Discovering Yellowstone’s Enchanting Wildlife, Indigenous Culture, and Less-Trodden Paths

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is brimming with sights, including volcanic plateaus, alpine valleys, and majestic mountain ranges. Thanks to the volcanic caldera hidden beneath, you'll find geothermal features that are truly one-of-a-kind.

Spanning 3,472 square miles in Northwestern Wyoming (with small parts in Montana and Idaho), the park is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the contiguous United States, including the renowned reintroduced wolves. With over 3 million visitors annually, there are countless reasons to explore Yellowstone National Park. Here are some insider tips on what to know and where to go during your visit.

Discover the geological wonders of Yellowstone

The first volcanic eruption of what scientists refer to as the “sleeping giant” beneath Yellowstone occurred 2.1 million years ago, blanketing the western United States in up to a foot of ash. (No need to fret; the last eruption took place 70,000 years ago.)

At the National Historic Landmark of Obsidian Cliff, molten lava that flowed beneath the park solidified into sharp black obsidian, which was used for toolmaking over 11,000 years ago. Enjoy the stunning dark cliffs of obsidian along the roughly 20-mile stretch of Grand Loop Road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin.

Next, embark on a four-hour hike past vibrant wildflowers and bighorn sheep to reach the 10,219-foot peak of nearby Mount Washburn, named after former U.S. Representative Henry Washburn. For breathtaking blues and greens, journey a couple of hours southwest to the Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser Basin.

Your visit to the world’s greatest concentration of geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and steam vents wouldn’t be complete without a walk along the boardwalks of the oldest and hottest, Norris Geyser Basin, located in the northern part of the park next to the remnants of a 600,000-year-old volcanic explosion, known as Mammoth Hot Springs.

“Old Faithful and the geysers in that area are definitely worth a visit, but I also suggest checking out the Fountain Paint Pots and Artists Paint Pots mud pots [hot springs filled with boiling mud] to truly appreciate the variety of hydrothermal features Yellowstone has to offer,” says U.S. Geological Survey and Volcano Science Center geologist Mark Stelten, who is researching the magma beneath Yellowstone and potential triggers for future eruptions.

While many are familiar with Old Faithful, one of the best vantage points for viewing the geyser is from the porch of the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center, which opened in 2022 to celebrate the region’s tribal communities through stories and art. Here, visitors can listen to presentations from individuals with ancestral connections to the tribes linked to the park. Alyssa McGeeley, a member of the Muscogee Nation with Yuchi heritage, is creating a strategic plan for tribal engagement in the park and recommends visiting sites rich in Indigenous history: “Sheepeater Cliff [in the northern section of the park] was once home to traditional wickiup lodges made of wooden poles, and Nez Perce Creek [in the park’s northeast] is a peaceful area that echoes the 1877 Flight of the Nez Perce.”

Observe a wide variety of wildlife

Wildlife conservation in Yellowstone has advanced more than ever before, despite habitat disruptions caused by rising temperatures and unpredictable precipitation linked to human-induced climate change. In 2003, Yellowstone was removed from UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites in danger, marking a significant achievement.

A prime location for wildlife viewing is Hayden Valley, named after Ferdinand Hayden, who led the first federally funded geological survey in 1871, persuading the U.S. government to designate Yellowstone as the first national park. Stop at one of the scenic viewpoints in this central 50-square-mile area to spot coyotes, grizzly bears, wolves, and bison.

In Lamar Valley, near the park’s northern entrance, you're likely to encounter elk, moose, grizzly bears, badgers, bald eagles, pronghorn, osprey, deer, coyotes, and the largest herd of wild bison in the park. If you're fortunate, you might even find these majestic animals in the Tower-Roosevelt area in the park's north. This herd represents the last wild group of American plains bison, which have continuously inhabited Yellowstone since prehistoric times. The National Park Service played a crucial role in rescuing the herd from extinction by raising 21 bison in Lamar Valley to replenish the dwindling population in the 20th century.

Another conservation success in Lamar Valley is the gray wolf. Completely eradicated by park rangers in 1926, these intelligent animals were reintroduced from western Canada in 1995 and were removed from the endangered list in 2017. For a serene experience, consider visiting this valley in the winter when it's blissfully quiet.

Stay in and around the park

Opened in 1903, the Old Faithful Inn is one of the last remaining log hotels in the U.S. and holds the title of the largest log structure globally. This architectural wonder has shaped the log-and-wood frame style prevalent in many U.S. national parks today. For a charming eco-friendly experience, consider Canyon Lodge and Cabins, and don’t miss the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins, a year-round destination within Yellowstone.

If you’re up for an adventure outside the park, try glamping at Under Canvas West Yellowstone, just a 10-minute drive from the West Entrance, or explore the scenic Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, located 30 miles away in Paradise Valley, Montana.