Getting Acquainted with Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is located primarily in Wyoming but extends into Montana and Idaho. It stands as a natural wonderland celebrated for its geothermal marvels, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes. As the world’s inaugural national park, it serves as both a bastion of conservation and an arena for adventure.

Picture spouting geysers, vibrant hot springs, verdant forests, and majestic waterfalls—this is just a glimpse of Yellowstone’s natural splendor. However, beyond its breathtaking vistas, Yellowstone offers boundless opportunities for families with young children to immerse themselves in nature and make lasting memories.

Timing

When planning your visit, consider spending at least four days in the park, ensuring you allocate time for exploration in both the upper and lower loops if your schedule permits.

Getting Around

To navigate the park efficiently, it’s helpful to conceptualize it as four quadrants, each accessible via the loop road encircling the park. However, bear in mind that merely traversing the Grand Loop Road without stopping can occupy half a day, particularly if you encounter “animal jams,” where curious visitors pause to observe wildlife near or on the road—an experience that can be simultaneously thrilling and patience-testing.

While Yellowstone’s vastness may initially seem overwhelming, it’s worth noting that certain features, such as mud-pits, may become repetitive after a few sightings. Thus, consider prioritizing experiences that offer diversity and novelty.

For instance, while our initial itinerary included visits to multiple geyser basins, we found that after viewing a few, they began to blend together. Consequently, we opted to allocate more time to hikes and wildlife sightings, enriching our Yellowstone experience.

 

Must-Do Activities

These are the highlights not to be missed and are organized for convenient exploration.

Southwest Area

Old Faithful: Witness the legendary eruption of one of the park’s most iconic geysers, an event that never fails to captivate visitors. While crowds can be substantial, especially during peak times, ranger-provided estimates based on historical data can aid in planning your visit. Eruptions typically happen every one-to-two hours, and though the parking lot is massive, it does turn over quickly. After watching the geyser, consider stopping at the Old Faithful Inn to view the impressive architecture inside and grab some ice cream.

Grand Prismatic Spring: You will marvel at the kaleidoscopic hues of this expansive hot spring, nestled in the Midway Geyser Basin. Be prepared for limited parking as this is one of the main attractions of the park. Traffic will be approaching the parking lot from both the north and the south, so the wait times can be extensive. Once parked, the spring is easily viewed by walking along a boardwalk. You can also consider visiting the Fairy Falls Trail for a panoramic view with fewer crowds.

Mystic Falls: This is a great 2.4-mile hike near Biscuit Basin. The trailhead is behind the Biscuit Basin parking area. After a half-mile on the trail, you’ll come to a fork. The left hand goes to the falls, which is easy and about one mile. Choose the left fork for a shorter, 1-mile, route leading directly to the falls, or opt for the longer 2-mile path if you go right. Warning – be careful with mosquitoes in this area! Even with full bug spray, we still got lots of bites!

Fountain Paint Pot Trail: Walk the boardwalk trail around Fountain Paint Pot to see bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and colorful thermal pools up close.

West Yellowstone Area:

Firehole Falls and Canyon Drive: Take a scenic drive to Firehole Falls where the whole family can appreciate the beauty of a fast-moving river. While some parts might be suitable for swimming, you can also opt for a leisurely wade with the kids, allowing them to splash around and cool off amidst the stunning natural surroundings.

Northwest Area

Mammoth Hot Springs: Explore the intricate formations of these terraced pools, created by the interaction of hot water and limestone. At the nearby namesake hotel, don’t miss the opportunity to marvel at a large wooden map of the United States—an unexpected but intriguing find.

Norris Geyser Basin: This area is a must-visit for families due to its fascinating geothermal features. As you stroll along the boardwalk, your kids will be mesmerized by the steam vents (fumaroles), and vividly colorful hot springs. It’s a unique opportunity for them to witness the Earth’s natural forces up close while also learning about volcanic activity and the park’s geology.

Artists’ Paintpot: This trail offers a short and easy 1.6 mile loop that is partially on a boardwalk. It enters a burned lodgepole pine forest, then winds across a wet meadow. In the area you will see hot springs, mudpots, and small geysers.

Roaring Mountain Fumaroles: Fumaroles is another name for steam vents and Roaring Mountain contains many of them! The limited water in the area flashes into steam before reaching the surface creating a loud hissing of steam and gases.

Northeast Yellowstone Area

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Offering multiple vantage points of the upper and lower falls, the canyon presents some of the park’s most awe-inspiring vistas. Consider tackling the 328 steps down Uncle Tom’s Trail for a closer look at the lower falls or capturing the iconic view from Artist’s Point, which offers arguably the best photos of the canyon and river.

