Are you planning a family vacation to Yellowstone National Park? Our one-day Yellowstone family itinerary will give you a glimpse at the rich and unique geological features, array of captivating animals, and beautiful landscapes. Although compact in time, this travel plan will be the highlight of your trip!
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The BEST Yellowstone One Day Family Itinerary
September 18, 2024
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If you are visiting Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho, a visit to Yellowstone can’t be missed. This one-day Yellowstone family itinerary lays out everything you need to explore the park, experience the highlights, and make changes, if necessary, because let’s be honest, vacationing with kids can be an adventure in itself.
Our family just finished up a 5-day vacation in Wyoming covering Jackson, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons. We all enjoyed our time out west, but our day in Yellowstone was definitely something we will never forget.
Before we even left for our vacation, we completed a National Parks Curriculum that was a perfect primer to get us excited about the trip. Having a fourth grader this year, we also printed out the Every Kid Outdoors FREE National Parks Pass. This pass is good from September 1st to August 31st per year and admits all children under 16 and up to three adults for free inside most national parks in the US.
One Day Yellowstone Family Itinerary - 3 Ways
Our Yellowstone One Day Family Itinerary includes:
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- A list of popular stops (in drivable order to save time)
- An emphasis on must-see attractions (if looking for a more leisurely day)
- Suggestions for short, family-friendly hikes
- Break and lunch suggestions
- Bathroom locations
- Tips to make your day flow as easily as possible
We’ve included 3 options for this Yellowstone One Day Family Itinerary. The first option begins at Old Faithful and works for those entering from the South Entrance. The second option begins at the Fountain Paint Pot Trail and is perfect for those entering from the West Entrance or North Entrance. The final option is for those who are really short on time or who would like to spend more time at each attraction and includes our top 5 stops in Yellowstone.
Keep in mind that this Yellowstone One Day Family Itinerary does make an actual loop around the Lower Loop. So, wherever you start on the path is going to be pretty close to where you finish.
Yellowstone Park Entrances
There are five entrances into Yellowstone National Park. The West Entrance is in West Yellowstone, Montana and is the most popular by far. Its proximity to some of the most popular attractions in Yellowstone gives it the greatest advantage. There are also plenty of lodging options in Montana and Idaho at most price points.
The North Entrance is located in Gardiner, Montana and is open year-round. It is the closest entrance to the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. Depending on the traffic, you can expect to reach the entrance in between an hour and a half to two hours.
The Northeast Entrance is located in Park County, Montana, near Silver Gate and Cooke City. This is the least popular entrance due to its location.
The East Entrance and South Entrance are both in Wyoming.
Jackson Hole to Yellowstone National Park
If your family vacation takes you through the Grand Tetons and/or Jackson, we prefer the South Entrance. When flying in from the Jackson Hole Airport, you will have a little less than 60 miles to drive to get to the South Entrance. Make sure you have a park pass plan if traveling through the south entrance because you will be passing through both the Tetons and Yellowstone.
Typically, in the summer, all park entrances will be open. However, beginning in early November through late-April, most park roads will be closed to vehicles. This is based on the weather conditions so it’s important to plan ahead of time and check the road status before traveling.
You can check a live Yellowstone Road Status Map here.
Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone
When looking at a map of Yellowstone National Park, you will notice that the main roads form a figure eight. This is called the Grand Loop Road and is typically thought of as two parts – the Upper Loop and the Lower Loop. With only a day to explore, our Yellowstone One Day Family Itinerary focuses only on the lower loop. However, if you have an extra day, we would definitely recommend traveling around the upper loop as well.
We’ve included detailed suggestions and directions based on each park entrance. If arriving through the Northeast Entrance, East Entrance or South Entrance, we’ll be headed in a clockwise direction. For those arriving from the North Entrance or West Entrance, we’ll go in a counterclockwise direction.
The main reason for this is to ensure that you see the main attractions earlier in the trip. Kids are unpredictable so if anyone ends up tired at midday and you can’t complete the entire itinerary, you will still have seen the essence of what the park has to offer.
Lodging inside Yellowstone National Park
For those entering from the south or who plan on venturing on to the Grand Tetons or Jackson, Wyoming, you might consider staying at the historic Old Faithful Inn, the Old Faithful Lodge Cabins, or the Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins (which are open during the winter season).
The Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins would also be a good choice, especially with the renovations taking place beginning in fall of 2024. Grant Village is also very close to the south entrance and is the closest to Grand Tetons National Park.
