Yellowstone National Park in 4 Days

Yellowstone National Park is not only America’s first national park, but also one of its largest. It offers visitors a variety of attractions, from wildlife watching to exploring world-class geo-thermal features.

This vacation plan is suitable visiting Yellowstone during late Spring, Summer and early Fall. It covers different areas of the park on different days, allowing you a taste of everything this majestic place has to offer.

This itinerary includes a few optional hikes. Those taking them may have less time for the other attractions listed on that day, so read carefully and adjust this plan according to your own needs.

Day 1 – Old Faithful > Mystic Falls > Lower Geyser Basin

Start your Yellowstone trip at Old Faithful’s visitors center. Visit the rangers and get the daily times for geyser eruptions. There are several large geysers in the area, so no need to sit down and wait for Old Faithful itself. Take the time to stroll around and visit the other geysers while you wait.

Old Faithful Erupting

If you can, take the time to hike to Mystic Falls too – get your map and directions at the rangers’ station.

Head out to your next destination: the Lower Geyser Basin, to the north of Old Faithful. Visit this area of bubbling mud ponds and enjoy the walks around these unique geo-thermal features also known as Fountain Paint Pots.

In the afternoon, take the time to slowly drive to your lodging area. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of the park and try to catch a glimpse of wildlife (you’ll be seeing more of them tomorrow!). This day ends early because you want to be up and about very early the next day!

Day 2 > Hayden Valley > Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone > Mt Washburn > Tower Falls > Tower-Roosevelt Area > Lamar Valley

Get up early and drive through Hayden Valley for early-morning wildlife viewing. In warm weather, you may want to get there even earlier. If you can, bring a good pair of binoculars and you may just spot a Grizzly bear or even a wolf!

Yellowstone Bison

Visit The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – visit this area of impressive waterfalls and hike down to the bottom of the canyon for an even more impressive viewpoint. If you’re fit enough, why not hike up to Mt Washburn for some spectacular views and a chance to meet the bighorn sheep?

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

More falls today as you drive up north to visit the magnificent Tower Falls. A short hike is all you need to enjoy them. Later on, at the Tower-Roosevelt Area – visit the historical presidential lodge. If you have time, you can hike the Lost Lake trail all the way to the petrified tree and back to the lodge.

In the late afternoon, if time permits, you could also slowly drive through Lamar valley and back for evening-time wildlife viewing.

Day 3 – Norris Geyser Basin > Monument Geyser > Mammoth Springs > Beaver Ponds Loop

Try to arrive at Norris Geyser Basin early if you can, for spectacular views of steam coming up from cracks in the ground all over this area of intense geo-thermal activity. Don’t miss out on the short and fascinating Artist Paint Pots trail.

Hike up to Monument Geyser from the Norris visitors area – check for the gyeser activity timetable with the rangers and try to catch one of its magnificent eruption.

Drive on to the Mammoth Area. Visit the famous terraces and learn more about them at the visitors center. If you have the time, you could try hiking the Beaver Ponds Loop for a few miles of meadow hiking. This is a good area for bear watching and you can also see elk, mule deer and even moose.

Day Four – West Thumb Geyser Basin > Duck Lake > Yellowstone Lake

Start your day at the West Thumb Geyser Basin for some more steam packed geyser action. Take a short hike to Duck Lake or, if you’re feeling adventurous, consult the rangers about of one the other trails in the area – many of them have high bear activity and are closed part of the year. A short hike up will also get you to the observation point from which you can take in the views of Yellowstone Lake.

Tour the Yellowstone Lake area. Rent a boat or just hike one of the many trails around the lake. The Pelican Creek trail will take you through a variety of Yellowstone habitats on a relatively short hike. Just don’t confuse it with the Pelican Valley trail – where Grizzly bears are frequent visitors – consult the rangers for special bear warnings on any trail you walk in this area.

Tagged as: West Coast Itinerary, Yellowstone