Last Updated on: 25th March 2024, 10:48 pm
At over two million acres, Yellowstone requires several days to fully appreciate. While it would probably take weeks to see 100% of the park, three or four days is enough to see the main highlights. In the following Yellowstone itinerary, we’ll be covering how to experience the park over four days as efficiently (and as cheaply) as possible. But we also have you covered if you have less time or will be coming from a different direction.
Many travelers seem to enter Yellowstone National Park from the south following a visit to Grand Teton National Park. And many people also exit via the north, as it’s common to combine Yellowstone with a trip to Montana’s Glacier National Park. The itinerary below, therefore, is ideal for those who will be following this route.
However, you can also find alternate suggestions if you’ll be starting in the north, or will be coming from the west or east.
As we’ll cover below, it’s highly recommended that you stay within the park for the duration of your trip. Even then, you’ll still have a lot of driving to do!
Day 0: Arrive in Yellowstone from Grand Teton / Jackson
Yellowstone National Park is situated just north of Grand Teton National Park, which itself is located right outside the town of Jackson. Most visitors, therefore, visit Grand Teton right before their trip to Yellowstone.
While one full day is enough to see Grand Teton’s highlights, consider spending 1.5 days in the park. That way, you can head straight into Yellowstone after your second day and get settled before you start exploring the following day.
Be sure to check our detailed guide to Grand Teton for tips on how to spend your time there.
While those coming straight from Grand Teton or Jackson will be entering Yellowstone via the South Entrance, the park also has a West, East, North and even Northeast entrance.
As mentioned, the following itinerary assume you’re entering via the south and exiting via the north. But if you’ll be coming from another entrance (or also exiting via the south), we’ve provided some suggestions on how to alter the main itinerary below.
WHERE TO STAY ON NIGHT 1: As mentioned above, it’s best to stay within the park during your explorations of Yellowstone. Not only is the park massive, but there are very few towns close by.
And even if you do stay within the park, you’ll still have lots of driving to do each day. As such, you’ll also want to base yourself in at least two different locations over the course of your trip.
If you’re entering from the south, spend your first night at Grant Village. Yellowstone National Park is home to a few different ‘villages’ which are all managed by the Xanterra Corporation.
Each village features both lodging and extensive campgrounds. You’ll also find things like restaurants and general stores as well. You can make reservations for campsites at this link and for Grant Village hotels at this link.
Just be sure to make your reservation several months in advance, as both can get booked up quick!
Lodging can cost a few hundred dollars per room each night, while campsites cost just around $40 per night (the price varies slightly depending on campsite size and number of tents).
In my case, I decided to camp every night of my Yellowstone stay. Grant Village does feature showers for campers, though you’ll likely have to drive there from your specific campsite. Each camping area, at least, has ample restrooms nearby.
Depending on who your camping neighbors are, things can get a bit noisy at night. With that said, considering the alternatives, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
If budget is not an issue for you, also consider staying at the iconic Old Faithful Inn for your first two nights.
If you’re new to camping or wondering how to prepare for Yellowstone specifically, be sure to check our detailed packing list.
Day 1: Explore the Geyser Basins of Southwest Yellowstone
This day will be entirely dedicated to geysers. The southwest section alone is home to around five geyser basins (depending on how you count), and exploring everything can easily take a full day.
It would be wise to start at the Upper Geyser Basin, home to the famous Old Faithful. The area can get crowded very quickly, while you’ll also want to arrive early to ensure you get a parking space. Try to get there by around 8:00 or 8:30 if you can.
From the Grant Village Campground in the south of the park, the driving journey is just about 40 minutes. As there are no shuttles in Yellowstone, renting a car is a must.
Conveniently, Old Faithful happens to be the first geyser you’ll encounter upon walking to the Upper Geyser Basin from the parking lot. As such, it makes sense to wait around until the next eruption before going off to explore the rest of the area.
Old Faithful presently erupts every 90 minutes or so. You’ll find scheduled eruption times at the Visitor Center, while you can also check online.
