It truly takes a week (or even a month) to see all there is to see at Yellowstone National Park. But for those on a time budget, one weekend can be enough to tackle the highlights. This guide will take travelers to all the best sights at Yellowstone, from Friday to Sunday!
Friday
Start of the trip with a visit to Old Faithful! The famous geyser erupts on average every one hour or hour-and-a-half. Starting the weekend with a morning at Old Faithful ensures travelers avoid the crowds, which roll in around lunchtime.
After viewing Old Faithful, take time to explore the Upper Geyser Basin, where one can see over one hundred and fifty geysers! Yellowstone National Park is home to half of the planet’s geysers!
Around lunchtime, head over to the Grand Prismatic Spring, the rainbow-colored pocket of water featured countless times in nature books and magazines. Park at Fairy Falls and take the short, twenty or thirty-minute hike up to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, where visitors can get a good look at the beautiful spring!
If guests are feeling up to it, the Fairy Falls hike could be a gorgeous addition to the weekend. It takes about three hours, but it’s a great opportunity to see hot springs and the famous Fairy Falls waterfall, which is over two hundred feet high!
To wrap up the day, head toward the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The canyon offers north side and south side views, and if travelers skipped Fairy Falls, or are at the very least interested, both rims can be seen in a few hours. While it’s possible to hike, it’s best to drive to both sides of the canyon to cut back on time. One of the best views is from the south rim, at Artist Point. Travelers might recognize the view from several famous paintings and photographs- it’s absolutely beautiful!
To retire for the night, visitors can visit one of the best hotels in Yellowstone, Canyon Lodge and Cabins. Featuring two different restaurants and nearly six hundred rooms to choose from, this is a great place to stay the night!
Saturday
Eat at Canyon Villiage before starting another day full of adventures! First on Saturday’s itinerary is a hike up Elephant Back Mountain. A hike at moderate difficulty, it will take a few hours to get to the top, but once there, the viewpoint over Yellowstone Lake is outstanding.
In the afternoon, take a drive through Hayden Valley to get good views of local wildlife.
Next, visit Mud Volcano, north of Yellowstone Lake. While Yellowstone itself is an actual (dormant) volcano, the Mud Volcano is basically a geyser but instead of water, it’s mud.
Rounding out Saturday’s trip, a trip to West Thumb Geyser Basin is a good stop for history buffs. Home of the first feature of Yellowstone to appear in a published letter and of the first scientific exploration, West Thumb Geyser Basin offers great views and hot springs like the Abyss Pool and the Fishing Cone.
To end the night, stay at Three Bear Lodge, a cozy hotel offering free Wi-Fi to update pictures to social media and a pool to refresh tired muscles!
Sunday
Wake up bright and early to head over to Norris Geyser Basin, where visitors can hear the fumaroles of Roaring Mountain, fish for trout at the Gibbon River, and browse through the Norris Geyser Basin Museum! This should take travelers about four or five hours, so it’s important to get an early start!
Next, travel to Mammoth Hot Springs. Another must-see of Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs offers unique and annual views of ancient rocks and colorful mineral deposits. Eat at Mammoth Dining Room before traveling to the next place on the list.
What used to be the original entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the Roosevelt Arch, is a great photo opportunity.
Next, swim at Boiling River, a hot spring near the Roosevelt Arch. It is hot, though, so be prepared with lots of water to drink!
To finish the perfect weekend at Yellowstone, Lamar Valley is the best place to see wildlife like bears, bison, and wolves! This itinerary takes guests to Lamar Valley at the best time of day, evening, where the wildlife is known to come out and eat!
The Village Lodge Mammoth is the ideal spot to finish the trip. Offering hot tubs, a pool, Wi-Fi, and a spa, this hotel is a spectacular place to rest and relax after a long weekend full of fun and adventures!
Tips for A Successful Trip
- Book hotels early: Rooms at the hotels listed in this guide are notorious for selling out fast. Snag a reservation ahead of time to avoid any stress day-of!
- Bring water and snacks: Much of this itinerary is hiking or spending a lot of time away from restaurants. Guests want to make sure they are fed and hydrated in order to enjoy the trip!
- Download the Yellowstone App: The app provides maps, tips, and real-time alerts concerning weather or potential shutdowns. It’s a great resource for any trip to Yellowstone.
Fees for Yellowstone National Park
- Vehicle: $35.00 (valid for seven days)
- No vehicle: $20.00 per person
- America the Beautiful pass: $80.00 (this pass grants access to all the national parks in the country and is valid for one year!)
This weekend itinerary through Yellowstone will delight nature lovers and those fond of national parks. From hitting all the hotspots like Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring to catching a glimpse at wildlife like bears and bluebirds, this weekend at Yellowstone National Park is sure to satisfy any vacationer!