Known for its red-tinged canyon walls and stunning landscapes – discover attractions, experiences, and things to do in Yellowstone National Park with kids.
Yellowstone National Park is a breath-taking wonderland of geothermal activity, brimming with gorgeous terrain and abundant wildlife. It’s one of America’s most visited places year-round, with millions of tourists traveling & discovering the best sights within the park.
From beautiful colossal geysers, dense forests, dramatic rock formations, and majestic waterfalls, Yellowstone National Park leaves no tourists disappointed! The park is also home to lush green valleys, canyons, and exciting natural wonders that amaze visitors with their awe-inspiring fascinations. It’s a dreamy destination for people willing to venture out in the wild, to see the natural settings of the American topography.
I’ve been to Yellowstone National Park a couple of times, and every time the place had a different experience stored for me. From participating in short-hike trails to spotting bison on the main highway road – each experience felt unique to me. What even excites me the most, is the sheer size of this park – which boasts colorful hot springs and geysers. Along with the geothermal wonders, witnessing the wildlife up so close adds a whole new level to your discovery.
I am in absolute love with this area, and hence I wanted to briefly list down all the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park with kids. This is not a complete list, as it is quite difficult to make one – but be assured this guide is your gateway to the top Yellowstone attractions.
Let’s find out!
THINGS TO DO IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK WITH KIDS
1. GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING
If there’s one thing that you shouldn’t miss out on during a Yellowstone trip, then it is the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring. This rainbow-colored thermal pool is the main highlight of the Yellowstone National Park, which attracts millions of tourists every year.
Being the largest hot spring in the United States – Grand Prismatic Spring has been coined as the ‘most photographed landmark’ of Yellowstone Park. No matter how many pictures you may have seen of this iconic location, the real experience is when you stand near the spring to witness how big it is.
So what makes Grand Prismatic Spring unique? The colors (literally).
The microbial life cornering around the edges of the spring results in vibrant colors. The middle portion of the hot spring is dark blue, with green and orange shades mixing around the borders. It even changes depending on the presence of the microbes, and you could see different colors based on the season you travel. In the summer, it’s usually orange and in the winter, mostly dark green.
Primarily, there are two ways to experience the Grand Prismatic Spring. Either witness via the boardwalk trail which runs through Midway Geyser Basin or take a hike to catch panoramic views from the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook.
Boardwalk Trail through Midway Geyser Basin
To experience the Grand Prismatic Spring up close, you need to cross a boardwalk trail (0.8 miles). It’s a one-way path that leads you to the other side of the hot spring. Along the trail, expect to see tiny geothermal features – Turquoise Pool, Opal Pool, and Excelsior Geyser Crater.
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook
If not the boardwalk trail, then head to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook to find some jaw-dropping scenes of the hot springs. On a sunny day, the overlooking views of the spring colors are simply spectacular.
Getting here requires a normal fitness level, as the trail to reach the overlook point is 0.8 miles (1.6 miles round trip). The starting portion of the trail is relatively flat and easy to walk upon, but the final few stretches (0.2 miles) are strenuous. Expect an uphill walk, along the dirt trail to reach the top.
| Parking: Honestly, the parking lot is extremely small for the number of travelers that Grand Prismatic Spring expects. Even if you travel early morning, getting to park your car is difficult. That said, there are turnouts nearby to Midway Geyser Basin. If you struggle to find a lot, head to one of these turnouts to park your car. |
Needless to say, Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most famous places in Yellowstone. It’s one of the attractions within the park that attracts large crowds. During my first visit, I could only see huge tour bus companies around the parking lot. Each one probably carried 30-40 tourists at a time. So, expect the springs to be busy throughout the day.
