The 15 most beautiful places in Yellowstone National Park

Looking for the most beautiful places in Yellowstone National Park? These are my favorite sights with tips to make the most of your visit.

Table of contents hide

1 Why you shouldn’t miss these Yellowstone sights

2 Most beautiful places in Yellowstone National Park

3 Practical tips for your visit to Yellowstone

4 Book your trip to Yellowstone!

Why you shouldn’t miss these Yellowstone sights

Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the world, famous for its geysers, colorful hot springs, and impressive canyon. Located mostly in Wyoming, it’s so vast that you could spend days driving around without ever getting bored. The chance to spot bison, elk, or even bears makes Yellowstone a truly unique destination.

I spent five days exploring Yellowstone and stayed in three different areas of the park. This gave me the chance to see and experience a lot, though I still barely scratched the surface. Because the park is so huge, it can be hard to decide where to start and which places you really shouldn’t miss.

In this article, I’ll share my favorite places in Yellowstone, along with some extra tips.

Most beautiful places in Yellowstone National Park

Famous geysers, quiet hiking trails, and impressive viewpoints make for an unforgettable experience. These are, in my opinion, the most beautiful places in Yellowstone National Park.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Near Canyon Village you’ll find the West Thumb Geyser Basin. If you enter the park through the southern entrance (coming from Grand Teton), this will probably be the first geyser basin you encounter. That’s how it was for me, and I was immediately impressed! It’s a compact area, with a trail that loops all the way around. In addition to the many colorful springs, there are also a few geysers, and some of which sit partly in Yellowstone Lake, which makes for a truly unique sight.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful is one of those places in Yellowstone you simply can’t skip. It’s probably the most famous spot in the park. The geyser erupts about every 90 minutes, and each eruption is a real spectacle: the roar is incredible and the water can shoot up as high as 184 feet (56 meters). It’s always busy here, but the park is well prepared. There’s a large parking lot and a big viewing area around the geyser, so you can see it clearly from any angle. The expected eruption times are posted in several places, which makes it easier to plan your visit.

Upper Geyser Basin

Old Faithful is part of the Upper Geyser Basin, and I highly recommend spending a few hours exploring the area. Wooden boardwalks take you past colorful hot springs, steaming vents and plenty of other geysers. Highlights include Castle Geyser, Grotto Geyser, Daisy Geyser, Round Spring and Grand Geyser. Somewhere in the basin, a geyser is almost always erupting, which makes it extra exciting. I personally found this to be one of the most beautiful areas in Yellowstone, and to my surprise it wasn’t nearly as crowded as Old Faithful itself.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Another absolute highlight in Yellowstone is the Grand Prismatic Spring. You can park nearby and walk along the boardwalk to see it up close, but from that angle you don’t really get a sense of its size and colors.

The best way to experience it is from above. Park at the Fairy Falls Trailhead and follow the trail up the hill for a spectacular viewpoint. Seeing the vibrant blue center surrounded by orange and yellow rings from above is truly unforgettable.

Artists Paint Pots

Between Madison and Norris Geyser Basin you’ll find Artists Paintpots. I had driven past this spot a couple of times before finally deciding to stop, and I was so glad I did. The basin is a little hidden behind the trees, but once you’re there, you’ll be amazed by the bubbling mud pots and colorful springs. Be sure to walk the full loop trail, because it takes you up a hill with a fantastic view over the basin and the surrounding landscape.

Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin is one of the largest and most fascinating geothermal areas in Yellowstone. To explore all the boardwalks properly, you’ll need a couple of hours. The famous Steamboat Geyser is located here and, when it erupts, it can shoot water up to 300 feet (90 meters) into the air. Another highlight is the Porcelain Basin, where the stark white ground contrasts beautifully with green and turquoise pools. It feels like stepping into another world.

Mammoth Hot Springs

At Mammoth Hot Springs it looks as if the Earth has been turned inside out. Instead of erupting geysers, you’ll find terraces of white and beige-colored rock with hot water and steam flowing over them. Boardwalks wind through the area, making it easy to explore and admire this otherworldly landscape from different angles.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is another true highlight of the park. The most famous viewpoint is Artist Point, where you’ll have a spectacular view of the Lower Falls cascading into the canyon. Walk a bit further along the rim and you’ll notice how the canyon walls glow in shades of yellow and pink. When I visited, I also spotted several elk in this area, which made it even more special.

Hayden Valley

If you haven’t seen much wildlife yet, be sure to head to Hayden Valley. Located near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, this wide-open valley is one of the best places in the park to spot animals. There’s a good chance you’ll find yourself in a “bison traffic jam,” with herds crossing the road at their own pace. You can also often see elk here grazing in the grasslands.

