Are you thinking about visiting Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Yellowstone National Park worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this national park for five to seven days because of the many great activities. Yellowstone National Park is a large and diverse national park in the state of Wyoming (with parts also touching Montana and Idaho). The park is filled with diverse landscapes and unique geysers including the most famous "Old Faithful". Visitors may see a number of wildlife species such as bison, elk, and bears. Within the park there are camping and lodges where visitors can stay (if they plan well in advance as places fill up). We first visited in 2021 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with the incredible geothermal sights and world renowned hikes. Yellowstone National Park is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including Reader's Digest's Best Places to Travel in 2023.
Yellowstone National Park
Reasons to Visit Yellowstone National Park
Hiking
The park is huge, and there are countless hikes throughout. From short strolls to lengthy endeavors, there really is something for everyone. If you want to see the geysers, some of the best hikes are Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail, the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop, and the Lone Star Geyser Trail. For waterfalls you can check out Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, the North Rim Trail, and Fairy Falls Trail.
Resorts
It is a large national park, and there are several impressive lodges nearby. Reservations are recommended well in advance. Within the park, Old Faithful Inn, Roosevelt Lodge, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel are all nice options.
Things to Consider Before Visiting Yellowstone National Park
Food: Yellowstone National Park doesn't top the list for most foodies. This is a large park and there are a number of dining options available both inside and just outside of the park. Many places are seasonal so your options will be highest during the summer months. Like most national park venues, prices can be high and the quality is variable. It's recommended that you pack your own food and plan to picnic.
Lots of Tourists
Yellowstone National Park sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Yellowstone National Park might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Yellowstone National Park here or see if Yellowstone National Park is expensive here.
Related
What is Yellowstone National Park most famous for?
Yellowstone National Park is most famous for its iconic geysers, breathtaking waterfalls, world-class hikes, and diverse wildlife. The national park is very popular for its hiking. Also, it's known for resorts. It is often described as stunning, breathtaking, vast, world-famous, popular, immense, and unique.
What is the most famous sight in Yellowstone National Park?
The most popular sight in Yellowstone National Park is Old Faithful. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Yellowstone National Park on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Old Faithful and other attractions here.
How touristy is Yellowstone National Park? Is it a popular national park to visit?
Yellowstone National Park is a very touristy national park that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- E-Bike Tours in Yellowstone National Park: $200
- Early Morning Guided Kayak Tour: $125
- Small-Group Sunset Kayaking Tour on Lake Yellowstone: $150
- Lake Yellowstone Half Day Kayak Tours Past Geothermal Features: $135
- Full-Day Guided Yellowstone Day Tour: $269
- Yellowstone Lake Twilight Tour: $150
- 6-Mile Geyser Hiking Tour in Yellowstone with Lunch: $182
- Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch: $182
How long should I spend in Yellowstone National Park?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Yellowstone National Park is at least five or as many as seven days. Since Yellowstone National Park has a variety of activities such as hiking, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Yellowstone National Park?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Yellowstone National Park?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Yellowstone National Park?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.