Yellowstone National Park Attractions

Located in the Midway Geyser Basin, the Grand Prismatic Spring is roughly 300 feet in diameter with water at a blistering 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This beautiful natural attraction in Yellowstone is known and named for its dazzling array of colors that change throughout the seasons.

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Come in the summer to see the warm orange and red tones that seem to match the hot weather, or stop by during the winter to see deeper shades of green. No matter the time of year, the center of the pool sparkles in a deep azure blue, adding dramatic contrast to the landscape.

One of Yellowstone’s most popular attractions, the Grand Prismatic Spring can be explored in a variety of ways. Hike the trail to Fairy Falls for outstanding aerial views, or follow the 0.8-mile boardwalk loop, which also circles past Excelsior Geyser.

If you’re planning a visit to Yellowstone, don’t miss out on one of the most breathtaking sites inside the park: The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

The result of a huge volcanic eruption that occurred approximately 600,000 years ago, this 20-mile-long canyon is up to 1,200 feet deep and 4,000 feet wide. A geological wonder, there are countless hiking adventures to be had in and around the canyon.

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Lower Falls – A must-see during any visit to Yellowstone. The Lower Falls is the tallest waterfall in the park, with a dramatic 308-foot drop. This breathtaking waterfall is more than twice the size of Niagara Falls in height alone.

Upper Falls – While much smaller than Yellowstone’s Lower Falls, the Upper Falls is just as stunning. This 109-foot-high waterfall can be viewed from the platform at the brink of the Upper Falls.

Crystal Falls – A lesser-known Yellowstone waterfall, Crystal Falls is found between the Upper and Lower Falls, and can be viewed from the South Rim Trail.

The park boasts North America’s largest free-ranging population of bison in the lower 48 states. Keep a safe distance — a minimum of 25 yards — as adults are dangerous and unpredictable.

Bison are the largest mammal on the continent. People come from far and near to get a look at these stately animals, which can stand six feet tall and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They’re definitely worth seeing for yourself, as long as one does it from afar.

Once a feared predator, gray wolves were eliminated from the area by the 1970s.

From 1995 to 1996, 31 gray wolves were reintroduced to the Park, and their population has grown to more than 400 throughout the greater Yellowstone region.

Yellowstone is home to both the grizzly and the black bear. National Park regulations require all visitors to remain a minimum of 100 yards (91 meters) from all bears for safety reasons.

Elk, moose and mule deer roam Yellowstone, feeding on grass, leaves and bark. The sounds of male elk, known as bulls, battling for mates can be heard in many parts of the park during the fall months.

Sprinting through Yellowstone at up to 60 miles per hour, pronghorn spend most of their time grazing on the prairies.

A small number of mountain lions prowl Yellowstone. Also known as cougars and panthers, mountain lions in Yellowstone generally reside at higher elevations and are fairly secretive, making them difficult to spot.

While in Yellowstone, keep an eye out for some of the park’s smallest, but most fascinating residents. Chipmunks, ground squirrels, martens, beavers, river otters and yellow-bellied marmots call Yellowstone National Park home.

It only seems fitting that America’s first national park is home to the country’s national symbol. Bald eagles can be found in large trees close to water so they can prey on fish, an abundant food source.

Another of the park’s raptors, osprey can be spotted near water and sport a dark stripe across their eyes, sharply angled wings and barbed pads on their soles to help grab fish – a slippery prey.

Nesting on cliffs near valleys and rivers, these falcons hunt songbirds and waterfowl, attacking at speeds of over 200 miles per hour.

The sighting of a trumpeter swan is very special. These birds are the largest waterfowl in North America and there are only ten resident swans that live in Yellowstone National Park.