To some extent, you could avoid crowds by traveling either early morning or late evening. It is believed that the vibrant colors of the hot springs even shine brighter on a nice sunny day. Do plan your travel accordingly, and avoid cloudy gloomy days as much as you can.
| Travel Tip – The best way to avoid parking hassle and enjoy Grand Prismatic Springs, is to book guided excursions. These organized tours are conducted neatly, covering major Yellowstone attractions. It is ideally a faster way to squeeze more out of your travel to have a pleasant experience. Plus, the tour company will take care of the parking while you’re enjoying the scenery. |
2. OLD FAITHFUL GEYSER
Old Faithful Geyer in Yellowstone National Park is one of the most famous & recognizable landmarks. As the name suggests, the geyser has been faithful to its original eruption routine as it was 150 years ago. It erupts more than often, with an interval of 90-minutes. The timings are so reliable and accurate, that you could almost find its schedule on the internet.
Old Faithful Eruption Schedule: Old Faithful Geyser erupts in approx. 90 minutes, give or take 10 minutes extra. More than often, the timings are true to the schedule. But occasionally, it can take up to 2 hours for the next eruption to shoot. Find out the schedule here for more details.
When I visited Old Faithful Geyser, I had to wait for 15-20 minutes to see the eruption. If it takes more than that for you, then it’s completely fine. You just need to be patient to admire this scene. Usually, the eruption lasts 3 to 4 minutes – so you get plenty of time to take perfect snaps.
There are three main ways to view the Old Faithful geyser eruption –
You can spectate from the boardwalk that circles the geyser. Make sure you reach at least 20 to 30 minutes early because the boardwalk gets crowded with tourists.
If you want to avoid crowds & get views from a different angle, then hike to the Observation Point to get overlooking views of the eruption. It’s a 1.1-mile trip, with an uphill that is moderate to walk upon. Make sure you reach the point at least 15 minutes before the eruption.
If stretching out your arms & legs don’t feel right, then head to Old Faithful Inn – for a more relaxed experience to witness the geyser eruption. Get a drink at the bar, and admire the stunning views as you enjoy.
Combined with Grand Prismatic Springs, Old Faithful is worth your visit. Being one of the popular attractions of Yellowstone, the site is always busy with tourists. There’s no escape to it, and I am not even kidding! I tried to reach the early morning, but it was still crammed with visitors everywhere.
Luckily, parking is not an issue. The Upper Geyser Basin is huge, and there’s plenty of parking available in the area.
| Travel Tip – If you arrive early to the Old Faithful geyser & if it’s a long wait, then head out to Upper Geyser Basin first to explore the surroundings. This way you can make sure you’re utilizing your schedule appropriately. |
3. UPPER GEYSER BASIN
Exploring the Upper Geyser Basin is one of the best things to do in Yellowstone. It is home to the world’s 25% of the geysers – making this place a true geothermal wonderland in all sense! With over 150 natural features, visiting Upper Geyser shouldn’t be missed.
There are beautiful trails and pathways to explore hot springs, geysers, and thermal pools. The entire Upper Geyser Basin trail is approx. 4.5 miles long, with wheelchair accessibility. The trail makes your exploration quite easy to traverse around. Make sure you take an ample amount of time to explore the Upper Geyser Basin beyond the Old Faithful.
While the OF is relatively crowded, much of the other area is surprisingly quieter. Not many people take the opportunity to go the extra mile to visit nearby attractions – and that makes smaller geysers of the Upper Geyser Basin noteworthy.
There are (literally) too many features to even mention them; while some may not be as popular as others – I suggest you talk a walk through the Upper Geyser Basin to make explore nearby features like –Daisy Geyser, Castle Geyser, Grotto Geyser, and Morning Glory Pool. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find much more serenity around the area, with fewer visitors.
An additional 30 to 40 minute walk from the Old Faithful, and you’ll see hardly anyone.
| Travel Tip – Most of the geysers on the Upper Geyser Basin are unpredictable, meaning there’s no certainty to witness an eruption. It depends on the time you travel and often sometimes ‘luck’. |
4. LAMAR VALLEY
One of the notable things to do in Yellowstone is to watch wildlife. To spot them real close, head to the famous location – Lamar Valley. Usually, the place is overlooked by travelers – but if you make an effort to drive here – it’s worth every minute spent.
