10 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

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Wondering what you shouldn’t miss when you are visiting Yellowstone National Park?

Larger than the size of Delaware and Rhode Island combined, seeing everything you want to in Yellowstone can be a challenge. I have visited this park countless times, and there are still things I’ve missed that I want to go back and check out when I have the chance.

Of course, its sheer size and number of things to do make planning a trip here difficult–especially if you only have a few days to explore. If this is your first time visiting the park, however, there are absolutely some sights that you won’t want to miss and all of these are unforgettable. You might already have a few in mind like Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring.

I’ve included some of the spots I think you shouldn’t miss as a first-time visitor, as well as some of my personal, overlooked favorites. Yellowstone is the kind of place you return to again and again and you always find something new to explore or you create new memory.

In summary: This article shares my favorite and can’t-miss attractions in Yellowstone you will want to make sure to see on your visit.

Quick tip: If you want to avoid the crowds, I recommend visiting in the late spring and early fall.

1. Old Faithful

Old Faithful is the iconic geyser that defines Yellowstone for many people, and honestly, it lives up to the hype. Watching this massive column of hot water and steam erupt is genuinely awe-inspiring, no matter how many times you’ve seen geysers before. The geyser erupts roughly every 60-110 minutes, so you can plan your day around viewing times posted at the visitor center.

The Upper Geyser Basin surrounding Old Faithful contains dozens of other geysers and hot springs, so you can spend hours exploring the boardwalks and trails in the area. I recommend arriving early to secure parking and get a good viewing spot without massive crowds. Even though Old Faithful is touristy, there’s a reason it’s famous—it’s genuinely spectacular.

2. Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring is absolutely the most photographed feature in Yellowstone, and when you see it in person, you’ll understand why. This massive hot spring is over 370 feet in diameter and incredibly deep, with water so blue it seems unreal. The colors shift from brilliant turquoise in the center to deep blues and greens at the edges, then yellows and oranges closer to the rim—created by heat-loving bacteria and minerals.

The best way to experience it is from the boardwalk at ground level, but for the iconic overhead perspective, hike up to the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail for stunning views. The boardwalk walks you right around the edge where steam rises and creates an ethereal atmosphere. I’ve visited multiple times and it never gets old—the colors seem to shift with different lighting and seasons.

3. Wildlife spotting in Lamar Valley

Lamar Valley is genuinely one of the best places in North America to see wildlife in their natural habitat. This beautiful open valley is home to bison herds, elk, wolves, grizzly bears, and countless other animals. Early morning and evening are prime viewing times when animals are most active.

I love spending several hours just sitting in Lamar with binoculars, watching elk graze and looking for wolves in the distance. The valley is accessible by car, so you don’t need to be an intense hiker—just patient and observant. Bring binoculars and a good camera with zoom capability if you want close-up shots. The wildlife viewing here rivals some dedicated wildlife refuges, and you’re experiencing these animals in truly wild settings.

Quick tip: Don’t have enough time to make the trip to Lamar Valley? Hayden Valley is another great option for wildlife watching and it’s closer to other attractions like Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring.

4. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is absolutely breathtaking with its dramatic yellow and orange canyon walls carved by the Yellowstone River. The Lower Falls plunge 308 feet in a spectacular cascade that you can view from multiple overlooks and hiking trails. Artist Point offers one of the most iconic views in Yellowstone with the falls framed by the canyon.

I’m always struck by how different this feels from the rest of the park—the colors are warmer and more vibrant than the typical gray and white thermal features. Multiple trails let you explore the canyon from different angles, from short walks to longer backcountry routes. Whether you’re viewing from the rim or hiking down into the canyon, the scale and beauty are absolutely overwhelming.

5. Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs is unlike anywhere else in Yellowstone with its stark white travertine terraces created by hot mineral water. The landscape looks almost otherworldly—like you’ve stepped onto another planet. The terraces are constantly changing as mineral deposits build up and water flow shifts, so each visit offers a slightly different landscape. The boardwalks let you get up close to steaming pools and see the geological processes happening in real time.

