Explore Yellowstone: 3-Day Itinerary

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We just got back from an epic trip in which we explored Glacier National Park, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Click here to read about the full itinerary for that trip. We had to condense a lot into a short amount of time, but I feel that with this Yellowstone travel itinerary, you can easily capture the beauty of Yellowstone.

Yellowstone is one of those places that you could stay weeks in and still never get enough. And it’s one of the best national parks for kids, and should be on everyone’s family travel bucket list.

This Yellowstone travel itinerary can be modified depending on how many days you have in the park. We did a condensed version since we were going to so many different places, but we could easily spend a week in Lamar Valley alone.

Here’s a suggested itinerary for spending 2 or 3 days in Yellowstone National Park, covering some of the park’s main highlights. If you have longer and want to explore more, check out my Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary that covers both parks.

On our most recent trip, we combined the Day 1 & 2 stops, so it can be done in one day, but I feel like we had to cut out quite a bit. We would drive by and take pics or park for a quick peek, but we didn’t explore anywhere extensively. Just know that if you’re short on time, you can still do most of this Yellowstone travel itinerary in less time.

Note: We got into Yellowstone for free thanks to the 4th Grade National Parks Pass. If you have a 4th grader, make sure you claim yours!

Yellowstone Travel Itinerary: Where to Stay

There are lodges and campgrounds inside of Yellowstone, but we stayed just outside of the park in West Yellowstone and absolutely loved it.

West Yellowstone has a few blocks of restaurants, ice cream shops and tons of souvenir shops. Everything is an easy walk away, and you are just a couple minutes away from the west entrance to the park. There’s even a nightly West Yellowstone Rodeo just a few miles down the road. It was a lot of fun and is a great add-on when exploring the area.

The hotels in West Yellowstone were family friendly and many included hot breakfast and had indoor pools. We stayed at the Kelly Inn- West Yellowstone and would highly recommend it for any Yellowstone travel itinerary.

It was perfect for our family of 5–there were bunk beds in some of the rooms, plus three different hot breakfast buffets onsite, and an indoor pool and jacuzzi. Check out my full review of the Kelly Inn here. If you do decide to book here, book early because it does fill up in advance. You can check for the best deals using the buttons below.

Other good options for lodging are:

• Gray Wolf Inn & Suites – West Yellowstone, right next to Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
• Holiday Inn West Yellowstone

You can also stay further away in Bozeman, Montana. It’s a longer drive, but it’s the most charming town with beautiful views and lots to do there. Check out these amazing hotels in Bozeman to choose from.

Day 1 Yellowstone Travel Itinerary: Geysers and Hot Springs

Take the Grand Loop Road from the West Entrance Road and you’ll come across many awesome hot springs, bubbling mud pits and geysers, all just off the main road.

1. Fountain Paint Pots Trail

• This easy walking trail takes you past many hot springs, mud pots and geysers.

2. Midway Geyser Basin & Grand Prismatic Spring

• Visit the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States. Walk up the hill (about .75 miles) to the overlook for a great view.

3. Biscuit Basin

• After leaving the Grand Prismatic Spring, you’ll come up to the Biscuit Basin. Biscuit Basin offers colorful pools and geysers.

4. Old Faithful – A must-do on every Yellowstone travel itinerary

• Watch an eruption of Old Faithful, one of the park’s most famous geysers. Check the visitor center for eruption predictions.
• Explore the Upper Geyser Basin, home to many other geysers and hot springs.

After leaving Old Faithful, you’ll head back the direction you came toward Norris Geyser Basin. If you are going to combine Days 1 & 2, you’ll head toward Yellowstone Lake after leaving Old Faithful. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of Yellowstone Lake, then head through the Hayden Valley (which is absolutely stunning) to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. But you will skip the Norris Geyser Basin.

5. Norris Geyser Basin

• Explore the hottest and most dynamic geyser basin in Yellowstone. Check out Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest currently active geyser.

6. Madison River Area

• Drive along the Madison River and enjoy the scenic views. Look out for wildlife such as elk and bison. This is the road that will bring you back to West Yellowstone.

Day 2: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Wildlife

1. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

• Visit the North and South Rims of the canyon. Viewpoints like Artist Point, Lookout Point, and the Brink of the Lower Falls should be on your Yellowstone travel itinerary.

2. Hayden Valley

• Drive through Hayden Valley, one of the best places in the park to see wildlife. Look for bison, elk, and possibly wolves and bears. We absolutely loved this section of park. It was so scenic to simply drive through, but we kept pulling over to enjoy the beautiful views.

3. Yellowstone Lake

• Visit the West Thumb Geyser Basin on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. Take a walk along the boardwalk to see hot springs and geysers right next to the lake.

4. Fishing Bridge

• Stop by the historic Fishing Bridge and enjoy views of the Yellowstone River.

Day 3: Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs

1. Lamar Valley

• Drive to Lamar Valley, another prime wildlife viewing area. Early morning is the best time to see wolves, bison, and bears. If we had more time, we would choose to spend several days in this part of the park.

2. Tower Fall

• Visit Tower Fall, a picturesque waterfall located near the Tower-Roosevelt area.

3. Mammoth Hot Springs

• Explore the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. Walk along the boardwalks to see the unique limestone formations and hot springs.

4. Gardiner, Montana

• If you have extra time on your Yellowstone travel itinerary, drive to the North Entrance and visit the town of Gardiner. This is a great spot to go white water rafting. Or you can enjoy a meal and some shopping before heading back into the park.

Yellowstone Tips:

• Start Early: Wildlife is most active in the early morning and late evening.
• Check for Road Closures: Yellowstone’s weather can cause road closures, especially in spring and fall.
• Pack Food and Water: Services can be limited, so it’s good to have snacks and drinks with you. You’ll find food options (and gas) at the Old Faithful Inn and the other lodges inside the park.
• Dress in Layers: Weather can change quickly in Yellowstone, so be prepared for a range of conditions.
• Keep On Trails
• Give All Animals Space: We witnessed a bison stampede where 4 bison were charging at people and cars. It was very scary, but luckily nobody was hurt.
• Bear Safety: Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Follow park guidelines for staying safe in bear country.

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