35 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
I’ve been coming to Yellowstone National Park since I was a little kid, and since then, Yellowstone has become a bit of a pastime through tons of repeat visits, which is how this list got to the size it is today!
Through all these visits, my long running list of things to do has truly become the things that I love and enjoy about this amazing National Park!
Hiking Checklist - Yellowstone-Tetons
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Yellowstone-Teton area.
35 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, but rather, I’ve put things together that are closer together in terms of driving through the park.
1. Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful is a loaded topic because a few of the following things on this list are all centered around this one iconic geyser within the Upper Geyser Basin.
In all, there is so much that I could say about this one area, but my overall advice is to take it slow and avoid the boardwalks during the heat of the day, as there is hardly any shade around the many of the thermal features along the boardwalks.
Google Maps Directions: Old Faithful
2. Crow’s Nest (Old Faithful Inn)
The Crow’s Nest atop of the Old Faithful Inn is the most exclusive tour in Yellowstone National Park, and getting to the top had been a childhood dream of mine until I was finally able to turn that dream into a reality by landing this one-of-a-kind tour.
That being said, I can easily say that visiting the Crow’s Nest is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in Yellowstone, and if you want to learn more about making this amazing experience happen, I highly recommend reading through all the details in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Crow’s Nest in Old Faithful Inn
3. Old Faithful Inn
Aside from the Crow’s Nest, the Old Faithful Inn deserves a visit at the least.
I say this because sitting around the inn and playing cards or kicking back on the deck with a beer as Old Faithful erupts in the background is, without a doubt, one of the best places to be in America!
For these reasons, and from personal experience staying here and throughout the park, I can say that the number one place to stay in Yellowstone is the historic Old Faithful Inn!
4. Observation Point Trail
Distance: 1.6 - 1.9 miles / 2.6 - 3.1 km
In my opinion, the viewpoint on the Observation Point Trail is the best way to watch an Old Faithful eruption because you get this beautiful upper vantage point, while having a fraction of the crowds that you can see standing around the famous geyser below.
To learn more about hiking up to this beautiful viewpoint, check out my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Observation Point Trail
5. Upper Geyser Basin
The Upper Geyser Basin is one of the most expansive thermal areas in all of Yellowstone National Park.
By this, I mean that the boardwalks and trails extend for miles past Old Faithful, which is exactly why I highlighted a few of the best geysers and thermal features in this post, as well as in my separate article regarding all of the best geysers and thermal features throughout the park.
Overall, I actually don’t recommend treating the Upper Basin from Old Faithful as an out-and-back trail, which I explain in more detail under the Morning Glory Pool below.
Google Maps Directions: Upper Geyser Basin
6. Morning Glory Pool (Artemisia)
Distance: 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
Out of everything in the Upper Geyser Basin, the Morning Glory Pool, specifically, is something to highlight on its own.
However, what most don’t consider is that the pool is located at the very far end of the Upper Basin, meaning that it’s at least a 3.6-mile (5.8 km) roundtrip hike, likely more, depending on which route you choose.
This is why I recommend visiting the Morning Glory Pool via the Artemisia Trailhead, which makes for a much shorter roundtrip hike, as well as a convenient way to check out the neighboring Biscuit Basin from the same parking area.
Read My Separate Post: Artemisia Trail (Morning Glory Pool)
7. Million Dollar Room (Hamilton Tour)
Hiding right in plain sight, the Million Dollar Room is one of Yellowstone's least-visited and most secret tours, and it’s not for the same reasons as the Crow’s Nest mentioned above.
In fact, touring the Million Dollar Room doesn’t require any advanced planning! It’s simply that so few people know about this hidden piece of Yellowstone’s history that very few even request to take this exclusive tour.
Read My Separate Post: Million Dollar Room (Hamilton Tour)
8. Biscuit Basin
Located between the popular Old Faithful to the south and Grand Prismatic Spring to the north, Biscuit Basin is smaller area of thermal features that I highly recommend checking out for a few reasons.
First, beyond the basin itself, there are a few different day hikes in the area that all begin from the same parking lot. These include the hike to Mystic Falls, as well as the Biscuit Basin Overlook, which I talk more about below.
However, perhaps even more significant is the Artemisia Trailhead, mentioned above, that begins directly across the road. As previously mentioned, the Upper Geyser Basin, starting from Old Faithful, can make for a long out-and-back hike. That’s why, if you want to see the best of the Upper Geyser Basin while maximizing your time in the park, I recommend starting from both Old Faithful and the Biscuit Basin Trailhead.