Mud Volcano

The reason I drove along Hayden Valley Road was to visit Mud Volcano. This may not be the most beautiful area in Yellowstone, but it is certainly one of the most unique. You’ll find bubbling mud pots, steaming vents all around, and a strong sulfur smell that lingers in the air. The highlight here is Dragon’s Mouth Spring: a dark cave from which steam and a deep roaring sound emerge, as if a dragon is hiding inside. A truly fascinating sight!

Cookie Basin

Not far from the larger Upper Geyser Basin lies the smaller Biscuit Basin. Because it is more compact, it feels a lot quieter and less crowded. What I especially loved here were the bright blue hot springs, which look almost unreal. Add to that the steaming geysers with the mountains in the background, and it’s a breathtaking scene. From here, you can also take a short hike to Mystic Falls, a lovely waterfall that is definitely worth the detour.

Lamar Valley

Lamar Valley is probably the very best place to spot wildlife in Yellowstone. Go as early as possible, just after sunrise is ideal, when the chances of seeing animals are highest. A good rule of thumb: if you notice a lot of cars pulled over along the road, stop as well, because there’s almost always something special to see. Be sure to bring binoculars or a camera with a good zoom lens, since you don’t want to get too close to the animals. During my visit, I saw huge herds of bison, as well as wolves, a fox, bears, and even pronghorns (a type of antelope).

Firehole Lake Drive

One of the most enjoyable drives in Yellowstone is Firehole Lake Drive. This short scenic road winds past steaming springs, several geysers, and colorful pools. What makes it extra special is that you often encounter wildlife along the way. Bison, for example, sometimes stroll across the road or graze right in the middle of a geyser field. The combination of geothermal activity and wild animals makes this drive a truly magical experience.

Fountain Paint Pot

In the Fountain Paint Pot area, it looks as if pots of paint have been spilled across the landscape. The colors range from bright red to orange and white, and everything bubbles and hisses. In addition to the mud pots, you will also find geysers and hot springs here, which makes it a varied area to walk through. A wooden boardwalk leads you safely past all the geothermal features, so you can take your time to look around.

Tower Fall

Tower Fall is a striking waterfall about 132 feet (40 meters) high, located in the northern part of the park. The waterfall is named after the jagged rock pinnacles that rise up next to it. From the parking area it is just a short walk to the viewpoint, making it an easy and worthwhile stop. If you visit in the early morning or late afternoon, the light here makes the view even more beautiful.

Practical tips for your visit to Yellowstone

You now know where to find the most beautiful Yellowstone sights. To make the most of your visit, I want to share a few practical tips with you.

Take your time: I spent five days in Yellowstone and that was just right to see many highlights without doing very long hikes. The park is huge and you’ll always be on the road longer than you expect.
Be smart about the crowds: I visited in late June, just before the peak of the high season. It was already busy then, but still manageable. At places like the Grand Prismatic you really need to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon, otherwise parking will be impossible.
Bisons have right of way: If a herd decides to cross the road, you simply have to wait. Sometimes it can take up to an hour, so build in extra time in your schedule.

Keep your distance from wildlife: Even if a bison looks calm or a bear seems far away, they remain unpredictable. Always stay at a safe distance and use binoculars or a zoom lens.
Carry bear spray: And make sure you know how to use it. If you plan on hiking, this is absolutely essential.
Split your overnight stays: I stayed at three different campgrounds (Grant Village, Madison and Canyon). That saved me a lot of travel time and I didn’t have to drive back and forth as much.
Be prepared: Refuel whenever you can, stock up on groceries and dress for all kinds of weather. Even in summer, evenings can be surprisingly cold. Also keep in mind that mobile coverage is very limited in many areas, so a paper map is extremely useful.

Book your trip to Yellowstone!

Ready to plan your own adventure to Yellowstone National Park? Here are some helpful resources to get you started:

✈️ Flights – Use WayAway to find the best flight deals into the region. The closest major airports are in Bozeman (Montana), Jackson Hole (Wyoming), and Salt Lake City (Utah).

🚘 Car rental – A car is essential in Yellowstone. Compare prices on Rentalcars.com to find the best deal and pick up your car right at the airport.

🛡️ Travel insurance – Always travel with proper insurance. I recommend Insubuy for comprehensive coverage, so you can explore Yellowstone with peace of mind.

🐻 Tours & activities – Want to add something special to your trip? Check out GetYourGuide for day tours, wildlife safaris, and outdoor adventures in and around Yellowstone.

The 15 most beautiful places in Yellowstone National Park

Why you shouldn’t miss these Yellowstone sights