As you drive along the main road, you’ll be rewarded with exciting wildlife scenes of bison, elk, coyotes, pronghorn, and wolves roaming around. It’s exciting to watch a huge herd of bison freely strolling on the main road – so do expect plenty of traffic jams along your way.
What I loved during my scenic drive experience– is the fact that Lamar Valley is expansive. The scenes are truly stunning – sometimes reminding you of the African landscapes.
| Travel Tip – Try to visit Lamar Valley early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as it gives you the best chance to observe wildlife. Do not visit this place, if you are short on time – as Lamar is really far and the drive can be hectic too. |
If you don’t prefer self-drive, then you can take a look at these organized guided experiences. Several popular tours are conducted to give you a safe, extraordinary experience of the Lamar Valley. Additionally, the advantage is that you don’t have to drive by yourself and that you can devote all your attention to enjoying outdoor wildlife.
Some of these guided tours also take you around Yellowstone Canyon, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Springs. Make sure you check them out!
5. HAYDEN VALLEY
Hayden Valley is another popular place to spot bison. Compared to the Lamar Valley, getting here is relatively easy – as it is located between the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Yellowstone Lake. At the same time, it is no more secluded and often filled with large crowds.
When I traveled back in July, I wasn’t much lucky to spot bison. Although there was a small herd, very far from my location – but couldn’t get a proper snap of it.
You may usually find a herd of bison hanging around the roadside. Make sure you do not step out of your car to watch them close. These species look slow, but they can run fast and tackle you down. Instead, pull off into a turnout and spectate the scenes from your car itself. Not just you are staying safe, but also not blocking traffic.
6. FAIRY FALLS
If you are nearby to the Grand Prismatic Springs, then make a short trip to one of Yellowstone’s tallest waterfalls – Fairy Falls. You could only get here by making a short hike.
Primarily, there are two ways to reach the falls. You could either travel from the Fairy Falls parking lot (the same used for Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook) to make a 5.4-mile trip or reach the Fountain Flat Drive for a 10-mile trip.
The trail is relatively easy, with most of the portion running through a lodgepole forest.
7. MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS
Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the truly fascinating places in Yellowstone National Park. Often avoided by tourists (since the majority of the crowds rush to Old Faithful Geyser) – Mammoth Hot Springs really stands apart with its unique experience.
The hot springs are divided into main areas – Mammoth Upper Terraces and Mammoth Lower Terraces. Both of these areas are connected via a boardwalk trail and the main road. Ideally, you could simply drive, make a few stops and explore the springs. However, I recommend visiting the area on foot – as you could get done with the exploration within an hour.
As you scout, expect amazing geothermal features spread across the area – which are different from the ones found in Upper Geyser Basin. Each one of them has some distinctive feature that you could only notice when you spot them real close. Additionally, the main highlight of Mammoth Hot Springs is Minerva Terrace, Palette Spring, Canary Spring, and Liberty Cap.
Note – If you’re traveling Mammoth Hot Springs during summers, prepare that it can get really hot. The area has no amount of shade to protect you from the sun.
8. BOILING RIVER HOT SPRING
Boiling River Hot Spring is one of the hidden gems of Yellowstone, set between the Mammoth Hot Springs and the Roosevelt Arch. It’s a natural hot tub, where you can go swimming whilst admiring spectacular landscapes. The hot spring created at this place enters the Gardner River, where the hot and cold water mixes creating the best natural hot tub experience!
