This is what to see in Yellowstone if you only have a weekend
It really takes a week (or even a month) to see all there is to see in Yellowstone National Park. But for those on a budget, a weekend may be enough to tackle the highlights. This guide will take travelers to all of Yellowstone’s top sights, Friday through Sunday!
Friday
Beginning of the trip with a visit to Old faithful! The famous geyser erupts on average every hour or every hour and a half. Starting the weekend off with a morning at Old Faithful allows travelers to avoid the crowds that flock around lunchtime.
After seeing Old Faithful, take some time to explore the Upper Geyser Basin, where you can see more than one hundred and fifty geysers! Yellowstone National Park is home to half the geysers on the planet!
Around lunchtime, head to the Great prismatic spring, the rainbow-colored pocket of water has been featured countless times in nature books and magazines. Park at Fairy Falls and take the short twenty or thirty minute hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, where visitors can get a good glimpse of the magnificent spring!
If guests are feeling up to the challenge, the Fairy Falls hike could be a gorgeous addition to the weekend. It takes about three hours, but it’s a great opportunity to see the hot springs and the famous Fairy Falls Waterfall, which is over two hundred feet high!
To end the day, head to the grand canyon of yellowstone. The canyon offers views of both the north side and the south side, and if travelers have skipped Fairy Falls, or are at the very least interested, both edges can be seen in a matter of hours. While it is possible to hike, it is best to drive on both sides of the canyon to save time. One of the best views is from the south rim, at Artist Point. Travelers might recognize the view from several famous paintings and photographs – it’s absolutely stunning!
To retreat for the night, visitors can visit one of Yellowstone’s top hotels, Canyon Lodge and cabins. With two different restaurants and nearly six hundred rooms to choose from, this is a great place to spend the night!
Saturday
Eat at Canyons Village before starting another day full of adventures! The first route on Saturday is a hike Elephant back mountain. A medium difficulty hike, it will take a few hours to get to the top, but once there the viewpoint of Yellowstone lake is exceptional.
In the afternoon, take a walk through Hayden Valley to have a good view of the local fauna.
Then visit Mud volcano, north of Yellowstone Lake. While Yellowstone itself is a true (dormant) volcano, the Mud Volcano is essentially a geyser but instead of water it is mud.
To complete Saturday’s trip, a trip to West Thumb Geyser Basin is a good stop for history buffs. Home to Yellowstone’s first feature to appear in a published letter and the first scientific exploration, West Thumb Geyser Basin offers great views and hot springs like the Abyss Pool and the Fishing cone.
To end the night, stay at Pavilion of the Three Bears, a comfortable hotel offering free Wi-Fi to update photos on social networks and a swimming pool to refresh tired muscles!
Sunday
Wake up early and early to head to Norris Geyser Basin, where visitors can hear the fumaroles of Roaring Mountain, fish for trout at Gibbon River, and browse the Norris Geyser Basin Museum! It should take travelers around four or five hours, so it’s important to start early!
Then travel to Mammoth Hot Springs. Another must-see in Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs offers unique, year-round views of ancient rocks and colorful mineral deposits. Eat at Mammoth dining room before getting to the next place on the list.
What was once the original entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the Roosevelt Arch, is a great photo opportunity.
Then swim at Boiling river, a hot spring near Roosevelt’s Arch. It’s hot, so be prepared with plenty of water to drink!
To end the perfect weekend in Yellowstone, Lamar Valley is the best place to view wildlife like bears, bison and wolves! This route takes guests to the Lamar Valley at the best time of day, evening, where wildlife is known to hang out and eat!
The Mammoth Village Lodge is the perfect place to end the trip. Offering hot tubs, a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi and a spa, this hotel is a spectacular place to rest and relax after a long weekend full of fun and adventure!
Tips for a successful trip
- Book Hotels Early: Rooms at the hotels listed in this guide are known to sell out quickly. Book in advance to avoid any stress on D-Day!
- Bring water and snacks: a big part of this route involves hiking or spending a lot of time away from restaurants. Customers want to make sure they are fed and hydrated in order to enjoy the trip!
- Download the Yellowstone App: The app provides real-time maps, tips and alerts regarding weather or potential stops. It is a great resource for any trip to Yellowstone.
Fee for Yellowstone National Park
- Vehicle: $ 35.00 (valid for seven days)
- No vehicle: $ 20.00 per person
- America the Beautiful Pass: $ 80.00 (this pass gives access to all national parks in the country and is valid for one year!)
This weekend itinerary through Yellowstone will delight nature lovers and national park lovers alike. Whether it’s visiting all the hot spots like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring or spotting wildlife like bears and bluebirds, this weekend at Yellowstone National Park is sure to satisfy any vacationer. !