After witnessing an eruption, there’s still plenty more to explore nearby. The Upper Geyser Basin is home to no less than 150 geysers in a single square mile, making it the most dense concentration of geysers on the planet.
Some people like to plan their explorations in order to be back at Old Faithful in time for another eruption. But there’s so much to see in the general area that to see it all would take over two hours!
When finished with the Upper Geyser Basin, make the 15-minute drive to Midway Geyser Basin. By this point in the day, parking will be an issue. But if you’re patient enough, you should be able to find a spot when someone leaves.
All in all, Midway Geyser Basin is tiny compared with Upper Geyser Basin, and the boardwalk will soon take you to Grand Prismatic, arguably Yellowstone’s most famous attraction after Old Faithful.
Next, continue to the Lower Geyser Basin. While there are plenty of geysers to see here, the overall area is small compared with Upper Geyser Basin, with the boardwalk stretching out to 0.5 miles (0.8 km).
Next, head south to the Fairy Falls Trail, famous for its stunning overlook of Grand Prismatic. The hike is just about 0.8 miles (1.3 km), though it’s fairly steep. Expect to make it up in about 15-20 minutes.
Continuing further south, the next destination on this Yellowstone itinerary is Biscuit Basin, situated just northwest of Upper Geyser Basin. This is a geyser basin similar to the others, though you also have the option of taking an additional hike through the forest.
About halfway through the main boardwalk in the geyser area is the detour for the Mystic Falls hike. From the boardwalk, it’s about 0.7 miles to reach the falls, or 1.7 for the entire loop hike.
If you’re in the mood to see even more geysers, it’s from the Biscuit Basin parking lot that you can access a remote and largely overlooked section of the Upper Geyser Basin. The trail is commonly known as the Artemisia Trail after the Artemisia Geyser.
And finally, if you still have any energy left over, there’s yet another geyser basin around here known as the Black Sand Basin.
If you’re planning on seeing everything mentioned above, expect to make it back to Grant Village by early evening. Also note that you probably won’t have time to stop for a proper lunch, so bring plenty of snacks in your car.
Elsewhere online, you may come across websites telling you not to even bother exploring Yellowstone during the busiest times in the afternoon. But that’s poor advice. There’s so much to see in the park that you’d hardly get anything done if you took a break during peak times.
WHERE TO STAY ON NIGHT 2: If the Old Faithful Inn is out of your budget, spend another night at Grant Village. As mentioned, you can make reservations for campsites at this link and for lodging at this link.
The next morning, be sure to wake up early to clear your campsite and pack up your things, as you should aim to stay in a different part of the park on night three.
Day 2: Explore Yellowstone Lake & Visit Mud Volcano
Conveniently, Grant Village is situated right by Yellowstone Lake, so you won’t have to travel very far to start your day. But the lake is massive, and you’ll be driving alongside it for much of the day.
Frankly speaking, if you only have three days in Yellowstone instead of four, this is probably the day you should remove from your itinerary. While the lake is indeed beautiful, it’s not particularly unique. (See more suggestions below.)
Yellowstone Lake covers 136 square miles, and with 110 miles (180 km) of shoreline, there’s plenty to do and see nearby.
Start your day at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. While similar to the geyser basins you’ll have seen on Day 1, this basin is situated right along (and at some points within) the lake!
Your schedule for this day will largely depend on whether or not you’ve decided to book a Yellowstone boat tour, officially known as Yellowstone Lake Scenicruise tours. The excursions last one hour and they depart from Bridge Bay Marina at 9:00, 10:30, 1:00, 14:30 and 16:00.
The marina is about 25 minutes from West Thumb Geyser Basin, so keep that in mind when choosing a time. Booking a 9:00 tour might force you to rush, while a 10:30 might leave you with plenty of time to kill.
