Yellowstone National Park Attractions & Things to Do
Enjoy dozens of recreational activities and tons of fun things to do with kids when you travel to Yellowstone National Park and West Yellowstone for your next family vacation. View the picturesque waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Watch world-renowned Old Faithful Geyser erupt like clockwork. Go boating or fishing in Yellowstone Lake. Learn about these and other stunning natural attractions in the Top 10 List below.
Take a guided interpretive tour of Yellowstone Park to get an overview of park wildlife and geothermal features, history and current issues. This is a great way to enhance your knowledge of Yellowstone and prioritize your activities for the rest of your visit to Yellowstone.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone -
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is 4,000 feet wide in some spots and it can be as deep as 1,200 feet. When you visit this breathtaking canyon, you'll have great views of two wondrous waterfalls. The Lower Falls cascades more than 300 feet into the canyon while the Upper Falls tumbles over 100 feet down. www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/ncanyon.htm
Old Faithful Geyser -
Old Faithful is the most famous geyser in the world, and for good reason! As its name would suggest, it's usually just a short wait to watch this amazing wonder of nature erupt! Old Faithful's average eruption interval is just 90 minutes (+/- 10 minutes). Its maximum height is between 106 and 185 feet. http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/tours/oldfaithful/index.htm
Fountain Paint Pot Area -
Located north of Old Faithful, the Fountain Paint Pot area in Yellowstone National Park is home to all four types of thermal features. Stroll along a short boardwalk to witness everything from geysers and hot springs to mud pots and fumaroles. http://mms.nps.gov/yell/ofvec/exhibits/treasures/lgb/fountain.htm
Mammoth Hot Springs -
In addition to the springs, Mammoth Hot Springs is a great place to witness wildlife and amazing sights. A beautiful overlook awaits those who travel the one-mile Lower Terrace Trail. The Roosevelt Arch is just a few miles away. http://mms.nps.gov/yell/features/mammothtour/index.htm
Norris Geyser Basin -
Reaching temperatures of over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, Norris Geyser Basin, is thought to be the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone. It's also where the world's largest geyser is located. Steamboat Geyser has been known to send water as high as 380 feet into the air. http://mms.nps.gov/yell/features/norristour/index.htm
Yellowstone Lake -
Yellowstone Lake is the largest lake in Yellowstone National Park. Popular activities include boating, with powerboats, canoes, kayaks and sailboats leading the way, and fishing for cutthroat trout. The lake is located 22 miles north of the South Entrance. http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/lakeplan.htm
Bison Herd -
The largest mammals in Yellowstone National Park, bison herds can be found grazing in the meadows, foothills, and even the high-elevation, forested plateaus. Bison males weigh as much as 1,800 pounds while females tip the scales at about 1,000 pounds. http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/bison.htm
Wildlife -
Yellowstone National Park boasts the largest concentration of wildlife in all of the United States (except Hawaii and Alaska). There are more than 60 types of mammals, including bears, wolves, moose, elk, badgers, otters, and foxes. More than 500 grizzly bears and over 370 gray wolves live in Yellowstone. http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/viewanim.htm
Yellowstone River -
The Yellowstone River spans approximately 692 miles across the western United States. It is considered to be one of the great trout streams of the world, classed as a blue ribbon stream and it is the longest undammed river in the lower states.
