Top Things to do in Yellowstone National Park

This national park requires no introduction but let me try to put some words together to describe the beauty and awesomeness of it.

Yellowstone National Park holds the trophy of being the first national park of USA and also the most popular of the lot. It is the most diverse national park I have ever seen, with otherworldly geysers, beautiful canyons, majestic waterfalls, thriving wildlife especially Bison and colorful hot springs.

After exploring the mesmerizing Grand Teton, we were quite excited to delve into the magical world of Yellowstone.

One of the best parts of Yellowstone other than of course the natural attractions are the different facilities made available for public. There are well maintained boardwalks, food courts, souvenir shops, restrooms etc. for a comfortable visit.
In short, this national park is for everyone and it is also one of our favorite national parks.

Finally coming to the best part of the post, here are the top things to do in this iconic national park of USA.

Major attractions in Yellowstone National Park:

1. Old Faithful Geyser

World’s famous geyser – Old Faithful is at the top of the list when it comes to famous attractions in Yellowstone. For decades, this geyser has been erupting at a regular schedule among the 500+ geysers present in the park, hence it is quite famous.

It erupts normally after an interval of 90 minutes, but you might have to wait additional 10-15 mins depending on your luck. The eruption lasts for around 2-5 minutes. Eruption predictions are mentioned on the board maintained by the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center.

The best way to enjoy the view of the Old Faithful Geyser eruption is from the front row of the benches surrounding the Old Faithful, but for that you will have to come atleast 20-30 minutes before the prediction time.

 

2. Upper Geyser Basin

Old Faithful is part of Upper Geyser Basin, which is home to 150+ geysers and several hot springs. It is highly recommended to explore Upper Geyser Basin also on your visit to Old Faithful.

The entire Upper Geyser Basin loop is around 4.5 miles, but I would recommend you to go till Morning Glory Pool which is about 1.5 miles from Old Faithful. On the way, you will get to see major geysers like Castle Geyser, Grotto Geyser and Daisy Geyser. These geysers don’t erupt as frequently as Old Faithful, but once they start the eruption can even go for hours.

Morning Glory Pool is the prettiest and one of the famous hot springs in Yellowstone. The colors of the pool are just mesmerizing.

Keep atleast 2-2.5 hours to cover Upper Geyser Basin + Old Faithful.

Morning Glory Pool

3. Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin

I think this was my favorite spot in Yellowstone and one of the most popular pics on internet of the park. This colorful and vibrant hot spring is the largest hot spring in the USA.

There are boardwalks build at the edge of spring to get a closer view. The color of the spring changes with season mostly because of the microbial life present in the spring.
In the middle the color is blue, followed by yellow and orange on the edges.
The colors are most vibrant on a sunny day, so decide to go accordingly.

To get an eagle view of the spring, there is a viewpoint – Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook which can be reached by a hike. I preferred this point as it gives you a full view of the spring and also the various colors. The hike is 1.6 miles roundtrip.

Grand Prismatic Spring is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. Apart from this star attraction, there are other points too like Excelsior Geyser, Opal Pool and Turquoise Pool.

 

Turquoise Pool

4. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

You must have seen the pics of majestic waterfalls of Yellowstone on internet, well they are as grand and beautiful in real too. This is a must visit point even if you have only one day in Yellowstone.

There are two rims (North and South rim) which have various lookout points from where you can get amazing views of the Upper and Lower Falls.

South Rim is more famous as it is home to Artist Point from where you can take the iconic pics of Lower Falls. This is the point from where most of the amazing pics on internet of lowers falls are taken.

Artist Point

The North Rim has more lookout points of interest:
Brink of lower falls, Inspiration Point, Grand View Point and Lookout Point.
If you are short on time, I would suggest to cover Brink of lower falls and Lookout Point.

Lookout Point

Brink of lower falls

Upper Falls

5. Lamar Valley

If you not short on time, this is the best place in Yellowstone to see wildlife. You get to see tons of bison, bears, coyotes, elks, normal deer and if you are lucky also grizzlies and wolves.
The landscape of the valley is also quite spectacular.

Just keep in mind that Lamar Valley is located in north Yellowstone and it takes a long drive to reach here if you are staying on the west side which has proximity to major attractions of the park.

Plan your visit either in the morning or evening hours, when animals are the most active.
Also, always keep a safe distance from the wildlife.

Credit - Reddit

Credit Here

6. Hayden Valley

Another popular spot in Yellowstone to watch wildlife is Hayden Valley. Though you might not be able to see wolves and grizzlies here, but if you are looking for herds of bison, you can get lucky.
The landscape here is equally mesmerizing as that of Lamar Valley.

It is near to the west entrance, so it is more popular among the tourists.
Plan your visit either in the morning or evening hours, when animals are the most active.
Also, always keep a safe distance from the wildlife.

 

7. Mammoth Hot Springs

This is one of the most unique and artistic features of Yellowstone. You will be enchanted by its terrace structure similar to the one built for tea farming and diverse colors.

It is divided into two parts – Mammoth Lower Terraces and Upper Terraces.
All the viewpoints are connected via boardwalk and stairs.