In any case, before or after your tour (or even if you decide to skip it), consider hiking the Natural Bridge Trail, accessible from the marina. The 2.2-mile (3.6 km) hike culminates at a beautiful stone bridge.
Continuing north, another hiking trail is the Elephant Back Trail, which is 3.6 miles (5.8 km). Expect it to take a couple hours to complete. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feature any dedicated overlooks, though you can still catch some great views of the lake by peaking through the trees.
Alternatively, you might want to replace it with the Storm Point Trail on the lake’s north shore. At 2.3 miles (3.7 km), it’s mostly flat but still offers excellent views of the lake.
If you’re a big hiker, consider replacing any other hikes mentioned above with the Avalanche Trail. The hike is probably the best way to see unobstructed views of Yellowstone Lake from above. But it’s considered a strenuous hike with 2,000 ft of elevation gain, and it takes most people at least three hours to complete.
At the far northern end of the lake, meanwhile, is the Fishing Bridge, a historic bridge constructed in 1932. It takes just a couple of minutes to see.
Now you’re finally done with the lake, and it’s time to continue north along the Grand Loop Road. Be sure to make a quick stop at the LeHardy Rapids which are part of the Yellowstone River. This is a great spot to watch native cutthroat trout make occasional leaps into the air.
Further north along the river, don’t miss the Mud Volcano. While its name makes one think that it’s just a single hydrothermal feature, this is actually an entire geyser basin. The total length of the boardwalk is 0.75 miles (1 km), while this is also a great place to spot some bison.
Speaking of bison, your day will finish with a drive through Hayden Valley, one of the top spots in Yellowstone to see wildlife. By this point in the day it should be evening, which is one of the ideal times to see animals.
But this won’t be your last experience with Hayden Valley, as you’ll want to be sure to drive through it at sunrise at least once.
Finally, head to Canyon Village and check into your accommodation.
WHERE TO STAY ON NIGHT 3: As mentioned earlier, Yellowstone National Park is comprised of a few different villages that feature both campgrounds and hotels, not to mention restaurants and general stores. And for nights three and four, you should aim to stay at Canyon Village, located just south of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Each village features both lodging and extensive campgrounds. You’ll also find things like restaurants and general stores as well. You can make reservations for campsites at this link and for Canyon Village lodging at this link.
As mentioned earlier, be sure to make your reservations several months in advance.
If budget is not an issue for you, also consider staying at the historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel on your third night.
Day 3: Hayden Valley, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & More
This is going to be another busy day. But as we’ll cover shortly, you should be able to move some things from this day over to Day 4 if you’d prefer to rest in the afternoon.
While you should have already seen plenty of animals – especially bison – in the evening, right around sunrise is the best time to experience Hayden Valley – both for wildlife and for scenery.
Even if you’re not at all a morning person, it’s well worth putting forth the effort to wake up around 5:00 and make it to the valley by around 6:00. Conveniently, Hayden Valley is situated right next to Canyon Village.
Not only are you more likely to see wildlife at this time, but the mist over the river in the early morning creates a spectacular landscape.
Expect to see plenty more bison, not to mention elk, bears and other animals. While Hayden Valley takes about fifteen minutes to drive through from end to end without stopping, you’ll be pulling over plenty of times whenever you happen to see something.
You’ll eventually end up back at the Mud Volcano, at which point you can turn around and drive through the valley one more time.
Finished with Hayden Valley, you’ll find yourself right by the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The canyon consists of two large waterfalls, while there are various viewpoints and hiking trails from which to appreciate the views from different angles.
As such, there are plenty of ways to experience the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and seeing every single viewpoint should take you around 4-5 hours.
But if you’re not into the idea of spending that much time and energy here, Artist Point and the Brink of the Lower Falls should be considered must-visits. After that, if you’re still in the mood, go see the North Rim’s Red Rock Point.
One benefit of starting Day 3 with a sunrise tour of Hayden Valley is that you’ll easily be able to make it to Artist Point before the crowds arrive. You shouldn’t have a problem finding a parking spot by around 8:00, though you might find the lot completely full by 9:00.
