How far is cody wyoming from the east entrance of yellowstone

Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedJul 19, 2021

How long is the drive from Cody to Yellowstone National Park?

The direct drive from Cody to Yellowstone National Park is 88.3 mi (142 km), and should have a drive time of 2 hrs 22 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Cody to Yellowstone National Park, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center and Buffalo Bill State Park, or the ever-popular Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center.

30 stops

Cities / Attractions

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The top stops along the way from Cody to Yellowstone National Park (with short detours) are Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Lamar River, and Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center. Other popular stops include Thumb Geyser, Artist Point, and Hayden Valley.

1

Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center

Historical landmark

Nature & Parks

History & facts about the concrete arch dam through film & taxidermy, plus close-up reservoir views.

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Great place to visit and definitely a must see if you're traveling to or from the east side Yellowstone NP. Great views at the top of the dam and visitor center is also pretty nice.

This is a dam neat place to visit 😉 very beautiful scenery and a nice visitor center with lots of info and historical artifacts. Its a little bit of a walk to get from the parking area over to the dam / visitor center but there is stand with a button you can push over by the parking area you can push and one of the friendly staff will drive over with a golf cart and pick you up.

Impressive piece of engineering, especially for the early 20 century! It's worth to stop and spend about some time here enjoying the views and the story of building it, full of hardships and bad luck.

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4.5(881)

4808 N Fork Hwy, Cody, WY 82414, USA

2

Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center

Historical landmark

Nature & Parks

History & facts about the concrete arch dam through film & taxidermy, plus close-up reservoir views.

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Great place to visit and definitely a must see if you're traveling to or from the east side Yellowstone NP. Great views at the top of the dam and visitor center is also pretty nice.

This is a dam neat place to visit 😉 very beautiful scenery and a nice visitor center with lots of info and historical artifacts. Its a little bit of a walk to get from the parking area over to the dam / visitor center but there is stand with a button you can push over by the parking area you can push and one of the friendly staff will drive over with a golf cart and pick you up.

Impressive piece of engineering, especially for the early 20 century! It's worth to stop and spend about some time here enjoying the views and the story of building it, full of hardships and bad luck.

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4.5(881)

4808 N Fork Hwy, Cody, WY 82414, USA

3

Buffalo Bill State Park

Campgrounds are available at this state park along with picnic areas, trails & other activities.

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Buffalo Bill State Park is one of the best places for camping near Yellowstone National Park. It’s just 10 miles from Cody, Wyoming and 40 miles from the park’s east entrance. This campground has two reservable camping areas, one with 37 sites and the other with 62 sites, plus a group camping area.

Absurdly gorgeous here. This is the old town of Marquette, later was flooded and is now this resivoir. There is camping here that can be reserved on line. The dam has a visitor center during summer hours. Great fishing here with boat ramps to drop your boat. If just here for a day trip or a over night trip it is well worth your time.

Buffalo bill state park is a hidden gem for sure. Clean, ample space for rv and tent sites. Vault toilets, but clean. The only downside is the coin operated showers at $1/ 3 mins which is not only pricey but a little unnecessary since you’re paying upwards of $40/night+ for camping…but I understand since it’s near Yellowstone.

We had a blast at Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The water is cool, but enjoyable. The rocks and fossils, drift wood around the beaches made this old rock hound happy. The kids played all day, the wife read a book. Total success! Stunning part of world is Cody Wyoming…we shall be back for more fun.

4.4(226)

4.5(114)

4192 N Fork Hwy, Cody, WY 82414, USA

4

Dead Indian Summit Overlook

Sights & Landmarks

Nature & Wildlife Areas

Lookouts

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Beautiful overlook along the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. One of our favorite stretches of highway in the area for motorcycle rides. Very fun corners and awesome views headed either direction.

An hour from Cody. Arrive early to feed chipmunks and watch the sun come up over the breathtaking mountains. Great place to stop on the way to the North Yellowstone entrance.

Amazing lookout over mountain ranges. There are plaques that explain where the Nez Perce tribe ran from the soldiers. There are 2 restrooms also. Highway 296 (Chief Jones Highway) is an amazing and beautiful drive to get from the East entrance to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone and to Beartooth Pass.

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5.0(72)

Chief Joseph Hwy, Cody, WY 82414, USA

5

Rand Creek Ranch

Ranch

Outdoor Activities

Fishing camp

Hiking area

Horseback riding service

Horseback Riding Tours

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Great trail ride! We did the 2 hour ride and saw some great scenery. Wonderful horses, great guides, loved the ranch dogs too! Very clean place, well cared for horses and friendly people! Highly recommend!

Great place to stay between Cody and Yellowstone. Cabins are well maintained and clean. Very comfortable beds, and the views are spectacular. Took the 2 hour trail ride and had a blast. Great place to visit.

We had an awesome experience here. Very accommodating with all questions and needs. Crystal was a great host and her hands on the ranch were personable and fun. Cabins were clean and comfortable. We will be back to experience again.

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5.0(19)

3080 N Fork Hwy, Wapiti, WY 82450, USA

6

Clarks Fork Picnic Area

Picnic ground

Nature & Parks

Campground

Hiking Trails

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This is a fun stop when driving into yellowstone. Hiking trails, river access for fishing or swimming, or could be used as a picnic stop. There is some great history plaques and beautiful view of the falls.

Great place to start to explore the river and trails around the region.

This pleasant spot on the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River provides excellent views from elevated walkways and a bridge to see the water of the river tumbling through a very narrow gap. And the interpretive signs tell an interesting historical story.

