Yellowstone National Park
Time Needed: multi-day
Experience Type: national park, scenic views
Yellowstone National Park is home to erupting geysers, technicolor hot springs, thundering waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. As the world’s first national park, it offers a front-row seat to the planet’s raw power and timeless beauty. It’s an unforgettable experience in every season.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Watch Old Faithful Erupt – Witness the world’s most iconic geyser erupt with precision, then follow the boardwalk through Upper Geyser Basin to discover more geothermal wonders.
- Hike to Grand Prismatic Overlook – Take the short trail for a breathtaking aerial view of the park’s largest hot spring, radiating with vivid rainbow-colored microbial rings.
- Explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – Marvel at 308-foot Lower Falls from Artist Point and Brink of the Falls, where mist and color fill the dramatic canyon.
- Spot Wildlife in Lamar Valley – Cruise this scenic corridor at sunrise or sunset to spot Yellowstone’s “Big Five”: bison, elk, grizzly bears, gray wolves, and moose.
- Wander Mammoth Hot Springs – Stroll the boardwalks among steaming terraces of calcium carbonate that shift daily in shape and color. Keep your eyes open for grazing elk.
Itinerary Idea: Explore Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley on a guided safari-style hike, venturing to quieter areas ideal for spotting wildlife like bison, wolves, and eagles. Enjoy a small-group experience, expert guidance, and a lunch along one of the park’s most scenic river valleys.
Photo Credit: derwiki/Pixabay