Google Maps Directions: Biscuit Basin
9. Mystic Falls Trail
Distance: 3.6 miles / 5.8 km
Elevation Gain: ~500 ft. / 152 m
While many people stop to visit Biscuit Basin, very few venture beyond the boardwalk to see the beautiful 70-ft (21 m) cascade that is Mystic Falls.
Overall, the Mystic Falls Trail is fairly easy, and what I like the most is that it feels like two hikes in one if you combine it with the Biscuit Basin Overlook to make it a loop.
Read My Separate Post: Mystic Falls Trail
10. Wilcoxson’s Huckleberry Ice Cream
Wilcoxson’s Ice Cream has been a Montana staple since 1912 and has been a part of the Yellowstone tradition since 1927.
Their huckleberry ice cream is easily the favorite, but on a hot summer day in the park, you can’t go wrong with any of the Wilcoxson’s flavors!
11. Lone Star Geyser Trail
Distance: 5.0 miles / 8.0 km
The Lone Star Geyser is one of Yellowstone’s most remote and more elusive geysers to see erupt.
However, if you’re patient enough to wait for the eruption, I can attest that it’s worth the wait!
To learn more about the hike and how to time the Lone Star Geyser eruption, be sure to read through the details in my separate post below.
Read My Separate Post: Lone Star Geyser Trail
12. Private Fishing Guide
From personal fishing experience with Lake Trout (found in Yellowstone Lake) and the other species found throughout the park, I recommend booking a private fly fishing guide over renting a boat on Yellowstone Lake, and I say this for three reasons.
First, renting a boat on Yellowstone Lake is very expensive, which you can learn more about here. Second, fishing for Lake Trout is a tricky thing. They are a finicky species, and spending all of that money to take a boat out on Yellowstone Lake doesn’t guarantee that you will have any luck on a lake of that size.
Finally, I have fished with a private fly fishing guide out of West Yellowstone, where this tour is based, and had much better luck catching rainbow trout than I have ever had by fishing for Lake Trout in a deep lake, like Yellowstone Lake.
Therefore, I think the choice is obvious, and one of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
13. Grand Prismatic Spring
The Grand Prismatic Spring is the highlight of the Midway Geyser Basin.
That being said, the photo that you see below was obviously not shot along the boardwalks around the spring, but rather, at sunrise from the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook when the basin was completely empty.
If you’re interested in getting to this same viewpoint, you can read more about the hike, which shares the same trailhead as the Fairy Falls Trail mentioned below.
Google Maps Directions: Grand Prismatic Sping
My Print - Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook
14. Fairy Falls Trail
Distance: 5.0 miles / 8.0 km
Along with Mystic Falls, the Fairy Falls Trail is one of the best waterfall hikes in Yellowstone National Park, and I say this for two reasons.
First, the entire hike from the trailhead to the waterfall is very easy because the trail almost entirely flat!
On top of this, and perhaps even more importantly, the Fairy Falls Trail can be easily combined with the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, mentioned above, seemingly making two hikes out of just one adventure!
Read My Separate Post: Fairy Falls Trail
15. Great Fountain Geyser (Firehole Lake Drive)
It’s not very likely that you’ll see the Great Fountain Geyser erupt, but there is something so surreal about the beautiful terraced pools surrounding this natural wonder!
This photo was taken during a stunningly calm sunset, and while I was getting destroyed by mosquitoes to enjoy the moment, it ended up being one of my favorite shots I’ve ever taken within the park!
Google Maps Directions: Great Fountain Geyser
My Print - Great Fountain Geyser
16. Yellowstone Campgrounds
The campgrounds found throughout Yellowstone National Park are extremely well managed!
The way they are set up, the amenities offered, and their low cost easily make all of the drive-up campgrounds within the park one of the best affordable places to stay without having to make the long drive out to West Yellowstone or even Cody at the furthest.
On top of this, two showers are usually included (make sure to check ahead) with each night, and laundry is always available nearby for a reasonable cost.
Overall, the best Yellowstone campgrounds, in my experience, have been Canyon and Grant Village because there are hardly any mosquitoes, even during the middle of the summer!
17. Purple Mountain Trail
Distance: 6.5 miles / 10.5 km
The Purple Mountain Trail is a hidden gem in Yellowstone National Park!
I say this because very few visitors venture out on this beautiful trail, as they mostly drive by to other, more popular destinations, such as the nearby Grand Prismatic Spring.
