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Yellowstone: The First (& Best) National Park

Your Yellowstone Itinerary

Most travelers spend hours or days trying to figure out the most popular sites and hidden gems to visit. We create detailed itineraries that give you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to the best places at the right times and have a trip your family will remember forever!

Yellowstone was set aside as the world’s first national park in 1872, and it remains among the most beloved national parks in the world! Yellowstone has everything: wildlife, mountains, meadows, canyons, waterfalls, and the largest high-elevation lake in America. And I haven’t even mentioned its most iconic feature: Old Faithful. Yellowstone has something for everyone.

Places

Not Sure Which Yellowstone Entrance is Right for You?

Download our Free Quick and Easy Guide to Yellowstone’s Entrances!

Inside the Park

  • North Entrance. 2nd most common entrance, located next to Gardiner, MT, about 10 min away from Mammoth.
  • Mammoth. Elk roam through this little village next to cascading hot springs located on the nearby hillside.
  • Norris. Huge geyser basin with a variety of interesting geysers and hot springs.
  • Madison. Not a major site, but a junction with a campground, visitor center, river access, and wildlife.
  • West Entrance. Most common entrance, located next to the small city of West Yellowstone.
  • Old Faithful & the Geyser Basins. There are three geyser basins in this area, and Old Faithful is the most popular attraction.
  • Grand Prismatic Spring. The most impressive formation in the Midway Geyser Basin.
  • West Thumb & Grant Village. Beautiful geyser basin on the shores of Lake Yellowstone, camping, lodging, and restaurants.
  • Yellowstone Lake Area. Lodging on the lake as well as boating access.
  • East Entrance. Beautiful drive but far away from the main sites. Located near Cody, WY.
  • Hayden Valley. Huge wildlife-filled valley with the Yellowstone River running through it.
  • Canyon Village. Services located near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
  • Mount Washburn. Tallest peak in the park, this is accessed from Dunraven Pass.
  • Tower-Roosevelt. Junction where Teddy Roosevelt once camped, Tower Fall is located here.
  • Lamar Valley. Remote wildlife-filled valley. Camping, hiking, and a scenic drive.
  • Northeast Entrance. Least-used entrance, it is sandwiched between Lamar Valley and the Beartooth Highway.
  • South Entrance. Entrance connecting Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
Map outside of Yellowstone National Park

Outside the Park

  • West Yellowstone. Gateway town with some great things to do outside the park.
  • Hebgen & Earthquake Lakes. Beautiful lakes located right next to each other thanks to a tragic earthquake.
  • Island Park. Cabin-filled area; some use as a base camp for visiting Yellowstone.
  • Gardiner. Gateway town to the North Entrance. Resorts, rafting, hot springs are found here.
  • Cody. The most enjoyable Yellowstone “gateway” town, worthy of one or two days itself.

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