If your plans take you further north to explore the Upper Loop or you plan on heading east afterwards, the Canyon Lodge and Cabins would be a good lodging option.
Lodging Outside Yellowstone National Park
Depending on where you are going after your visit to Yellowstone National Park, there are some fantastic lodging options close by. The West Entrance specifically has lots of choices including hotels, cabins, and vacation rentals.
The Jackson Lake Lodge and Jenny Lake Lodge are great selections inside the Grand Tetons.
You can also find plenty of lodging in Jackson, if the Jackson Hole area is a part of your vacation plans. We really like The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection for an upscale lodging option or SpringHill Suites Jackson Hole for a more casual hotel. The Snow King Resort Hotel & Luxury Residences would also be a good choice for families.
Our preferred way of booking is through hotels.com. Not only are the rates as good (if not better) as booking directly, but you also earn rewards that can be used towards future stays.
Things to Pack for a Yellowstone Vacation
Traveling with kids requires some advance planning. To make the most of your day in Yellowstone, we recommend having a few things on hand in the car. These include:
– Snacks / Lunch – There’s a lot crammed into our one-day itinerary and whether you are planning to tackle all of it or only the top attractions, time is going to be limited. Because of this, we highly recommend packing lunch and snacks for the road.
Having food on hand will ensure everyone has the energy (and temperament) needed to tackle a busy day. Also, if you are able to purchase and pack these items ahead of time, it will be significantly cheaper than what you will pay in the park.
Before any road trip we always stock up on dried fruit bars (That’s It are our favorite), beef jerky, trail mix, and crackers(like Goldfish).
The Old Faithful Inn has a grab-and-go deli where sandwiches can be purchased. Canyon Lodge also has a large grocery store with lots of quick options for lunch.
– Backpack – If you plan on doing any of the trails or you have small children in tow, you’ll want to bring a backpack along with you.
– Hat / Sunglasses / Sunscreen – Whether walking the trails, boardwalks, or taking in the scenes, sun protection is a must.
– Comfortable Shoes – Even if you skip the rocky trails, comfortable shoes for everyone in the family are necessary.
– Water – Make sure you have plenty of water on hand before starting the trip. We’d recommend everyone in the family having their own water bottle. All throughout the park in the visitor centers, there are free water fill up stations. These are usually in between the restrooms.
– Binoculars – There’s no reason to buy a fancy set of binoculars, if you don’t already own them. However, it is really helpful to have some on hand for those unexpected animal sightings.
– Journal – One way to keep your kids engaged during the road trip is to bring a journal along. While you’re waiting to arrive at the next spot, have your kids jot down what they just saw.
– National Parks Passport – A fun idea when traveling to National Parks is to have a passport book. You can find them online or make your own. In each visitor center, there is usually a place where you can timestamp your visit that day. This makes for a really cool souvenir that you can use over and over again.
Tips for a Great Day in Yellowstone National Park
1. Start early. Yellowstone is a popular place, especially in the summer. Not only will you beat the crowds by getting a head start, but you are also more likely to see wildlife during the early morning hours.
2. Take plenty of breaks. Having one day in Yellowstone can make you feel like you need to squeeze everything in, but taking time to enjoy the scenery is part of what makes the park so special. When the family starts to get a little restless, take a break from the crowds and take advantage of the many turnoffs situated throughout the park. You never know what you will see!
3. Keep your eyes open for wildlife. It is guaranteed. You will see some amazing wildlife on your Yellowstone trip. Make sure you are on the lookout for opportunities to stop and catch a glimpse of something that you don’t always see at home.
4. Plan for slowdowns. Whether it’s a buffalo traffic jam, difficulty finding parking, or kids who are getting hungry and tired, it’s good to know ahead of time that it won’t always be smooth sailing on the roads. That’s where the snack bag can come in handy!
5. Have a bathroom plan. The national park bathrooms are generally clean and have hand sanitizer on the wall, but the best bathrooms are found in the visitor centers. If you have someone traveling with you who prefers a traditional bathroom, make sure you have planned stops along the way. Our Yellowstone one day itinerary lists which stops have bathrooms and which bathrooms are preferred!
Yellowstone National Park One Day Family Itinerary Attractions
Did you know that Yellowstone was created by a supervolcano? According to the National Park Service, the heat that powered the eruptions still fuels the park’s hydrothermal features including geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mudpots.
Below is a list of attractions in our Yellowstone One Day Family Itinerary.
