Yellowstone National Park
Last Updated 3/28/2024
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
There are so many amazing things to do in Yellowstone National Park that you could spend months here, and still have more to see. So here are a few of our top suggestions for your Yellowstone Bucket List!!
Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful is located in the Upper Geyser Basin. It is one of almost 500 geysers in Yellowstone, but one of only six that park rangers predict. It might not be the largest, nor the tallest, but it definitely deserves a spot on our list.
You can learn when the next eruption will occur at the Old Faithful Visitor Center. We arrived about 30 minutes before the scheduled time and claimed a seat. We had packed lunch in our backpack, so we ate while we waited. The anticipation was so exciting!
Upper Geyser Basin
Besides Old Faithful, there are 4 other geysers that are predicted regularly. They are Castle, Grand, Daisy, and Riverside. From Old Faithful, walk along the boardwalk through Upper Geyser Basin to check out a variety of hot springs and geysers, including the beautiful Morning Glory Pool.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic, along with the large Excelsior Geyser, can be found at the Midway Geyser Basin. The Grand Prismatic Spring is probably one of the most photographed features at Yellowstone, and it is so easy to see why! It can get very crowded here, so it is best to go early or late in the day when crowds are lighter.
Grand Prismatic Springs Overlook Trail
Because of the grandeur of Grand Prismatic Spring, the best way to completely appreciate its chromatic beauty is to view it from above. The Grand Prismatic Springs Overlook Trail is a 1.2 mile out-and-back trail that begins (and ends) at the Fairy Falls Trailhead. The hike isn’t very long or hard, but the last section is a little steep and uneven. So definitely wear hiking shoes and bring water. The view from here is unparalleled!!
Fountain Paint Pot
The Fountain Paint Pot Trail, at the Lower Geyser Basin, is a short 0.5 mile trail where you can take in all four of the park’s major hydrothermal features: fumaroles, geysers, hot springs, and mud pots.
Fountain Paint Pot is one of the more famous mud pots in the park. It made our list because our daughter absolutely loved the mud pots. Fountain Paint Pot is a cauldron of bubbling mud. Gas travels through the mud and forms bubbles that pop when the gas reaches the surface. The picture below doesn’t do it justice. You will just have to see them in person to thoroughly enjoy the paint pots!
This is just a fraction of the fun things to do in Yellowstone National Park. Let me know some of your favorite things to do at Yellowstone in the comments below. Have fun getting out there, and questing for adventure.