One Day Yellowstone National Park Itinerary
While staying in Bozeman this fall, we did something some might call crazy. We drove 90 miles to West Yellowstone and spent the entire day exploring Yellowstone National Park. I had been there before, so I knew the big attractions I wanted to see again with the kids, but there were also a few places I'd missed on my first trip to Yellowstone and really wanted to see.
We entered the park in West Yellowstone, MT, and exited in Gardiner, MT. The entire day was about 250 miles! Because of the frequent stops, the kids did great and didn’t fuss too much about a full day of driving. The wildlife we encountered along the way helped in keeping everyone excited about our journey. We saw dozens of bison, elk, a black bear, and pronghorns. As far as the features go, we saw a little bit of everything. From geysers to waterfalls and everything in between. Here was our itinerary for visiting Yellowstone National Park for one day.
Did you know Yellowstone National Park sits on an active volcano? There might be no better way to see the volcano in action than a stop at Fountain Paint Pots in the Lower Geyser Basin. The area is home to thermal activity in several forms, including hot springs, geysers, mud pots, and fumaroles. There are a series of boardwalks that take you through the thermal action. The walk takes about 30-45 minutes. Keep an eye out for bison!
Located in the Midway Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States. It is the third-largest in the world! There are a few trail options for viewing the spring. There is a .6 mile Fairy Falls Trail or 1.2-mile option that begins at the same trailhead. The vivid colors are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. The water itself is deep blue, while the colors surrounding the spring can vary from green, red, and orange depending on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids, and temperature. A day trip to Yellowstone would not be complete without a stop at Grand Prismatic!
If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park, chances are Old Faithful is on your list of things to see. As it should be! The geyser got its name due to the fact that its eruptions always take place about 90 minutes apart. Eruptions can shoot 3,700 to 8,400 gallons of water and reach heights of 106 to 185 feet. There are a number of places to view Old Faithful. There is some seating and a viewing area located directly in front of a geyser. Get your spot early as the crowd starts to form at least 30 minutes before an expected eruption. If you want to spend a little more time in the area, head up to the Observation Point Trail. This 1.6-mile trail allows for a great view of Old Faithful and takes you across Firehole River and by Solitary Geyser. While in the area, check out the Education Center. This is where we turned in our Jr. Ranger books for badges. Ready for lunch? Take a break at the Old Faithful Inn. They have food for sale or you may bring in your own!
While a one day trip to Yellowstone National Park might not offer enough time to spend a leisurely day lakeside, it does provide enough time to at least drive past the beautiful lake. Yellowstone Lake is the largest high elevation lake and is about 20 miles long and 14 miles wide. We drove the north shore of the lake from West Thumb to Fishing Bridge. The views of the lake with the Tetons in the distance are spectacular! There are a number of places along the drive to stop for a photo, lunch, or short walk along the water.
When talking to a Park Ranger about what to see during our one day in Yellowstone National Park, she said we would smell Mud Volcano before we could see it. Boy, was she right! Mud Volcano is one of the most acidic features in the park and filled with hydrogen sulfide gas. But don’t let the smell keep you away! The views of the mud pots in this area are fascinating. There is no better reminder of the fact that a volcano created the Yellowstone Caldera, and it is still active today. There are .6 miles of boardwalks and paved trails throughout this feature. Make sure to check out Dragon's Mouth Spring along the smaller loop closest to the parking lot!
When I thought of Yellowstone National Park, I’ve always thought of geysers and other boiling thermal features. I never thought of the raging Yellowstone River. Well, I’m sure glad I was told about the river and encouraged to view the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The canyon is home to two falls; the 109-foot Upper Falls and 308-foot lower falls. The canyon is filled with multi-hued rocks resulting from the hydrothermally altered rhyolite and sediments. Active hydrothermal features can be seen along the canyon walls. The combination of the uniquely colored canyon walls, steam from the thermal feature, and magnificent waterfalls make this area like something I’ve never seen before. Something that should definitely be seen on a day trip to Yellowstone National Park. There are several places to view the canyon and falls. We opted for the .8 mile Brink of the Lower Falls Trail. It is steep, with a 300-foot change in elevation but well worth the hike up. If I, two toddlers, and grandpa can do it, so can you!
It was a whirlwind of a day, involved a whole lot of driving, but resulted in an experience we will never forget. Yellowstone National Park is a place that needs to be experienced, at least once, even if just for the day. Want to camp nearby? Rent an RV in Montana!