Imagine watching Old Faithful geyser erupt under a pastel sunrise, spotting a herd of bison causing a "traffic jam" in Lamar Valley, and hiking to a steaming backcountry geyser with no one else around. In this 5-day itinerary, I'll guide you through the best of Yellowstone National Park, blending classic must-sees with lesser-known spots that many miss. Personally, I feel Yellowstone National Park is among the top places in North America which you have to visit no matter what! It won't cost you much as long as you travel smart with our budget tips for the US trip.
Day 1: Geyser Country – Old Faithful and Beyond
Morning – Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin
Kick off at Yellowstone's most famous geyser. To beat the crowds, arrive early – the morning light is gorgeous and you might share the boardwalk with bison rather than busloads of tourists. Old Faithful erupts roughly every 90 minutes; while you wait, wander the Upper Geyser Basin's trails to see beauties like Castle Geyser and Daisy Geyser.
Insider tip: Watch an eruption from the deck of the Old Faithful Inn with an ice cream in hand. You'll still feel the ground rumble, but without the shoulder-to-shoulder scene at the railing.
Afternoon – Midway & Lower Geyser Basin
After lunch (try a bison burger or veggie chili at the Old Faithful Lodge cafeteria for a quick, hearty meal), drive north to Midway Geyser Basin. Here you'll find Grand Prismatic Spring, a technicolor hot spring so large you can see its rainbow hues from afar. Walk the boardwalk loop for an up-close view of its steaming turquoise center encircled by rings of yellow and orange thermophiles (heat-loving microorganisms). Just down the road, stop at the Lower Geyser Basin's Fountain Paint Pot area to see bubbling mud pots and the powerful spouts of Clepsydra Geyser.
Evening – Fairy Falls Hike (optional)
If you still have energy and daylight, consider a two-hour roundtrip hike to Fairy Falls. The trailhead is near Grand Prismatic; this relatively flat, 5-mile (8 km) round-trip trail leads to a 200-foot waterfall deep in the forest. Halfway in, a side path climbs to a gorgeous overlook of Grand Prismatic Spring – a favorite secret viewpoint for photographers. Come evening, make your way to your night's base. If you're lodging inside the park, the Old Faithful or Madison areas are convenient. If you're camping, Madison or Grant Village campground would be a good choice to be central.
Day 2: Yellowstone Lake to Canyon – Hot Springs and Waterfalls
Morning – West Thumb & Yellowstone Lake
Wake up and drive through the scenic West Thumb area along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. At West Thumb Geyser Basin, stroll boardwalks that wind between colorful hot springs and fumaroles right on the lake's edge – some even simmer under the lake's cold waters. The contrast of boiling pools against the backdrop of the vast alpine lake is otherworldly. Keep an eye out for elk grazing by the shore in the morning mist.
Midday – Hayden Valley Wildlife
Heading north from the lake, you enter Hayden Valley, prime habitat for bison, elk, and sometimes grizzlies and wolves. Midday can be quiet for wildlife (dawn and dusk are best), but you'll likely still see bison herds lounging or crossing the Yellowstone River. You might have to brake for a big bull bison swaggering across the road – a true Yellowstone traffic stop.
Safety note: There are pullouts where you can safely watch from a distance (never approach wildlife on foot; bison may look docile but can charge in a flash). Bring binoculars or a zoom camera for a chance to spot distant animals.
Afternoon – Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Continue to the Canyon area, home to the breathtaking Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Visit Artist Point for the iconic view of the Lower Falls tumbling 308 feet into the pastel-colored canyon. Hike the short Uncle Tom's Trail (weather permitting) down a series of staircases for a closer view of the thundering falls (and a thigh-burning workout on the way up!). Across the canyon on the North Rim, walk to Lookout Point or Red Rock for another angle on the falls. Each viewpoint offers a unique perspective on the canyon's golden, orange, and rust-hued cliffs.
Evening – Canyon Village
Overnight in the Canyon area if possible. The Canyon Lodge cabins are modern and convenient.
Budget tip: Lodging in the park books up fast and isn't cheap; if you can't find a spot, look in West Yellowstone (west entrance) or Gardiner (north entrance) towns for more options. It adds driving, but you'll often save money.
Either way, enjoy a hearty dinner – perhaps some trout or bison meatloaf – and swap stories with fellow travelers.
Day 3: Northern Trails – Lamar Valley & Mammoth Hot Springs
Early Morning – Lamar Valley Safari
Rise before dawn and head toward Lamar Valley in the park's northeast. This is Yellowstone's Serengeti, famed for its wildlife. In the soft light of dawn, you might see bison emerging from the mist – a magical sight that feels otherworldly. Find a pullout, set up binoculars, and scan for movement: with luck you could spot a wolf pack in the distance or pronghorn grazing the flats.
