3-Day Yellowstone Itinerary | Geysers & Bisons

Yellowstone isn’t just a national park. It’s a moody, unpredictable, alive place where the ground literally steams, bison own the roads, and waterfalls punch you in the feels.

I’ve spent weeks here over the years—once got stuck in a “bison jam” so long I missed dinner, another time watched a wolf pack trot past my car like they were late for a meeting.

This 3-day Yellowstone itinerary isn’t just a checklist; it’s the stuff I’d text a friend. Let’s roll.

Day 1: Geysers, Crowd-Dodging, and the Huckleberry Margarita Reward System

Morning: Norris Geyser Basin (But Do It Wrong First)

Confession: My first time at Norris, I showed up at noon. Mistake. The parking lot was a Hunger Games scene. Go at 7:30 AM. Yeah, it’s early, but you’ll have the Porcelain Basin’s hissing vents and neon pools mostly to yourself. Pro tip: The ground here crunches underfoot—it’s that silica-heavy crust—and smells like a mix of wet dog and fireworks. Embrace it.

Mid-Morning: Grand Prismatic’s Secret Backstage Pass

Everyone mobs the Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk for Grand Prismatic Spring. Skip it. Instead, hike the Fairy Falls Trail (parking lot’s a half-mile north of Midway). The uphill climb to the overlook feels like a StairMaster, but the aerial view? Chef’s kiss. On cloudy days, it’s meh—time this for sunshine. Fun fact: I once saw a tourist here try to fly a drone over it. Rangers materialized faster than Old Faithful. Don’t be that guy.

Afternoon: Old Faithful & the Geyser That Spoils Us All

Old Faithful erupts every 90-ish minutes. Check the NPS app for predictions, then grab a huckleberry soft-serve at the general store (trust me). While waiting, wander the Upper Geyser Basin—it’s like Disneyland for geology nerds. Castle Geyser looks like a crumbling medieval fortress, and Morning Glory Pool? Its colors are fading because idiots throw coins in it. Don’t. Be. That. Guy. Part Two.

Evening: Dinner with Ghosts (The Good Kind)

The Old Faithful Inn creaks like a pirate ship and smells like cedar campfires. Eat in the dining room—the bison meatloaf is solid, but the real magic is the 85-foot stone fireplace. After dark, sit on the porch. If you’re lucky, a ranger will tell ghost stories about the 1988 fires. Spooky, but in a “I’m-definitely-alive” way.

Day 2: Wolves at Dawn, Canyon Selfies, and Illegal Hot Tubging

Sunrise: Lamar Valley or Why You Need Binoculars

Set your alarm for 5 AM. I know, I know. But Lamar Valley at dawn is prime wolf territory. Last June, I watched a grey wolf pup pounce on a meadow vole while its pack howled in the distance. Rent a spotting scope from Yellowstone Forever ($20/day) or buddy up with strangers—seriously, everyone’s weirdly friendly here. Coffee hack: Fill a thermos the night before. The park’s coffee tastes like burnt hiking boots.

Late Morning: The Canyon That Ruins Other Canyons

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone isn’t just a viewpoint—it’s a full-body experience. Artist Point is iconic, but walk 10 minutes north to Uncle Tom’s Trail. The 328-step descent is basically a StairMaster with payoff: You’ll get drenched in mist from the Lower Falls and feel 100% like a Tolkien character. Warning: The climb back up sucks if you’re out of shape. Take breaks. No shame.

Afternoon: Mammoth Hot Springs & the Elk Mafia

Mammoth’s travertine terraces look like a giant baked Alaska. Walk the boardwalks, but keep your head on a swivel—elk own this area. Once, I saw a bull elk nonchalantly lick a tourist’s car door handle. The Boiling River soak (near Gardiner) is a must if it’s open (check the NPS site). Mixing 100°F thermal water with the icy Gardner River is like nature’s jacuzzi. Just don’t bring glass bottles—rangers don’t play.

Day 3: Lakeside Zen, Secret Waterfalls, and the Burger of Victory

Morning: Hayden Valley’s Morning Drama

Hayden Valley is where Yellowstone’s animals put on a soap opera. Bison calves sprint in zigzags like they’ve had too much Mountain Dew. Coyotes trot past with side-eye. Drive slow—last week, I saw a bison rub its butt on a “Do Not Approach Wildlife” sign. Poetry.

Midday: Yellowstone Lake’s Quiet Side

Most folks snap a pic at West Thumb Geyser Basin and bail. For solitude, hike the Storm Point Loop. It’s flat, easy, and ends at a rocky outcrop where waves crash like you’re in Maine. I once napped here and woke up to an otter staring at me. 10/10, would recommend.

Afternoon: Hidden Gems & the Burger You’ve Earned

Local secret: Tower Fall is cool, but the 1-mile hike to Lost Lake (near Petrified Tree) is all wildflowers and zero crowds. Post-hike, exit via Gardiner and hit The Corral Drive-In. Their bison burger with huckleberry BBQ sauce is the stuff of legends. If you’re feeling fancy, split a blackberry cobbler. You’re on vacation—calories don’t count.

Yellowstone Cheat Sheet

Entry Fee: $35/car

Lodging: Book Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel if you like historic charm (read: tiny bathrooms). Camp at Norris if you’re brave—I once had a bison snort outside my tent at 3 AM.

Crowd Hack: July and August are Thunderdome. Come in late May or September—kids are in school, and elk are extra sassy.

Safety PSA: Thermal areas aren’t hot tubs. A guy died in 2021 after falling into a hot spring. Stay. On. The. Boardwalk.

Final Note: Let Yellowstone Surprise You

Yellowstone doesn’t follow your plans. One trip, I ditched my itinerary to watch a bald eagle fight a raven over a fish carcass. Best. Morning. Ever. So pack your patience, a good rain jacket (weather here is moodier than a TikTok teen), and a sense of wonder.

This place? It’s magic with dirt under its fingernails