abundant wildlife along the way.

It’s accessible from North Jenny Lake Junction, and takes you west towards the mountains and then south on a one-way scenic route.

The 5-mile Jenny Lake Loop Road is easily accessible from Teton Park Road and provides a flat and leisurely drive.

Yellowstone is one of the best National Parks in the USA we have visited so far, and we certainly felt it lived up to the hype.

With bubbling hot mud pits, steaming sulphur holes, multi-colored hot springs, geysers shooting off randomly and perfectly timed, grand canyons filled with waterfalls, and an abundance of wildlife roaming around this is a volatile yet spectacular landscape – there is no shortage of attractions in Yellowstone National Park to keep you busy.

Not many travel experiences exceed our expectations, but this park actually did, and we’ve visited a lot of awesome national parks over the years.

If you’re not sure what to do in Yellowstone NP, we are here to help you figure out what to see and do, and start to map out your Yellowstone itinerary!

Is Yellowstone National Park Worth It?

Before visiting Yellowstone I heard the tales – mostly of Old Faithful Geyser and bison – but I still did not grasp how uniquely wonderful, strangely beautiful the geothermal features of Yellowstone NP.

There are sites here that you just won’t find anywhere else in the USA. It has more than 10,000 hydrothermal features, in the form of hot springs, mudpots and geysers.

It also has some incredible colors in its landscape, made from the unique volcanic geology of the area.

If you’re a photographer or a nature lover, you’ll find Yellowstone is 100% worth visiting.

Not to mention there are so many cool and unique things to see in Yellowstone National Park and it has to be seen to be believed.

Tips for Staying Safe in Yellowstone

Now, there are plenty of things to do in Yellowstone National Park Wyoming that does not involve danger – but it’s something to consider and be in awe of.

To stay safe, don’t step off the boardwalks or think that steaming hot spring is made for swimming. It’s made for one thing only – boiling or eating away at your skin!

Also, don’t try to take selfies with the bison. They have large horns they don’t mind shoving into you if you piss them off.

These are just some of the absurd tales you’ll hear about visitors to Yellowstone.

We visited with our kids, Craig’s sister, and our two nieces, no one was hurt, and we all had an incredible time and consider it to be one of the coolest and most unique places to visit in the US.

Yellowstone is included in our best USA road trips list!

Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

If you don’t know what to see in Yellowstone, let’s talk about some of the best Yellowstone attractions you can’t miss down below!

By the way, this is not in any order of best places to see in Yellowstone National Park, as they’re all just so awesome.

1. Check Out Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs was the first place we visited in Yellowstone and I was bowled over by its beauty. It has a special place in my heart.

Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of springs created over thousands of years. Hot water from the springs cooled and deposited calcium carbonate, leaving behind dramatic bleached white hues of frozen cascading terraced pools.

You can walk the boardwalks above the hydrothermal features of the lower and upper terraces and experience awe for a little bit.

Look for the elks sitting on what I guess is the perfect warm spot in between the scalding grounds and steaming springs. Don’t try this at home though!

For us, these hot springs are one of the most incredible things to see in Yellowstone.

2. Visit Mammoth Village

I also found historic Mammoth Village to be the nicest out of all the Yellowstone villages. This is a great place to rest, picnic, stock up on your goods and spot elk.

Yes, elk love to walk freely around this village. Be sure to keep a safe distance. Rangers usually are there to help steer you away.

3. Soak in the Boiling River

Not far from Mammoth Village is a total surprise and a Yellowstone must do!

I know you’re dreaming of slipping into a hot spring after seeing so many of them in Yellowstone. But remember they are dangerous.

Instead, head to the Boiling River, not as dangerous as the name denotes.

It runs alongside and spills into the Gardner River. There are small areas on the edge of the river where the water is not boiling as it mixes with the very cold water of the river.

Be careful you don’t go too far over to the edge of the river as that is where the water gets pretty darn hot.

The scenery here is spectacular and and it’s one of the coolest places to visit in Yellowstone (parden the pun).

4. Explore Hayden Valley

I loved driving through Hayden Valley each day as we explored the park from our campsite near Yellowstone Lake.

I never grew tired of those rolling green hills, with the Yellowstone river running through it, steam rising up from the sides of the road reminding you of the unstable world that lived underneath you.

