Yellowstone National Park is certainly on the list of natural wonders of the world. It’s hard to imagine this eerie blend of boiling pools and steaming geysers coexisting alongside beautiful forests and boulder-strewn rivers. If you can, spend several days in the park and explore its treasures. This guide will help you decide what to see in terms of the most beautiful things in Yellowstone National Park.
However, if you’re pressed for time and only have 1 day, read my previous post on Three Amazing Things to See at Yellowstone National Park. I highlight 3 most important spots in the park. If you have more time, delve into the guide below and read about the most beautiful things in Yellowstone National Park.
The Most Beautiful Things in Yellowstone National Park
Upper Geyser Basin
The Upper Geyser Basin contains the largest collection of geysers and other geothermal features in the world. It is also the most popular section of Yellowstone National Park. Most tourists limit their visit to the Old Faithful area but there are two other areas that are equally fascinating. They are the Black Sand Basin and the Biscuit Basin. Those three sections make for some of the most beautiful things in Yellowstone National Park every tourist should see.
The Old Faithful Area
The number one attraction in the park is the Old Faithful Geyser. The name comes from the fact that its eruptions are predictable. Basically, every 35 to 120 minutes the Old Faithful puts on a show for thousands of gathered visitors. However, in addition to the Old Faithful, the area boasts many other amazing geysers, such as Castle, Beehive, Grotto, Giant and Riverside. I recommend hiking all the way to the Morning Glory Pool, which is spectacular. It’s a 2.8 mile-loop that will expose you to a variety of geothermal features. It’s a fun walk, so take your time, enjoy the steamy eruptions, and the colorful pools but also the sounds and the smell.
Black Sand Basin
This is a beautiful area full of colorful pools. Many tourists skip this smaller basin after visiting the Old Faithful area but I highly recommend a stop here. Some of the more spectacular pools are the Rainbow Pool, Emerald Pool, and Sunset Lake.
Biscuit Basin
Biscuit Basin contains gorgeous gem-like pools and geysers. The Sapphire Spring is a highlight here.
Middle Geyser Basin
Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most beautiful spots in Yellowstone National Park. It is also one of the most photographed geothermal features in the park. The vivid rainbow colors of this hot spring make it unforgettable. However, if you don’t know what you’re after, you may miss it. The truth is, the Grand Prismatic Spring is frequently overtaken by steam, which makes the colors basically invisible. So, what are your options?
Essentially, there are two ways to see the Grand Prismatic Spring. You can see it from the boardwalk or you can hike to the overlook and see it from above.
Seeing the Grand Prismatic Spring from the boardwalk
If you’re lucky, you can see the Grand Prismatic Spring from the boardwalk of the Middle Geyser Basin. However, it’s hard to predict whether you’ll be able to see the magnificently vivid colors when you’re there. I have been to the area several times and unfortunately, the Grand Prismatic Spring was covered in steam on multiple occasions. Based on my experience, the warmer the temperature, the better chance you’ll have at seeing the spring in all its glory. Another thing to keep in mind is that this is an incredibly popular area and parking can be a real hassle. Essentially, if you’re here in the summer, prepare yourself for the crowds.
So, what should you do if you don’t get to see the Grand Prismatic Spring from the boardwalk? Don’t despair but make sure to go to the overlook to see the Grand Prismatic Spring from above. You will definitely be able to see it from the viewing platform. And it is a sight to behold!
Seeing Grand Prismatic Spring from above
Seeing the Grand Prismatic Spring from above is fantastic! So, even if you were able to see it from the boardwalk, I think you should still hike up to the overlook. Trust me, you’re going to be glad you did. Simply, drive a mile south of the Midway Geyser Basin and park in the Fairy Falls parking lot. From there, take the Fairy Falls trail up to the overlook. This is a fairly short hike, 0.6 miles each way. At some point along the trail, you’ll come to a fork. Take the left fork to hike up to the viewing platform. The right fork will take you to the falls. Overall, the hike is fairly easy but expect some elevation gain. Also, this is a gravel trail, so wear sturdy shoes. The views are amazing, so it’s all well worth the small effort.