Artist Point is located along the South Rim of the canyon, which is also home to the Upper Falls Overlook.
The North Rim, meanwhile, is home to Brink of the Lower Falls (a must-see), Red Rock Point & Lookout Point, Inspiration Point and Brink of the Upper Falls. While popular (though not quite essential), Brink of the Upper Falls can be saved for last thanks to its large parking lot.
Whether you’ve just visited a few overlooks or have seen everything, you should still have time left over in the afternoon for another excursion.
If you’re feeling especially energetic, consider hiking up Mt. Washburn, located north of the canyon. But expect the roundtrip hike to last three hours at the very least.
Alternatively, you could head west across the road that runs between Yellowstone’s Upper and Lower Loops, where you’ll find Norris Geyser Basin.
Or you could simply head back to Canyon Village to rest, as it’s also possible to stop at Norris Geyser Basin on the morning of Day 4.
WHERE TO STAY ON NIGHT 4: Spend another night at Canyon Village.
Day 4: Mammoth Hot Springs & More
Yellowstone National Park is comprised of two main loop roads, commonly referred to as the Lower Loop and Upper Loop. Thus far, this Yellowstone itinerary has largely focused on the Lower Loop, though Day 4 finally takes you to the Upper Loop.
But first, if you didn’t make it to Norris Geyser Basin on Day 3, you’ll want to start your day here. It’s about a 25-minute drive from Canyon Village. And even if you did manage to visit it the previous day, you’ll have to repeat the drive.
Norris Geyser Basin is home to hundreds of hydrothermal features like geysers, mud pots and fumaroles. While it may not be as well-known as Upper Geyser Basin or Middle Geyser Basin, it’s easily one of the most interesting hydrothermal areas of the park. It’s also considered Yellowstone’s hottest and oldest basin.
If you want to see everything, give yourself a couple of hours here. When finished, it’s time to head north along the western half of the Upper Loop.
Visitors who are into hiking should consider stopping at the trailhead for Bunsen Peak. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Norris Geyser Basin, or a little under an hour if you’re coming straight from Canyon Village.
The roundtrip hike to the top of the mountain is 4.2 miles (7 km) with an elevation gain of 1282 ft (391 m). Expect the hike to take you around 2-2.5 hours. Just be sure to carry bear spray! (See our packing list for more info.)
Whether you’ve completed the hike or decided to skip it, continue north until you reach Mammoth Hot Springs. You should have some basic familiarity with the area before arriving, as navigation can be confusing.
Mammoth Hot Springs consists of two main areas: the Upper Terraces and Lower Terraces. A majority of both areas can be explored on foot via a complex network of boardwalks. But given how big the overall area is, you’ll want to park in at least two different spots.
When coming from the south, you’ll first encounter the Upper Terrace Loop Dr on your left. Confusingly, after turning off the main road, you’ll immediately encounter a small parking area next to a boardwalk.
However, I’d recommend turning right to partially drive along the Upper Terrace Loop Dr. And rather than complete the drive, you should soon find another parking lot at the upper level. If you’re able to find a spot here, be sure to take it.
After appreciating the viewpoint of the Upper Terraces, you have a few options. One option is to keep your car where it is and proceed to the Lower Terraces on foot via the boardwalk system.
Don’t walk all the way down to the road level, however. As there are a couple of parking lots near a must-visit landmark called Palette Spring, it would be wise to head there later after exploring much of the Upper and Lower Terraces on foot.
When finished with most of the Lower Terraces, return to your car and complete the Upper Terrace Loop Dr. Then return to Grand Loop Rd and proceed north. A bit later on, look out for a monolithic spite called Liberty Cap, in front of which you should find parking. From here it will be an easy, flat walk to Palette Spring.
While in the northern part of the park, don’t miss the opportunity to check out a slice of historic Yellowstone. Just across from Mammoth Hot Springs is what remains of Fort Yellowstone, which now serves as the Albright Visitor Center.
