Hello, my fellow adventure travelers! Are you ready for an unforgettable and instagrammable trip to
America’s FIRST national park? That’s right! Yellowstone is America’s oldest park, and it was established in 1872. Yellowstone National Park is a treasure trove of natural wonders, from geysers and hot springs to breathtaking mountain vistas and wildlife galore. But with so much to see and do, planning a trip to Yellowstone can be a daunting task.
That’s where I come in. I’ve put together a killer two-day itinerary that will take you to some of the park’s most famous sights, while also leaving you plenty of time to explore at your own pace, as well as options to tack on a visit to Grand Teton or Glacier National Park before or after your Yellowstone adventure.
Accommodations
There are several locations inside the park where you can stay. This cuts down on drive time and allows more time for exploring. (Or sleeping in if you aren’t an early bird.) These lodging options tend to fill up fast. They open one year in advance. You can also stay in West Yellowstone. This is a quaint town with lots of food and souvenir shopping options. We have stayed in West Yellowstone each time.
Safety
Safety is a HUGE topic in this specific national park. Not only are there wolves, bears, and other wildlife much like other parks, but there are also geysers and hot springs. It is extremely important to stay on the boardwalks and trails. Do not stick your hand in hot springs or jump in them. Sadly, this has happened before…hence the sign.
Day One – The Big Ones – Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful
Day one of your Yellowstone adventure is going to be a wild ride (literally). We’re starting off with some of the park’s most iconic sights, so get your camera ready and your hiking boots laced up.
Firehole Falls
First stop: Firehole Falls. This stunning waterfall is located in the southern part of the park and is easily accessible from the main road. You can park your car and take a short walk to the overlook, where you’ll be treated to a dramatic view of the cascading water. This is just a quick stop.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Next up, we’re heading to the Grand Prismatic Spring. This colorful hot spring is one of the most photographed spots in the park, and for good reason. The vibrant blue, green, and orange hues of the water are absolutely mesmerizing. You can view the spring from a boardwalk that winds around the perimeter, but be warned – it can get crowded, so try to visit early in the day if possible. Early morning can also be foggy and completely obscure the view. Be sure to check the weather.
I love to walk around the boardwalk and see the geyser and colors up close, but my favorite view is from the short hike to the overlook above the spring. This view gives you an appreciation of the full spectrum of colors. The hike begins at the Fairy Falls trailhead and is a steady climb for 0.6 miles. It is a quick out and back hike.
Old Faithful
After you’ve had your fill of the Grand Prismatic, it’s time for a true Yellowstone classic: Old Faithful. This geyser has been entertaining visitors for over a century with its predictable eruptions (roughly every 90 minutes). There’s a large viewing area where you can watch the geyser shoot water up to 180 feet in the air. Check the geyser eruption schedule in order to plan your trip around the appropriate time!
West Thumb Geyser Basin and Yellowstone Lake
But wait, there’s more! We’re not done yet. From Old Faithful, we’ll make our way to the West Thumb Geyser Basin, located on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. This area features a collection of colorful hot springs and geysers, all surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains. This is personally where one of the most beautiful hot springs is in my opinion.
Mud Volcano Area
Last, but certainly not least, we’ll head over to the Mud Volcano area. This geothermal wonderland is home to bubbling mud pots, hissing steam vents, and even a “dragon’s mouth” cave that spews steam and water. It’s a unique and otherworldly landscape that you won’t want to miss.
Hayden Valley
Phew! That’s a jam-packed day of exploring, but we’re not quite done yet. As the sun starts to set, we’ll make our way to Hayden Valley for some prime wildlife viewing. This expansive valley is home to herds of bison, elk, and sometimes even bears. Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready – you never know what you might see.
Day Two – Lamar Valley Wildlife, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Lamar Valley
I like to squeeze in ALL of the things on vacation. Day two, we’re starting off bright and early for a visit to the stunning Lamar Valley. This expansive valley is known as the “Serengeti of North
America” thanks to its abundance of wildlife, including bison, wolves, and bears. We recommend setting your alarm for a ridiculous hour (yes, even earlier than yesterday) to catch the sunrise in the valley. And trust us, it’s worth it – there’s nothing quite like watching a grizzly bear or a pack of wolves emerge from the misty morning fog. We saw a bear here on our first trip and wolves on our last trip!
Tower Falls
After you’ve had your fill of wildlife watching, we’ll make our way back towards the central part of the park for some more sightseeing. First stop: Tower Falls. This stunning waterfall drops 132 feet into a deep canyon, and you can view it from a short hike on a paved trail.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Next up, we’re headed to Mammoth Hot Springs. This unique thermal area is known for its terraced pools of steaming water, which create a surreal landscape that looks almost like an alien planet. There’s a boardwalk that winds through the area, allowing you to explore the pools and learn more about the geology of the park.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
From Mammoth, we’ll head to the brink of the Upper Falls for another stunning waterfall view. You can hike down to the base of the falls for an up-close-and-personal experience but be prepared for a steep climb back up.
And last but certainly not least, we’ll make our way to Artist Point. This overlook offers a jaw-dropping view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, with the Yellowstone River winding through a colorful canyon and the Lower Falls in the distance. It’s a must-see spot for any Yellowstone visitor.
Norris Geyser Basin
If you have time, we highly recommend a visit to Norris Geyser Basin as well. This area is home to some of the park’s most active geysers and hot springs, including Steamboat Geyser – the world’s tallest active geyser. It’s a true wonderland of geothermal activity. And with that, our whirlwind tour of Yellowstone comes to a close.
I have completed this trip during a Glacier-Yellowstone-Tetons road trip as well as a Tetons-Yellowstone road trip. When arriving from Grand Teton NP, hitting the lower loop of the map makes for a convenient itinerary. I worded this itinerary to cover the lower loop in Day 1 and the Upper loop in day 2. This map will make the “loop terminology” make more sense.
Here are some popular tours in Yellowstone. These include “loop tours,” wildlife watching, as well as whitewater rafting!
I hope this itinerary is helpful in helping you plan an efficient, Instagrammable 2-day Yellowstone adventure! For more information on tacking on a trip to Grand Teton NP, check out my blog here. You can also visit my travel Instagram for more photos of all of our National Park travels as well as others! Safe travels!
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