I’d highly recommend this place if you’ve had a long day at Yellowstone. A perfect to relax, unwind and rejuvenate whilst soaking in the warmth of the springs.
| Travel Tip – Usually in spring, there’s a closure of the Boiling River Trail due to melting snow. Do check the latest information out here to find the operational period. |
9. YELLOWSTONE LAKE
Situated at an impressive height of 7,000 ft. Yellowstone Lake is the largest elevated lake in North America, featuring more than 110 miles of shoreline – which completely freezes over winter. Even during summers, the water temperatures are too low to even take a dip.
The lake is, however, best explored by a boat: where you can enjoy guided tour excursions. You could even rent, canoe, or sail down Yellowstone Lake to indulge in fun activities. Alternatively, you can book a guided kayak tour on Yellowstone Lake here or maybe go on a private fishing tour.
If not guided tours, then simply take a stroll around the trails that lead to the shorelines. Experiencing sunset whilst appreciating the scenic views is something very unforgettable!
If you’re planning to spend a night at Yellowstone Lake, then try to make reservations at Lake Yellowstone Hotel. It’s the oldest lodge in Yellowstone boasting great amenities and services. Perhaps, if good food and views are something you expect, head to Lake Lodge Cafeteria.
10. GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE
Hailed as the top-rated attraction within Yellowstone National Park, visiting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is one of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park with kids.
Over a thousand years, the Yellowstone River has been carving its way through the canyons, which resulted in such a unique formation. With numerous lookout points and hiking trails, you could plan a complete day trip here.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone stretches up to 24 miles (39 km) long, with some parts of the Rocky Mountains digging deep up to 1,200 feet. You could visit both sides of the canyon to explore viewpoints – North & South Rim.
NORTH RIM
There are plenty of observation points along the North Rim. Here’s a list of some of the notable ones –
Brink of the Lower Falls – A half-mile walk downwards, will take you to the viewpoint of the Lower Falls. Reaching down is relatively easy, but climbing back up is strenuous with 600 feet of elevation gain. But the closer views of the Lower Falls will seem rewarding for all your efforts.
Red Rock Point – To visit Red Rock Point, you need to hike down into the canyon to get gorgeous views of the Lower Falls.
Inspiration Point – The viewpoint is located far off in the distance, but the advantage is the panoramic views of the beautiful canyon.
SOUTH RIM
If you want to rush, and only want to visit one rim of the Yellowstone, then I recommend the South Rim portion. It’s far better than what you can expect in the North, with better viewpoints and trails.
Uncle Tom’s Trail – One of my favorite things to do along the South Rim of Yellowstone, was to hike the Uncle Tom’s Trail. It’s a 328 steps stairway that brings you very close to the Lower Falls. It’s an amazing trail for families with active kids, who love to take small little challenges. However, for people with serious knee problems or weaker hearts – this trial is not suitable.
Artist Point – Probably the highlight of your entire Grand Canyon trip of the Yellowstone. This is the place where you need to go all-out with photography skills. The viewpoint offers exceptional views over the canyon, making it a must-see place in Yellowstone.
| Tip – Yellowstone Canyon being a popular attraction, is heavily crowded with tourists. Expect big crowds and tour buses lined up along the parking lot, to visit viewpoints. I recommend visiting the canyon bit early and then visiting the main trails. |
11. WEST THUMB GEYSER BASIN
Being one of the smallest geothermal pools of Yellowstone, West Thumb is not to be missed if you’re visiting the national park. Located across the western shore side of Yellowstone Lake, the hot springs offer gorgeous views of the lake and interesting thermal features.
Don’t expect it to be a grand show like Old Faithful Geyser or others, but the unparalleled beauty of the view makes it up to you!
To walk around the geyser area, take the West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail, which is a shorter trail, 0.6 miles long, stretching across lakeshore to pass several small attractions. Abyss Pool is the highlight of all (Yellowstone’s deepest hydrothermal pool). If you want to continue down the trail, there are two popular hiking paths – Duck Lake and Lake Overlook.
The best part about visiting West Thumb Geyser Basin is spotting wildlife like bison, elk, and bears near the area. Expect them to be likely seen during your early morning visit.