And the bison. I never got Bison Blasé even when they held up traffic with road crossings and camera clicking. See them up close is without doubt one of the top things to do in Yellowstone!

Wolves, elks, coyotes, and the occasional grizzly bear also frequent the area to graze, drink, and feed. We only saw bison, but in the distance once were wolves.

There are many things to do in the Hayden Valley area of Yellowstone.

5. See the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone National Park

I only learned that Yellowstone NP had a Grand Canyon and waterfalls after writing a post last year about best Montana hikes.

Are you serious? The Grand Canyon is spectacular and a Yellowstone must see!

The Yellowstone River runs through here, plunging 109 feet at the Upper Falls and then another 308 feet at the spectacular Lower Falls down into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

I found the Lower Falls to be the more beautiful.

We recommend spending time to explore both the North and South rim of the Grand Canyon, as it offers a wide perspective of its dramatic splendor.

Let’s look at where you can get good views of the Lower and Upper Falls.

These Falls were featured in our Best Waterfalls in the US list.

6. Hike The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone South Rim

It’s one thing to see it, but another thing to hike it! Hiking the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone South Rim is one of the best experiences as it allows you to see some of the most stunning natural sites.

It’s 1.8 miles one way beginning south of the Chittenden Bridge and ending at Artist Point passing by impressive views of the Upper and Lower Falls.

The South Rim Trail has some of the best views of the trail and is one of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park with kids!

We walked from Upper Falls Viewpoint to Artist Point. We had two cars, so could leave one waiting for us there.

Here are some of the highlights of the trail…

Artist Point

This is where you’ll find the full glory of the pastel rainbow colors of the canyon and the spraying waterfalls in the middle of the view.

We were told around 9am is the best time to come and possibly see a rainbow shooting across the falls. We didn’t see it!

There’s a short trail to go down to a platform for the view.

Upper Falls View

This view is at the start of Uncle Tom’s trail and offers views over the Upper Falls.

7. Drive The Grand Canyon Of Yellowstone North Rim

If hiking isn’t your thing, then the one-way scenic loop from The Grand Canyon is Yellowstone North Rim Drive is a beautiful scenic drive.

This drive takes you to many of the viewpoints of the North Rim’s Grand Canyon. Plan your stops well so you only have to drive it once!

Brink of the Upper Falls

Easy paved walk down to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls and watch it’s full power surging over the top.

Brink of the Lower Falls

I loved this 0.8 mile return walk through the forest and down steep switchbacks to the observation point perched at the top of the Lower Falls of Yellowstone as it surges 308 feet over the lip into the heart of the canyon.

The views down the river into the colorful canyon make the switchbacks worthwhile.

Lower Falls lookout Point

The Lookout Point offers easiest access view of Lower Falls on the North Rim

Redrock Point

Feeling energetic and want another view of Lower Falls? From the Lower Falls Lookout Point you can take the steps down Red Rock Point Trail to get further down the canyon.

Grand view

You can walk from Lookout Point to Grandview Point giving you views along the way close to the canyon rim.

Inspiration Point

Here the canyon view widens and you get incfredible views of the pastel pinks, yellows, orange and greens of the canyon. Named Inspiration Point for a reason.

8. Hike Uncle Tom’s Trail

Unfortunately this hike was closed on our visit. It’s a strenuous 0.8 mile return hike dropping 500 feet down (over 300 steps) to the base of the Lower Falls for spectacular views.

Be sure to conserve your energy for the hard climb out, especially if you’re visiting Yellowstone with kids

9. Hike the North Rim Trail

3.8 miles trail along the northwest wall of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. It crosses pristine pine forests perched atop precarious canyon walls.

10. Check Out The Mud Volcanos

What. Is. This. Place?

Were my only words when exploring the mud volcano area of Yellowstone National Park.

This area of muddy hot springs and fumaroles are located near one of the Yellowstone Volcano’s vents. You will see the steam rising from the road as you drive through here.

Bison love grazing in this area, surprisingly, because it’s a sulfurous land that stinks real bad.

A 0.7-mile loop takes you through the bizarre bubbling pools of mud and churning water with names like Sizzling Basin, Churning Caldron, Black Dragon’s Cauldron. Some look like they’re about to create waves.

There’s a steep slope in the beginning which takes you past “Cooking Hillside,” sprawling on both sides of the walkway.

