Things to do nearYellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, spanning Wyoming and parts of Montana and Idaho, captivates visitors with its geothermal wonders, vast wildlife, and ancient volcanic landscape.
Established in 1872 as the world's first national park, Yellowstone sits atop one of the planet's most active volcanic hotspots, a fact that explains the extraordinary concentration of geothermal features found nowhere else in comparable density. The park holds roughly half of the world's active geysers, including the iconic Old Faithful, which erupts with reliable regularity and draws visitors to the Upper Geyser Basin throughout the day. Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States, stuns with concentric rings of vivid color produced by heat-loving microbial mats.
Beyond the geothermal spectacle, Yellowstone encompasses more than two million acres of forest, alpine meadow, river canyon, and high-elevation lake. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone cuts dramatically through rhyolite rock, exposing yellow and orange walls that gave the park its name, with the Lower Falls dropping nearly twice the height of Niagara.
Wildlife viewing here is among the finest in North America, with bison, elk, wolves, grizzly bears, and trumpeter swans all present in recoverable numbers. The Lamar Valley is often called the American Serengeti for the density and variety of large mammals visible from the road. Dining and lodging options range from the historic Old Faithful Inn, a century-old log structure considered a masterpiece of rustic architecture, to campgrounds scattered across the park's five main districts.
Whether exploring by car, on foot along maintained boardwalks above thermal features, or deeper into the backcountry on multi-day trails, Yellowstone National Park offers a scale and authenticity of wilderness experience that continues to define what a national park can be.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Yellowstone National Park
Visit the Upper Geyser Basin in the early morning to watch Old Faithful erupt with fewer crowds and better light for photography.
Bring bear spray and know how to use it before entering any backcountry trail, as grizzly and black bear encounters are genuinely possible.
Drive the Lamar Valley at dawn or dusk for the best chance of spotting wolves, bison herds, and pronghorn in open meadows.
Try the bison chili at the Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room, a rustic stop near the Tower-Roosevelt area that reflects the park's early tourist-camp heritage.
Pack layers regardless of the season, as temperatures in Yellowstone can swing dramatically between morning and afternoon even in midsummer.
Top tours & experiences near Yellowstone National Park
Lamar Valley 6-Mile Guided Hike with Lunch
Explore Yellowstone's Lamar Valley on a 6-mile guided hike with lunch included
Paddle Geysers & Reach Remote Shoshone Lake
Kayak past geothermal wonders and hike to remote Shoshone Lake in one seamless full-day adventure.
Private Yellowstone Photography Safari
Customize a private Yellowstone photo adventure with expert guidance
Private Yellowstone River Whitewater Rafting in Gardiner
Reserve a private raft on the Yellowstone River near Yellowstone National Park
Twilight Kayak Tour on Yellowstone Lake
Evening paddle past Yellowstone Lake thermal features
Explore Yellowstone Winter Photo Safari Guided Tour
Customize a private winter photo safari in Yellowstone with a photographer guide
Horseback Riding & 8-Mile Rafting in Gardiner
Saddle up in the forest, then raft the Yellowstone River
Sunset Horseback Ride & Cowboy Cookout in Yellowstone
Ride at sunset, then sit down to a cowboy cookout dinner near Yellowstone
Horseback Ride & 8-Mile Raft Trip Near Yellowstone
Ride on horseback, then raft 8 miles near Yellowstone National Park
1.5-Hour Horseback Ride Near Yellowstone Park
Ride high-country trails with views over Yellowstone Park
1-Hour Horseback Trail Ride Near Yellowstone
Ride a 1-hour mountain trail with small groups overlooking Yellowstone
Yellowstone River Small-Boat Rafting in Gardiner
Take on Yellowstone River whitewater in a nimble small raft
Private Yellowstone River Rafting in Gardiner
Paddle Yellowstone River rapids in a private raft led by your own guide
Yellowstone 4-Zipline Eco Tour
Soar above Yellowstone country on a scenic guided zipline course
Full-Day Yellowstone River Rafting in Gardiner
Paddle Rapids and Float Through Paradise Valley With Lunch
Yellowstone River Scenic Rafting Tour
Drift calm Yellowstone River waters with a guide and watch for wildlife
Raft the Yellowstone River in Yankee Jim Canyon
Run early-season whitewater through Yankee Jim Canyon with experienced guides
Private Yellowstone River Whitewater Rafting Trip
Your own raft, guide, and shuttle on the Yellowstone River
Yellowstone River Evening Rafting Trip
Fit a quick Yellowstone River whitewater run into your park day
Guided 3-Hour Kayak Tour on Yellowstone Lake
Paddle Yellowstone Lake with a guide in a small group
Walk-Wade Guided Fishing Trip in Gardiner
Walk and wade with a guide near Gardiner for a half-day fishing outing
Guided 3.5-Hour Kayak Tour of Yellowstone Lake
Paddle Yellowstone Lake’s thermal basins with a naturalist guide
Inflatable Kayak Trip on Yellowstone River
Paddle Yellowstone’s rolling waves in your own inflatable kayak
Sunset Horseback Ride & Cowboy Cookout in Gardiner
Ride forest trails, then gather for a hearty cowboy cookout
Full-Day Walk-Wade Fishing Trip in Gardiner
Explore Montana waters on a guided walk-wade fishing day
Yellowstone Wildlife & Waterfalls Guided Tour
Search for wildlife and hike Yellowstone’s canyon waterfalls on a private day out
Yellowstone National Park Lower Loop Guided Tour
See geyser basins, Old Faithful, and canyon falls in one day
Yellowstone Upper Loop Guided Tour
See Yellowstone's Upper Loop, from Mammoth Hot Springs to Lower Falls
2-Hour Horseback Tour Near Yellowstone National Park
Ride ranch trails between the Yellowstone River and Yellowstone National Park
Explore Yellowstone Hot Springs & Geysers
A private day of Yellowstone hikes, thermal features and wildlife viewing
Yellowstone National Park Full-Day Guided Tour
Choose a Lower Loop, wildlife, or custom Yellowstone adventure with a local guide
Yellowstone National Park Wildlife Safari
Customize a private Yellowstone wildlife day around your interests
Yellowstone National Park 15-Minute Scenic Flight
A private aerial glimpse of West Yellowstone, Hebgen Lake, and Yellowstone
Yellowstone Continental Divide Air Tour
Trace Yellowstone’s waterways from above and see where the Continental Divide changes their course
Yellowstone National Park Boundary Flight Tour
Fly along Yellowstone's western boundary for aerial views of the park and its caldera
Gardiner 1-Hour Horseback Ride
Ride riverside trails beneath Electric Peak near Yellowstone
Gardiner Evening Cowboy Dinner
Savor a Western dinner after a wagon or horseback ride near Yellowstone