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7

Skyline Guest Ranch & Guide Service

Bed & breakfast

Tours

Fishing camp

Horseback riding service

Lodge

Ranch

Sightseeing Tours

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We had a great time there, comfy bedroom and a tasteful breakfast in the morning, we will go back in the future to stay longer and enjoy the different amenities that this place offers

What a wonderful experience! Beautiful rooms. Wonderful homemade breakfasts and cookies each morning. Very comfortable lodge experience! You hardly knew the hosts were there. Stayed 2 nights for snowmobiling. Met really nice people coming through the lodge. Rooms are comfy and adorable.

A really lovely family owned and operated place to stay just outside of Cooke City. We were looking for accommodations in the area so we could be at the YNP Northeast entrance before sunrise to do some wildlife watching, and came across Skyline Guest Ranch. We arrived pretty late to check in but Liz and her husband were so welcoming and made us feel right at home after a long day of traveling, they even gave us some homemade cookies. Our room was clean and comfortable, everything felt very warm and cozy since it is a log style home. We didn't stay long enough to really enjoy the beautiful property but we could tell it is definitely a special place and wouldn't hesitate to come back. Thank you Liz and family for hosting us during our short stay!

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5.0(19)

31 Kersey Lake Rd, Cooke City-Silver Gate, MT 59020, USA

8

Yellowstone Trading Post

Variety store

Museums

Natural History Museums

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Very friendly staff! Gave us tips on wildlife in Yellowstone and even let us step outside to try 3 different pairs of binoculars before buying.

Big store, with a cool area showing animals common to the area. Lots and lots of shirts and a wide range of other cool souvenirs. Conveniently located as you come into town on the main road. Cool exterior, with a big grizzly bear above the entrance.

I visited in May 2018 and was surprised. I met bulgarian student who worked there....

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4.5(49)

E, 207 Main St, Cooke City, MT 59020, USA

9

Cooke City Store

General store

Shopping

Grocery store

Gift & Specialty Shops

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Cool old west style store, its like steppig back in time.

Historic building with a small store inside. Very pleasant person working the counter.

Nice Old Time General Store! They didn't have much but happy they had Spaghetti noodles and sauce so we didn't have to eat at the SUBPAR Miners Saloon again! The BBQ joint was good but we needed to switch it up! Much appreciated!

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4.5(41)

101 Main St, Cooke City, MT 59020, USA

10

Cooke City Montana Museum

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Located just a couple of miles from the North East entrance to Yellowstone Park. Closest entrance to Lamar Valley where you find it full of Bison. Staff was very knowledgeable concerning the area including Yellowstone Park. Recommend stopping in and picking up a state map of Wyoming and Montana.

Lovely place to stop for great history & views of the area. Nice facilities, historic artifacts, and wifi!

Great place to learn the history of the area. Free WiFi with nice rest rooms. Friendly staff. Enjoyed learning more. Picnic table outside to rest. Walking distance to other shops and restaurants.

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4.5(33)

206 Main St, Cooke City, MT 59020, USA

11

Trout Lake

Lake

Nature & Parks

Hiking Trails

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The Trout Lake Trail is located 30 miles northeast of Mount Washburn and, with level terrain, well-kept paths and an achievable loop just over a mile long, is a perfect option for families traveling with young adventurers looking for an easy hike. The trail’s namesake body of water presents some of Yellowstone’s most gorgeous vistas, often reflecting the surrounding landscape rich in Douglas firs in its calm, crystalline waters.

This is a short and steep lollipop hike to a beautiful mountain lake that offers plenty of opportunities to see wildlife. The Trout Lake Trailhead can be found at a small pullout about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) south of Pebble Creek Campground on the Northeast Entrance Road. After leaving the parking area, the trail begins a moderate climb through Douglas-fir forest.

At the eastern end of Lamar Valley, we did a short 1.6 mile hike up and around Trout Lake. Mile for mile this was probably the lowest effort, highest reward hike in Yellowstone. You go up only a few 100 feet and end up at this spectacular little mountain lake. It was reflecting the sky like a mirror.

Distance: 1.2 milesTime: 1-2 hoursDifficulty: Easy This is a good one for kids, a steep but still fairly relaxed path just out to Trout Lake and back. In the summertime you can see the rainbow-cutthroat hybrid trout pretty close-up, and on a good day some adorable otters, too.

Source: Photo by Flickr user PebblePicJay used under CC BY 2.0. Photo is only for illustrative purposes. Suitable for hikers of all ages, the trails at Trout Lake are easily accessible by locals and tourists.

Beautiful lake off the beaten path. It’s a tough uphill hike to get there but luckily it’s short and the view once you arrive is worth it. Take the time to walk the trail around the lake. Bring bug spray as in the summer the flies are pretty bad!

Peaceful stroll around Trout Lake situated with in the Lamar Valley. The lake is located on a hill, and feels somewhat secluded from everything else. As you walk the circuit, enjoy surrounding views of the mountain ranges in the far distance. On a calm day, the water is completely still that a perfect reflection is visible. While named after fish, we did not see much of the water creatures except for a pair of ducks. Enjoy the moment.

Nice lake in Yellowstone National Park to hike around. Beautiful scenery. A little steep going up the hill but definitely worth it.

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Lamar River

River

Sights & Landmarks

Scenic Drives

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Lamar Valley is another popular spot in Yellowstone for wildlife viewing and is one of the only areas of the park where visitors have a higher chance of seeing wolves in the wild. Herds of bison can also be seen here, as well as coyotes, pronghorns, elk, and bears. For the best chance of viewing wildlife, drive through the Lamar Valley in the early morning or late evening.

Sometimes referred to as America’s Serengeti, this section of Yellowstone provides some of the best wildlife viewing in the park. Located in the northeastern corner of Yellowstone, the Lamar Valley is home to large herds of buffalo and is also where visitors have the best chance of spotting wolves. At least one wolf pack, sometimes two, typically reside in this valley.

