Yellowstone National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in the world, is a sprawling natural wonderland that offers a breathtaking array of geothermal features, scenic vistas, and wildlife encounters. This article plans a Yellowstone road trip with a detailed day-wise Yellowstone itinerary of 3 days.
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Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary – Yellowstone Itinerary 3 Days
This 3-day Yellowstone road trip itinerary will help you make the most of your visit, highlighting must-see attractions, scenic stopovers, overnight stay recommendations, hikes, and helpful tips. Many people combine Yellowstone road trip with Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming road trip too.
Day 1: Mammoth Hot Springs and the Northern Loop
Arrive at Gardiner, Montana
- Distance from Bozeman to Gardiner: 78 miles (1.5 hours)
- Recommended Stay: Yellowstone Gateway Inn
Begin your journey in Gardiner, the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. This charming town provides easy access to the park’s north entrance.
Stop 1: Mammoth Hot Springs
Distance from Gardiner to Mammoth Hot Springs: 5 miles (10 minutes)
Mammoth Hot Springs is renowned for its unique terraces formed by mineral deposits from hot springs. Explore the Lower and Upper Terraces, where you’ll see stunning formations like the Minerva Terrace and Palette Spring.
Highlights:
- Minerva Terrace: One of the most active and colorful terraces.
- Palette Spring: A beautiful, multi-colored spring that flows over the terrace.
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Stop 2: Lamar Valley
Distance from Mammoth Hot Springs to Lamar Valley: 28 miles (1 hour)
Lamar Valley is often called the “Serengeti of North America” due to its abundance of wildlife. Look for bison, elk, wolves, and bears.
Tips:
- Early morning or late evening are the best times for wildlife viewing.
- Bring binoculars for a closer look at distant animals.
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Stop 3: Tower-Roosevelt
Distance from Lamar Valley to Tower-Roosevelt: 18 miles (40 minutes)
Visit the Tower Fall, a picturesque 132-foot waterfall. The area around Tower Roosevelt is also great for spotting black bears and bighorn sheep.
Hike: Tower Fall Trail
- Distance: 1 mile round trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: View of Tower Fall and the Yellowstone River.
Return to Gardiner
- Distance from Tower-Roosevelt to Gardiner: 38 miles (1.5 hours)
Enjoy a relaxing evening in Gardiner, perhaps with dinner at a local restaurant like The Raven Grill.
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Day 2: Geyser Basins and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Start your day from Gardiner to Norris Geyser Basin
Distance from Gardiner to Norris Geyser Basin: 49 miles (1.5 hours)
Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest and most dynamic thermal area in Yellowstone. Don’t miss the Steamboat Geyser, the tallest active geyser in the world.
Highlights:
- Steamboat Geyser: Can erupt to heights of 300 feet.
- Porcelain Basin: A colorful, otherworldly landscape.
Stop 1: Midway Geyser Basin
Distance from Norris Geyser Basin to Midway Geyser Basin: 21 miles (40 minutes)
Midway Geyser Basin is home to the iconic Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States. The vibrant colors of the spring are truly a sight to behold.
Hike: Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail
- Distance: 1.6 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Stunning view of the Grand Prismatic Spring from above.
Stop 2: Old Faithful
Distance from Midway Geyser Basin to Old Faithful: 8 miles (15 minutes)
Every trip to Yellowstone is complete with witnessing an eruption of Old Faithful, which erupts approximately every 90 minutes.
Tips:
- Check the eruption schedule at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center.
- Explore the boardwalks around the Upper Geyser Basin for more geothermal features.
Stop3: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Distance from Old Faithful to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: 30 miles (1 hour)
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a breathtaking sight, with its dramatic cliffs and powerful waterfalls.
Highlights:
- Lower Falls: The tallest waterfall in the park at 308 feet.
- Artist Point: Offers one of the best views of the canyon and the falls.
Hike: Uncle Tom’s Trail
- Distance: 0.7 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Strenuous (328 steps down and back up)
- Highlights: Close-up view of the Lower Falls.
Stop4 – Overnight Stay at Canyon Village
Book your stay at Canyon Lodge and Cabins on day two of your Yellowstone itinerary 3 days tour. You will spend the night at Canyon Village, which offers comfortable lodging and dining options.
Day 3: Yellowstone Lake and the Southern Loop
Canyon Village to Hayden Valley – Start your day with a visit to Hayden Valley, another prime spot for wildlife viewing. Look for bison, elk, and grizzly bears.
Distance from Canyon Village to Hayden Valley: 16 miles (30 minutes)
Tips:
- To spot wildlife, the best times of the day are early morning or late evening.
