Stay alert for bears, wolves, elk and bison as you make your way around the park. Anytime you see a collection of cars along the side of the road and people staring into the woods with cameras and binoculars, you can be sure you’ve stumbled across a sighting. If you’re lucky, you might find yourself stuck in a bison traffic jam as the herd makes its way across the road.
One of the park’s most photographed sites is the Grand Prismatic spring. You can view this awesome spectacle two ways. Walk the boardwalk along its edge and feel the thermal steam as the wind carries it across your path or hike about a mile up a gently sloped hill to get a bird’s-eye view of the distinctive azure water in the center of America’s largest natural hot spring.
Have a look at deep blue thermal springs without the crowds at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. It may not have an enviable name like Grand Prismatic, but the views are remarkably similar if at a smaller scale. This easy, level walking trail on the shores of scenic Lake Yellowstone showcases its own collection of colorful hot springs worthy of a lingering look.
You simply must see the Old Faithful geyser blast its blazing hot spring water high into the air during your visit to Yellowstone, and there are many vantage points from which to view this historic eruption. You’ll find plenty of bench seating near the visitor’s center for those who need a break from all the walking, and a National Park Service guide is usually on hard to interpret the experience. Or stroll the loop around the famous thermal feature pausing at the right time to take in the spectacular display.
Yellowstone has its own Grand Canyon, and the valley views along the Yellowstone River are an awesome sight to see. With a number of outlooks perched along each side of the river, you can see the falls from above, nearby and then at a distance as you make your way downstream. Take a good look around as you enter or exit each parking area as wildlife may be in the area.
Plan a memorable national park vacation with the expert guidance of our experienced travel agency. Instead of a DIY trip, enlist our team of pros who will take care of all the details leaving you to simply relax and enjoy the journey.