This is why, if you're up for a little bit of a longer hike in Yellowstone, I couldn’t recommend the Purple Mountain Trail any more. It’s arguably the best trail to get the most expansive views above Yellowstone’s most popular geyser basins.
Read My Separate Post: Purple Mountain Trail
18. Artists’ Paintpot Trail
Distance: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
The Artists’ Paintpots in east Yellowstone is one my personal favorite thermal areas to explore!
I say this because the trail is very easy, it’s less busy than other geyser basins, and the thermal features themselves are among the more unique, which can be easily seen in a relatively short amount of time.
Read My Separate Post: Artists’ Paintpot Trail
19. Norris Geyser Basin
Distance: 2.9 miles / 4.7 km
The Norris Geyser Basin is one of the larger and more beautiful thermal areas in all of Yellowstone National Park!
With nearly 3 miles (4.8 km) of boardwalks and trails, the Norris Basin is actually broken up into two smaller basins: the Black Sand and Porcelain Basins.
While both can be explored in any direction you like, there is one best route to hike through both basins, so that you’re not backtracking through anything you’ve already seen.
Read My Separate Post: Norris Geyser Basin
20. Kayak Yellowstone Lake
Since renting a boat can be expensive, renting a kayak is one of the best ways to get out on Yellowstone Lake.
You’ll have an opportunity to not only see the lake but also the thermal features while kayaking by all of the West Thumb geysers and springs!
21. Elephant Back Mountain Trail
Distance: 3.8 miles / 6.1 km
Elevation Gain: ~800 ft. / 244 m
I personally like the Elephant Back Trail because it’s one of the least-trafficked trails in Yellowstone National Park.
Some may say that the hike is not worth the views, but in my opinion, I like the Elephant Back Loop more as a beautiful early morning workout when it’s still cool out than a trail for the epic views.
Read My Separate Post: Elephant Back Trail
22. Storm Point Trail
Distance: 2.0 - 2.6 miles / 3.2 - 4.2 km
The Storm Point Loop is arguably the best trail to enjoy the beautiful shores of Yellowstone Lake on a hike that’s often overlooked compared to other busier areas of the park.
I recommend the hike at any time of day, but typically speaking, the earlier you go, the less crowded the trail will be!
Read My Separate Post: Storm Point Trail
23. Lake Lodge & Cabins
Other than the Old Faithful Inn, there are a ton of places to stay across Yellowstone, but none stand out as much as the Lake Lodge and Cabins right on the shores of Yellowstone Lake.
I say this because the lake area is a much quieter part of the park, and I personally love taking walks along the shoreline because of the stunning Absaroka Range in the backdrop.
Lake Lodge
24. West Thumb Geyser Basin
The West Thumb Geyser Basin is a great first or last stop when driving to or from Grand Teton National Park.
Overall, the geyser basin is quick and easy to see before exploring elsewhere, and if you have the time, I highly recommend hiking the easy Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail, which I talk more about below.
Google Maps Directions: West Thumb Geyser Basin
25. Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
Distance: 1.7 miles / 2.7 km
Elevation Gain: ~200 ft. / 61 m
Personally, I love the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail because it’s a very easy hike to escape the crowds found throughout the park.
The trail is a great family-friendly hike that I recommend exploring either before or after visiting the adjacent West Thumb Geyser Basin, and the easy adventure should take no more than an hour, likely less.
Read My Separate Post: Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
26. Avalanche Peak Trail
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km
Elevation Gain: ~2,070 ft. / 631 m
I think it’s worth noting that Avalanche Peak is the first 'challenging' trail on my list, and it truly speaks to how accessible some of the best Yellowstone adventures are for most people.
In any case, Avalanche Peak is one of the best trails in Yellowstone National Park, and it’s a great way to enjoy the beautiful Absaroka Mountains on this relatively short trail that climbs above 10,000 ft. (3,048 m).
Read My Separate Post: Avalanche Peak Trail
27. Mt. Washburn Trail
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9.0 km
Elevation Gain: ~1,500 ft. / 457 m
Mt. Washburn, just to the north of Canyon Village, is one of my favorite hikes in Yellowstone National Park, along with Avalanche Peak above.
From the top, you can see panoramic views of the entire park, including Yellowstone Canyon and Lake to the south, the Beartooth Mountains and Lamar Valley to the north, and endless peaks in all directions.
Personally, I recommend hiking Mt. Washburn for either sunset or sunrise, which you can read more about in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Mt. Washburn Trail
28. Artist Point
For good reason, Canyon Village is one of the most popular areas in Yellowstone!