It’s also around here that you’ll find a large shop at which you can grab some things for the road.
It’s now finally time to wave Yellowstone goodbye. Next, proceed north to the town of Gardiner, Montana, where you can stop to admire the iconic Roosevelt Arch.
WHERE TO STAY ON NIGHT 5: If you’ll be heading to Glacier National Park, the drive from Yellowstone takes roughly six hours. Needless to say, you won’t be able to make the drive after following Day 4 of this Yellowstone itinerary. So where should you stay?
You have a number of options in Gardiner, Montana, with popular hotels being Yellowstone Riverside Cottages and The Antler Lodge.
Another option is Livingston, situated about an hour and twenty minutes north of Yellowstone’s North Entrance. Not only is it cheaper than Gardiner, but staying in Livingston would shorten your journey to Glacier the following day. The Livingston Inn and Country Motor Inn would make for great choices.
Staying in the nearby city of Bozeman would be another convenient option.
How to Visit Yellowstone if...
If you only have three days in the park, give much of Yellowstone Lake a miss. First, follow Day 1 as described above. Then on Day 2, you should still start with West Thumb Geyser Basin, but drive along most of the lake (while making the occasional stop to enjoy the views) until you reach the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Explore the area and check into your accommodation in Canyon Village. Begin Day 3 with a sunrise drive through Hayden Valley, followed by a drive over to Norris Geyser Basin. Then finish your trip with a visit to Mammoth Hot Springs.
If you only have one or two days, you’d be best off just relying on tours. Tour operators would know the best way to take you to the park’s highlights in the most efficient way possible.
If you’ll be based in Jackson, this full-day tour will take you to Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, West Thumb Geyser Basin, and more.
If you’ll be based in Gardiner, Montana, this wildlife tour will take you through Lamar Valley over the course of six hours.
Those based in West Yellowstone, meanwhile, should consider this Upper Loop Tour, which takes you to Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley and numerous other locations.
If you’re traveling from north to south, the Yellowstone itinerary above shouldn’t be too difficult to carry out in reverse. What follows is a brief outline, assuming you’ve spent the previous night relatively close by.
On Day 1, begin your visit with Mammoth Hot Springs, followed by a visit to Norris Geyser Basin (you can also hike Bunsen Peak if you wish). Check into your accommodation at Canyon Village.
You can follow Day 2 exactly as Day 3 is described in the itinerary above, again spending the night in Canyon Village.
On your third day, begin your day at Mud Volcano, followed by a drive along Yellowstone Lake, stopping at whatever overlooks or hikes you like. Visit West Thumb Geyser Basin in the late afternoon or evening before checking into your accommodation at Grant Village.
On your final day at Yellowstone, simply copy the Day 1 itinerary in the guide above. Spend the night at Grant Village and then get an early start for exploring Grand Teton National Park the following day.
If you’ll be coming from the west, spend the night before your trip in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana. The following day (Day 1), the drive from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful should just take about an hour (depending on traffic).
As such, you can easily follow the Yellowstone Itinerary above, spending the next night at Grant Village and the next two nights at Canyon Village.
Alternatively, if you’ll be coming from the west but want to exit via the south, start at Mammoth Hot Springs. The drive from West Yellowstone should take about an hour and twenty minutes. Then follow the ‘If You’re Traveling From North to South’ itinerary outlined just above.
Coming from the east and then following the itinerary above would be a bit tricky. The nearest major town would be Cody, Wyoming, which is about two hours from the Fishing Bridge on the north shore of Lake Yellowstone.
With that in mind, on your first day, you could either head south and explore Yellowstone Lake, or head north and start by visiting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. How you complete the rest of your trip will then largely depend on how you plan on exiting the park.
Also consider this highly-rated tour that departs from Cody and takes you to various parts of the park, such as Norris Geyser Basin, Upper Geyser Basin and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It also takes you through Hayden Valley to spot wildlife.