Lower Geyser Basin
The Lower Geyser Basin covers an area of 11 square miles, which makes it the largest geyser basin in the park. By contrast, the Upper Geyser Basin is only 1 square mile. Because of its size, the geothermal features here are spread out. I recommend taking the short Fountain Paint Pot Trail to see erupting geysers, fumaroles, mudpots, and pools.
Norris Geyser Basin
The Norris Geyser Basin is in the most acidic area of the park. It consists of two sections: Back Basin and Porcelain Basin. While Porcelain Basin is wide open, Back Basin stretches across more forested areas. Many people come to the Norris Geyser Basin to see the tallest geyser in the world – the Steamboat Geyser. Steamboat Geyser erupts every 4 days to 50 years and its eruptions are 3-4 times as high as those of the Old Faithful. If you happen to witness the eruption, consider yourself lucky. Personally, I found Porcelain Basin more impressive than Back Basin. I enjoyed the open space with views of the mountains as well as the pools and steaming vents. Just so you know, the trail around Back Basin is 1.5 miles-long while the trail around Porcelain Basin is only 0.7 mile-long.
West Thumb Basin
Beautifully located along the shores of Yellowstone Lake with views of the Absoroka Mountains, West Thumb Geyser Basin is truly attractive. The boardwalk will take you past some beautiful pools and springs, Abyss Pool and Black Pool being two of the most impressive ones. What surprised me, however, were the many geysers visible from underneath the lake. This is truly a lovely area and I absolutely recommend a hike here.
Canyon Village
One of the most popular spots in the park, Canyon Village boasts the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. This, I believe, is the most majestic area of Yellowstone National Park. The canyon itself is stunning with spectacular waterfalls visible from multiple lookouts. I highly recommend hiking at least a section of the North Rim Trail. We parked by the Brink of the Lower Falls and hiked to the Lookout Point. Make sure to hike to the lower platform of the Lookout Point as the views from there are amazing. The trail goes all the way to the Inspiration Point, which is an absolute must see. Take your time here and enjoy the views. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is certainly a sight to behold.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs is a unique area of Yellowstone National Park. The hydrothermal features here are much different from the other areas in the park. Essentially, you’re going to see colorful travertine terraces, which are made by limestone deposited by the hot springs. I think they are fantastic! This is an ever-changing area, so some of the terraces are dormant while many are active and growing. A boardwalk connects the Upper and Lower Terraces, so you can park in either parking lot and hike around the area. Plan to spend at least an hour if you decide to do the boardwalk hike to see both terraces. Some of the more memorable terraces are Mound Terrace, Minerva, and Canary Spring. My favorite ones, however, are Cleopatra and Palette Spring.
To fully appreciate Cleopatra Terrace makes sure to hike all the way to a dead end on the boardwalk where you can see the water cascading down the yellow terraces with blue pools on top.
The most famous and the most picturesque formation in Mammoth Hot Springs is Palette Spring located near the parking lot in the Lower Terrace section, right next to Liberty Cap. Its sheer size and colors are stunning. If you’re only going to see one spot in Mammoth Hot Springs it should be Palette Spring. It’s an absolute marvel!
Lamar Valley
The beautiful Lamar Valley is located in the northeastern section of Yellowstone National Park. The valley is a prime wildlife habitat, so if you are lucky you may spot herds of bison, elk, wolves or bears. On the day when we traveled through the area, the buffalo were plentiful but we had no luck spotting other interesting mammals. The best time for viewing wildlife is at dawn and dusk, so keep that in mind if you’re serious about it. The valley itself is lovely and it’s nice to spend some time here after the busy attractions of the more popular sections of Yellowstone National Park.
