Get the app

Wyoming, United States

Yellowstone

Geysers, steam and wildlife reached by snowcoach; 2–3 nights at Old Faithful and Mammoth. We have mapped 2 sights, 1 activity and 3 outdoor spots here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Yellowstone with friendsBrowse 7 places
Yellowstone, Wyoming, United States
Places
7

2 See · 1 Do · 3 Outdoors · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone

Best season
Mid-Dec – Mar

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

22°C / 72°F avg high

Coolest month
December

-7°C / 19°F avg high

Wettest month
December

about 91 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Yellowstone

7 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

2 sights worth building a day around across Upper Geyser Basin and Midway Geyser Basin. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Old Faithful in YellowstonePhoto: YellowstoneNPS · Public domain
    See

    Old Faithful

    Yellowstone's best-known geyser, erupting about every 60 to 110 minutes; in winter the plume of steam towers over the snow.

    Tip Rangers post the next predicted eruption at the visitor center and the Snow Lodge.

    • Upper Geyser Basin
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Morning
  • See

    Grand Prismatic Spring

    The largest hot spring in the United States, in Midway Geyser Basin; in winter its steam drifts over the Firehole River.

    Tip Most snowcoach routes between Old Faithful and West Yellowstone stop here.

    • Midway Geyser Basin
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Midday

Do

1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look.

  • Do

    West Yellowstone

    Montana gateway town at the West Entrance, where most snowcoach and guided snowmobile tours to Old Faithful begin.

    Tip Book a guided snowmobile or snowcoach tour ahead; private snowmobiles need a permit.

    • $$$
    • 8 hr
    • Full day

Outdoors

3 outdoor spots for fresh air across Canyon, Mammoth and Northeast. All 3 are free to visit.

  • Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in YellowstonePhoto: Yellowstone National Park · Public domain
    Outdoors

    Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

    Yellow-walled canyon where the 308-foot Lower Falls builds a huge cone of ice in winter.

    Tip Snowcoach day tours from Old Faithful and West Yellowstone stop at the canyon rim overlooks.

    • Canyon
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Midday
  • Mammoth Hot Springs in YellowstonePhoto: Yellowstone National Park · Public domain
    Outdoors

    Mammoth Hot Springs

    Travertine terraces near the North Entrance, steaming and frosted in winter, with boardwalks you can walk on your own.

    Tip Elk often bed down on the lawns around the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

    • Mammoth
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning
  • Lamar Valley in YellowstonePhoto: YellowstoneNPS · Public domain
    Outdoors

    Lamar Valley

    Wide valley in northeast Yellowstone with bison, elk and the park's best chances of seeing wolves in winter.

    Tip Drive out at first light and stop wherever you see people with spotting scopes.

    • Northeast
    • Free
    • 4 hr
    • Dawn

Stay

1 place to stay we would book in Upper Geyser Basin.

  • Old Faithful Snow Lodge in YellowstonePhoto: Yellowstone National Park · Public domain
    Stay

    Old Faithful Snow Lodge

    The main winter lodging in Yellowstone's interior, a short walk from Old Faithful and reached only by snowcoach or snowmobile.

    Tip Rent skis or snowshoes at the lodge for the trails around the geyser basin.

    • Upper Geyser Basin
    • $$$$

How to fit Yellowstone into a trip

Yellowstone is stop 3 of 3 on our Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route. Follow it as-is or lift Yellowstone into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Yellowstone month by month

Average daily highs run from -7°C / 19°F in December to 22°C / 72°F in July. December is the wettest month, with about 91 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Yellowstone weather and the best time to visit →

Near Yellowstone

3 other destinations from our guides within about 150 km (93 mi), measured in a straight line.

Yellowstone questions, answered

How many days do you need in Yellowstone?

Our route notes suggest 2–3 nights in Yellowstone. On our Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 7-day trip. The listed visit times for our 7 places add up to roughly 17 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Yellowstone best known for?

Geysers, steam and wildlife reached by snowcoach; 2–3 nights at Old Faithful and Mammoth. Standouts on our list: Old Faithful (Yellowstone's best-known geyser, erupting about every 60 to 110 minutes; in winter the plume of steam towers over the snow); Grand Prismatic Spring (The largest hot spring in the United States, in Midway Geyser Basin; in winter its steam drifts over the Firehole River); Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (Yellow-walled canyon where the 308-foot Lower Falls builds a huge cone of ice in winter).

When is the best time to visit Yellowstone?

Our Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route is best Mid-Dec – Mar. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (22°C / 72°F), the coolest in December (-7°C / 19°F) and the most rain in December (about 91 mm).

What are the best things to do in Yellowstone?

Start with Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley. Our guide lists 7 places in all, from 2 sights, 1 activity, 3 outdoor spots and 1 place to stay.

What is near Yellowstone?

The closest destinations in our guides are Yellowstone National Park (about 20 km / 13 mi), Grand Teton National Park (about 91 km / 57 mi) and Jackson (about 127 km / 79 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Yellowstone with your crew

Open the Grand Teton, Jackson & Yellowstone route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 7 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

Get TripsCircle

Plan around Yellowstone

More in United States

Plan it together

Plan Yellowstone