Take the loop in a clockwise direction and end with the mouth of the dragon.

Dragon’s Mouth Spring is a spot where boiling water has gradually eroded away the hillside, creating a cavern that resounds constantly with roaring waters—almost like there really is a dragon lurking in there.

The kids loved visiting here after hearing the Native America myth surrounding it the day before in the Visitor Center.

I would say these volcanos are one of the most unique things to see in Yellowstone.

11. Check Out Sulphur Cauldron

Across the road from the Mud Volcanoes is an overlook for Sulphur Caldron.

Hold your noses, this place stinks so bad I was dry reaching. But as the most acidic springs in Yellowstone National Park, it’s a worthy stop. Just make it quick!

12. See the Bison at Lamar Valley

One of the top things to do in Yellowstone would be to get up early and drive through Lamar Valley.

Yes, just do it. It’s one of the most amazing scenic drives in the USA. (It continues on through the East Entrance to the Bear Tooth Highway into Montana.)

You have a great chance of seeing grizzly bears and wolves against a backdrop of mountain peaks and a small river flowing through the valley.

This valley is quite expansive so to find the animals look for the spotters by the side of the road. You can’t miss them.

Professional wildlife watchers come here for that elusive glimpse and photo of these beautiful animals.

I was so grateful to spot someone we had met days before. She called us over to look through her scope and there was a a pack of white and black wolves frolicking in the grass. We never would have spotted them otherwise.

The scopers spend hours out here and are typically generous with allowing you to take a peak so don’t be afraid to ask. Perhaps take your own scope and join them.

Along this drive we also saw black bears – no grizzly bears though, they continued to allude us not just in Yellowstone National Park but in all places you can find them in the United States.

13. Say Hello to Old Faithful Geyser

We were a little disappointed with Old Faithful, considering it would probabaly be the most poular of the Yellowstone attractions – best accessed from the west entrance.

Don’t get me wrong it as cool, and is considered one of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park, but after everything we had seen previously, this didn’t seem to have the same wow impact.

It is pretty impressive that Old Faithful shoots its steaming liquid 100 ft. in the air at a predictable time every day (every 40 – 90 minutes).

You can actually see predicted eruption times on the National Parks Services website here.

That makes it an exciting Yellowstone attraction for most visitors. As many of the other geysers aren’t as predictable or frequent.

Check at the visitor center for the timing of Old Faithful. Best to go first thing in the morning so you can plan your day better around this predictable geyser.

14. Marvel at Beehive Geyser

This was one of our favorite Yellowstone sights!

The Bee Hive Geyser randomly started shooting while we were attending the Junior Ranger program at the visitor center.

Named for the 4 foot cylinder cone resembling a beehive, it fires its water 200 ft straight up into the air.

Eruptions last about 5-minutes and end with a roaring steam that can be heard a quarter-mile away.

It’s a Yellowstone must see and I think way cooler than Old Faithful.

Trouble is, no one ever knows when it goes off, but usually twice a day. May you be as fortunate as we were.

15. Stay at Old Faithful Inn

While in the Old Faithful region, you might want to pop into the Old Faithful Inn – its one of the attractions of Yellowstone in itself.

The Inn is a national historic landmark built with local logs and stone. It’s considered the largest log structure in the world.

Old Faithfull Inn is the most popular lodging in the park – of course with those views of Old Faitfhul and the Upper Geyser Basin – but many visit just to gawk at the towering exposed wooden beams of the lobby and the massive stone fireplace.

There’s a dining room, lobby with live music, and a deck with views of Old Faithful. It would be good to have a sunset drink here and watch the old thing erupt

16. Walk the Upper Geyser Basin Loop Trail

Upper Basin contains nearly one quarter of all geysers in the world, which is phenomenal, considering its small size, and is a must do in Yellowstone!

It’s where you’ll find the majority of the geysers in Yellowstone National Park, as well as rainbow colored hot springs and steaming fumaroles.

Be sure to move beyond Old Faithful (the most famous geyser of all which is found here) to explore the network of paved paths and boardwalks that wind through the Upper Geyser Basin exploring the thermal features.

It will be a quieter experience and so pretty with Firehole River meandering through.