Old Faithful
A visit to Yellowstone would not be complete without a trip to Old Faithful. Although not the largest geyser, it is likely the most famous in the park. This is due to its predictability of eruptions. Throughout the day, the park tracks when the next eruption will occur within +/- 10 minutes.
We watched Old Faithful from the Old Faithful Inn side in the evening and again the next morning on the visitor center side. For the best spot, we recommend arriving between 20 – 30 minutes before the predicted time of eruption and waiting on one of the benches surrounding the geyser. We were able to get front row seats around 8:40am for a 9:13am eruption. And guess what? It erupted right at 9:13am.
Old Faithful also has a wonderful visitor center and exhibit hall. You’ll definitely want to spend some time there. There’s a spot for passport stamping in the gift shop and kids can pick up their junior ranger information. This is a great bathroom stop as well.
If you have extra time, this is a good starting point for the Upper Geyser Basin. Follow the boardwalks to see hot pools and more erupting geysers. The walk to Chromatic Pool is about 1 mile from Old Faithful and Morning Glory Pool is around 1.4 miles. These estimations are one-way so if you make the whole trip, it’s about 3 miles total. Also, keep your eyes peeled for bison and elk, especially in the early morning.
And don’t forget to stop in the Old Faithful Inn, if only to marvel at this beautiful, historic structure.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Another popular spot that can’t be missed is Grand Prismatic Spring. Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the world’s largest, deepest hot springs and is truly mesmerizing with its array of colors.
There are two ways to see Grand Prismatic Spring and we think both are worth doing, if you can fit it in. The first way is to head to Midway Geyser Basin. This boardwalk will give you views of Grand Prismatic Spring and other hydrothermal features including the world’s largest geyser, Excelsior. The walk is easy and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.
The steam coming off of Grand Prismatic Spring can make it difficult to see with the naked eye. Lift your camera as high as possible and you’ll be surprised how clear the photo is. If you have a tall camera stand or selfie stick, this is a good place to use it.
The second option for seeing Grand Prismatic Spring is by taking the Fairy Falls Trail. This 1.2-mile trail (roundtrip) begins on an easy and wide trailhead that ends with a medium-steep and rocky climb to the top. Once at the top, viewers will get an elevated view that is truly worth the climb. This is considered an easy/moderate hike and is great for many families, but if you’re traveling with older adults with mobility issues or small children, it may not be the best fit.
Fountain Paint Pot Trail
With a short 0.5-mile trail along a boardwalk, the Fountain Paint Pot Trail is perfect for families. This area features every type of geothermal activity including hot springs, geysers, mudpots, and fumaroles.
Gibbon Falls
Located on the Gibbon River, Gibbon Falls is a gradual waterfall with an 84-ft drop. About 20 minutes from the Fountain Paint Pot Trail, this area gives viewers a change of scenery from the hydrothermal features as well as a good breaking point before heading to the eastern side of the park. It’s an easy 600 ft. walk to the upper viewing portion and another 600 ft. to the lower viewing portion.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
If there’s one waterfall you have to see during your Yellowstone National Park visit, it’s this one. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is extraordinary with its colorful features and tree lines, but the waterfall stemming from the Yellowstone River is absolutely breathtaking.
There are different overlooks where you can experience the grandeur of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The North Rim Drive will take you to Lookout Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point. The South Rim Drive will bring you to Upper Falls Viewpoint and Artist Point.
If you are only visiting one stop, we’d recommend taking the South Rim Drive to Artist Point. This will give you spectacular views of the falls. There are also ranger talks throughout the day that will give you additional information about the area.
Hayden Valley
The area between the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Mud Volcano Trail is called Hayden Valley. This is a fantastic spot for wildlife viewing, especially bison and elk. We encountered one of several traffic jams during this part of the loop. While some people may feel inconvenienced, we welcomed the chance to safely see these animals up close.
Mud Volcano Trail
What’s that smell? That may be the first question your kids ask when entering the Mud Volcano Trail. This pungent sulfuric smell is a little off putting at first, but the trail is full of interesting geological features that bubble, sizzle, and steam.
The boardwalk at the Mud Volcano Trail is 0.6 miles total, but it has some steep spots. The trail is easier if you go in a clockwise direction starting with the Mud Geyser and Mud Cauldron. If someone in your party is unable to make the climb, we’d still recommend checking out the Dragon’s Mouth Spring on the opposite side.
Our favorite features at the Mud Volcano Trail include Churning Caldron and Dragon’s Mouth Spring.