Inspiration Point, the Grand View, and Artist Point are definitely the favorites among most people, but if you have the time, I recommend stopping at every pullover along the river.
Google Maps Directions: Artist Point
My Print - Artist Point
29. Brink of the Lower Falls
Distance: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
Elevation Change: ~600 ft. / 183 m
Among all the stops along Yellowstone Canyon, the Brink of the Lower Falls is the most challenging, but perhaps the most beautiful trail!
That being said, the trail is only about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) each way, but it descends down a series of steep switchbacks, meaning that it’s definitely not a trail for everyone, of all abilities.
However, if you think you’re up for the challenge, you might consider traveling with hiking poles for this and other adventures, such as my favorites shown below.
Read My Separate Post: Brink of the Lower Falls Trail
30. Tower-Roosevelt (Tower Falls)
Tower-Roosevelt is famously known for the beautiful Tower Falls, as well as being a great place to hike down and explore the Yellowstone River.
In addition, the Tower-Roosevelt area also is known for having higher black bear activity than other areas of the park, but know that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed just because you’re in the right area.
Google Maps Directions: Tower-Roosevelt
31. Bunsen Peak Trail
Distance: 4.2 miles / 6.8 km
Elevation Gain: ~1,300 ft. / 396 m
In my opinion, the Bunsen Peak Trail is a Yellowstone hidden gem, as few visitors venture up this beautiful trail from the nearby Mammoth Hot Springs.
I personally prefer hiking Bunsen Peak as a late evening/ sunset hike, which not only makes for a much cooler hike up to the summit, but I find that the panoramic views from the top are much more beautiful when the light isn’t so harsh on the surrounding landscape.
Read My Separate Post: Bunsen Peak Trail
32. Yellowstone E-Bike Tour
This one-of-a-kind e-bike tour allows you to explore what I consider to be one of the most beautiful parts of Yellowstone National Park: the Swan Lake Flats and the areas surrounding Bunsen Peak.
This area just to the south of Mammoth has so much to see, as you’ll be able to ride through the Golden Gate, explore Osprey Falls, and circle around the base of Bunsen Peak!
Additionally, there is no hassle to transport the e-bikes to and from the park yourself, as the company will meet you inside of Yellowstone!
33. Mammoth Hot Springs
Compared to all the thermal features located further south in the park, Mammoth Hot Springs is easily the most unique, as the springs and pools pour out of the steep mountain side.
On top of this, I personally think that Mammoth is a must-see because Gardiner, Montana is a must-see!
Located only fifteen minutes north of Mammoth, Gardiner is easily the best town for food and lodging near the park, and yes, Gardiner, MT, has great cell phone service!
Google Maps Directions: Mammoth Hot Springs
34. Lamar Valley
Among the wildlife photographer community, it is widely known that Lamar Valley in north Yellowstone is where you go if you want to see the best of what Yellowstone has to offer! It’s not called the 'Serengeti of Yellowstone' for no reason!
While the location itself isn’t as simple as this Google Maps pin, Lamar Valley is more about the guided wildlife tours, as well as the scenic drive from the north entrance on the Beartooth Highway.
Additionally, while Lamar Valley is one of the best places to see all kinds of Yellowstone wildlife, be sure to read my tips at the end because there is so much more to this subject than simply visiting this one hotspot.
Google Maps Directions: Lamar Valley
My Print - Lamar Valley
35. Yellowstone Private Tour
I get it! Yellowstone can be an overwhelming National Park, and it’s one of the most difficult parks in the country to feel like you’ve really seen it. This long list of experiences didn’t become what it is today without many years of repeat visits to America’s oldest National Park.
Furthermore, it’s completely understandable if you're not comfortable hiking in grizzly country on your own. Trust me, it takes some getting used to, and it’s still something that I’ll likely never feel completely okay with after countless encounters.
If any of this fits you, I highly recommend booking a private tour. One of the best things about these tours is that they have a variety of pickup locations scattered in all the major towns around the park, which should make it very convenient for wherever you might be staying.
Why am I Recommending these Viator Tours?
One of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
Additionally, I’ve included these tours because adventuring alone in grizzly territory, might not be the way you want to go. In this case, the tour options that I’ve listed provide a safe and amazing way to experience Yellowstone and the greater area, and they offer the opportunity to discover nearby adventures that you may not have heard of otherwise.
Additional Early Season Gear
Depending on the winter snowpack, upper-elevation trails can be covered in snow into the middle of July, and possibly even later.