Stop 1: Mud Volcano
Distance from Hayden Valley to Mud Volcano: 6 miles (10 minutes)
Explore the bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles of the Mud Volcano area. The main highlights of this stop are the Dragon’s Mouth Spring and the Mud Volcano itself.
Stop 2: Yellowstone Lake
Distance from Mud Volcano to Yellowstone Lake: 10 miles (20 minutes)
Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America. Enjoy the lake’s serene beauty and consider taking a short hike along its shores.
Hike: Storm Point Trail
- Distance: 2.3 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Scenic views of Yellowstone Lake and the surrounding area.
Stop3: West Thumb Geyser Basin
Distance from Yellowstone Lake to West Thumb Geyser Basin: 20 miles (30 minutes)
West Thumb Geyser Basin is located on the shores of Yellowstone Lake and features various geothermal features, including hot springs, mud pots, and geysers.
Highlights:
- Abyss Pool: One of the deepest hot springs in the park.
- Fishing Cone: A geyser that early explorers used to cook fish.
West Thumb Geyser Basing – Return to Gardiner
Distance from West Thumb Geyser Basin to Gardiner: 70 miles (2 hours)
Wrap up your trip by returning to Gardiner and enjoying the scenic views.
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Valuable Tips for Your Yellowstone Road Trip
Read some useful tips and valuable information before planning Yellowstone itinerary 3 days for your Yellowstone National Park tour.
Must Visit Waterfalls – Yellowstone 3 Day Itinerary
Here are the must-visit waterfalls on the outlined Yellowstone road trip route:
- Undine Falls
- Tower Fall
- Gibbon Falls
- Firehole Fall
- Kepler Cascades
- Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River
- Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River
These waterfalls offer stunning views, which you can find in the suggested route.
How To Reach Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park has five main entrances, each offering unique access points to different park areas.
North Entrance (Gardiner, Montana)
- Route: US-89
- Access: This entrance leads directly to Mammoth Hot Springs.
The North Entrance is open year-round and provides access to the park’s headquarters, Mammoth Hot Springs, and historic Fort Yellowstone. It’s ideal for those coming from Bozeman or Billings, Montana.
West Entrance (West Yellowstone, Montana)
- Route: US-20
- Access: Enters near the Madison Junction.
The West Entrance is one of the most popular and busiest entrances, open from late April through early November. It offers quick access to the geyser basins, including Old Faithful, and is ideal for visitors traveling from Idaho or Montana.
South Entrance (Jackson, Wyoming)
- Route: US-89/US-191/US-287
- Access: Leads to the West Thumb Geyser Basin.
The South Entrance is open from May through early November and connects Yellowstone with Grand Teton National Park. It’s scenic, especially for those traveling from Jackson Hole or southern Wyoming.
East Entrance (Cody, Wyoming)
- Route: US-14/US-16/US-20
- Access: Enters near Fishing Bridge.
The East Entrance offers a beautiful drive through the Shoshone National Forest, open from May through early November. It provides access to Yellowstone Lake and the surrounding areas and is an excellent option for travelers coming from Cody.
Northeast Entrance (Cooke City, Montana)
- Route: US-212 (Beartooth Highway)
- Access: Enters near the Lamar Valley.
This entrance is open year-round, weather permitting, and is the least crowded. It’s renowned for the scenic Beartooth Highway and provides direct access to Lamar Valley, making it ideal for wildlife enthusiasts.
Each entrance to Yellowstone National Park offers unique access and experiences, catering to visitors from different directions and seeking various aspects of the park’s natural beauty.
Nearest Big City & International Airports – 3 Day Yellowstone Itinerary
Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah, and Denver International Airport, Colorado, are the nearest international airports to reach Yellowstone National Park.
Nearest Big Cities From Yellowstone National Park
- Bozeman, Montana (90 miles to the North Entrance – Gardiner, Montana);
- Billings, Montana (130 miles to the Northeast Entrance – Cooke City, Montana);
- Idaho Falls, Idaho (110 miles to the West Entrance – West Yellowstone, Montana);
- Jackson, Wyoming (60 miles to the South Entrance)
Helpful Tips – Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary
- Plan Ahead: Yellowstone is vast and can be crowded during peak season. Book accommodations and plan your route.
- Stay Flexible: Wildlife sightings and geyser eruptions can be unpredictable. Allow extra time in your schedule for unexpected stops.
- Pack Essentials: Bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, and layers of clothing to prepare for varying weather conditions.
- Safety First: Always keep safe from wildlife on designated trails and boardwalks.
- Gas Up: Fuel stations are limited within the park. Make sure your tank is full before entering.
Yellowstone National Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience nature’s wonders. This Yellowstone 3 day itinerary covers the park’s most iconic sights and nature adventures.
Plan your Yellowstone Itinerary and enjoy your trip!
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