Natural Wonders
Yellowstone is one of the United States’ most popular natural parks. It has garnered tons of visitors over the years. Typically, most people immediately think of the erupting geysers that Yellowstone is popular for, but there’s actually considerably more to the park than just spouting water. The park spans over 3,500 square miles. Because of its massive size, you may feel that you need to book an extended stay at the hotel or campground just to see all of its delights. While you should definitely take your time in exploring every natural beauty that Yellowstone provides, realistically, you’re likely only able to take a few days off from work.
With that in mind, it’s best to go into the park with a battle plan. Itineraries can be your best friend if you want to be sure you see the most famous and awe-inspiring of locations that Yellowstone offers. The first bit of advice is to find a hotel or campground that rests marginally in the middle of all the areas that you want to visit. This can reduce the amount of drive time it takes to reach them, so you can spend more time hiking the trails and connecting with nature.
With that in mind, here is a possible itinerary you might wish to follow for a three-day visit to Yellowstone.
Day 1
To begin your Yellowstone itinerary 3 days challenge, you should start with the Norris Geyser Basin. While everyone will be flocking to see Old Faithful, which is an understandably famous geyser, you can see an equally impressive geyser show at the Norris Geyser Basin. For one, it boasts the largest active geyser in the world. There are other delightful geothermal oddities to discover as well like the Black Growler Steam Vent, Congress Pool, and a few other delights. To speed up your hike, you might want to take the Porcelain Basin loop instead of the Back Basin loop.
From there you can travel to the Grand Prismatic Spring. This spring is not only the largest hot spring in the United States, but it is also the third largest in the world. You can enjoy the almost alien-like colors of the water like the vibrant blue, orange, yellow, and green pigments that coat the edges of the spring. Since this particular venue is popular, it’s best to get there as early as you can to make sure you find parking.
Fairy Falls is next on the list. You can take a quick drive over, and then complete a five-mile hike to the incredible waterfall. It takes roughly two hours for the hike roundtrip. The scenery is breath-taking. It also offers you a unique overlook of the Grand Prismatic Spring, so if the parking is too terrible, or you want to save on time, then complete both by visiting the Fairy Falls and taking the overlook photos of the Spring instead.
No itinerary is complete without visiting Old Faithful. As its name might suggest, the geyser erupts every half hour to two hours and lasts anywhere from a minute and a half to five minutes. If you arrive just after an eruption, you can take the opportunity to stop at the nearby Old Faithful Inn where you can grab a meal and relax for a while. Once you see the famous spouting of Old Faithful, you can call it a day.
Day Two
You should begin the second day right at dawn and head quickly over to Lamar Valley. This is the location where you can spot all kinds of wildlife like coyotes, bison, buffalos, bald eagles, grizzly bears, and deer. Since wildlife typically is more active in the hours surrounding dawn and dusk, it’s best to visit Lamar Valley either first thing or before you return to your hotel or campground.
Does the idea of a cave turned inside out interest you? Then head to Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces. The exterior of these interesting rock formations is made from limestone and give it a unique color. They’re surrounded by at least 50 hot springs that make the entire location look primordial.
For those who have a bit of time on their schedules, you might want to consider hiking Mount Washburn Trail. It’s a 6.4-mile hike that has a few difficult areas for those who want to challenge themselves. The scenic views, however, are far worth the effort it takes to reach them.
After a volcanic eruption 600,000 years ago, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone was formed. Experts date the canyon from being officially anywhere from 160,000 years to 140,000 years old. The Yellowstone River cuts through the bottom of the canyon, allowing you to see majestic falls and roaring rapids. Since this is the last item of the day, be sure to spend as much time as you want here. There are additional trails scattered throughout the canyon that can offer additional views and close-ups of the waterfall and river. Once you’ve had your fill, go and get some rest for the final day at Yellowstone.
Day 3
Focusing in on the southern part of the park this time, you should begin with the Hayden Valley. This area is perfect for more bison spotting. Since there are strict rules about wildlife in Yellowstone, you are expected to always give them the right away and remain at a considerate distance. For example, if you’re driving down a road and a herd of bison decide to cross, you have to wait until each one has safely passed to the other side. It’s wise to perform bathroom stops regularly and to bring along snacks and water in the event that you’re stuck waiting for traffic for a while.
Yellowstone Lake should be your next destination. It provides a few picnic areas, so if you have some lunches, the lake is an excellent place to eat food, rest up, and just enjoy the beautiful water.
From the Lake’s Fishing Bridget Visitor’s Center, you can hike Storm Point. This 2.1-mile loop hike is an easy and flat walk that can offer you the opportunity to hike through wildflowers if done in the summer. Otherwise, on the return trip, you’ll be able to enjoy the rich wood of lodgepole pines in a beautiful forest. Since this is the last stop of the day, not to mention of your Yellowstone itinerary, feel free to take as much time as you want to just connect with the nature of both water and earthy green.
Itinerary Complete
As you can see, it’s quite possible to complete Yellowstone’s most scenic and famous spots in three days. Don’t let the long list make you rush through. Each spot deserves its ample time of appreciation. You can also learn a great deal about the history as well as about its geology and ecology from the local rangers there. Speak to them in order to receive some inside information that many others typically don’t bother to learn.
Whether you’re visiting Yellowstone with the family, a loved one, or even just yourself, there are plenty of things to see and do at Yellowstone National Park. Besides just all of the natural wonders of the area, you can usually find other enjoyable activities like horseback riding, zip lining, swimming, and other delights within the area. It certainly doesn’t hurt to stop by a few spas to help out your poor muscles. Get plenty of rest and start your adventures in Yellowstone.