Many hikers miss out on trails that they could have done simply for this reason alone, which is why I recommend coming prepared.
I personally use the Yaktrax below.
Yellowstone Planning Advice
The one thing that I can say for sure is that Yellowstone is a huge National Park, and it truly takes many visits in all different seasons to truly appreciate how much there is to do.
That being said, trying to see and do everything that I have on this list is a more than ambitious itinerary for a few days in Yellowstone. However, if you plan for at least 3-5 days within the park, you’ll get to see and do a lot of the best things that Yellowstone has to offer!
10 Best Things to Do Near Yellowstone National Park
Don’t forget to look beyond the park!
Yellowstone is amazing, but there are tons of equally amazing adventures and restaurants located within the greater Yellowstone-Teton area.
1. Grand Teton National Park
Suggesting an entire National Park is about as bias as an answer can come, but just like Yellowstone, I’ve spent many years in and around the Tetons to create a long running list of things to do just like this one!
Read My Separate Post: Grand Teton National Park
2. Beartooth Highway
Soaring up to elevations that you’d never normally see without hiking, the Beartooth Highway is easily one the best roads in on the planet, especially if you have the opportunity to explore the pass during golden hour!
That being said, the Beartooth Highway is rarely a convenient drive, whether coming to or from Yellowstone, but I can confidently tell you that the detour absolutely worth whatever time it adds to your drive!
3. Coffee Factory Roasters (Red Lodge, MT)
Coffee Factory Roasters is coffee for appreciating the taste of coffee!
I can personally say that they are one of my favorite coffee shops that I’ve ever been to, which, for me, always makes them a must-stop whether I’m driving to or from Yellowstone via the Beartooth Highway.
Yelp: Coffee Factory Roasters
4. Yellowstone River Rafting
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing or adventurous experience, these local guides out of Gardiner, MT will take you down the best of the Yellowstone River!
5. Sacred Rim Trail
Distance: 3.7 miles / 6.0 km
The Sacred Rim Trail in the Wind River Range is one that’s worth going out of the way for.
I’d even go as far to say that Sacred Rim is the best day hike across the entire Wind River Range, and yet, few people hike this truly spectacular trail!
Read My Separate Post: Sacred Rim Trail
6. Thai Thai Restaurant (Cody, WY)
There’s surely no shortage of American dining options in this part of the country, but if you’re looking for something a little different and a little healthier, I recommend stopping by Thai Thai Restaurant if you’re in Cody, WY.
Yelp: Thai Thai Restaurant
7. Gannett Peak: The Highest Peak in Wyoming
Gannett Peak is not for the faint of heart, and generally speaking, Gannett Peak is a multi-day backpacking/ mountaineering adventure into one of the most remote parts of the Wind River Range!
However, I thought I would include this one in here incase anyone was curious about what it takes to climb the hardest state high point in the lower 48!
Read My Separate Post: Gannett Peak via Titcomb Basin
8. Bear Creek Overlook Trail
Distance: 5.2 miles / 8.4 km
The Bear Creek Overlook is a bit of a stretch for this list, but if you’re driving between Glacier and Yellowstone, go out of the way for this hike!
The trailhead is located a little south of Missoula, and I’m not kidding when I say it’s one of my most favorite hikes I’ve ever done!
Read My Separate Post: Bear Creek Overlook Trail
9. Outlaw’s Pizza (Gardiner, MT)
After climbing the beautiful Bunsen Peak or spending a long day exploring the park, Outlaw’s Pizza in Gardiner is one of my favorite pizza spots outside of the park!
Yelp: Outlaw’s Pizza
10. Private Fly Fishing Guide (Jackson, WY)
Earlier I mentioned how you can book a private fly fishing guide to fish within Yellowstone National Park, but many people visiting Yellowstone are also traveling through Jackson on the same trip.
For this reason, I wanted to highlight the private guided fishing options found across the entire area, as these guides based out of Jackson know the best of the rivers across the Tetons.
10 Tips for Visiting Yellowstone
1. How to See Wildlife in Yellowstone?
Without much effort, you will have tons of opportunities to see a variety of different wildlife as you make you way across the park. From grizzlies, black bears, wolves, elk, bison, otters, and more, there’s really no telling what you might be lucky enough to see.
That being said, the National Park Service has rules in place about how to safely view the wildlife, and they will prosecute if you are caught breaking any of these rules. It happens every year.
What I can vaguely say about searching for wildlife is that the drive in from the east entrance down Sylvan Pass to Yellowstone Lake is a hotspot for seeing bears. Additionally, Lamar Valley in the north is another known hotspot for not only bears but all kinds of different wildlife.
