One Day in Yellowstone National Park: The Perfect First Timer’s Itinerary
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One day in Yellowstone National Park might sound impossible at first—after all, this place is absolutely massive (we’re talking over 2.2 million acres, spanning across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho!). But don’t worry, even with just a single day you can still see so many of the things that make this park famous. The key is starting early, because trust me—if you’re up for a long day with a good bit of driving, you can cover a lot of ground.
Yellowstone is known for its wild geothermal features, incredible waterfalls, and of course, its wildlife. Bison, bears, elk—you name it, they’re here. Out of everywhere we went on our Wyoming and Montana road trip (Jackson, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier), Yellowstone was where we saw the most animals!
And here’s the best part: a lot of the major stops don’t require long hikes. Most are just short trails or boardwalks that make it easy to hop out of the car, stretch your legs, and be face-to-face with geysers, hot springs, and epic landscapes in just minutes.
To keep it real, we technically had a day and a half in Yellowstone—but between wrapping up early the second day and only spending a few hours the first, we basically crammed it all into one long day. And it totally worked! If you’re ready for early alarms, a little road trip spirit, and lots of jaw-dropping scenery, one day in Yellowstone is more than doable!
How to See Yellowstone in One Day: Navigating the Grand Loop Road
When planning one day in Yellowstone, it helps to know that the park is shaped kind of like a giant figure 8. The main road through the park is called the Grand Loop Road, and it’s broken up into two sections — the Upper Loop (known for its dramatic landscapes like Grand Canyon of Yellowstone) and the Lower Loop (known for its geothermal features). There are several different entrances into Yellowstone, but the West Entrance is the most popular (and the one we used).
There are a million and one ways you can explore Yellowstone, and the “best” route really comes down to your preferences. For us, we were most excited about spotting wildlife, so we made a beeline for the valleys. We started in Hayden Valley and then worked our way around the loop.
I’m going to share the Yellowstone itinerary in the way we experienced it, but you can absolutely customize it to fit your own interests and time. If you want a little extra guidance along the way, I can’t recommend the Shaka Guide enough!
As you drive, it tells you fun facts and stories about the places you’re passing, and you can decide if you want to stop or keep rolling. I love learning about the places I’m exploring, so this always makes the trip so much more memorable. The best part? Even if you don’t have service in the park (which you probably won’t), Shaka still works offline once it’s downloaded, so you’re covered the whole time. Check it out here!
1-Day Yellowstone Itinerary
Morning: Upper Loop
Hayden Valley
Start your morning in Hayden Valley. Getting there early is such a good call because the fog still lingers over the ground and the wildlife is active. This was one of the spots where we felt the closest to the bison (from a safe distance, of course — always keep plenty of space). We even had a few “bison traffic jams” where they took over the road, which honestly feels like a Yellowstone rite of passage.
Waterfalls + Scenic Viewpoints
From Hayden Valley, head to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This is where you’ll find the famous Lower and Upper Falls, along with several viewpoints. There are so many pull-offs along the way — you don’t need to stop at all of them (we were definitely waterfall-ed out by the end). The ones I’d recommend for sure are:
- Artist Point – that iconic postcard view of Lower Falls
- Lookout Point – quick stop, but gorgeous
Other optional stops:
- Brink of Lower Falls – A short walk that gets you really close to the waterfall. The sound and mist are impressive, but it can get crowded.
- Red Rocks Lookout Trail – This is accessible from Lookout Point and offers beautiful canyon views, but honestly, with limited time, I wouldn’t recommend it. We had to skip it.
The best way to approach the canyon is to pick a couple of viewpoints that appeal to you rather than trying to see every single one. It’s easy to get caught up wanting to stop everywhere, but you’ll appreciate the stops you do make more if you don’t overdo it.
Lamar Valley
Then head to Lamar Valley, one of Yellowstone’s most iconic wildlife spots. Hayden felt closer to the animals, but Lamar gives that sweeping view of bison herds stretching for miles. Take your time here — the scenery and wildlife are unforgettable!
Afternoon: Hot Springs + Lower Loop
Mammoth Hot Springs
After Lamar, swing by Mammoth Hot Springs. It’s iconic, though not my favorite stop personally. Still, it’s worth a quick walk to see. The main attraction here is the terraced hot springs, which are formed from travertine deposits that create these layered, almost sculptural formations.
The colors are subtle compared to Grand Prismatic, but it’s fascinating to see how the hot water has shaped the landscape over time. The boardwalks make it easy to walk around and get different perspectives of the terraces.
If you need a break or want to grab a quick bite, there are a handful of food spots nearby, which we definitely took advantage of — perfect for refueling before continuing your Yellowstone adventure.
Geyser Basins + Trails
Once you’re on the Lower Loop, it’s time for Yellowstone’s iconic geysers and colorful geothermal features.
Grand Prismatic Spring
This was hands-down one of my favorite stops of the Lower Loop. The colors are so vibrant, and it’s honestly jaw-dropping. You can take a short walk to get a closer view at ground level, which makes for amazing photos and really lets you appreciate the scale.
Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail
If you have the energy, this trail gradually climbs 105 feet over 0.6 miles from the Fairy Falls Trailhead and leads to an overhead view of Grand Prismatic. There’s a little incline, but it feels good to stretch your legs after a lot of driving, and the view from the top is absolutely worth it. It’s a great way to get a mix of hiking and sightseeing without committing to a super long trek.
