Yellowstone National Park
Location: Wyoming
Permit: No
Recommended time: 2 full days or 3 relaxed days
Yellowstone isn’t just America’s first national park—it’s a full-on geothermal wonderland where boiling rivers, rainbow-colored hot springs, and erupting geysers steal the show. This itinerary takes you through the best of Yellowstone in just two days—starting from the northern terraces of Mammoth and winding all the way to the geyser-packed basins near Grand Teton.
Yellowstone National Park Itinerary – 2 Days (North to South)
Or reverse this if you’re coming up from Grand Teton (South to North). This itinerary helps avoid any back tracking, while seeing the top sites in the park. Check geyser eruption times here.
Day 1: Terraces, Peaks, Geysers & the Grand Canyon
Route: Mammoth → Bunsen Peak → Norris → Canyon
Morning: Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Trail Type: Boardwalks
Distance: 1.5–2 km (1–1.25 mi)
Explore both the Lower and Upper Terraces for formations like Minerva Terrace and Palette Spring.
The loop includes stairs and elevated views of the valley.
Late Morning: Hike Bunsen Peak
Trailhead: Just south of Mammoth Hot Springs
Distance: 6.8 km (4.2 mi) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: ~396 m (1,300 ft)
A moderately challenging hike up a forested switchback trail with views of the Golden Gate Canyon and Gallatin Range from the summit.
Allow 2.5–3 hours roundtrip.
Early Afternoon: Norris Geyser Basin
Porcelain Basin Loop: 1.6 km (1 mi), otherworldly terrain of steaming vents and colorful runoff
Back Basin Loop: 2.4 km (1.5 mi), forested path with features like Steamboat Geyser (world’s tallest, rarely erupts but always steamy)
Allow 1.5–2 hours to do both loops
Late Afternoon: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
South Rim Trail: 3.7 km (2.3 mi) one-way (or partial roundtrip) between Chittenden Bridge and Artist Point
Key Stops:
Artist Point: Stunning view of Lower Falls
Brink of the Upper Falls (North Rim):
Distance: ~1.2 km (0.75 mi) roundtrip
Elevation: Steep descent (~180 m / 600 ft)
This trail takes you right to the edge of the 94-meter (308-foot) Lower Falls. You’ll feel the thunder and mist as it drops into the canyon. It's a short but strenuous climb back up.
North Rim (optional): Drive to Lookout Point or hike short trails for alternate canyon views
If you’re not up for the steep climb of the Brink, try Red Rock Point Trail
Distance: ~1 km (0.6 mi)
A moderate hike with stairs to a viewing platform close to the Lower Falls. Less intense than Brink, but still great views.
Day 2: Geysers, Basins & Colorful Pools
Route: Canyon → Lower Geyser Basin → Midway & Fairy Falls → Upper Basin → West Thumb
Morning: Lower Geyser Basin + Fountain Paint Pot Trail
Drive Time from Canyon: ~40 minutes
Trail: 0.8 km (0.5 mi) boardwalk
See bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and small geysers like Clepsydra.
Nearby drive-through features include Firehole Lake Drive (5.6 km / 3.5 mi, no large RVs or trailers - vans okay).
See Great Fountain Geyser, Firehole Lake, and White Dome Geyser.
Mid-Morning: Midway Geyser Basin Walk
Trail Type: Boardwalk
Distance: ~1.2 km (0.75 mi) loop
Home to the massive Excelsior Geyser and the edge view of Grand Prismatic Spring. Gets crowded—go early.
Note: you are not going to get the best pictures on the boardwalk of the Grand Prismatic Spring, but don’t worry! When you do the next hike, there is an awesome outlook with way less people to get the best pictures.
Late Morning: Fairy Falls Hike with Grand Prismatic Overlook (AKA the famous hot spring of Yellowstone)
Trailhead: Fairy Falls Parking Area (south of Midway Geyser Basin)
Distance: 8.0 km (5.0 mi) roundtrip
Flat forested trail, with a spur at 1.2 km (0.75 mi) to the overlook platform for a stunning aerial view of Grand Prismatic. Here is where you will get the best view of the hot spring.
Continue on to 61-meter-high Fairy Falls through quiet forest—ideal in mid-to-late morning
Allow 2.5–3 hours roundtrip
Note: parking can be busy, but it’s worth it.
Afternoon: Upper Geyser Basin + Old Faithful Area
Trail Options: Boardwalks and paved paths
Walk the loop past Castle Geyser, Grotto, and Daisy Geyser, and extend to Morning Glory Pool (3.2 km / 2 mi roundtrip)
Check predicted geyser eruptions at the Old Faithful Visitor Center or check here—most geysers are on semi-predictable schedules
Old Faithful itself erupts about every 90 minutes. Catch a show before heading south.
Pro Tip: If you’re camping and don’t have access to a shower in your van like me, the Old Faithful Lodge (to the left of old faithful) has showers available for 7 CAD/5 USD. The showers are for the guests, and you could just walk right in, but please make sure to pay at the front desk so they can keep offering this to travellers!
Late Afternoon or Evening: West Thumb Geyser Basin
Drive Time from Old Faithful: ~45 minutes (40 km / 25 mi)
Short boardwalk loops by Yellowstone Lake, featuring features like Fishing Cone, Abyss Pool, and Black Pool
Quiet and peaceful spot to wrap up your Yellowstone experience
Exit Toward Grand Teton National Park:
South Entrance is just beyond West Thumb. Continue toward Jackson Lake or Colter Bay to start your Grand Teton leg.
BLM Camping
West Yellowstone: there are many spots down south plateau road in west Yellowstone and a great spot to camp after day 1.
South Yellowstone: there are a lot of spots down grassy lake road but it was very busy.
There aren’t a lot of free camping spots in the area due to the fact that Yellowstone a Grand Teton flow into each other and you can’t camp for free in any national park perimeters. You can’t always ask park rangers or fellow van lifers for tips and don’t be too picky, it’s just a place to sleep!
Antisocial Travel Tip:
Buy yourself tripod.. I hate asking people to take my pictures and they don’t always turn out. I bought this affordable tripod and have been using it for years.