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is picturesque and can be viewed from different areas throughout the park. We recommend visiting the West Thumb Geyser Basin to get the best of both worlds – an enchanting lake plus geothermal features around the boardwalk. The Abyss Pool is exceptional and made even more so by the backdrop of the lake.
The 0.6-mile loop around the boardwalk is an easy trail, fit for the whole family. This location also has picnic tables and bathrooms.
Yellowstone One Day Family Itinerary FAQ
What type of animals will I see at Yellowstone National Park?
Elk and bison and bears, oh my! Yellowstone is home to an array of wildlife. On our trip we saw an American black bear, American bison (not to be confused with its cousin – the Asian or African buffalo), elk, chipmunks, osprey, and bald eagle. If you’re lucky, you may also come across moose, wolves, pronghorns, and bighorn sheep (just to name a few).
Remember, when viewing wildlife, it is essential that you keep your distance and never feed the animals. All of our close-up captures were taken from the car or zoomed in on the camera. Safety for your family and the animals in the park should be respected at all times.
Is it better to stay inside or outside Yellowstone National Park?
For those who are making a quick stop in Yellowstone National Park, we would highly recommend staying inside the park if you are able to. There are so many pros to staying inside the park with the greatest being convenience. You will also have the opportunity to see wildlife and attractions on the property. How many mornings do you get to wake up to coffee and a bison outside your window?
When you are limited in time, you will save so much more on the front end by already being inside the park. If you arrive early enough in the afternoon on your check-in day, you can also knock off a couple of items from the itinerary, which will give you more time to take in the scenery on your full day.
Is one day enough time to see all of Yellowstone?
Covering 3,472 square miles (2,221,766 acres) and spanning across three states, it would be impossible to see everything that Yellowstone has to offer, even over the course of several days. Although this travel plan doesn’t cover the whole park, our Yellowstone One Day Family Itinerary will take you through the park’s most famous landmarks while giving you time to take in the beauty and diverse nature of the area.
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone?
Summer is prime time in Yellowstone. The mountains thaw out and families flock to the area. This can make for a busy time both at the parks and on the roads.
If you can swing it with school and work schedules, May and September are the best months to visit Yellowstone. The weather is mild, and the crowds are significantly less than June, July, and August.
Do you need a car to visit Yellowstone?
For our Yellowstone One Day Family Itinerary you will need a vehicle to get from place to place. Yellowstone is a gigantic park, and it would be impossible to see everything on foot. If you are not road tripping and renting a car isn’t an option, we’d recommend signing up for a tour. There are plenty in the area that have both public and private options.
How far will you travel with this one day Yellowstone itinerary?
With our one-day Yellowstone itinerary, you will travel about 80 miles or 2 hours and 15 minutes by car, if you did not stop. Completing the entire itinerary, we spent about 8 hours in the park and clocked in about 7.5 miles on foot!
Yellowstone National Park One Day Family Itinerary (South Entrance or Old Faithful)
Beginning at Old Faithful or entering through the South Entrance – traveling clockwise
1. Old Faithful – Estimated Time at Attraction: 1 – 2 hours
- Watch Old Faithful erupt
- Explore the visitor center
- Optional: Walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk
- Preferred bathrooms
Old Faithful to Grand Prismatic Spring (6.8 miles / 13 minutes)
2. Grand Prismatic Spring – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Follow the boardwalk to see hot pools and erupting geysers
- Standard park bathrooms
- Optional, but recommended: Take the Fairy Falls Trail for an elevated view of Grand Prismatic Spring (Parking lot located before Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot on the left)
Grand Prismatic Spring to Fountain Paint Pot Trail (2.3 miles / 4 minutes)
3. Fountain Paint Pot Trail – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes
- Walk the boardwalk to see all four types of hydrothermal features
- Standard park bathrooms
Fountain Paint Pot Trail to Gibbon Falls (12.9 miles / 20 minutes)
4. Gibbon Falls – Estimated Time at Attraction: 20 minutes
- Walk to the upper and lower viewing spots
- Standard park bathrooms
Gibbon Falls to Canyon Lodge / Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (22 miles / 30 minutes)
*Optional stop at Norris Geyser Basin between Gibbon Falls and Canyon Lodge
5. Canyon Lodge and Cabins – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes
- Grab lunch, snacks, or ice cream
- Preferred bathrooms
6. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes
- Take the South Rim Drive to Artist Point
- View the canyon and waterfall from various points
- Optional: Listen to the ranger talk, take a hike, or visit stops along the North Rim Drive
