Yellowstone has five entrances, and your best starting point depends on where you're traveling from. For a two-day visit, the West Entrance (located in West Yellowstone, Montana) is the most central. It’s also the most popular starting point, so you’ll want to arrive early to avoid traffic and guarantee parking at the most famous attractions.

The West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center is located near the entrance and open year-round. It’s a small visitor center, but a good place to buy a park pass ($20 for individuals or $35 per vehicle), grab a map, and ask the rangers about any closures or special weather conditions.

Yellowstone’s most famous geyser is definitely worth the visit. It’s an amazing sight any time of the day, but it’s particularly impressive at sunrise. At daybreak, the morning light illuminates the horizon as Old Faithful sends plumes of steam and water soaring into the sky.

To time your arrival, check the park’s geyser eruption predictions alongside the anticipated sunrise (usually between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m.) Old Faithful– as her name suggests– erupts on a reliable schedule, so you’re likely to see water shooting more than a hundred feet into the sky just as morning light skips across the surrounding basin. The early start and planning are worth it to experience this iconic geyser before crowds gather.

Yellowstone's most colorful hot spring, Grand Prismatic, is ocean blue encompassed by bright green rings and bands of fiery orange and golden yellow. This stunning hot spring is particularly beautiful from the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail. The 1.5-mile out-and-back trail begins at the Fairy Falls Trailhead and climbs a little over 100 feet to a lookout above the Spring and the Midway Geyser Basin.

To get to the trailhead from Old Faithful, drive north on Grand Loop Road toward Madison Junction. After about 5.5 miles, you’ll reach the Midway Geyser Basin area. This is where Grand Prismatic Spring is located. The Fairy Falls Trailhead parking lot is just past the Midway Geyser Basin turnoff.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of the park’s most breathtaking surprises. Carved by the powerful Yellowstone River, this dramatic canyon stretches for nearly 20 miles and plunges as deep as 1,200 feet, with walls streaked in shades of gold, red, and orange. Two massive waterfalls– Upper and Lower Falls– roar over the canyon cliffs.

One of our favorite canyon overlooks is Artist Point. Located on the South Rim, Artist Point offers a dramatic view of the Lower Falls, where the Yellowstone River plunges into the canyon below. To get to the overlook, take South Rim Drive to the dedicated parking lot just a few hundred feet from the overlook. From there, it’s an easy walk along the paved path.

If you’re up for a longer hike along the canyon, we love the South Rim Trail. Begin at Chittenden Bridge and follow the canyon rim for a mile until you reach Artist Point. From Artist Point, you can also continue toward Point Sublime, a two-mile out-and-back trail that offers peaceful views away from the crowds.

If you want to experience Yellowstone’s incredible wildlife, there’s no better place than Hayden Valley. This peaceful valley between Canyon Village and Yellowstone Lake comes alive at sunset when the bison herds are most active. After a full day of hiking and exploring, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the sunset.

There are numerous overlooks and pullouts throughout the valley. One of our favorites is Grizzly Overlook, where you’re likely to catch sight of a grizzly and Yellowstone's incredible bison herds.

When you first arrive, the valley may seem empty. But in the quiet and stillness, you’ll see wildlife emerge. It’s definitely worth the wait!

Tucked just off the road in Lamar Valley, Trout Lake Loop is a short and scenic trail that packs a lot of beauty into a short hike. The hike begins at Trout Lake Trailhead with a brief but steep climb through a shady pine forest. Eventually, the trees clear to reveal Trout Lake, a crystal-clear alpine lake surrounded by hills and wildflower meadows. The full loop around the lake is just under a mile, and it’s the perfect place for an afternoon picnic.

For an unforgettable sunset, head to Mammoth Hot Springs. The springs are an hour drive from Trout Lake along Yellowstone’s spectacular Beartooth Highway (212). The drive allows you to see Lamar Valley one more time from the opposite direction.

To hike the hot springs at sunset, park at the Terrace Drive parking area just south of the Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District. From there, take the Upper Terrace Loop Trail, an easy 1.5-mile walk that winds through the limestone formations and steaming hot springs.

As you climb slightly in elevation, you'll reach several overlooks that offer panoramic views of the terraces glowing in the evening light. Time your hike to arrive about 30 minutes before sunset, so you can catch the golden hour as steam rises and reflects the changing sky.

From sunrise at Old Faithful to sunset at Mammoth Hot Springs, visiting Yellowstone is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. America’s oldest national park is spectacularly diverse and a testament to the rugged beauty of the American West. If you’ve been waiting to go, move Yellowstone to the top of your bucket list!