12. NORRIS GEYSER BASIN
Identical to the features of Upper Geyser Basin, this is fairly a huge geothermal area boasting amazing natural features. Ideally, if you visit the Norris Geyser Basin before mega geothermal pools, then it’s worth your visit. However, if you visit the same post your travel to the Upper Geyser Basin – you’ll be slightly disappointed.
Considered to be one of the rapidly changing basins of Yellowstone, the Norris Geyser Basin is divided into two sections – Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin.
Back Basin is the larger section, where you can find the world’s tallest active geyser ‘Steamboat Geyser’. Eruptions are highly unpredictable but expect steam spewing out occasionally. You can see geysers shooting steam more than 300 ft. in the air (Old Faithful eruptions were somewhere around 130-170 feet high).
Porcelain Basin is more pumped in action, housing lots of steaming vents, bubbling and boiling geothermal features, and small turquoise hot springs. The entire area is a barren landscape, so expect a bit of walking to get around. The main loop across the boardwalk is about half a mile (800 m) that takes you from one point to the other.
| Note – If traveling during summers, make sure you carry enough water bottles and sun protection, as it could get very warm. The area has no shade at all, so heat exhaustion is something tourists feel often. |
13. MT. WASHBURN HIKE
For adventure enthusiasts, hiking to the top of Mount Washburn is going to be an incredible experience. Being one of the best places things to do in Yellowstone, the views from the top are incredible – overlooking the astonishing views of the park.
Situated at a height of 10,250 feet, the hike to reach is strenuous and quite exhausting. Each way may probably take you around 2 to 3 hours to complete, so it is not for everyone. But if you’re up for the challenge, then the main hiking starts from Dunraven Pass. Although it is challenging, it offers great views along the entire route. The other option is the Chittenden Road Trail, which is about 2.5 miles long and comparatively easier to hike upon.
Tip – Make sure you carry lots of water and healthy snack bars. Also, wear a jacket or thick wear as it could get really windy and cold on top. Storms are quite frequent out here during summers, so time your travel accordingly.
14. BLACKTAIL PLATEAU DRIVE
If you need to praise the scenic beauty of Yellowstone Park, then take a scenic Blacktail Plateau Drive, which heads parallel to Grand Loop Road. It’s a one-way dirt trail filled with lovely backdrops. If you’re lucky enough, then you may even see bison, bear, and elk along the way.
To complete this drive, you’ll at least need 30 to 45 minutes. Since it’s a dirt trail, a 4×4 will make your drive smoother.
15. YELLOWSTONE GRAND LOOP ROAD
Grand Loop Road is the main road of Yellowstone that connects all must-see places attractions of Yellowstone, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Driving this scenic road is one of the best activities to do in Yellowstone.
If you look at the map here, you’ll see its main road forming an 8-shape structure. This makes all the attractions within the park much more accessible to travel to.
Yellowstone Grand Loop Road is 142 miles long (230 km), and approx. it takes 5 to 8 hours to complete the scenic journey. Although, it’s not advisable to drive the entire road in just a single day – as there are plenty of stops & pullover points to explore.
16. TOWER FALL
Tower Fall is nestled right along the roadside, making it a quick stop for tourists to grab a view. Despite being one of the most popular falls in Yellowstone, the path leading to the bottom of the Tower Fall is closed and can only be seen via the Tower Fall Overlook. You can climb a part of the trail to watch the fall, but honestly, it’s not worth your effort.
Many travelers speak about Tower Fall, and hence I thought it’s worth giving a mention in this guide. The best experience is to spend some time near the viewpoint area of the Tower Fall and continue to further Yellowstone attractions.
17. GRIZZLY AND WOLF DISCOVERY CENTER
If you want to spot grizzly bears up close, then head to Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center to spectate wildlife in a safe environment. Most of the animals present at the center come from Yellowstone, while few are from Alaska. It’s one of the best things to see in Yellowstone, especially for children, to see and learn more about this wildlife species.