I really liked the Lower terrace and the fact that its not too big and can be covered mostly in an hour.

 

8. West Thumb Geyser Basin

This is another great basin to explore, especially because it is situated right next to Yellowstone Lake.
It is a short visit as you can cover the major points in 30 minutes all connected by boardwalk.
I loved Abyss pool which is the deepest hydrothermal pool in the park and fishing cone geyser which is situated right on the lake.

If you have more time, you can also explore the Yellowstone lake by taking guided boat tours or rent boats.

Fishing cone geyser

9. Norris Geyser Basin

This basin is not as impressive as the other basins, but it is definitely worth a visit.
It is divided into two sections –
Porcelain Basin and Back Basin

Back Basin
I wanted to visit this basin because of one main attraction – Steamboat Geyser which is the tallest active geyser in the world. When the geyser is active, the water can reach upto 300 feet.
There are also other amazing pools, springs and geysers here.

Porcelain Basin
Porcelain Basin is more beautiful than Back Basin. You can see lot of geothermal activities happening here round the day. There are numerous hot springs, turquoise blue thermal pools and geysers here.

If you are short on time, I would suggest to cover Steamboat Geyser and then Porcelain Basin whose boardwalk trail is 1.1 miles long.

 

10. Waterfalls

Apart from the Upper and Lower falls, there are other famous waterfalls in Yellowstone – Tower falls and Fairy falls. Again, depending on the time you have planned for Yellowstone trip, you can visit these falls.

Tower Falls - Pic Credit Here

Fairy Falls - Pic Credit Here

 

11. Boiling River Hot Spring

This is a famous swimming spot in Yellowstone which is located in the vicinity of the Mammoth Hot Springs. It is near the north entrance and open mostly during the summer times.

 

12. Mount Washburn

This is a recommended hike if you are not short on time and love hiking.
There are two ways of doing it, either start from Dunraven Pass or from Chittendon Road.

As we had only 2 days in Yellowstone, so we were not able to do this hike.

Credit Here

Tips from our experience and learning

1. If you are just planning to cover the major attractions listed above till number 9 except Lamar valley, 2 days are good, but if you are planning on covering all the attractions list above then 3 days or more is recommended.
2. Make sure to keep proper distance from the wildlife, especially while viewing elk, bears and bison.
3. Best time to visit the park is from mid-May to October when all the roads of the park are open.
4. The best time for wildlife sighting is dawn and dusk.
5. Yellowstone comprises of many geothermal areas which are quite hot and toxic, so always be on the boardwalk and never get down from it. Also, never throw anything in the pools or springs.
6. Parking fills up very quickly, so make sure to check Yellowstone park official page for parking status.
7. Yellowstone is famous for traffic jams, especially on the entrance and in the valley areas, so make sure to take that into consideration and plan accordingly. Keep plenty of water and also some food.
8. Water is the key here during the summer season, as the basins in the park can get really hot. Make sure to carry ample water with you and also sunscreens as most of the attractions don’t have a shade.  
9. It can snow in the Summer season too, so make sure to take proper precautions and gear.

Yellowstone National Park is a great place for people of all ages, so enjoy your visit and let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.

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Top things to do in Capitol Reef National Park

This is one of the unrated and overlooked national parks of USA, but has plethora of surprises.
On similar lines as Death Valley National Park, this park is also known for dramatic terrains which keeps on changing every mile and magnificent mammoth rock formations.

Capitol Reef National Park is among the 5 iconic National Parks of Utah, which are also known as Mighty 5. In our ten days roadtrip to Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, we also planned to cover this national park.

After exploring the beauty of Arches National Park, we were on our way to check out the hidden gems of Capitol Reef National Park.

This park preserves the Waterpocket Fold, a wrinkle in the earth crust which is 100 miles long. This is a stunning landscape which looks like an extraterrestrial rift with incredible colors.
It is also home to several scenic drives, dramatic landscapes, gigantic rock formations, slot canyons, historical landmarks and otherworldly rugged terrain which can be reached using a 4 × 4.

There are lot of hidden gems here and miles of remote area to explore.
But, as we were on a road trip, short on time and didn’t knew much about the park, we could only cover few overlook points, scenic drives and some of the remote areas of the park. We definitely plan to visit this national park again in future.

Here is the list of major attractions:


1. Highway 24

Highway 24 is the main road that runs through the park. It is a very scenic road along the Fremont River which has stunning view of the massive red sandstone mountains, cliffs, domes and rock formation.
This part of the park is free and has many major attractions like Panorama Point, Sunset Point and hiking trails.

Distance – 16 miles
Time – 1.5-2 hours

 

2. Panorama Point

It is located just off the Highway 24 and is really easy to access.
It provides stunning views over the Highway 24 as it meanders through the park and also provides opening views of the Capitol Reef National Park.

There is a sign for Panorama Point where you have to turn and drive on a gravel road to the parking lot.

Distance – 0.3 miles round trip
Time – 15 minutes

 

3. Sunset Point and Goosenecks Overlook

These two points are located in close vicinity to Panorama Point. If you continue on the gravel road that you took for Panorama Point, the dead end is Sunset Parking lot. There are two trails from here, one goes to Sunset Point and other to Goosenecks Overlook Point.

