The world's first national park packs geysers, rainbow-colored hot springs, a golden canyon and North America's greatest concentration of large wildlife into one place.
Thermal areas
- Grand Prismatic Spring: from the boardwalk you see the steam; from the overlook on the Fairy Falls trail you see the colors. Late morning, after steam thins, is often best.
- Upper Geyser Basin: Old Faithful and many others. Predicted eruption times are posted at the visitor center.
- Mammoth Hot Springs: travertine terraces.
- Cold mornings make dramatic steam; warm afternoons reveal colors.
Stay on boardwalks. The crust around hot springs is thin, and the water is scalding. Drones are prohibited in the park.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The Lower Falls from Artist Point and the canyon's yellow walls glow in morning light. Rainbows form in the mist on sunny mornings.
Wildlife
- Lamar Valley: bison, pronghorn, wolves (with a spotting scope), and bears in spring.
- Hayden Valley: bison herds and the river.
- Keep at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other wildlife — see photographing bison safely.
Seasons
- Spring: baby bison, bears emerging; some roads still closed.
- Summer: everything open, busy; shoot early.
- Autumn: elk rut, fall color, fewer people.
- Winter: snowcoach and snowmobile access to the interior; frost-covered bison and steaming geysers. The road from the North Entrance to Cooke City stays open by car.
See the Yellowstone park page for sunrise times, Milky Way windows and monthly cloud cover.
About 1 min read · Updated 2026-10-20