Wildlife watching is one of the big attractions of Yellowstone National Park, and the Lamar Valley is where you’ll see some of its most spectacular creatures – so much so that the area is often referred to as ‘America’s Serengeti’. Keep your eye out for bison, elk, wolves and coyotes roaming across awe-inspiring landscapes. Look to the sky for bald eagles and osprey.

One of the best things to do in Yellowstone is wildlife watching. The park is home to more than 200 species of animals, from grizzly bears to bald eagles. If you want to witness herds of American bison wandering in their natural habit, head to Lamar Valley, which, however, it is often ignored by visitors due to its remote location.

One of the best things to do in Yellowstone is wildlife watching. The park is home to more than 200 species of animals, from grizzly bears to bald eagles. If you want to see herds of American bison roaming in their natural habit, head to Lamar Valley, which visitors often ignore due to its remote location.

Lamar Valley is often called ‘America’s Serengeti’ due to the amount of wildlife you can enjoy. It is in the northeast ernpart of Yellowstone and is home to the Lamar River, a Yellowstone River tributary. We saw hundreds of bison here, a ton of elk, several pronghorns, and a black bear and its cub.

One of the best activities in Yellowstone is spotting wildlife, and Lamar Valley is a fantastic place to spot them. Since some roads are closed in 2021, it might be challenging to drive to this area, but this is an excellent spot if you want to spot even more wildlife other than Hayden Valley.

Another popular wildlife viewing area in Yellowstone is Lamar Valley, located in the northeastern part of the park. Lamar Valley is a great area to spot bison, bears, coyotes, and wolves. Like Hayden Valley, the hours after sunrise and before sunset are the best time to spot wildlife.

Known as America’s Serengeti, Lamar Valley is a hotspot for seeing populations of wildlife, particularly bison, bears, pronghorns, and coyotes. Stretching at 29 miles, a drive through the scenic valley is an experience you and your family wouldn’t want to miss.

Lamar Valley is one of the best places to see wolves, bears, buffaloes, and coyotes. It is located in the northeastern corner of the park often called America’s Serengeti. If you want to increase your chances of seeing animals definitely go to Lamar Valley.

Known as the best place in Yellowstone National Park for   wild animal viewings. As soon as you enter Lamar Valley and cross the Yellowstone River its as if you’ve crossed into a whole different world. One untouched by human hands, where animals roam free.

Best place for spotting wolves, eagles, bears, elks, pronghorns and Bisons in their natural habitat. The Lamar Valley is a must visit while on your Yellowstone vacation. The best time to see these animals is at dawn or dusk, when they are most active.

Lamar ValleyYellowstone National Park, WY 82190(307) 344-7381. See Ticket Price for Tour that Includes This Activity. The Lamar Valley is one of the best destinations to observe wildlife and enjoy spectacular views of the landscape.

One of the absolute best things to do in Yellowstone is to watch wildlife. Lamar Valley is one of the best places to see bison and other wildlife in Yellowstone. Yet it is overlooked by most tourists due to its remote location.

There are a number of wolf packs that roam the area as well as bison, bears, bald eagles, deer, and coyotes. Throughout the valley there are lots of pullouts which are great places to view the wildlife.

Lamar Valley is one of the best places in the park to spot wildlife. Bears are frequently seen here, along with foxes, coyotes. and the park’s elusive wolf packs.

Get up close and personal with buffalo, bears, elk, antelope, bald eagles, coyotes, wolves and more in this wildlife hotspot.

One of the best places to visit in Yellowstone National Park. Full of wildlife

Beautiful part of Yellowstone NP. We went there for sunset and got to so much wildlife! A herd of Bison, bear, large elk, and even wolves! Definitely worth the drive from any part of Yellowstone

Best spot to view wildlife in Yellowstone! We saw several pronghorn, a couple wolves and about 1000 buffalo!

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13

Yellowstone River Picnic Area

Picnic ground

Nature & Parks

Nature & Wildlife Areas

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Distance: 3.7 milesTime: 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Moderate This one takes you up the east rim of the Narrows, the tightest section of the Yellowstone River canyon, and you’ll see huge basalt columns and steaming hydrothermal vents on the way. As far as wildlife goes, you’re looking for bighorn sheep, but keep an eye out for peregrine falcons, too.

The cliffs above the Yellowstone River from the Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail. Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 3.7 miles (6km) round trip | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours. This lightly trafficked trail was one of my favourite hikes in Yellowstone.

A scenic hiking trail leaves from the picnic area and provides great views into Yellowstone River Canyon. The trail begins with a steep ascent from the picnic area, but after about 200 feet of elevation gain the trail levels off and follows the river upstream (southeast). You cannot access the river from the trail (if you want to access the river, hike down to the bridge near the picnic area, or take the trail from Canyon Falls). Watch your step along the trail because it is a very steep drop into the canyon below, and I would not bring small children on the trail for safety reasons. It's an out-and-back hike, about 1.5 miles one way (3 miles round trip). Along the way, you can see people on the other side of the river at some of the scenic turnouts near Canyon Falls. There's not much shade, so on a sunny day, consider using sunscreen. Enjoy!

Facilities are clean and accessible. Few tables are shaded, and those that are have to deal with little tree worms. Trails that start there are amazing, so don't overlook them.

Good area for a picnic and a short hike after eating. We wanted lunch and shade. We found the opportunity here. It was a short walk to our table and there were 6 right beside the parking lot. Most of the tables had shade. There is a nice trail leading to an overlook of the Yellowstone river.