Sunset Point is the best point in Capitol Reef National Park to view sunset. Goosenecks Overlook Point is not only famous for the gooseneck structure, but you can also listen to your echo by yelling in the canyon.

Distance – 0.8 miles round trip
Time – 1 hour to cover both the points

 

4. Capitol Reef Scenic Drive

Another stunning scenic drive to do here is Capitol Reef Scenic Drive. It is literally one of the best things to do here. The scenic drive starts as Fruita and ends at Capitol Gorge Road.

This one-way road has one of the best views of the park which includes otherworldly sandstone mountains and rock formations. It is a $20 fee for driving this road which can be paid at the self-pay station just past the Fruita Campground.

Distance – 8 miles one way
Time – 1-1.5 hours

 

5. Capitol Gorge Road

The scenic drive ends at Capitol Gorge Road. Capitol Gorge road is a gravel road which has gigantic canyon walls on both sides and the views are just spectacular.

Distance – 2.2 miles one way
Time – 30-45 minutes

 

6. Cassidy Arch

It is one of the two famous arches in Capitol Reef National Park. You have to take the Grand Wash Spur road to reach at the parking lot of the trailhead of this arch. The trail is a 3.4 miles moderate hike which features stunning views over Grand Wash and also a chance to stand on the Arch.

Distance – 3.4-miles round trip
Time – 2.5-3 hours

Credit - Here

7. Hickman Bridge

Hickman Bridge is said to be the most famous arch of Capitol Reef National Park. It is 1.8 miles moderate hike to the Hickman Bridge. It is one of the best short hikes to do in Capitol Reef. On the trail, you get to see stunning views of the Route 24 and surrounding Canyons.

Distance – 1.8-miles round trip
Time – 1-1.5 hours

 

                                                                      Credit - Here

8. Cohab Canyon

It is a popular hike in Capitol Reef National Park and is in vicinity of the Hickman Bridge. You get to hike past the slot canyons and the aerial views of Fruita from the top are amazing.

Distance – 3-miles round trip
Time – 2.5-3 hours

 

9. Cathedral Valley

Cathedral Valley is one of the remote areas of Capitol Reef National Park and is known for its otherworldly sandstone monoliths and colorful bentonite hills which are going viral among travelers worldwide.

There are lot of things to do here and it might take a complete day exploring the valley.
Here are the main attractions:

Cathedral Valley Loop – It is a 58-mile scenic drive through a well-maintained gravel road which takes you to all major attractions of Cathedral Valley.

Bentonite Hills – This are those colorful hills of Utah which are taking internet by storm. I have seen so many breathtaking pictures of these hills that I definitely want to visit them in my next trip.

Upper and Lower Cathedral Valley Overlook – These overlooks provide stunning views of the sandstone monoliths and other stunning rock formations in the valley.

Cathedrals Trail – It is a 2.4 miles easy trail which takes you closest to the sandstone monoliths. The best part of the hike is when you walk parallel to them. The trail ends at a small hill which provides scenic view of the Cathedrals.

Temples of Sun and Moon – Temples of Sun and Moon are the most photographed structures of Cathedral Valley. Most visitors visit Cathedral valley to get a close up view of them. Morning time is the best time to photograph them. Just a fact, the Sun Temple is larger than the Moon Temple.

 

                                                              Credit - Here

10. Strike Valley Overlook

This is the overlook from where you can get the best view of the iconic Waterpocket Fold. There are two ways to visit this overlook, one is with 4 × 4 vehicle where you need to only hike for a mile. The other one is where you will have to do the 6.2 mile trail.

                                                                Credit - Here

11. Navajo Knobs Trail

Navajo Knobs trail is one of the most amazing hikes in Capitol Reef National Park and offers incredible views of the park from the top. This 9.1 mile out and back trail is an extension of the Hickman Bridge Trail and Rim Overlook.

There are lot of other hikes and scenic drives to explore in Capitol Reef National Park and it totally depends on how much time you have to cover them.

 

Tips from our experience and learning

1. Most of the otherworldly attractions here are located in remote rugged areas which might require a
4 × 4 vehicle, so do keep a note of that while visiting this national park.

2. A lot of scenic drives and attractions are on the gravel road where you have to drive slowly, so make sure to plan your visit accordingly.

3. Cathedral Valley is impassable if it is raining or wet, so check the weather before visiting.

4. Do the Cathedral Valley loop in counter clockwise direction, so that you get to photograph Sun and Moon Temple at the best time of the day.

5. Bring lots of water and food, as there are no cafes or restaurants in Capital Reef National Park or in the vicinity.

6. If you have half day time, cover Highway 24, Panorama Point, Sunset Point and Goosenecks Overlook, Capitol Reef Scenic Drive and Capitol Gorge Road. You can also add a short hike if you start early in the day.

7. If you have one day for the park, do everything mentioned above and two hikes, like Cassidy Arch and Hickman Bridge.

8. If you have two days for the park, do Cathedral Valley loop on the second day.

9. If you have more than 2 days, you can cover most of the attractions listed above.

 

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