Some of the more popular things to see in the Upper Geyser are:

• Grotto Geyser (felt like a few mystical creatures were living amongst the caves of this unusual geyser)
• Giant Geyser
• Beehive Geyser (see above)
• Morning Glory Pool

17. Walk The Boardwalk at Midway Geyser Basin

There’s an 0.8 mile boardwalk that takes you through the basin and up to the outer edge of Grand Prismatic Spring overlook, one of the grandest of Yellowstone sights.

This begins across the Firehole River to the beginning of the trail where water cascades down over the river bank from the hydrothermal pools above creating a yellow and orange colorful natural wonders.

You then go up to Excelsior Geyser, a steaming pool of vibrant blue water. This geyser sends more than 4,000 gallons of boiling water a minute over the crater rim into the river.

Be very careful on the boardwalk here.

It is a narrow, yet a popular area. Some people just don’t take care and we were nearly pushed off a couple of times. Watch your children.

Remember – you do not want to step off the boardwalk, There is only a thin layer of crust separating your feet from boiling water. Oh yeah, we saw a few people doing it to get their photos. Faaaarrrrrkkkkkkkk.

18. See the Grand Prismatic Spring

The only slightly disappointing thing for us on our Yellowstone trip was kind of missing the Grand Prismatic Spring at its best, and not seeing it from the elevated viewpoint.

We still walked around it and managed to see much of its beauty, but most of it was shrouded in steam.

We just timed it wrong with the weather.

Not to worry, more reason to visit the West Yellowstone area again.

Grand Prismatic Spring would absolutely be one of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park, although again I haven’t heard about it as much as Old Faithful.

At nearly 113 m (370 ft.) across and 37 m (121 ft.) deep, Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in America and one of the largest in the world.

It steams and bubbles and has a vivid rainbow like appearance.

This is where you’ll get that picture you have always seen of Yellowstone’s star attraction.

19. See the Artists Paintpots

Artists Paintpots is a group of over 50 springs, geysers, vents and bubbling mud pots of varying textures and colors of red, blue, grey and brown.

There is an easy 0.6 mile trail this studio created by nature, starting in the forest and then moving up the hillside with pretty views over the gibbon Geyser Basin where the Paintpots are.

We visited on an overcast day so it felt very moody and like the witches were surrounding us and ready to throw us in their cauldrons.

20. Drive to Dunraven Pass

The drive out to Lamar Valley through the Dunraven Pass is spectacular. It’s the highest road pass in Yellowstone National Park.

If you want to go even higher consider the

21. Do the Mount Washburn Hike

Mount Washburn is located along Dunraven Pass. There is a popular 3 mile hiking trail to the top of Mount Washburn at 10,000 feet high. We have noted down as one of the things to do in Yellowstone when we return.

You will get top of the world panaoramic vistas and a good chance of seeing bighorn sheep, wildflowers and maybe even bear.

Pack enough water and snacks and adequate warm clothing as temperatures can change dramatically that high up. Allow for around 6 hours if hiking with kids. Check our guide for hiking with kids tips.

22. See Tower Falls

Tower Falls is located between Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Village.

It’s easy to combine this with your Lamar Valley excursion.

Tower Fall drops a dramatic 132 feet straight down before joining the famed Yellowstone River roughly 1,000 yards downstream. Come early to avoid the crowds.

There are a few pullouts on the road before the falls which offers great views of the canyon area here.

23. Admire Norris Geyser Basin

Welcome to the hottest, oldest and most volatile thermal region of Yellowstone National Park.

No plant, algae, or bacteria can survive here, which is a shame as I’m sure they’d love the mesmerizing array of colors.

My favorite was the green river running through Porcelain Basin. Is that for real?

There are two areas here: Porcelain Basin and Back Basin.

Back Basin is more heavily wooded with various features scattered along the 1.5 mile boardwalk path.

Steamboat Geyser is in this area and is the tallest geyser in the world, spraying water 300 – 400 feet. It could go off anywhere from every 4 days to 50 years so good luck with your timing!

Barren Porcelain Basin is absolutely spectacular. One of my favorite views of Yellowstone National Park was looking over this basin. A 3/4 mile boardwalk encircles the basin and offers quite the sensory experience.

24. Gaze at Gibbon Falls

I enjoyed Gibbon Falls and, having never heard of it as a place to see in Yellowstone, it was a lovely surprise.

It’s located off the road between Madison and Norris Junctions. There are several viewpoints from the car park.