4.7(37)

4.5(13)

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA

14

Lost Lake

Lake

Nature & Parks

Hiking Trails

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4.5(20)

15

Mud Volcano

Nature & Parks

Hot Springs & Geysers

Volcanos

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The Mud Volcano geothermal area is located adjacent to Hayden Valley, perfect for anyone that wants to see some spooky geothermal action after seeing some wildlife. Unlike the name suggests, mud volcanoes aren’t towering giants that spew out mud, tormenting anyone that dares to get close. Mud volcanoes are ore like muddy pits, like a witch’s cauldron.

Mud Volcano makes up the second of two thermal attractions on the eastern side of Yellowstone (along with West Thumb). It is a complete contrast to West Thumbs calmness and still waters. You can expect loud, gargling and unruly bubbling mud pots, plus smelly acidic geysers here at Mud Volcano.

When exploring Yellowstone National Park, visitors should not overlook a visit to Mud Volcano. Located just north of Yellowstone Lake, the Mud Volcano area includes over a dozen unique geothermal features. Many volcanoes once erupted here long before Yellowstone became a national park.

My favorite place of all. Hard to believe this boiling hot mud. Take the stairs side to go up. Could be a difficult climb and this side is shaded and resting platforms. The other side is a straight up hill path. Much easier to come down. Fascinating!

Quite a unique experience to see boiling mud. Also there are a good collection of thermal springs in the area.

Very cool and full of smells, sights, and sounds on a boardwalk trail. Only 2/3 mile easy walk. Dragon's Mouth is very cool to hear and see. Don't miss this quick stop.

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4.5(464)

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA

16

Dragons Mouth Spring

Spring

Nature & Parks

Bodies of Water

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Living up to its name, the Dragon’s Mouth Springs - located at Hayden Valley, spits out ominous steam and hissing sounds.

This area is unlike all the other hot springs in the park. There is boiling mud and a cave which sounds like a dragon is living within. A short walk on a boardwalk from the parking lot but most definitely worth the visit. The trail is also setup as a one way trail so it is easier to socially distant and stay safe!

impressing place with hot water spurting sounds and steams. DONT NEED TO GO UP THE TRAIL. its steep and nothing special upthere.

Amazing! THis was so cool to watch, it was like it wasn't real. Enjoyed it very much. Follow me at Jeff Mullins Photography Adventures. Happy Hiking!

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4.5(365)

17

Hayden Valley

Ravine

Nature & Parks

Nature & Wildlife Areas

Vast meadows along the Yellowstone River & iconic viewing area for bufallo, grizzly bears & elks.

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After the West Thumb Geyser Basin, we drove through Hayden Valley around sunset and ran into our first bison. This was early on, so we stopped and gazed. By our last day in Yellowstone you’re just like — “bison, whatevs”. It’s like seeing a squirrel at that point.

Nice place with lots of Bisons. Valley is green and you can catch glimpse of rainbow on clear day.

Loved it! So calm and peaceful with such a beautiful scenery! Got to see couple of bisons here and deer with fawns! The drive is very scenic although make sure to take couple of stops at the pullouts and enjoy the view and let it soak in.

Amazing to see the rolling plains of grass surrounded by mountains with rivers winding through the valley. It is amazing to see animals like bison and deer in their natural habitat and you can get so close to the animals too

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4.5(993)

18

Artist Point

Peninsula

Sights & Landmarks

Popular overlook on the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River with dramatic views of a waterfall.

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Definitely a great vantage point with nearly no walk required to view the Yellowstone waterfalls.

since there are so many places to see the falls this spot was hard to find. GPS and phones dont work in the park. suggest yoy highlight a paper map of where you want to go before you start your trip

Another beauty in the Yellowstone national Park. The view is simply wow. If you want to know more about this spot you can find a ranger trying to tell you more about this place.

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19

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Ravine

Nature & Parks

Canyons

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Quite stunning. Actually much more impressive than the actual Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a picturesque place with canyons and a river cutting through the middle. It has a lot of viewing points and the canyons look amazing. There are a couple of half a mile to a mile treks here to see a nice view of the grand canyon. It also has a the upper and the lower water falls which are beautiful and you get to sit near the waterfall as well. A definite must visit on your trip to Yellowstone National Park.

O what to say about this place! Very Unique and Very Beautiful!!! I’ve never seen such a beautiful canyon with colorful rocks and river! The trail down to ‘Brink of lower falls’ is a little less than 3/4th of a mile but the drop is about 270ft, therefore, walking down is super easy but coming back up needs a lot of effort, but it’s totally WORTH IT!!! Same deal with ‘Lower Lookout Point’. Inspiration point justifies the name!

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20

Canyon Village

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If so, I would do the Cody rodeo on your way in then do Yellowstone first, starting North at Mammoth Hot Springs and drive down to Old Faithful Inn then around to Canyon Village and then back down towards the Tetons and Jackson. You could also maybe make a game time decision based on the best weather for whitewater rafting!. Feel free to drop me a person email if you want to discuss more options or even hop on the phone and discuss what you potentially could drop off the trip. The best part of your adventure though is then your drive back home from the Tetons will be a little bit different to stop!

From Mammoth Hot Springs, either retrace your route south through Norris, or head east to Tower-Roosevelt and then make your way to Canyon Village. Check out the visitor center here to learn all about the Yellowstone Super Volcano, and grab a quick lunch at the Canyon Lodge Cafeteria.

We had lunch back at Canyon Village and then the others wanted to rest a little. I went back out and checked out the Mud Volcano area in the intermittent rain. I did the boardwalk there in about an hour. It was cool in the light rain.

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21

Canyon Visitor Education Center

Hands-on displays & animations about Yellowstone Caldera, plus park info, fishing permits & gifts.