I could go on and on about moose, elk, and bison, but the chances are that you will come across these and more as you simply explore the park.
2. Don’t try too hard to time an Old Faithful eruption.
When you first arrive at Old Faithful, you’ll likely want to see it erupt right away, but what most people don’t realize until later in the day is that you’ll probably see it go off at least 3-4 times over the course of your visit, simply by exploring the surrounding area.
If you’re ever wondering what time Old Faithful will erupt next, simply walk into one of the buildings surrounding the geyser, and it will always be posted in some form, like the photo you see here.
3. Walk the boardwalks early or late in the day.
This is for two reasons.
First, during the peak summer season, many of the boardwalks, especially around Old Faithful, are insanely busy! The second reason is that the boardwalks have hardly any shade, so by starting early or late in the day, you’ll avoid both the crowds, as well as the hot midday exposure.
My Print - Old Faithful Inn
4. Buy bear spray before your trip to Yellowstone.
Renting bear spray is a bit of a scam. If you’re planning on a mutli-day trip to the park with various hikes throughout your visit, then buying bear spray makes much more financial sense than renting from within or around the park.
That said, bear spray is an absolute necessity when visiting Yellowstone, so make sure you and your entire group knows what to do in the event of a black or grizzly bear encounter.
5. Prepare for the mosquitoes in Yellowstone.
During the summer, the mosquito is pretty much the state bird of Wyoming. If you’re anywhere at a lower elevation, like the geyser basins and some campgrounds, they can be horrible around sunset.
Therefore, I recommend this cheap bug net below if you’re going to do any hiking, camping, or photography within or around the Yellowstone.
6. Don’t throw coins or any objects into the thermal features.
Park rangers walk the boardwalks often, and if they see you intentionally putting anything into one of the thermal features, you will be fined.
That being said, so many of the thermal features have coins, sticks, and trash in them because people have no respect for this beautiful place. Please don’t be a part of this problem.
7. The best overnight backpacking trips are on the edges and outside of the park.
I essentially hit on this one under the mosquitoes, but you need to be selective about backpacking in the lower elevations of the park. I would go as far as to say, don’t backpack anywhere in central Yellowstone. Rather, stick to the upper-elevation mountains on the edges of the park or outside of the park boundary.
To learn more, read about my experience at Cascade Lake inside of Yellowstone below.
My Print - Beartooth Mountains
My Experience Backpacking in Yellowstone
My friend and I decided to take the advice of an employee and backpack into a campsite that he said was his favorite. Needless to say, it wasn’t mine!
The employee basically sent us to a mosquito infested swamp that had absolutely no views, and immediately after we arrived, we both hid in our hammocks with bug nets on. It only took about 30 minutes before we decided to hike out and cut our losses. This was Cascade Lake near Canyon Village.
While the lower elevations in the central part of the park are beautiful for sight seeing wildlife, there’s hardly any mountains, just rolling hills and plateaus, which is essentially a haven for biting insects.
Addtionally, central Yellowstone is not dramatic in terms of topography, which is why you should be looking toward the edges of the park for the best places to backpack.
I recommend the Beartooth Mountains just north of the park or the Wind River Range to the south.
Read My Separate Posts: Rainbow Lake (Beartooths) / Titcomb Basin (Wind Rivers)
8. The general stores within Yellowstone are very consistent.
By this, I mean that no matter where you are in the park, what you find inside one general store will likely be identical to another.
They are great for souvenirs, quick snacks, and most of all, Wilcoxson’s famous ice cream!
9. Be mindful of where you walk.
Yellowstone is home to one venomous snake; the prairie rattlesnake.
On top of this, there three natives plants within Yellowstone National Park that are found nowhere else on earth. These three endemic plants are the Yellowstone Sulphur Flower (Eriogonum umbellatum var. cladophorum), Ross’s Bentgrass (Agrostis rossiae), and the Yellowstone Sand Verbena - (Abronia ammophila).
Please do you part to minimize your impact.
10. Where are the best places to stay around Yellowstone National Park?
Answering this question all depends on the direction you’re coming from, but generally speaking, only West Yellowstone and Gardiner, MT are a close enough drive to be practical. Cody WY to the east is just too far from the park for me to recommend.
In either case, I recommend that you don’t commit to one place for more than two nights. Since Yellowstone requires so much driving to get around, I think it’s best to stay in multiple different areas throughout your stay.
Mt. Washburn