Walk along as far as you can as it’s where you’ll see the full beauty of the falls tumbling 84 feet down into a a small pool and continuing on its journey down the river.

25. See Beryl Spring

Beryl Spring is an easy Yellowstone attraction to visit as you drive on the road to Norris Geyser Basin.

It’s small, pretty and really hot.

Someone was about to put their hand in it to test it until his wife started screaming at him. You really believe people couldn’t be that stupid until you visit Yellowstone and see it for yourself.

A sidewalk takes you right up to the hot spring. Look, but don’t touch!

26. Check out Castle Geyser

Another geyser that Yellowstone is famous for is Castle Geyser, which is located next to Old Faithful Geyser.

It is estimated the water from the eruption can reach as high as 75 feet (24 meters) and can even last for 20 minutes.

After that, it is followed by loud steam for another 30-40 minutes.

Castle Geyser is famous for its large cone structure that looks like a castle (hense the name), which is believed to be formed out of trees from the area that have been covered in years worth of sinter.

It’s estimated to erupt every 14 hours.

27. Check out Yellowstone Lake

Can you believe the most dangerous place in Yellowstone is actually Yellowstone Lake?

Yep. More people have died by its freezing temperatures than by any other means in the park!

We don’t recommend you go swimming here. It’s 7, 752 ft. above sea level and frozen six months of the year.

It features geysers, hot springs and underwater canyons. It’s 136 sq. miles so pretty big and offers loads to do and see in the area.

While driving along here a giant elk was crossing the road from the lake shore, bugling as he went by.

We camped in this area and heard the elk bugling at night. We visited at the right time of year for this, which was mid-September and during mating season.

One of the popular trails here was closed due to an aggressive grizzly. There are a few in this area so be careful.

Also in this region is the west thumb geyser basin, one of the only places in Yellowstone we did not visit.

28. Do the Storm Point Walk

Unlike most national parks we visited on our US road trip, we didn’t do much hiking in Yellowstone. We were far too busy gawking at the sites.

Hiking will be at the top of our list when we return (Don’t forget your bear spray)

One trail we did do was the short and easy Storm Point Walk along Yellowstone Lake, which again offered another perspective of the park.

The 2.3 mile loop trail passed through open meadows thorough the forest and out to the scenic Storm Point.

Look around the rocks here as you will most likely spot some marmots. The trail follows the shore of a bit before looping back through the forest.

A solitary bison was loafing in the meadows as we walked past.

It was an easy walk for all of us, and I would add this to your list of things to do in Yellowstone with kids.

29. Eat at Yellowstone Hotel

One of our favorite things to do in Yellowstone was to eat at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel dining room AND enjoy a cocktail in the lounge listening to the piano music with lake views.

The food in the restaurant was also delicious – every course. We splurged on three as it was Craig’s birthday.

30. Visit the Visitor Centers and Junior Ranger Programs

You will find Visitor Centers at all the major villages and areas in Yellowstone NP.

They are a Yellowstone attraction in their own right.

Spend time in the visitor centers and watch a film and check out the interactive displays. Each center will have park ranger talks and guided walks. They are a wealth of information.

It’s great to get up to date information on geyser eruption times, closures, hiking tips, safety, wildlife spotting tips, sunrise and sunsets and bear safety etc.

Trails are often closed due to the volatility of this land and wildlife threats.

The Junior Rangers Program is a must for all those visiting Yellowstone National Park with kids.

The book is packed full of activities that will help the kids learn more about the importance of Yellowstone and the crazy environment they will be walking amongst.

They will love earning their Junior Ranger badge from Yellowstone, the world’s first national park.

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park

Choosing where to stay in Yellowstone is as difficult as deciding what to do. You have so many options and it depends on how much time you have and what you want to do.

As driving times can be long, choose accommodation that is close to the area you will be exploring the most.

As we stayed for five days, we knew long drives were inevitable as we explored most of the park.

We based ourselves near Yellowstone Lake, which we felt was a great location to access everything.

If you are staying longer than three days, you want want to consider staying in two locations. Reservations book out far in advance so be prepared.

There are places to stay just outside Yellowstone at various towns near the entrance gates. It will not impact your stay!

Camping in Yellowstone

Yellowstone offers 12 campgrounds with over 2,000 sites. Yellowstone National Park Lodges takes reservations for five of these campgrounds.

