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.

Montana is a beautiful state with majestic scenery and great sites all over. Two of Montana’s true gems are its National Parks: Yellowstone National Park in the south of the state, and Glacier National Park on the border with Canada.

Typical Montana Views

Many visitors travel between the two parks, a distance of 450 miles and approximately 8 hours of driving. It’s not a particularly difficult drive – and can be done in a day, but why hurry? Montana is so beautiful, why not take a few days explore some of the surrounding areas?

Here’s a suggested itinerary for a four-day road trip between Yellowstone to Glacier National park. Keep in mind it is just one of many options and takes you from West Yellowstone, a popular Yellowstone NP base, to the Eastern side of Glacier NP.

Day 1 – West Yellowstone > Quake Lake Visitors Center > Virgina City > Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park > Parker Homestead State Park > Bozeman

This is a busy day, so you would do well to start out as early as 8AM.

Head north of West Yellowstone on Gallatin Rd 287 then turn right towards Hegben Lake. Enjoy this scenic forested leg of today’s route with the lake in full view to your left.

As Hegben Lake ends, you are approaching Earthquake Lake, aka Quake Lake. Stop at the local visitors center and learn about the catastrophic earthquake of 1959 and the lives it took.

Between Gallatin forest and Beaverhead National Forest, you are going through prairie land with the beautiful Madison River along the road. As you reach the town of Ennis, turn left and drive to the small semi-ghost town of Virgina City and its satellite ghost town Nevada City. Both are well worth a visit for a taste of the Old West. While in Virgina City, don’t forget to take a look at George’s Club Foot! You could easily spend a few hours here, but if you want to make it to

Head back east and north up the 287 all the way to your next stop: The Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park – Montana’s first, and some say best, State Park. Take the guided tour of these spectacular limestone caverns – check for hours here. On the way east from the caves, you could stop at the small Parker Homestead Park. This tiny park’s only attraction is an original cabin of an early Montana settler, built in the 1900′s.

With a campsite and rental cabins, this could be a good place in which to end your day. Otherwise, travel the rest of the way to Bozeman when you’re done visiting the park.

Day 2- Bozeman

Bozeman is a lively college town with lots to do and see. I gave it a whole day in this itinerary, but feel free to add or take out this day as you like.

Recommended local attractions include the Museum of the Rockies, the Gallatin Pioneer Museum, and the American Computer Museum. You could also enjoy the hot springs, take a shopping trip or just enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

Day 3 – Bozeman > Livingston Depot Center> Kings Hill Scenic Byway > Great Falls

Head out east from Bozeman. If you like, stop at Livingston for some local history at the Depot Center before heading north.

Drive up 89 until you reach White Sulphur Springs. This town marks the beginning of Kings Hill Scenic Byway. Enjoy the scenery and stops along the way, all the way up to Belt. Read more about this Byway and possible stops along the way here.

If you head out of Bozeman early enough, you should be in Great Falls, MT by early afternoon, with enough time to start exploring this beautiful town. Visit the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center – a great learning experience for the entire family. Just outside the center is a selection of nature trails for you to choose from in the Giant Springs Heritage State Park and Fish Hatchery. Make sure you take a look at the Guiness-acknowledged world’s shortest river – the Roe.

Day 4 – Great Falls > Ulm Pishkun State Park‎ > Glacier NP East side

You can take the morning to spend some more time around Great Falls and its parks. Art lovers may want to pay the C.M. Russell Museum a visit and see Russell’s studio as well as a display of his artwork and other exhibits.

On your way west out of Great Falls, stop at the Ulm Pishkun State Park for a fascinating tour of a particularly large, some say the largest, Bison jump site. The interpretive center and the site, well excavated, offer an educational lesson about the history and culture of local Native American tribes.

Heading west and north towards the east entrance to Glacier NP, you could stop at Browning for coffee at the Espresso Tipi – hard to miss this unique structure on SE Boundary St! Depending on how long you’ve spent sightseeing in Great Falls and the area this morning, you may just get to Glacier NP in time for some afternoon activities in the park.

San Diego is a wonderful city with something for everyone. It’s the perfect destination for families!

Day 1 – Balboa Park > Museum of San Diego History > Coronado Island > Hotel Del Coronado > Gaslamp Quarter

Start your day at Balboa Park. Stroll along the famous buildings of the El Prado and take your pick of one or two museums. Balboa’s museums are perfect for short visits of two hours each. Try the unique model trains museum or, if you want to learn more about the city you’re visiting, enter the Museum of San Diego History.

In the afternoon, take your car and drive to Coronado island on a long bridge above the ocean water. Stroll along the promenade there for great views of the San Diego seafront and don’t forget to take a look at the famous Hotel Del Coronado.  In the evening, grownups can enjoy food and entertainment at the city’s Gaslamp Quarter.

View of San Diego from Coronado Island

Day 2

Sea World! You can definitely spend an entire day at this park – especially with kids. Check out the opening times on your day of arrival and plan ahead. If possible, get there early, then leave around noon for lunch and perhaps even a nap back at your hotel. Then head back to the park for more rides and shows in the afternoon, including the famous night show.

Sea World

Day 3

Start your day at the Old City Historic Park right in the heart of San Diego. Stroll along the historic buildings and learn more about life back then from the numerous exhibits. On weekends, you may also come across actors and actresses in period costumes. Right next to the Old City square you can shop for souvenirs and enjoy a more Latin atmosphere, as befits this city by the border of Mexico.

San Diego Historic Park

Drive towards the ocean to visit the Maritime Museum and the USS Midway – a retired aircraft carrier, forever anchored in San Diego. For some afternoon fun, try Seaport Village – a great place for enjoying ocean views, specialty shops, a ride on the ancient carousel and ice cream.