Yellowstone Attractions

Canyon Area

Artist Point
Previous visitors say this is Yellowstone National Park’s most scenic view. Artist Point’s sheer wall drops more than 700 feet to the bottom of a canyon. Guests can see the Lower Falls’ upriver and the Grand Canyon from this spot. This site, made famous by Thomas Moran’s exquisite landscape paintings, is approximately one mile east from Uncle Tom’s Parking area on the South Rim Trail.

Grand Canyon
This canyon isn’t as large as the one in Arizona, but it won’t leave tourists disappointed. Grand Canyon is more than 300 feet at its Lower Falls’ area. You can also hike to the edge of Lower Falls, which is another spectacular view. Previous guests recommend that you see the canyon from both its northern and southern sides. North and South Rim Drive run alongside the most scenic parts of the canyon and can be easily accessed from Grand Loop Road.

Hayden Valley
Hayden Valley is the spot to visit if you’re interesting in seeing Yellowstone National Park’s wildlife. The valley has bison, elk, and grizzly bears. This area also has great vistas. The Valley is located approximately eight miles southeast of Canyon Village on Grand Loop Road.

Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point demonstrates how glaciers moved thousands of years ago during the Ice Age. A large boulder that once sat in this volcanic rock section was transported to the northeastern corner of Yellowstone. Guests can also see the Lower Falls from Inspiration point. This naturally created observation point is just two miles east-southeast from Canyon Village on North Rim Road.

Lower Falls
Visitors will feel mist on their faces and see foam when they visit the Lower Falls. These falls are twice as high as Niagara Falls. The Yellowstone River falls more than 300 feet to the canyon floor, sending mist and foam into the air. The water appears to be green at first glance, but visitors will see that the water is totally clear. The Lower Falls is also one the most photograph spots in Yellowstone National Park. Visitors may view the Lower Falls from Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, Artist Point, Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, and from various points on the South Rim Trail.

Upper Falls
Upper Falls is another section of the Yellowstone River that falls nearly 110 feet into a green pool. The area’s canyon walls are made of lava that forms cliffs. Guests usually view the Upper Falls from the Brink of the Upper Falls Trail or Uncle Tom's Trail.

Lake Junction Area

Dragon’s Mouth
Dragon’s Mouth, a name that describes the way its water surges, is one of the lesser-known geysers in Yellowstone National Park. The water ascends from the earth and has the appearance of a dragon’s flicking tongue. This steaming cavern is located about three miles southeast of Hayden Valley on Grand Loop Road.

Mud Volcano
Mud Volcano contains acidic waters that cause pieces of clay from lava rocks to surface from the earth. The particles of clay are suspended in water, creating a gray mud. This is one of the most well-known spots in Yellowstone National Park. This geothermal feature is located adjacent to Dragon’s Mouth on Grand Loop Road.

Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone River is the largest high-altitude lake in the lower 48 states. Guests have an opportunity to see breathtaking views along the lake’s shores, including snow-capped mountains. U.S. 14 traces the northern coast of this lake and is one of the park’s most scenic drives.

Mammoth Area

Boiling River
This is a famous bathing site in Yellowstone National Park. Boiling River can be seen from a distance because of the large clouds of steam that encircle the spot. The river is the site where hot and cold water mix at the edge of the Garden River. Guests may only visit here during the daytime, and they must wear a bathing suit. Boiling River is closed during the spring. Visitors should travel just north of Mammoth on U.S. 89 to access the trail leading to this swimming site.

Fort Yellowstone
Fort Yellowstone is located in the area where the U.S. military camped when it managed Yellowstone National Park. Cavalrymen built the fort after spending several harsh winters in tents. Fort Yellowstone is now the park’s headquarters, located on U.S. 89 just north of Grand Loop Road in central Mammoth. Call (307) 344-7381 for information about the fort’s hours of operation.

Minerva Terrace
Several terraces actually make up Minerva Terrace. The formations contain travertine (a porcelain-like mineral comprised of pure calcium carbonate) that has leached from the limestone underneath the ground. The limestone and travertine are then raised to the surface by hot water. Nearly 500 gallons of water bring an estimated two tons of Minerva Terrace’s limestone to the surface every day. The terraces are located in Mammoth, a mile south of Grand Loop Road on U.S. 89.