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This major center is well worth a visit for its innovative and interactive displays on Yellowstone’s geology. The highlight is a room-sized relief model of the park, which will help you visualize the terrain of your upcoming hike. Twenty-minute movies play on the hour and half-hour, and there are afternoon ranger talks for children.

If you want to learn more about the history of Yellowstone Park and the giant volcano, we recommend visiting the Canyon Visitor Education Center at Canyon Village. There is a beautiful model of the entire park and Yellowstone Caldera. You can also see the model of past explosions of this giant supervolcano.

Information, bookstore, and vending are available during open hours, while restrooms are available 24 hours a day. Hours and Seasons: Open daily late spring through mid-fall, with extended hours during the summer season.

Clean restrooms, good market for "stuff" and snacks for the trails, and very helpful information. *TOWER ROAD/TOWER FALLS CLOSED* Park Ranger at Canyon Visitor Center gave us other suggestion to try out hike to Artist Point along South Rim of the canyon. Amazing!!! Pictures will never do.it justice!

Great centrally located information center. We saw a Bison 🦬 just outside the center. What a way to welcome the guests to the visitor center and introduce them to 🦬 Bisons.

The canyon is a neat place to visit. After a long trek, it was a good place to find a restroom. Tour the educational displays, talk to a ranger to get suggestions for best viewing as well as to learn about the science behind all that your seeing. Yellowstone has hidden gems that are not on the maps, that you will only find by spending time with the rangers. We fould them all to be very knowledgeable and helpful. The shop keepers and gift shop employees are friendly and know their stores, but not the park. Step outside and find one of the rangers who will be roaming around teaching and answering questions. There are shops and restaurants that share the parking lot. We even found a bottle filling station near the bottles they were selling.

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Yellowstone National Park, Parking lot, Canyon Villiage, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA

22

S Rim Trail

Sights & Landmarks

Historic Walking Areas

Canyons

4.5(221)

23

Uncle Tom's Trail

Sights & Landmarks

Historic Walking Areas

This 0.7-mi. trail, built in 1898, has a steep stairway descent to an observation point & waterfall.

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Popular and very scenic, Uncle Tom’s Trail is not for weekend warriors. To get from the highest point of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to the bottom of the Lower Falls, which drop 308 feet, you have to go down 500 feet, descending 328 steep steps. No problem, you think, until you have to come back all the way up.

We started from Uncle Toms and hiked along the canyon to Artist’s Point. We got amazing views into the canyon and falls the whole way. Beyond Artist’s Point we hiked towards Sublime Point, turning to a little lake, and then back to our car along the inside past a backcountry thermal area. That was super cool.

Uncle Tom’s Trail takes you from the top of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to the base of the Lower Falls. A challenging hike, it involves around 328 steps to reach the Lower Falls. Although tackling the 328 steps on the way down seems like a breeze, remember you also have to come back up!

Although it is a long way up about 330 steps, but on every step you can enjoy some breathtakingly awesome views of the park like from the golden cliffs of The Grand Canyon to the powerful brink of the Fall which reflects the colors of the rainbow. Address: Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

This steep 328-step stairway will give your heart a healthy boost and lead you to the majestic Lower Falls. The stairs are very steep, so wear comfortable shoes and avoid it if you have joint or mobility issues. Also, drink lots of water and make frequent stops as you climb.

For impressive views of both the Upper Falls and Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, don’t miss Uncle Tom’s Trail. This hike is short but steep, making it a challenging climb. The trail starts at the parking area for the Upper Falls Viewpoint.

Uncle Tom’s Trail carries you from the top of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to the base of the 308-foot Lower Falls. This is more like climbing down and then back up a 20-story building. The vertical elevation change is about 500 feet at a steep angle.

I absolutely loved this vantage point of the falls, especially with snow. The view surrounded by pine trees for contrast was excellent. It had a way of making the falls feel both small and large at the same time.

A nice short hike that offers great views of the valley and waterfall. There are some short periods where the path is steep but for the most part it is pretty flat and gentle. There were plenty of kids on the walk to give an indication of difficulty

It’s pity that you can’t go to lower fall due to the snow at the top. But we didn’t really see any snow for lower part of trail. Hope the staffs are willing to clean this part of trail so we can have directly access to lower waterfall. At the same time, you still can have view on upper falls.

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4.5(528)

Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mammoth, WY 82190, USA

24

Grant Visitor Center

Park information & permits, plus an exhibit center, souvenir shop & sweeping lake views.

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My friend commonly referred to Yellowstone as “extraterrestrial” or “something from another planet.” On your way into the park, swing by the Grant Village Visitors Center to see the video about the famous 1988 Yellowstone fire that burned a third of Yellowstone—it will help explain the devastation Yellowstone faced and why it had such a rough appearance in areas. One of the best parts of Yellowstone is that the main road is a loop so you basically just keep working yourself around the circle. I recommend on your first day heading clockwise to Old Faithful and getting this tourist-packed attraction checked off the list. The visitor center alongside it is equally impressive and very informative.

Delve into the extraordinary impact of the park’s historic fires of 1988. Hours and Seasons: Open daily, late May through early October.

Great visitor center. One of the most beautiful I have been too. They have info inside with a few cool things to look at. You walk out the back door to a magnificent view of the lake and mountains!

It isn't really open. You do have a ranger answer questions outside. There is a nice view of the lake.

A very clean and pleasant visitor centre with some gorgeous views of the lake behind it.

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4.5(19)

Grant Village Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA

25

Thumb Geyser

Nature & Parks

Hot Springs & Geysers

This small, colorful geyser in Yellowstone National Park also features scenic lake views.