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to Hayden Valley (9.9 miles / 20 minutes)
7. Hayden Valley – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes – 1 hour (depending on wildlife)
- Stop at one of the turnoffs to view wildlife
Hayden Valley to Mud Volcano Trail (1.1 miles / 2 minutes)
8. Mud Volcano Trail – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes
- Walk the boardwalk to see various mudpots and other geothermal features
Mud Volcano Trail to Yellowstone Lake (26.5 miles / 40 minutes)
9. Yellowstone Lake – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Walk the West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalk
- Standard Park Bathrooms
Yellowstone National Park One Day Family Itinerary (West Entrance or Fountain Paint Pot Trail)
Beginning at Fountain Paint Pot Trail or entering through the West Entrance – traveling counter-clockwise
1. Fountain Paint Pot Trail – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes
- Walk the boardwalk to see all four types of hydrothermal features
- Standard park bathrooms
Fountain Paint Pot Trail to Grand Prismatic (2.3 miles / 4 minutes)
2. Grand Prismatic Spring – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Follow the boardwalk to see hot pools and erupting geysers
- Standard park bathrooms
- Optional, but recommended: Take the Fairy Falls Trail for an elevated view of Grand Prismatic Spring (Parking lot located before Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot on the left)
Grand Prismatic Spring to Old Faithful (7 miles / 12 minutes)
3. Old Faithful – Estimated Time at Attraction: 1 – 2 hours
- Watch Old Faithful erupt
- Explore the visitor center
- Optional: Walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk
- Preferred bathrooms
Old Faithful to Lake Yellowstone (19.6 miles / 32 minutes)
4. Yellowstone Lake – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Walk the West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalk
- Standard Park Bathrooms
Lake Yellowstone to Mud Volcano Trail (26.5 miles / 38 minutes)
5. Mud Volcano Trail – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes
- Walk the boardwalk to see various mudpots and other geothermal features.
Mud Volcano Trail to Hayden Valley (13.9 miles / 25 minutes)*
*This is the time listed by Google Maps. In our experience, it was less.
6. Hayden Valley – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes – 1 hour (depending on wildlife)
- Stop at one of the turnoffs to view wildlife
Hayden Valley to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (7.7 miles / 13 minutes)
7. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes
- Take the South Rim Drive to Artist Point
- View the canyon and waterfall from various points
- Optional: Listen to the ranger talk, take a hike, or visit stops along the North Rim Drive
8. Canyon Lodge and Cabins – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes
- Grab lunch, snacks, or ice cream
- Preferred bathrooms
Canyon Lodge to Gibbon Falls (20.6 miles / 33 minutes)
*Optional stop at Norris Geyser Basin between Canyon Lodge and Gibbon Falls
9. Gibbon Falls – Estimated Time at Attraction: 20 minutes
- Walk to the upper and lower viewing spots.
- Standard park bathrooms
Yellowstone National Park One Day Family Itinerary (Must See Attractions Only)
This Yellowstone one day itinerary only has 5 must-see attractions, making it ideal for those who are very short on time or who want to spend a little extra time at each spot. These attractions were handpicked for their popularity, uniqueness, and diversity so you can feel like you’ve seen the top features without the time investment.
1. Old Faithful – Estimated Time at Attraction: 1 – 2 hours
- Watch Old Faithful erupt
- Explore the visitor center
- Optional: Walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk
- Preferred bathrooms
Old Faithful to Grand Prismatic Spring (6.8 miles / 13 minutes)
2. Grand Prismatic Spring – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Follow the boardwalk to see hot pools and erupting geysers
- Standard park bathrooms
- Optional, but recommended: Take the Fairy Falls Trail for an elevated view of Grand Prismatic Spring (Parking lot located before Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot on the left)
Grand Prismatic Spring to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (36.9 miles / 50 minutes)
3. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes
- Take the South Rim Drive to Artist Point
- View the canyon and waterfall from various points
- Optional: Listen to the ranger talk, take a hike, or visit stops along the North Rim Drive
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to Hayden Valley (9.9 miles / 20 minutes)
4. Hayden Valley – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes – 1 hour (depending on wildlife)
- Stop at one of the turnoffs to view wildlife
Hayden Valley to Yellowstone Lake (27.5 miles / 40 minutes)
5. Yellowstone Lake – Estimated Time at Attraction: 30 minutes – 1 hour
- Walk the West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalk
- Standard Park Bathrooms
FINAL THOUGHTS
We had an amazing time in Wyoming, and I hope this Yellowstone One Day Family Itinerary will help you and your family plan a wonderful trip as well.
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