• Bridge Bay Campground
• Canyon Campground
• Fishing Bridge RV Park
• Grant Village Campground
• Madison Campground

The National Park Service manages the other seven campgrounds. Reservations for three of the campgrounds managed by the National Park Service can be done through Recreation.gov.

• Mammoth Campground (Reservable)
• Norris Campground
• Slough Creek Campground (Reservable)
• Pebble Creek Campground (Sites 1-16 Reservable)
• Tower Fall Campground
• Indian Creek Campground
• Lewis Lake Campground

Lodges in Yellowstone

There are nine lodges inside Yellowstone National Park. They book out in advance and will be more expensive than staying outside the park, for obvious reasons.

You’ll find the Yellowstone lodges in the following areas:

• Canyon Village
• Yellowstone Lake
• Grant Village
• Old Faithful
• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Tower Falls

Canyon Lodge is probably the most accessible region for most attractions. You can find more at the official website.

Where to Stay Outside Of Yellowstone

Outside of Yellowstone National Park you’ll find more affordable accommodation – a wider variety of it – plus access to restaurants, stores and plenty of amenities.

Gates are open 24 hours so access into the park should not be a problem. It will add extra time to your day so plan accordingly.

The two best areas will be

• West Yellowstone in Montana (northeast corner) will have the shortest drive time to the main attractions.
• Gardiner in Montana is near the Mammoth Hot Springs region in the north.

I think anywhere else will make it too far to drive into the park. But, if you’re struggling it may be your only option.

How Much Time Do You Need in Yellowstone?

We recommend longer than one day, and at least five days to see everthing on this list. That’s what we did it in.

If you can’t do that, then I think three days would be a great amount of time to see the top attractions in Yellowstone and all the diverse areas of the park.

Yellowstone is much bigger than you realize and can take a couple of hours to drive from one section to another, espcially with all the wildlife gawkers.

Be strategic with your planning and get up early to beat the crowds!

The Grand Loop Road is a 142 mile highway that covers the most popular Yellowstone attractions, which would take 4 to 8 hours to drive the entire route without many stops!

Getting Around Yellowstone National Park

Unless you join a tour, you will need your own vehicle to explore this gigantic park. We recommend it. Find your ideal car rental here:

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone

The most popular time to visit Yellowstone National Park is summer, mostly July and August. It’s when you’ll get the most predictable weather – warm days. Except nights to still be cool.

We visited in September and while cool, it was manageable. It also meant it was less busy, so it was a great time to visit.

Things will start closing in the park once the snow arrives usually around October. Although there are some winter activities in Yellowstone available which I’d love to do!

May is busy bear season so could be great for that, although many trails could be closed. We had one trail we wanted to do closed when we visited due to bear activity.

Top Yellowstone National Park Tours

If you want to visit Yellowstone but don’t want to go alone, consider a group tour! The following tours with G Adventures visit Yellowstone National Park:

• National Parks Family Journey: Yellowstone and Grand Teton
• Los Angeles to Seattle (incorporates many phenomenal national parks)
• National Parks of the Northwest US

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of the coolest places in North America. Actually, I think it could be added to the coolest places in the world list.

I don’t think there is another place quite like it.

Now we can see why it was the United States first park in the national park system.

Thank you Teddy Roosevelt for having the vision to protect these unique places of natural and culture beauty for years to come.

FUN FACT: Yellowstone National Park is actually in three states: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Most of the park is in Wyoming.

By now you’ve probably realised that there are so many attractions and things to do in Yellowstone NP. I hope this guide helped you map out your itinerary and gave you some inspiration for sights to see.

Places Near Yellowstone National Park

If you’re planning to visit other places near Yellowstone, then the following guides may be useful to you…

• Idaho: 20 Amazing Things to Do In Idaho For First Time Visitors!
• Montana: 15 Unforgettable Things to Do in Glacier National Park
• Wyoming: How to spend one day in the Grand Teton National Park

More USA National Parks Tips

If you want to read about more national parks in USA, then check out these other guides…

• Yosemite: 18 amazing things to do in Yosemite National Park
• Grand Canyon: 8 tips for planning a trip to the Grand Canyon
• Zion: 14 best things to do in Zion National Park
• Monument Valley: 15 amazing things to do in Monument Valley
• Arches: 11 best things to do in Arches National Park

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