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Located on the west thumb of the 131-square-mile Yellowstone Lake, the West Thumb Geyser Basin provides an aquatic environment infused with hydrothermal features. Even in the parking lot of West Thumb Geyser Basin, gurgling geysers can be heard, and once out on the half-mile boardwalk, they can't be missed. Between Abyss Pool, Percolating Spring, and Twin Geysers, there's a lot to stop and see on the West Thumb Geyser Basin Boardwalk, including the underwater Lakeshore Geyser and Fishing Cone.

Another basin studded with geysers, turquoise pools, and fumaroles. West Thumb is to be found directly behind the clear Yellowstone Lake, from which it derives its name (West Thumb is the name of the part of the lake bordering this hydrothermal basin, which, when seen from above, looks like the thumb on a hand). Two of the hot springs that are particularly striking are Abyss Pool, one of the deepest of the entire park (52 feet), and Black Pool, which was once really black.

West Thumb is one of the least visited Geyser Basins in Yellowstone National Park, which is better for you because it will be quieter and more enjoyable. There are no major hot springs or geysers here, but there are a variety of gorgeous pools and interesting hot springs, such as Fishing Cone, Abyss Pool and Black Pool. What makes West Thumb Geyser Basin unique is its location right on the edge of Yellowstone Lake, with many of its features inside the shallow water.

West Thumb Geyser Basin is one of the numerous geyser basins in Yellowstone. Not as famous as the Upper Geyser Basin (where Old Faithful is) or the Midway Geyser Basin (where GPS is), West Thumb Geyser Basin offers a placid environment for visitors to enjoy some of the best attractions in Yellowstone. With the Yellowstone Lake adjacent to the West Thumb Geyser Basin, every geyser or hot spring complements the gorgeous lake and further enhances its beauty.

One of the smallest geothermal areas of Yellowstone, West Thumb Geyser Basin, is not to be missed!. Located on the western side of the Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin offers a good view of the lake and has some interesting thermal features, including some that are in the lake itself. The West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail is an easy wheelchair-accessible short walk (0,6 miles – 1,1 km) that takes about half an hour.

Distance: 0.6 milesTime: 30 minutesDifficulty: Easy and wheelchair-accessible This is a boardwalk trail along the shore of Yellowstone Lake, and one of the few hikes that’s wheelchair-accessible (you might need assistance on part of the incline, unless you’ve got a strong pair of arms). All in all, you’re getting great views of the geyser basin hot springs, for a fairly small investment of time and effort.

The West Thumb Geyser Basin is located on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Although this is one of the smallest geyser basins in Yellowstone, it does contain a well-known geothermal feature, the Fishing Cone Geyser. Before 1911, anglers who were fishing in Yellowstone Lake near this geyser would sometimes plunk their catch still on the hook into the cone’s boiling water, effectively cooking it alive.

Stretching on the west thumb and along the shores of Yellowstone Lake, this boardwalk trail is one of the best hikes in Yellowstone that is wheelchair-accessible. Hiking this route takes you to various hydrothermal features, including the Abyss Pool, Percolating Spring, Fishing cone, underground Lakeshore Geyser, and Twin Geysers. Overall, the trail leads to a commanding view of the waters.

West Thumb is one of my favorite geyser basins in Yellowstone. Its location along the shores of Yellowstone Lake provides both incredible views and unique geothermal activity. Unfortunately, this trail is often overshadowed by the nearby Upper Geyser Basin, but I highly recommend the stop, particularly if you’re heading south to Grand Teton National Park.

West Thumb Geyser Basin is one of the most beautiful places in Yellowstone. The area is home to a large number of geothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots. West Thumb Geyser Basin is located on the west side of Yellowstone Lake, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the park.

The West Thumb Geyser Basin is one of the smallest basins in Yellowstone, yet is home to the park’s deepest pool. The Abyss Pool is 53 feet deep and is well worth the visit to this area. The pathway that winds through this basin is easily accessible to all and takes about a half-hour to walk the 0.6 miles.

The West Thumb Geyser Basin sits on the western edge of Yellowstone Lake. It is traversed by an easy 0.6-mile loop trail that begins from the West Thumb Geyser Basin parking lot. This trail leads you past several fascinating hydrothermal features, including Fishing Cone, Black Pool, and Abyss Pool.

Another from a series of colorful springs, geysers, and fumaroles with a beautiful view to Yellowstone Lake. The geyser called the Fishing Cone is most likely going to get your attention. The first discoverers of Yellowstone used this geyser for cooking the fish straight after they have caught it.

West Thumb Geyser Basin is located right on Yellowstone Lake. This is a small geyser basin and it only takes about 30 minutes to walk through all of it. The highlight is Abyss Pool, a brilliantly blue hot spring, but it is also very cool to see geothermal activity right along the edge of the lake.

Take the boardwalk along Yellowstone Lake and check out the geysers that hug its banks. This is also a perfect spot for a picnic lunch if you didn’t already stop for a bite at Old Faithful!. Note: If you’re getting peckish, you can stop in the Grant Village area as there are some amenities here

The West Thumb Geyser Basin is the largest geyser basin on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. The heat source of the thermal features in this location is thought to be relatively close to the surface, only 10,000 feet down. It is interesting to note that West Thumb is a caldera within a caldera.

As the largest geyser basin on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin is the first attraction visitors entering through the South Entrance will see. Some of the thermal highlights here are Fishing Cone and Abyss Pool, Yellowstone’s deepest pool.

As the largest geyser basin on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin is the first attraction visitors entering through the park’s south entrance will see. Some thermal highlights here are Fishing Cone and Abyss Pool, Yellowstone’s deepest pool.