Paint Pots
This stop is a quick but super interesting one, and it’s all about Yellowstone’s colorful mineral-rich mud. The pots are actually iron-rich clay, which is why you see those deep red, orange, and yellow hues. You’ll also see some bubbling mud and small hot springs around the area — it’s like nature’s little science experiment! The walk around is easy and short, making it perfect for stretching your legs between driving and geyser stops.
Old Faithful
Okay, so this is definitely iconic, but just to keep it real — it’s not going to blow your mind. The geyser erupts roughly every 90 minutes, and the next estimated eruption time is listed on the National Park Service website. Just a heads up — you probably won’t have service in the park, so you may just have to hope your timing works out.
While it’s fun to see, it’s actually not even the largest geyser in Yellowstone, and honestly, once you’ve seen it, that’s usually enough. For me, it was more of a “cool, check” moment than anything jaw-dropping. Still, it’s kind of fun to watch the crowd gather and feel that classic Yellowstone energy, even if the geyser itself is more about tradition than wow-factor.
Optional – West Thumb Basin
If you’ve got energy left, swing by West Thumb Basin on Yellowstone Lake. We skipped it because we were wiped, but it’s beautiful and unique if you want to add one last stop. You’ll see bubbling mud pots, colorful pools, and smaller geysers here, all within a relatively compact, easy-to-walk area.
Tips for Visiting Yellowstone in One Day
- Start early – This is key! The earlier you can get into the park, the better chance you have at wildlife sightings and avoiding the heaviest crowds. If you’re staying close, you might be able to sleep in a little, but starting before sunrise is ideal.
- Pack snacks and water – Seriously, pack tons of snacks. We grabbed breakfast at McDonald’s since it was one of the few spots open as early as we were, and then we had jerky, granola bars, and other car-friendly options for the day. There are some areas in the park where you can grab a real meal — we did ours in the Mammoth Hot Springs area — but it’s nice to have snacks for between stops. And bring plenty of water, because you’ll be doing a lot of walking and driving.
- Shaka Guide is a lifesaver – It’s like having your own personal tour guide in the car. It tells you about the stops you’re passing, and you can decide if you want to get out or keep driving. Plus, it works offline, which is a perfect since service in the park is almost nonexistent.
- Keep your eyes peeled – Wildlife is everywhere. We saw bison, elk, deer, and bears! Bring binoculars if you have them — I didn’t, and that’s one thing I really wish I had for this trip. This is an affordable, but highly rated pair from Amazon!
- Always keep a safe distance – Especially from larger animals like bison, moose, and bears. Remember, a car is often the safest way to get close views!
- Parking patience – Parking can be tricky, especially later in the day at popular stops like Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful. We hit those around 3-4 PM on a Friday and somehow got lucky, but you might have to wait or be flexible. Bring your patience and enjoy the views — even a short wait is worth it.
- Dress in layers and wear comfy shoes – Weather in Yellowstone can be unpredictable, even in summer. You might start in a chilly foggy valley and end the day in the sun. Good walking shoes are a must since you’ll be hopping in and out of the car a lot.
- Entrance Fees – A private vehicle pass costs $35 and is valid for 7 days. If you’re visiting multiple national parks, I definitely recommend getting the America the Beautiful Pass. It’s $80 and gets you into all U.S. national parks and federal lands for one year—totally worth it if you’re park-hopping like we did.
- Cell Service – Don’t count on having reliable service in the park. If you don’t do Shaka Guide, be sure to download offline maps from Google Maps or the Yellowstone National Park app before you go.
- Bear Spray – Carry bear spray if you’re doing any hiking. It’s available for rent or purchase near the park, and rangers give clear instructions on how to use it.
- Book accommodations in advance – To lock in deals and get the best prices I definitely recommend booking your stay in advance, we waited until a month before and every single day we watched prices continue to rise.
Where to Stay in Yellowstone
For our trip we actually stayed about 30 minutes from the park in Idaho. My friend was able to book us a place with points, so it was free, and since our 10-day Wyoming and Montana road trip was definitely not cheap (even split 4 ways), we were trying to save where we could.
That being said, I don’t have personal experience with the Yellowstone hotels I’m about to share, but after being in the area and doing a ton of research, these are the ones that came up again and again as solid, highly rated options I’d personally look at for next time.
West Yellowstone is one of the most convenient areas to stay outside of the park. It’s only minutes from the West Entrance, and you’ll find a good range of hotels. Two budget-friendly (using that term loosely, because it’s all expensive here) but comfortable options are Yellowstone Westgate Hotel and Gray Wolf Inn & Suites.
Since you’ll really just be at your hotel to sleep after long days exploring, your top priorities here are location and a comfy bed.
If you prefer, you can also stay inside the park at some of Yellowstone’s historic lodges like Old Faithful Inn and the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Or if you’re down to camp, there are 12 campgrounds spread across the park. Some are reservable while others are first-come, first-served. Just keep in mind that campgrounds here can fill up quickly during peak season, so you’ll want to plan ahead if camping is on your list.
For all available options in West Yellowstone for your dates, check here.
Are you ready to spend one day in Yellowstone?!
Spending one day in Yellowstone is definitely enough to give you a taste of its magic and hopefully get in some epic wildlife spotting! Of course, you could spend weeks here and still not see it all, but even a short visit will leave you in awe. I hope this guide helps you plan the perfect adventure—what’s the first stop on your Yellowstone bucket list?
Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other US blog posts:
Mighty 5 National Parks Utah road trip
How to spend 3 days in Portland, Oregon
