Best things to do in Yellowstone National Park

This cone geyser is an icon of Yellowstone National Park. The team who discovered Old Faithful described it as “the perfect geyser.” Though not the tallest or largest in the park, the geyser is one of the most popular for its beauty, size, and regularity of eruptions--almost every 91 minutes, hence its name. Watch the explosion of boiling water reach a height of 32 to 56 m (106 to 185 ft) for around 1.5 to 5 minutes, giving you plenty of time to take photos. The cafeteria in the nearby lodge boasts great views if you want to watch the show over a sandwich. They also do take-out.

Lower Geyser Basin hosts a flurry of thermal activity, creating impressive spectacles across Yellowstone's landscape. Spanning over 29 sq km (18 sq mi), the geyser discharges more hot water than any other feature in the park. Watch as hot steam nearing 100 C (212 F) shoots up into the sky, reaching heights of 45.6 m (150 ft). A stark demonstration of nature's power and beauty, the area can be explored on decked trails meandering between active spots.

A large complex of springs in Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth Hot Springs, was created over thousands of years by hot water from the springs cooling and depositing calcium carbonate. Typically a bleached-white hue, the dramatic terraced sections flow with water originating from rain and snowmelt, causing a frozen cascade effect (though the water that forms this area is extremely hot). The flow of water depends on the environment at any given time, but you can walk the boardwalks along the lower and upper terraces, observing the scenery and wildlife.

The massive Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is about 39 km (24 miles) long, between 240 and 370 m (800 and 1,200 ft) deep, and from 0.40 to 1.21 km (0.25 to 0.75 mi) wide. If you go to Artist Point, which provides an excellent view of the winding river and rock walls and gives a better sense of the canyon's size, you'll be able to view the area from about 50 m (160 ft) away. This may take you about half an hour, but the vistas you take in from the edge of observation point will remain with your for a lifetime.

Inside America's first national park, Yellowstone Lake is nestled 2,357 m (7,732 ft) above sea level. The 350 sq km (136 sq mi) lake features geysers, hot springs, and underwater canyons. The spot has been known for trout fishing since its discovery. Research shows the greatest known depth of the lake is 120 m (390 ft). In contrast to the lake's six months of frozenness, the hottest spot ever recorded was 122 C (252 F). Watch for wildlife, and take advantage of hiking and camping opportunities near the lake.

Containing nearly one quarter of all geysers in the world, Upper Geyser Basin is where you'll find the majority of the geysers in Yellowstone National Park. This small area, only 5 sq km (2 sq mi) in size, features spouting geysers, rainbow-colored hot springs, and steaming fumaroles. Discover the most famous geyser in the world, Old Faithful, which erupts regularly about every 45 to 90 minutes. The geyser spouts approximately 31 m (100 ft) into the air. In the same region, you can continue on to visit Morning Glory Pool, a 7 m (23 ft) deep funnel-shaped pool with beautiful coloring. With 410 geysers in the basin, there's no shortage of geological wonders to explore.

At Lamar Valley, mountain peaks gently rise from the distance and a small river flows at this picturesque spot inside Yellowstone National Park where wildlife abounds. Photographers bring their gear and wait for bears, wolves, elk, bison, and other wildlife to appear. You can fish along the river with a permit; anglers wrangle for cutthroat and rainbow trout here. To get the best out of this small gem in Yellowstone, take an organized wildlife excursion.

At nearly 113 m (370 ft) across and 37 m (121 ft) deep, Grand Prismatic Spring holds the title of the largest hot spring in America and one of the largest in the world. A premier attraction at Yellowstone National Park, the spring's fame traces back to early explorers and fur trappers who first noted it in the early 1800s. The boiling pool constantly steams and bubbles, with its vivid, rainbow-like appearance--the result of pigmented bacteria. To get a close-up view, walk along the park's boardwalk, which leads to a route close to the water's edge. Stay on the path, as the high temperatures of the pool can be dangerous.

Hike to the peak of Mount Washburn, which reaches a height of 3,000 m (10,000 ft) above sea level. You may try your hiking skills by two different routes, keeping in mind that both have strenuous rating. Both are also roundtrip, one 9 km (6 mi), the other 8 km (5 mi) long. Elevation gain is about 425 m (1,300 ft) for both. For most hikers, Dunraven Pass route may be the better option, as it is considered the more scenic one. Start early before it gets too hot. It may take you about half a day to complete the route, so plan accordingly.