It isn’t as crowded as some of the other geyser basins and it is combined with gorgeous views of Yellowstone Lake. The Abyss Pool may only be 53 feet deep, but it does seem like it could go on forever. I also found the Fishing Cone pretty fascinating.

West Thumb Basin is located on the east side of the park, right next to Yellowstone Lake. This area has many hot springs and is a fantastic place for a stroll with the whole family. The parking lot was pretty big, so it was easy to find a space.

If you are down by Yellowstone Lake, be sure to check out the West Thumb Geyser Basin. It is on the west side of the lake. There is a short half-mile stroller-friendly trail that will take you through a bunch of the thermal features in the area.

One of the smaller, but most scenic hot springs in the park, West Thumb features hot springs, pools, mud pots, fumaroles and lake shore geysers. Look out for Occasional Geyser, Abyss Pool, and Surging Spring.

Yellowstone LakeYellowstone National Park, WY 82190(307) 344-7381. See Ticket Price for Tour that Includes This Activity. The Thumb Geyser is the highlight of the West Thumb Geyser Basin.

Thumb geysers are pretty cool. Worth a visit for sure! Being on the lake makes for a really interesting view. There is a lot of variety in these geysers.

Deep blue pools, all unique along the huge lake. Very close to road and worth the trip. Great stop on way to tetons mountain ⛰️ or when making your way from one side of the park to the other. Many people skip this butbi think that is a mistake. It's extra amazing in the morning at sunrise. 🌞

This was the first time that my wife and I have visited Yellowstone Park. We are completely in love with this part of the USA, we have visited other great places like the Blueridge Park Way in the Blue Ridge Mountains but that pails in comparison. I was lucky enough to photograph all the animals in my list and even some that We did not know were there. We saw llamas and one camel plus great indian ponies. Best experience of our life! Highly recommended but don't fly, drive! There is no better way to see the country.

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4.5(789)

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA

26

Lewis Falls

Located on the Lewis River in Yellowstone National Park, this cascade waterfall drops 30 feet.

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Lewis Falls is a 30 foot waterfall located along the South Entrance Road just south of Lewis Lake. There is a small parking area and a sign alerting you to the falls (Parking might be difficult to find during peak time and season). It is not a very high waterfall, but the easy roadside access makes it a very popular destination.

If you want to get to the falls like I did, you’ll need to walk down the bank and be careful not to slip!. Located on the Lewis River, these waterfalls drop 30 feet and you can see them from the road. They are south of Lewis Lake and are around halfway between Grant Village and the park entrance.

Lewis Falls is a nice waterfall at the South end of Yellowstone National Park between the parks south entrance and Grant Village. It can easily be seen while driving southbound heading towards Grand Teton National Park. You can also get out and hike just over the hill for an unobstructed view.

If you are on your way to Grand Teton National Park or coming from there, you need to stop by Lewis Falls. This is just a quick overlook of a pretty waterfall. The parking is on the side of the road, so when you are coming close to the waterfall, watch for a parking spot.

This short, but sweet, hike was our first to stumble upon when we entered the park from the south entrance. Lewis Falls is a 30-foot waterfall that’s visible from the road. I noticed that most who stopped snapped pictures from the small parking area and moved on.

Such beautiful stop! Definitely worth to visit and take a break here!

your grand mother can see this from the road, stop for this attraction. don't keep speeding down the road to get the Old Faithful, it's not worth it to pass up everything else that YNP has to offer. frankly we were in the park for 4 days and never made it to old faithful basin and we were just as happy with all the hidden gems the park had to offer. we got our advice from "we're in the rockies" youtube channel and it was really helpful

The falls is about 30ft tall but with a good amount of water falling. You might miss the falls driving Northeast, since the falls is around the bend. A trail takes you all the way up to the falls for a closer view. The falls is pretty and across from here on the other side, you may find bison on the meadow.

4.8(506)

4.0(52)

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA

27

Fort Yellowstone

Park

Sights & Landmarks

Historic Sites

Fort established in 1891 with 35 remaining structures, now featuring museums & a visitor center.

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Many people don’t know that the US Army originally managed Yellowstone National Park, mostly to help prevent poaching. They built a complex of stone buildings at Mammoth Hot Springs called Fort Yellowstone. Many of the buildings survive today and you can visit them on a self-guided tour.

the buildings of Fort Yellowstone, the army left a legacy of policies and practices that served as precedents for the future National Park Service management of...

Fort Yellowstone is largely forgotten but the buildings are in great shape and have been converted to use by the National Park service. Not much to see, but as you walk around the town of Mammoth, be sure to recognize that you are walking through an old fort area! The National Park visitor center is located in one of the old fort buildings.

Cold October day, but sunny and beautiful. A lot of things are alrwady closed for the season, but we were able to check out the old fort buildings, learn about its history in the visitor center, see some wildlifw, and walk through the nearby terraces.

Once in a lifetime experience. Every corner is beautiful. Amazing drive from east entrance. Maximum bears are visible near east side of Yellowstone. North is also amazing.

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4.5(116)

2 Barracks St, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA

28

Moose Falls

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Viewpoint - Moose Falls is located just north of Yellowstone's South Entrance. This pretty plunge waterfall could be easily missed by those in a hurry to get to the park's main attractions but I quite like this waterfall. The falls were named Moose Falls for the plentiful amount of moose found in the southern section of Yellowstone.

Located about a mile and half from the South Entrance to the park, the trail to Moose Falls is an easy 100 yards.

Very nice and an easy stop right of the main road. I came in the fall when everything was shut down and before the snow. Not busy. Nice. Great spot for photos. Recommend

Beautiful waterfall with views from top and the bottom via easy trail. Short hike from the parking area and worth the time!