Dunraven Pass Drive: While it might seem a bit daunting due to its winding path and mountain-edge views, the Dunraven Pass Drive on the northeast side of the park offers breathtaking vistas of the surrounding valley.

Tower Fall: Admire the beauty of Tower Fall, a picturesque waterfall framed by towering cliffs, accessible via a short hike from the parking area.

Mount Washburn: You can hike to the summit of Mount Washburn for panoramic views though the trail is likely not for the youngest of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and geothermal features.

Lamar Valley: One of two valleys where you can spot plenty of wildlife, especially Bison. You will find many more than you can count in small groups and large, and it’s in this area especially that you might get caught in a “Bison Jam” as the bison wander into the road and take their time moving on. 

Southeast Yellowstone Area

West Thumb Geyser Basin: Stroll along the boardwalks of West Thumb Geyser Basin, where geothermal features mingle with the cool waters of Yellowstone Lake, creating a unique landscape.

Yellowstone Lake: The largest high-elevation lake in North America, Yellowstone Lake provides endless opportunities for family fun. Whether you’re casting a line for fishing, paddling out for a leisurely boat ride, or simply enjoying a relaxing picnic by the water’s edge, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this iconic Yellowstone destination.

Storm Point Trail: This short and enjoyable hike leads to a picturesque “beach” area, providing a refreshing change of scenery for the whole family. Kids will love exploring the shoreline, skipping stones, and maybe even dipping their toes into the water. It’s a tranquil spot where you can relax and soak in the beauty of Yellowstone’s natural landscapes.

Lake Butte Overlook: Before leaving the Lake Yellowstone area, make sure to stop at Lake Butte Overlook for one last breathtaking view, offering sweeping panoramas of the majestic lake and surrounding wilderness.

Mud Volcano Area: The kids will likely be fascinated by the bubbling mud and peculiar geothermal activity found in this area. It’s worth a stop to see a few of them as the area has many mudpots and hillsides strewn with trees destroyed by steam.

Hayden Valley: One of the two valleys in the park where you can spot wildlife, especially bison, elk, coyotes and even grizzly bears.

If you have extra time, consider driving the scenic Beartooth Pass Highway just outside the northeast corner of the park. Beartooth Highway traverses some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States, winding through the rugged Beartooth Mountains and offering panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and lush forests. The highway reaches elevations over 10,000 feet, providing unparalleled vistas that stretch for miles. Along the route, numerous pullouts and scenic overlooks allow travelers to pause and admire the jaw-dropping scenery. These vantage points offer opportunities for photography and contemplation, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the natural splendor of the surrounding wilderness. For adventurous drivers, Beartooth Highway provides a thrilling driving experience characterized by sharp switchbacks, steep grades, and dramatic elevation changes. The highway is often ranked among the top scenic drives in the world, offering a sense of adventure and exploration that is unmatched. Just make sure you bring a jacket as it will be cold at the top!

Lodging

This can get tricky as the options within the park, like most, are limited. Unless you are planning your trip a year in advance, the chances of securing a room within the park are low. We were lucky enough to get a room for two nights at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel after we continued to monitor the website and a cancellation happened. Additional accommodations in the park include the Old Faithful Inn, Canyon Lodge and Cabins, Grant Village, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins, and the Roosevelt Lodge Cabins.

We also spent two nights outside the park in West Yellowstone, where most everyone else seems to stay. West Yellowstone is a charming town located just outside the western entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Considered the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone serves as a popular base camp for visitors exploring the park. Its proximity to the park makes it a convenient starting point and it offers a plethora of outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The town is well-equipped with visitor services, including accommodations, restaurants, shops, and tour operators. The town is also home to several attractions worth exploring, including the Yellowstone Historic Center Museum, which offers exhibits on the history of the area and the development of Yellowstone National Park. Additionally, you can enjoy normal tourist town activities such as miniature golf, go-karting, and maybe our favorite, exploring the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center.

Final Note

The best investment we made at this park wasn’t a guidebook; rather, it was the GyPSy Guide (now called Guide Along) app we downloaded from the app store. The app is a flexible & fully automatic audio tour guide app with perfectly timed stories, tips & directions that use your GPS signal to help you navigate the park. It is worth every penny!

Did you know Yellowstone is only about miles north of another great National Park, Grand Teton? Make sure you plan extra time to check it out during your stay!