Yellowstone National Park Sights

Yellowstone National Park is Americas first National Park established in 1872. The park is best known for its geothermal features like Old Faithful Geyser and the parks abundant wildlife. Because Yellowstone covers such a huge area, there are also mountain ranges and many lakes worth visiting. You could see the highlights in one day but you could also spend an entire week in the park seeing sights and hiking. Click links below for more details and pictures for each area.

Yellowstone National Park

Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls & Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Geyser

Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb

Norris Geyser Basin

Hayden Valley

Mammorth Hot Springs

Tower Falls and Calcite Springs Overlooks

Yellowstone Falls inside the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a top spot. Everyone is here shooting photographs. Most think it is the beautiful location although I think the minerals causing the dirt and rock canyon walls makes for a nasty look. The falls are 308 feet high and there are viewpoints on both sides of the canyon worth visiting.

Old Faithful is the number one attraction and always worth the wait for an eruption. While you wait for the next burst (signs tell you when), you can visit the Old Faithful Inn, an impressive wood designed building built in 1904.

Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-altitude lake in the lower 48 states. It really is one big lake and there are endless photo opportunities. Try to visit the historic Lake Lodge and Hotel at Lake Village.

These are the three most popular Geyser Basins. These basins have nice trails and boardwalk's through geysers, hot springs, mud pools and other geological features. There are lots of trails in each basin so most just pick one or two basins to visit...usually getting their fill at that.

Hayden Valley is easily accessible as the main road passes through so here you will find everyone pulled over trying to photograph some wildlife. Most are looking for bison, elk or grizzly bear. I would guess you should get up early to see something good. With the Yellowstone River meandering through the valley, it is quite scenic.

Mammoth is a hillside full of white calcium carbonate springs. Boardwalks full of stairs will take you through and along all of the terraces and colors. Nearby is also the park headquarters ad visitors center with some of the oldest buildings in the park.

Tower Falls is the second most popular waterfall in Yellowstone. You can take a look from an overlook or hike a trail down to the base. It falls 132 feet.

Lamar Valley

A bit out of the way, the wide open Lamar Valley is the place to look for bison, elk, coyote, grizzly and wolf. Get up early, this is the best place where you can spot wolves.