Steep climb but a nice place to see a waterfall This location has two pullouts just to the north side of the bridge. The walkway is to the east side. The first part is gradual and less than 1000 yards. That will take you to where you can see the top of the falls. If you take the other path you have two choices. One is gradual and the other is steep with no steps. Both will give you good views but the steep path gives the best views. Also, I was told, that you can see crawfish hidden among the rocks at the bottom of the steep climb. I did not see any but I did not look very hard since I was enjoying the great waterfall view. Enjoy

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4.5(43)

29

Bunsen Peak

Mountain peak

Nature & Parks

Hiking Trails

Prominent mountain peak with a steep hiking trail to a summit offering picturesque views.

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This relatively short hike provides impressive views of Mammoth Hot Springs and the Yellowstone River Valley while viewing the effects of the 1988 fires. The Bunsen Peak trailhead can be found just south of the golden gate at the gravel parking lot along the Mammoth to Norris road, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Mammoth. The trail starts on the north side of a dirt road just past the barricade.

Bunsen Peak is a 4.6 round-trip moderate, uphill trek to a panoramic view of Yellowstone’s Northern Range. The trailhead starts at a marked parking area, just southwest of Mammoth’s terrace. Bunsen Peak’s trail is very marked and well-maintained, and the from the top you can gaze down on the Gallatin Range, Mammoth Hot Springs and the Yellowstone River valley.

This is one of the very marked and well-maintained trails in Yellowstone. Although it is short, the trail starts to climb as soon as you begin hiking, and near the summit, it requires more work to climb a series of steep switchbacks. The trail offers views of the Gallatin Mountain Range, Swan Lake Flats, Mammoth Hot springs, and Cathedral Rock.

Distance: 4.6 milesTime: 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Moderately strenuous So named for the guy who invented the Bunsen burner; he studied geysers, too. This trail is fantastic for seeing surreal geological formations like Cathedral Rock, plus panoramic views of what was burned in the infamous 1988 fires.

There is a difficult but beautiful hike close by Mammoth – Bunsen Peak. It is 4.6 miles roundtrip and climbs 1300 feet through a forest to get to the summit of the mountain. If your crew can do it we highly recommend it.

Views are amazing from the peak. There is a cell phone / radio tower at the top.

This was my very first hike and it was actually really cool. A bit more difficult than moderate with some steep and loose terrain but a wonderful, rewarding climb

Fun hike in Yellowstone. Easy to follow, not too steep and great views at the top and along the way.

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4.5(29)

30

Kepler Cascades

Sightseeing spot where the Firehole River descends through multiple drops over forested cliffs.

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Kepler Cascades is a stunning roadside waterfall that drops roughly 100 feet over a series of falls with the largest drop around 50 feet. A small parking lot is available where a short boardwalk leads to a wooden platform on the canyon’s edge providing the perfect spot to take photos. PHOTO TIP: During sunrise and early morning the river and waterfalls are in shade which provides even lighting for photographing this location.

A short stroll to the overlook takes you right into the action, perching you high above the river to provide the best view of this 150-foot waterfall that rages under your feet. We love the Kepler Cascades because of the unique vantage point and gorgeous set of cascades that churn and thunder through this narrow part of the Firehole River. We feel like we are a part of the action when we take time to stop at this overlook!

In the southwestern park of Yellowstone National Park sits Kepler Cascades. This waterfall is on the Firehole River and is less than 3 miles from Old Faithful, making it an easy stop when you visit the park. The Kepler Cascades waterfall drops 150 feet over three tiers and can be seen from the viewing platform at the roadside stop, which is right next to the parking lot.

Situated 2.6 miles from the Old Faithful area in southwestern Yellowstone, Kepler Cascades is a photogenic waterfall in the Firehole River. The cascades drop about 150 feet, the biggest drop being 50 feet. There is a fine viewpoint of Kepler Cascades on the road from Old Faithful to West Thumb.

There’s no way to access the Kepler Cascades from its base, but you can take a pleasant boardwalk tour and observe it from above. iStock.com/Martina Birnbaum. If you are looking for a much more accessible waterfall, check out the Kepler Cascades.

This waterfall is an easy stop when driving between the Lake/West Thumb area and Old Faithful. You basically park your car, walk a couple yards to the overlook, and enjoy this waterfall on the Firehole River which cascades 150 feet.

Viewpoint - The viewpoint is a short 50-foot walk from the parking lot. There is a great wooden overlook built so you can look out to the falls. Kepler Cascades is a beautiful surprise just 2 miles south of Old Faithful Village.

This waterfall drops in several different cascades down the canyon of the Firehole River. In total, the Kepler Cascades falls about 150 feet. You can view it from a pullout just south of Old Faithful.

Incredible waterfall on the fire hole river. It is a must-see attraction when visiting Yellowstone National Park. I’ve visited at least a dozen times and I always seem to discover something new each time. However, if you suffer from acrophobia and are afraid of heights I would not recommend this place. This has always been one of my favorite things to see when I visit Yellowstone.

once again don't speed by here, take in the outdoors, that's why you came here, wasn't it? has a Handicap accessible platform for your mother in law to fall off of or look over, the choice is yours. nice views not crowded, both days we stopped once at 2pm and the other was noon

Great find while traveling through Yellowstone. Well worth the stop. Great parking area. I wish I could have gotten closer. Follow along with me on all my adventures. Jeff Mullins Photography Adventures. Happy Hiking!

4.8(290)

4.0(50)

US-287, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA

How long does it take to drive from Cody Wyoming to East Entrance to Yellowstone?

Is Cody a good base for Yellowstone?

Is Cody Wyoming the East Entrance to Yellowstone?

What town is closest to the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park?