Currently, there are five wolves and seven bears in the Center, with some other species of birds and a Karelian bear dog. The center is open year-round for tourists.
Timings to visit the center are between 9 am to 4 pm, with tickets costing $15 for adults and $10 for children (5-12). For more details on pricing and center info, visit the official website.
18. OLD FAITHFUL INN
Visiting the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park is a must. Being one of the oldest lodges, built-in 1903-1904 – Old Faithful has been coined as ‘National Historic Landmark’. The interiors are truly impressive, with a log-like structure built around every corner.
You don’t necessarily have to be a guest to visit this hotel. Just pop up, explore and take good photos! If you’re interested in knowing more about its history and amazing story, then take one of these guided tours inside the lodge.
19. MYSTIC FALLS TRAIL
Lastly, I want to recommend the Mystic Falls Trail, which is a premier 2.6 miles long path, leading to short waterfalls & gorgeous terrain. The trail is quite picturesque that takes you through deep forests, dramatic ledges, several thermal features, and other bodies of water.
As you continue down the trail, you’ll come across babbling creeks and rivers, different species of birds and animals, and tons more. Do check this place if you have time on your schedule.
| Travel Q – Is Yellowstone National Park in 3 states? Yes. Yellowstone National Park spans three states of the United States – Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. |
So, that was our ultimate list of all the things to do in Yellowstone National Park with kids. In this article, we only focused on the must-see places of Yellowstone that are frequently visited by tourists during their trips. For first-time travelers, this guide is a perfect to-do list to know the experiences, activities, and unique geothermal wonders of the park.
Now let’s get into finer details of your planning like – accommodation and guided excursions. This will give a more comprehensive idea of planning a perfect trip to Yellowstone.
WHERE TO STAY IN YELLOWSTONE
I have curated an in-depth guide on the best places to stay in and near Yellowstone National Park, also covering the best cabins & lodges near Yellowstone.
Moreover, if you are looking for some quality stays with a pre-decided budget, check out these options for lodging in Yellowstone National Park. Alternatively, you can look for hotels near West Yellowstone for mid-range budgeted hotels.
To showcase a relevant collection of hotel stays, I’ve partnered with Tripadvisor. Check out high prolific stays or budgeted options here for more info.
GUIDED TOURS & HIKING EXCURSIONS
If you are figuring out how to compile each of the above Yellowstone attractions into one single plan, then check my suggested Yellowstone Itinerary for 1 to 5 days. This extensive travel plan will give you a better sense of understanding in planning a trip.
If you feel like booking a guided tour, without getting into the hassle of planning everything on your own, check this 7-Day Yellowstone National Park Rocky Mountain Explorer tour. It covers major Yellowstone attractions, along with 2 other US national parks.
For a shorter version, check this highly-rated 4-Day Nature Tour of Yellowstone. Often chosen by many visitors, this premium guided tour is a perfect way to experience the best of Yellowstone. For other popular tours & excursions, discover a huge collection listed here.
These guided tours will save you a lot of time! I am saying this from my own experience – just so you could avoid parking hassle and other road trip issues. The advantage is, you don’t have to worry about your schedule being perfect. Everything is taken care of by your tour organizer.
Hope this guide helped you in understanding the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park. If you found this post useful, do bookmark it, share it amongst your family and friends –and spread the word. Moreover, if you have additional info/ ideas to share, feel free to use the comment box below!
EXPLORE OTHER GUIDES & ITINERARIES
Yellowstone – Yellowstone Itinerary: How to Spend an Ideal Time in Yellowstone
Alaska – 10 Day Alaska Itinerary: Kenai & Denali Road Trip
Alaska – 9 Day Alaska Itinerary: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau
Canada – Canadian Rockies Mountain: 8 Day Itinerary to the Mountains
Sedona – Phoenix to Sedona: Top Things to Do + Sedona Itinerary
