The Ultimate Guide to a Day Trip Through Yellowstone

What would you do if you only had one day to visit Yellowstone National Park? Well you would plan to make the most of it and see as much as possible! A day trip through Yellowstone National Park can be an incredible experience, but keep in mind that Yellowstone is a vast park with many attractions, so you won’t be able to see everything in just one day. To fully explore all of Yellowstone you need a few days, but not everyone has all that time available. 

Below you will find information on different driving routes through the park, things to see and other useful tips as you plan a day trip through Yellowstone. I guarantee you will find lots of useful information no matter which route you take.

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History

Yellowstone National Park became the world’s first national park in 1872 by President Ulysses S Grant. With the park’s unique geological features, including geysers, hot springs and vast landscapes, Yellowstone was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Yellowstone is 2,219,789 acres in area and is predominantly located in Wyoming with only 3% in Montana and 1% in Idaho. 

If you are wondering, the infamous “train station” from the TV Series Yellowstone, is actually based on a real location called the “Zone of Death” and is located on the Idaho section of the Park.

Indigenous Ties

Well before Yellowstone became a park , Native American people hunted, explored, fished, and used the resources of the land for living, medicinal and religious reasons. It is recognized to have historic connections to at least 27 tribes including Crow, Shoshone, Assiniboine and Sioux and Blackfeet. The Crow tribe called it the “land of the burning ground.”

The indigenous people tried to preserve the pristine wilderness that was untouched by human interference, until the park became a National Park in 1872 which marked the end of the indigenous presence within the boundaries of the park.

Wildlife

There is an abundance of wildlife that can be found within the park. 67 species of mammals, not including reptiles and amphibians, call the park it’s home.

The most common wildlife you could see are bison, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn, white-tailed deer. If you are lucky (or unlucky) enough you may catch a glimpse of one of the predators found here, including black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, cougars or coyotes. We were lucky enough to see some bison on our drive through.

TIP: Keep a safe distance from ALL wildlife and be aware of your surroundings. If you are hiking in the park, carry bear spray. If you are driving through, stay in your car and respect the wildlife. Bring a pair of binoculars to admire nature from a distance.

With almost 300 species of birds located in the park, there is definitely a good chance you will have a sighting. Many of these species are migratory, so they pass through during the spring and summer months, some nesting in the park. I was lucky enough to find a pair of sandhill cranes when driving through which was a highlight of the trip for me! 

TIP: View birds from a distance. The use of audio bird calls is illegal in the park.

Planning Your Day Trip Through Yellowstone

Hours of Operation & Access

Yellowstone National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. During the summer, all the roads are open, but there is a good chance you will encounter construction like we did, which added an hour of delay. Many roads are closed during the late fall until early spring, so ensure you check the park roads when you are planning your day trip through Yellowstone. 

Cell phone coverage is available but many areas are dead zones. So don’t rely on constant coverage the whole time in the park. It’s helpful to have a map of the park ahead of time, but you will receive one when you enter the park.

Fees

$35 per private vehicle for 7 days. For information on other fee options, click here. America the Beautiful pass holders, get the cost of entry into the park covered. It is recommended to buy your pass online in advance to stay time when entering the park.

 Pets

A big deterrence to visiting Yellowstone National Park for some people is that dogs are not allowed in most areas of the park. The only places that your dog is allowed is in parking areas, campgrounds and along the roads. Dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails, day use and picnic areas or playgrounds.

If you visit Yellowstone during the summer, please ensure you keep them cool by keeping windows open, water available and keep your car running with the air conditioning on. We did find that the only place we could get relatively close with my pup, without any issues was Old Faithful.

Food Options

There are 20 restaurants throughout Yellowstone that offer grab and go, quick service or full service meals during your visit. If you want to connect with nature, then pack a picnic and visit one of the 52 day use or picnic areas located in the park. Note, there are no garbage or recycling bins in the picnic areas, so remember to carry out all garbage to prevent attracting wildlife.

Visitors Center

There are ten visitor and information centers located throughout the park. Visit a center to talk with an expert, learn about the park’s resources through the interpretive displays and exhibits, find maps and suggestions for the park and spend your money on the local tourist things that we all love to buy. I may have spent too much money in the gift shop!

Entrances to the Park

There are 5 entrances into the park and all of them lead to the Grand Loop Road, where you will find most of the main attractions. The Grand Loop is 142 miles (230 kms) but you wouldn’t have enough time to properly see all the landmarks. If you drive the Lower Loop you can see most of the main attractions. But it all depends on the time you have to spend in the park or if you are just driving through.

The speed limit maximum is 45 mph and slower in some areas. There are winding roads and often wildlife traffic blocks, so be prepared that you could spend the full day in the Park. There are a few gas stations in the park, but ensure you have a tank full of gas to avoid paying the higher prices in the park.

The below map shows you all the driving routes through the park, main attractions to see, distance and approximate times, assuming no major traffic delays.

We entered from the East entrance (Cody, Wyoming) and exited from the North Entrance (Gardiner, Montana). We followed the routes, driving by Yellowstone Lake, Lake Bridge Bay Marina, West Thumb, Old Faithful, Madison, Norris and Mammoth Springs. Including our stops at attractions, visitor centre, lunch, and traffic delays, we spent 8 hours in the park. 

TIP: Start your day early to make the most of your time. If you can arrive by 8:00am you will have a head start on the traffic.

Things to See

Mammoth Hot Springs

If you are entering (or leaving) from the North Entrance, Mammoth Hot Springs is an interesting site that showcases the unique geothermal formations created by hot water and minerals. The area is made up of the Lower Terrace area (at the bottom) and Upper Terrace (on the hill). It doesn’t take long to see it on foot if you venture in.

If you don’t have time to stop, you can see it from the road as you drive by. As you can see, we saw alot of elk.

Note. The drive out of Yellowstone, before you hit Mammoth Hot Springs, was a real fun drive! Trust me, it’s a great way to end the day in the park!

Lamar Valley & Hayden Valley

If you can make a trip towards the east side of the park, south of Canyon, you will be hit with some of the best landscapes and opportunities to see lots of wildlife, especially bison. Some people call this area the “Serengeti of North America”. If you can keep driving through, you will eventually hit a stunning view of the mountains.

Looking for a guided tour through Yellowstone? There are lots of options for both audio and private tours with additional activities that can be done to explore the park.

Wondering where you can stay that is near Yellowstone? If you want to extend your day trip and spend a few extra days in the area, there are many options for lodging in the park, or in nearby city of Cody.

Tips For Your Day Trip Through Yellowstone

• Be prepared for changing weather; dress in layers and bring rain gear. Download a road trip packing list.
• There are many easy hikes in Yellowstone that you can partake in
• Stay on designated trails and boardwalks to protect yourself and the park’s fragile ecosystems.
• Keep a safe distance from all wildlife, especially bison and bears
• Find your connection to these natural wonders and savour every moment

While this itinerary covers some of the park’s highlights, there’s so much more to explore on a day trip through Yellowstone. If you have more time, consider spending at least a couple of days in the area to fully experience the park’s diverse landscapes, geothermal features, and wildlife.

If you are looking to plan a day trip through Yellowstone, or a longer stay in Wyoming, check out my posts on a northern Wyoming road trip and Places to Stay in Wyoming.

If you are totally excited but don’t know where to start, or need some help with planning, feel free to check out our custom planning services, so I can help you create the perfect itinerary so you can experience Wyoming and feel a connection to nature!

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