Wildlife viewing tip: Rangers and wildlife watchers often cluster at famous viewpoints like Slough Creek; don't be shy about asking what animals they've spotted. Patience is key – stay a while and you might witness a grizzly lumbering along a ridge or a coyote pouncing on rodents in the sage.
Late Morning – Tower & Trails
As the morning progresses, drive back west toward Tower Junction. Stop at Tower Fall, a picturesque 132-foot waterfall near a convenient roadside pullout (a short walk leads to an overlook). If you want to stretch your legs, the trail to Hellroaring Creek leads about a mile to a dramatic suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River – a thrilling hidden gem with roaring rapids below.
Safety reminder: Remember to carry bear spray and make noise on any hike – this is prime bear country!
Afternoon – Mammoth Hot Springs
Continue west to Mammoth Hot Springs near the north entrance. Here, steaming water and limestone have built tiered terraces that look like an inside-out cave. Explore the boardwalks around the famous Minerva Terrace and Palette Spring – each terrace is like a frozen waterfall of mineral deposits, colored in white, orange, and green algae. The small village of Mammoth has a visitor center (check out the historic photos of when the U.S. Army managed the park), Fort Yellowstone's old stone buildings, and usually a bunch of elk lazily grazing on the lawns. It's a good place to grab lunch or an ice cream.
Evening
After a full day, consider a soak in a natural hot spring. One legal spot (when open) is the Boiling River, just north of Mammoth, where hot springs mix with river water to create a pleasant bathing spot. If that's closed, consider overnighting in Gardiner and visiting the Yellowstone Hot Springs resort nearby for a relaxing evening under the stars.
Day 4: Geyser Loop Part 2 – Norris & Hidden Geysers
Morning – Norris Geyser Basin
Start Day 4 at Norris Geyser Basin, an otherworldly expanse of steaming vents and rainbow-colored pools. Don't miss Steamboat Geyser – the world's tallest active geyser – which can surprise visitors with blasts up to 300 feet (though it's unpredictable). Even in its quieter moments, Norris's bubbling springs and sulfur scent remind you that Yellowstone sits atop a volcano.
Afternoon – Lone Star Geyser (optional)
If you're up for one more off-the-beaten-path adventure, drive back toward Old Faithful and do the Lone Star Geyser trail. It's an easy 2.5-mile (4 km) bike or hike along an old service road to a solitary geyser deep in the woods. Lone Star erupts roughly every 3 hours, and chances are you'll have this show mostly to yourself.
Time-saving tip: Biking is allowed (rentals available at Old Faithful), turning a 90-minute walk into a quick 20-minute ride.
Evening
Spend your last night at a different corner of the park – perhaps the Madison or Norris area campground if camping, or back to West Yellowstone town for convenience. If camping, light up a campfire (in designated pits) and roast some marshmallows. The starry sky in Yellowstone is incredible on a clear night. I like to recap the trip's highlights with friends around the fire: "Remember that geyser we had all to ourselves?" or "Can you believe how close that bison came to the car?!" Those moments become lifelong memories.
Day 5: Farewell Yellowstone
On your final day, you might circle back to any spots you missed or revisit a favorite. If you're exiting via the south, you'll pass through Grand Teton National Park – even a quick photo stop at Jackson Lake or Jenny Lake with the mountains as a backdrop is worth it. If you exit north, stop by the historic Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner, which has welcomed visitors since 1903 with the inscription "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People."
As you depart, you'll likely already be plotting a return. Yellowstone is so vast and varied that you could spend weeks and still find new treasures – I haven't even touched on the remote Bechler region or Yellowstone's backcountry, which avid hikers praise as the true hidden Yellowstone. But for now, you've experienced geysers blasting skyward, mud pots gurgling, rivers roaring through canyons, and wildlife roaming free.
Final Tips
Weather preparation: Yellowstone's weather can be capricious – snow in June, thunderstorms in August – so pack layers.
For the best experience: Start your days early for quieter trails and more wildlife.
Safety first: Carry bear spray on any hike and know how to use it (park shops rent it if you don't want to fly with it).
Mindfulness matters: Most importantly, slow down and savor the moments – sometimes the best plan is to simply sit and watch a sunset over a geyser basin.
From budget-friendly campsites (around $20 a night) to splurging on the grand Old Faithful Inn, there are ways to tailor this trip to your style. Many travelers recommend spending at least four days, staying in two different areas, to avoid backtracking– with five days, you've done even better. Yellowstone truly offers something for everyone.
Five days in this enchanted park will leave you with a deep appreciation for nature's wonders and stories to last a lifetime. Until next time, Yellowstone!