The town of Mammoth itself has historic buildings and is a good place to grab supplies and information. I love visiting Mammoth in different seasons because the travertine looks completely different with snow, fall colors reflecting in pools, or summer greenery surrounding it. It’s genuinely one of the most unique thermal features in the world.

6. Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake is massive—the largest high-elevation lake in North America—and exploring it offers a completely different perspective on the park. You can drive scenic routes around the lake with multiple pullouts and beach access, or take boat tours from the marina. The lake is incredibly cold even in summer, so swimming is brief and shocking, but paddling a kayak on the peaceful water surrounded by mountains is absolutely magical.

The shoreline offers wildlife viewing opportunities with bison and elk grazing nearby. At sunset, the reflections of surrounding peaks in the still water are stunning. I love how lake time feels like a completely different experience from geysers and canyons—it gives you a chance to slow down and appreciate the park’s natural beauty from a different angle.

7. Yellowstone’s lesser-known geysers

Beyond Old Faithful, Yellowstone contains dozens of other geysers that most visitors never discover. The Norris Geyser Basin has Echinus Geyser and numerous smaller geysers that erupt unpredictably but frequently. Fountain Paint Pot offers smaller eruptions and colorful hot springs.

These lesser-known features have far fewer crowds than Old Faithful, which means you can experience them more peacefully. Some geysers are more active in certain years or after earthquakes, adding an element of unpredictability. I love exploring these hidden geothermal areas and sitting quietly watching steam rise from thermal features without crowds around me. The boardwalks and trails make them accessible, but many people bypass them in their rush to see Old Faithful.

8. Hiking

Yellowstone has incredible hiking options ranging from easy boardwalk strolls to serious backcountry adventures. Day hikes like Fairy Falls, Biscuit Basin, or Shoshone Lake offer stunning scenery without requiring massive elevation gain. If you’re more ambitious, longer trails like Specimen Ridge or the Absaroka Lake Trail take you into true wilderness.

I love hiking in Yellowstone because you’re constantly encountering geothermal features mixed with forest and wildlife habitat. The park’s 1,000+ miles of trails (bring your bear spray!) mean you can find solitude if you venture away from main attractions. Hiking here requires bear awareness and preparation, but the reward is experiencing Yellowstone’s vast landscape on foot rather than just from scenic drives.

9. Yellowstone’s waterfalls

Beyond the famous Lower Falls, Yellowstone has beautiful waterfalls scattered throughout the park that often get overlooked. The Biscuit Basin area has Fountain Paint Pot and thermal features mixed with shorter walks. Artist Point near the canyon offers waterfall views combined with canyon scenery. Lower Geyser Basin hikes include waterfall views.

These waterfalls are often combined with other features rather than being standalone attractions, which means fewer crowds and more interesting experiences. Spring offers the most dramatic waterfall flow from snowmelt, though water flows year-round. I enjoy seeking out these secondary waterfalls because the effort required to reach some of them means you experience them in solitude, surrounded by the park’s natural beauty.

10. Mud pots

Mud pots are some of Yellowstone’s quirkiest geothermal features—essentially pools of boiling mud that bubble and plop in mesmerizing patterns. The Fountain Paint Pot area has several accessible mud pots with different colors and activity levels. The sounds and smells are distinctive—the mud literally bubbles and you hear it from a distance.

Different mud pots change color depending on minerals and bacteria, ranging from grays to blues to browns. Kids especially love watching mud pots because they’re interactive and entertaining. The boardwalks keep you at safe viewing distances from the boiling features. I always stop at mud pots because they feel like a different kind of geothermal experience compared to pristine hot springs and dramatic geysers—they’re messy, chaotic, and genuinely fun to observe.

Conclusion

Yellowstone offers something for every type of visitor, from geothermal wonders to wildlife viewing to challenging hikes. These ten activities barely scratch the surface of what the park contains, and you could spend a lifetime enjoying this incredible place. That’s why I always recommend planning a few extra days more than you think you need in order to see the highlights!

Have any questions about what to do in Yellowstone? Let me know in the comments!