Yellowstone National Park offers so many amazing things to see throughout its 2 million acres that it can be quite overwhelming.
One of the biggest challenges that people are faced with while vacationing in Yellowstone Park is trying to determine exactly where to go and what to do.
The following is a suggested list of the top ten things to do in this incredible park.
This valuable information will help make your trip to Yellowstone National Park the vacation of a lifetime.
Please note that the order of this list is not based on "most favorite to least favorite", but rather the order in which these attractions are found along the highway known as the Grand Loop.
1.
Mammoth Hot Springs Located just inside the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, the iconic Mammoth Hot Springs is definitely a place to explore.
The geothermal features are remarkable, as well as the amazing wildlife.
2.
Tower/Roosevelt Area The Tower/Roosevelt Area offers many worthwhile attractions, such as a beautiful waterfall known as Tower Fall, as well as an incredibly steep and narrow canyon cut out by the Yellowstone River.
Roosevelt Lodge is another popular place to visit, where you can venture out on an authentic cowboy cookout via stagecoach or horseback.
The Tower/Roosevelt Area is also the gateway to the world-famous Lamar Valley, which is located directly between Tower/Roosevelt and the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone Park.
Known as "America's Serengeti", the Lamar Valley is probably the best place in the park to see gray wolves as well as many other species of wildlife.
3.
Mount Washburn/Dunraven Pass Mount Washburn (10,243 feet) has a fire lookout tower on its summit, and there is a very popular hiking trail that takes you to this lookout tower from the highway near Dunraven Pass.
You can literally see the entire park and beyond from this breathtaking vantage point.
4.
Canyon Area The Canyon Area is one of Yellowstone Park's "must see" attractions.
This is where the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is located, and the view of the 308 foot Lower Falls from the overlook at Artist Point is one of the most famous scenes in the entire park.
5.
Hayden Valley The Hayden Valley is a broad, expansive valley that is teeming with wildlife such as buffalo, grizzly bears, wolves, otters and much more.
The Yellowstone River meanders through this beautiful valley on its way to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
6.
Lake Area The Lake Area includes Lake Village, Fishing Bridge and Bridge Bay, and is located along the northeast section of Yellowstone Lake.
This enormous high mountain lake is the largest in North America, and the historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel rests on its shore.
7.
West Thumb Geyser Basin The West Thumb Geyser Basin is a small yet fascinating geyser basin that rests directly on the northwest shore of Yellowstone Lake.
In fact, some of the geysers are actually "in" the lake, such as a geyser known as Fishing Cone.
8.
Old Faithful Area The Old Faithful Area is home to the most famous geyser in the world and one of the most famous lodges in the world.
Watching Old Faithful Geyser erupt is without question the most popular "must do" in Yellowstone, as well as visiting the world-renowned Old Faithful Inn.
These two national treasures are among Yellowstone Park's most famous icons.
The Old Faithful Area is also home to the fabled Upper Geyser Basin, Black Sand, Biscuit, Midway and Lower Geyser Basins.
9.
Madison Junction Area The popular Madison Campground is located at Madison Junction, as well as the Firehole River Drive and the always entertaining Firehole River Swimming Area.
The road that heads west from Madison Junction towards the West Entrance follows the Madison River through the breathtaking Madison Canyon, and is always an enjoyable drive.
10.
Norris Geyser Basin The Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest and most volatile geyser basin in Yellowstone.
Steamboat Geyser, the world's largest, is located here as well as many other fascinating geothermal features.