Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the United States, and one of its most popular vacation destinations.
It boasts a vast assortment of breathtaking natural wonders including reflective lakes, lush forests, deep canyons, cascading waterfalls, and volcanic attractions such as soothing hot springs, and gushing geysers. Yellowstone is also home to a diverse and abundant population of wildlife—from bison, elk and moose to bears, lynx and coyotes, and much more!
Whether you’re looking for a fun-filled family vacation, romantic getaway, or solo adventure, this world-famous park has everything to make any visit truly unforgettable.
With so much to see and explore, planning your itinerary in advance will help ensure you get the most value out of your trip.
Here’s what to consider when building the perfect Yellowstone vacation itinerary:
When Is the Best Time to Travel?
Yellowstone is a beautiful place to visit year-round, but temperatures can fluctuate wildly, depending on your location and elevation.
Summers are typically shorter and milder, with highs of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 60 degrees. Sub Zero digits and large snowfall are common in winter.
Summer is also the peak travel season for tourism, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors and lengthy lines and traffic throughout the park. Winter is the low season, and its bitter cold and snow demands drivers be extra cautious.
If you’re looking to take advantage of the best weather conditions, smaller crowd sizes and wider availability for nearby accommodations, consider booking your trip in the shoulder seasons of mid-spring and early fall. You’ll likely also get to enjoy some unique seasonal attractions and wildlife events, such as bears waking from hibernation, and large groups of migrating birds.
How Long Should You Stay?
Yellowstone’s vast wilderness spans nearly 3,500 square miles across three states, and features an incredibly varied array of colorful plants and animals, geography, and unique natural environments found nowhere else in the world.
With so much to see and explore, visitors should plan to spend between three to five days, at a minimum, experiencing this beloved natural treasure.
What Are Some of the Must-See Attractions
Old Faithful
This legendary cone geyser reliably erupts at regular intervals daily, and has been known to spew jets of water more than 160 feet into the air for an impressive show of geothermal force. It’s also a wonderful Instagram opp!
Grand Prismatic Hot Spring
This is one of the largest natural hot springs in the world—with a diameter of more than 350 feet, and depths of more than 120 feet. Its surrounding layers of multicolored minerals are a must-see!
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
For fans of hiking and wonderful scenery, this 20-mile stretch offers a spectacular view of beautiful natural wonders, including dramatic cliffs and Yellowstone River.
Lamar Valley
Often called “America’s Serengeti” in reference to the vast, protected ecosystem in Tanzania, Lamar Valley is home to abundant wildlife perfect for viewing—from grizzly bears, bison and deer to coyotes, and many more.
Yellowstone Lake
Visitors enjoy scenic cruises of these deep blue waters aboard the Lake Queen II, marveling at the towering mountains and colorful fauna along the way.
Undine Falls
This remarkable waterfall lies at the end of a picturesque, family-friendly hiking trail east of Mammoth Hot Springs, and features a glorious view of cascading water and astonishing scenery.
Best Accommodations for Your Yellowstone Trip
Yellowstone National Park features plenty of hotels, inns, and lodges in close proximity to some of its most famous attractions.
Stay at Old Faithful Inn, a more than 100-year-old national historic landmark with warm, rustic decor and authentic, hand-crafted details and stonework. Check out Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins for more elegance and sophisticated ornamentation, along with a fantastic selection of premium rooms, suites, and lodge cabins.
With spacious rooms, comfortable furnishings, and a distinct lack of many modern amenities such as TV or internet, staying in the park offers a truly immersive getaway experience highlighting the beauty and majesty of Yellowstone.
For a more contemporary stay, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Island Park Yellowstone is an all-suite hotel located just minutes from the park, with large stylish rooms, comfortable beds and furniture, amenities such as free Wi-Fi and pool access, and a host of seasonal outdoor activities including fishing, rafting, snowmobiling, hiking, biking, and more.
Work With an InteleTravel Advisor to Arrange Your Ideal Yellowstone Vacation!
Arranging and booking the perfect Yellowstone vacation on your own can be difficult. Ensuring you check out all the worthwhile sights and activities, find the best accommodations, and get the most value out of your experience are no easy tasks.
The best way to plan your vacation is by working with an experienced travel professional. InteleTravel Advisors are certified and incredibly knowledgeable about destinations, transportation, and all things in between! They perform all the legwork in preparing your vacation, while additionally securing valuable upgrades and travel bonuses whenever possible to even further enhance your trip!
And perhaps the best part: InteleTravel Advisors never charge travelers for their services!
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