Five Must-See Attractions in Yellowstone
As the world's first national park, Yellowstone has astonished visitors for over a century. Have the rare chance to see grizzly bears, bison, and a thriving population of grey wolves in their natural habitat. Located primarily in the state of Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park sits atop an enormous, slumbering supervolcano and is home to half of the world's geysers. From a 300-foot-tall waterfall to giant hot springs, here are five must-see attractions in Yellowstone.
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The world’s first national park contains a plethora of geological and wildlife spectacles. Travel 101 | YELLOWSTONE | 5 Must-See Attractions 1 | Witness a geyser erupt at the Old Faithful visitor center. Yellowstone is home to half of the world’s known geysers. Every 60 to 90 minutes, Old Faithful hurls hot water 150 feet into the air. Tip: Arrive early to avoid the crowds and have a chance to spot animals seeking warm ground. Did You Know? Geyers and other geothermal features are signs of a slumbering supervolcano below the park. 2 | Go wildlife watching in Lamar Valley or Hayden Valley. Around 100 gray wolves—making up 10 wolf packs—call Yellowstone home today, following their successful reintroduction in 1995. In July and August, hundreds of male bison display their dominance. Tip: Bring binoculars and scan the open meadows for carcasses, where predators will congregate. 3 | See three giant waterfalls at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The biggest, Lower Falls, towers over 300 feet, making it almost twice as tall as Niagara Falls. The Yellowstone River dumps as many as 60,000 gallons of water per second over Lower Falls. Tip: Descend 500 feet into the canyon on Uncle Tom’s Trail to see and hear the Lower Falls up close. 4 | View a rainbow of colors at Midway Geyser Basin. Grand Prismatic Spring measures 370 feet across, making it the world’s third-largest hot spring. Microorganisms that thrive in its 160-degree Fahrenheit water tint the pool a vivid red-orange. Tip: For the best view of the basin, take a strenuous but short hike up to Midway Bluff. 5 | Hike to a panoramic lookout at over 10,000 feet atop Mount Washburn. The meadows along Dunraven Pass—the least strenuous route to the summit—are filled with wildflowers in June and July. Bighorn sheep and grizzly bears can be spotted grazing. Tip On a clear day at the lookout, you might spot the Grand Tetons in the distance.