Norris Junction Area

Falls of the Gibbon
The Falls of the Gibbon isn’t just an area where water from the Gibbon River falls more than 80 feet. This is also an area where tourists can see a lot of wildlife. Squirrels, chipmunks, and ravens abound near the falls. To access the Falls, get on U.S. 89 about 10 miles south of Norris.

Norris Geyser Basin
Many of Yellowstone National Park’s most popular geysers are housed in the Norris Geyser Basin, including the Echinus and the Steamboat. The Dark Cavern Geyser erupts several times an hour, shooting water 11 to 20 feet. Norris Geyser Basin also contains several boardwalks where guests can tour several thermal pools. Guests will also see elks and bison in the area. Access the Basin from Norris Canyon Road just west of U.S. 89 in central Norris.

Old Faithful Area
(Visitors may access all attractions in this area via Old Faithful Park Road off of U.S. 20).

Emerald Pool
This is one of the park’s most wonderful sites. Emerald Pool is green in the center, but the surrounding waters are orange and yellow. The pool has different colors because of the algae that grow beneath the water’s surface.

Gem Pool
Algae can’t grow in the Gem Pool because its waters are too hot, but the pool’s color is magnificent. The waters deep blue hue reflects off the sunlight and creates a prism of colors.

Giantess Geyser
Visitors will have to be patient to experience the power of Giantess Geyser. It has an inactive phase that can last from 12 to 36 hours. When the geyser bursts, it can shoot water more than 150 feet. Giantess Geyser has so much power that its eruptions can shake the ground.

Morning Glory Pool
Morning Glory Pool is one of the main attractions in Yellowstone National Park, but it is loosing some of its luster because of pollution. The pool has a deep blue color that is surrounded by yellow waters.

Old Faithful
Old Faithful is the most popular attraction in Yellowstone National Park. It isn’t the most regular or the highest-spouting geyser in the park, but it puts on a marvelous display. Old Faithful erupts more than 20 times a day and can spout water nearly 190 feet. The geyser can discharge nearly 8,000 gallons of water with each eruption. Animals, including bison and elk, are often seen grazing near Old Faithful.

Plume Geyser
Plume Geyser is one of the park’s most regular geysers. It erupts every 25 to 27 minutes. Visitors can see Plume Geyser close up because there are walkways near it.

Tower Junction Area

Specimen Ridge
Specimen Ridge is an area of petrified trees. Lava deposits, which caused the trees to fossilize where they grew, covered the forest. It is located along Northeast Entrance Road, east of Tower Junction.

Tower Falls
Tower Falls drops more than 130 feet from Tower Creek. Volcanic pinnacles surround the falls. Previous visitors recommend that you hike down to the base of Tower Falls to get a better look at this natural wonder. The falls are located about five miles south of Tower Junction on Grand Loop Road.

West Thumb Area

Isa Lake
Isa Lake is an unusual body of water because it drains backwards into the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Isa Lake’s waters flow west into the Atlantic Ocean through the Firehole, Madison, Missouri, and Mississippi rivers and then into the Gulf of Mexico. Water flows from the eastern end of the lake into the Pacific Ocean via the Lewis, Snake, and Columbia rivers. The lake is located halfway (about eight miles) between Old Faithful and West Thumb on U.S. 20.

Moose Falls
Moose Falls contains water that descends 32 feet from the Lewis River into the plateau near the Lewis River Canyon. It’s not one of the most famous falls in Yellowstone National Park, but previous tourists say this beautiful spectacle is worth a visit. It is located two miles north of the south entrance on U.S. 89.

West Thumb Geyser Basin
The West Thumb Geyser Basin’s features are mostly located at Yellowstone Lake. This basin area is small, but it is full of hot springs, mudpots, and multicolored runoff channels. Visitors will find the Basin just north of U.S. 89 on U.S. 14 in West Thumb.