We spent about a week in total during our two visits to Yellowstone National Park—first in August 2021 and again in June 2025. During these trips, we covered both the Upper and Lower loops, visiting many of the park’s iconic sights.

We stayed in both Gardiner and West Yellowstone during our first trip, with West Yellowstone serving as our base in 2025.

West Yellowstone is a convenient location for exploring both loops. Bozeman Airport offers a more budget-friendly option.

Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, remains a top destination for travelers, offering a blend of geothermal wonders, stunning waterfalls, and abundant wildlife.

To fully explore the park, plan at least two days each for the Upper and Lower loops. Additional time may be needed during summer due to traffic and parking delays, especially at popular spots. Hikers should allow extra time for longer trails.

The following itinerary begins at the West Yellowstone entrance.

---

Upper Loop Attractions

Gibbon Falls

A scenic 84-foot waterfall just a 2–3 minute walk from the parking area.

Artist Paint Pots

Colorful hot springs and bubbling mud pots along a 1-mile round-trip boardwalk trail.

Norris Geyser Basin

This is one of Yellowstone’s most active geothermal areas. Parking becomes a problem in summer months with long line of cars waiting to find a spot. Expect to walk 1–2 miles if you want to cover both the Porcelain and Back Basins.

Virginia Cascade Falls

A roadside cascade along a one-way scenic drive. No walking required.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone / Artist Point

Stunning canyon views and waterfalls. Five major viewpoints and are accessible by short walks from the parking. The Brink of Lower Falls Trail is 0.7 miles round trip with a steep descent.

We spotted a mother bear and cub near the Upper Falls Brink trail.

Tower Fall

A popular waterfall with a short 0.4-mile round-trip walk from the parking area.

Petrified Tree

A fossilized redwood just 100 feet from the parking lot. A good place for bear sightings though we did not see any.

Lamar Valley

Renowned for wildlife viewing—bison, elk, wolves, and bears—best seen at dawn or dusk from roadside pullouts.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Tiered terraces formed by mineral rich hot water. Expect 1–2 miles of walking on boardwalks and stairs.

Beaver Ponds Trail (Optional)

A peaceful 5-mile loop near Mammoth. We didn’t see any wildlife during our hike, though elk and beavers are supposed to be common.

Roaring Mountain

Steam emitting from hillside visible directly from the road. No walking required.

---

Lower Loop Attractions

Fountain Flat Drive

Open meadow views of grazing bison. Can be enjoyed as a roadside stop.

Firehole Canyon Drive

One-way scenic drive featuring Firehole Falls and a riverside swimming area. Minimal walking required.

Fountain Paint Pot

A 0.6-mile loop boardwalk with mud pots, geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles.

Great Fountain Geyser

This powerful geyser erupts every 9–15 hours, reaching 100–200 feet. Overflow begins 1–2 hours before eruption, offering better prediction. The viewing area is a short walk from parking.

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring

Iconic for its vivid colors. Parking can be tight during peak season.

Biscuit Basin / Mystic Falls Hike (Currently Closed)

We hiked Mystic Falls from Biscuit Basin in 2021. The area is currently closed following a July 2024 eruption.

Old Faithful

Yellowstone’s most famous geyser, erupting about every 90 minutes. Viewing area is within 0.2 miles of the parking lots.

Continental Divide

A roadside marker where water flows to both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

West Thumb Geyser Basin / Overlook Trail (Optional)

Scenic lakeside geothermal area with a 0.6-mile boardwalk loop. The nearby Overlook Trail adds 0.5 miles round trip.

Riddle Lake Trail (Optional)

A quiet, flat 5-mile round-trip hike through forest to a serene lake. We hiked in the evening and saw no other hikers—only a snake.

Mud Volcano Area

Famous for its bubbling mud pots and the steaming, rumbling Dragon’s Mouth Spring, this geothermal site features a 0.6-mile loop trail.

Nearby points of interest like the Sulphur Caldron and the scenic LeHardy Rapids on the Yellowstone River are also well worth a short stop.

Hayden Valley

One of the best spots for wildlife in the Lower Loop. We saw bison on both visits, a moose in 2021, and bears in 2025.

Madison Campground

A centrally located campground along the Madison River. We visited our daughter and son-in-law here in 2021.

---