A Yellowstone Bucket List For People Who Can’t Get Enough of the Park
After more than a decade of visits to Yellowstone National Park, you’d think we’d have seen and done it all. But here’s the thing—Yellowstone always has more to offer.
This Yellowstone Bucket List isn’t just a roundup of the best things to do in the park—it’s a collection of dreamy, wild, and unpredictable experiences you can’t find anywhere else. These are the uniquely Yellowstone moments that keep us coming back, trip after trip.
If you, like us, can’t get enough of Yellowstone National Park, here’s what makes up our Yellowstone Bucket List and why we’ll keep returning until we check off every last adventure!
Table of Contents Show
1. Watch Old Faithful Erupt At Night On the First Day of the Season
Seeing Old Faithful is a must for every visitor, but experiencing it on the first day of the season—when the park reopens after winter—or at night takes it to another level.
Yellowstone’s roads typically reopen to vehicles in mid-April, and being there to witness Old Faithful’s very first (public) eruption of the year feels like welcoming the park back to life. After months of deep snow and solitude, the geyser resumes its role as the most famous natural timekeeper on Earth, sending its first column of steam into the crisp spring air. It’s a symbolic moment—a fresh start, a reawakening of the park, and a chance to see Yellowstone before the summer crowds arrive.
Watching Old Faithful erupt after dark is a completely different experience. Gone are the daytime crowds and bustling boardwalks—it’s just you, the geyser, and the night sky. Under the stars, the steam glows in the moonlight, and the eruption is almost mystical. On a clear night, you might even see the Milky Way stretching above the geyser. At the same time, the quiet hush of the evening makes the experience even more intimate, allowing you to fully appreciate the sounds of Yellowstone.
Yellowstone Bucket List Challenge: Do both! See Old Faithful’s first eruption of the season during the day, then return at night for a starlit encore.
✅ Hear Old Faithful erupt after dark—July 2023
2. See a Steamboat Geyser Eruption
Steamboat Geyser, located in Yellowstone’s Norris Geyser Basin, is the tallest active geyser in the world, capable of shooting water more than 300 feet into the air—higher than Old Faithful and even the Statue of Liberty!
But unlike Old Faithful, which erupts on a predictable schedule, Steamboat is wildly unpredictable, sometimes going years or even decades between eruptions.
Steamboat’s erratic eruption schedule makes it one of the most elusive natural events in Yellowstone. Before its period of heightened activity in 2018, it once went over 50 years (from 1911 to 1961) without an eruption!
When it does erupt, Steamboat puts on a show like no other…
A massive initial explosion sends scalding water 300–400 feet into the sky, drenching everything around it.
The eruption can last from a few minutes to over an hour, making it one of the longest geyser eruptions in the world.
After the water phase, Steamboat enters a steam phase, releasing huge plumes of steam for hours or even days.
Even though Steamboat is unpredictable, its activity has increased in recent years, erupting multiple times per year since 2018. To increase your chances of witnessing this once-in-a-lifetime event, check the park’s latest reports, talk to geyser watchers, and plan for a long in-person wait.
Seeing Steamboat Geyser erupt is like winning the Yellowstone lottery, and if you’re lucky enough to be there when it erupts, you’ll be part of a rare group of visitors who have witnessed one of the most incredible natural spectacles on Earth.
3. Hike Fairy Falls to Grand Prismatic Overlook on a Hot, Calm Afternoon
We’ve hiked the Fairy Falls Trail to the Grand Prismatic Overlook numerous times… and we’ve stood marveling at a birds-eye view of the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring… but we want to see it at its absolute best.
The key to witnessing the Grand Prismatic Spring in its fullest, most colorful glory is timing.
The colors of the spring are most striking on a hot and calm summer day when the sun illuminates the deep blues, fiery oranges, and golden yellows in an almost surreal way. Wind is the enemy of this experience—on breezy days, steam rises thick and swirls over the spring, muting the colors and making it harder to appreciate the full spectrum. But when the air is still, the steam lifts just enough, revealing the iconic, rainbow-like rings of microbial mats in their boldest hues.
A warm summer afternoon provides the perfect conditions—bright light, no fog, and minimal steam interference—to take in the true intensity of Grand Prismatic’s colors.
This is one of those Yellowstone moments where nature aligns perfectly, and the challenge is being in the right place at the right time. We want to hike to the overlook on one of those rare, windless summer days to finally see the Grand Prismatic in all its glory.
4. Spot Wolves in the Wild
Spotting wolves in the wild has been at the top of Jonathan’s Yellowstone bucket list since our very first visit in 2015. There’s something about seeing these elusive predators in their natural habitat that feels like witnessing a piece of Yellowstone’s untamed soul. After years of searching, we’ve been lucky enough to see them twice—and both times were unforgettable!
Our first sighting was in winter when wolves are generally at their most visible. Scanning the snow-covered mountainsides with binoculars, we spotted a pack of four or five wolves, including a striking black wolf, moving through trees in the distance. The stark contrast of their dark shapes against the snow made it easier to follow them for a while before they disappeared in the treeline.
Then, in summer, we had an even more incredible sighting—a wolf pack with nine pups! We watched from Hayden Valley, set up with scopes, as the young wolves played, tumbled, and interacted with the adult wolves. We stood there for nearly an hour, watching as they wandered in and out of sight.
Even though we’ve now seen wolves twice, the thrill of the search keeps us coming back. There's always the hope of spotting them closer, seeing them cross the road in front of you, or watching them on a hunt. Spotting wolves in the wild remains one of the ultimate Yellowstone experiences, and we’ll never stop trying to see them again!
✅ Spot Wolves in the Wild—February 2023 & July 2024
5. See a Grizzly Bear
Seeing a grizzly bear is never guaranteed on a first visit, but Yellowstone is one of the best places in the world to spot one. Unlike black bears, which are more commonly seen near roads and in forested areas, grizzlies tend to roam vast open spaces, making them more elusive. Spotting one requires luck, timing, and patience, but that only makes the experience more rewarding!
We’ve been fortunate enough to see grizzlies in Lamar Valley, near Yellowstone Lake and Fishing Bridge, and even in roadside meadows near Old Faithful.
Each sighting was different—some were far in the distance, while others were close enough to watch their behavior in detail. Whether digging for roots, scavenging, or just moving across the landscape, grizzlies command attention in a way no other Yellowstone animal does.
Even though we’ve seen them before, grizzly sightings never get old, and each trip brings the possibility of another unforgettable moment. Whether it’s a solitary bear foraging at dusk or a mother with cubs in spring, seeing a grizzly in the wild is an experience that belongs on every Yellowstone bucket list.
✅ See a Grizzly Bear—July 2015, May 2023, & July 2024
6. Hear a Bull Elk Bugling On the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Few things capture the essence of Yellowstone like the haunting sound of a bull elk bugling. Hearing it echo through a valley is incredible, but witnessing it on the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs is next-level Yellowstone magic! The contrast of a massive bull elk standing against the otherworldly white and orange travertine, antlers high, calling out in the crisp autumn air—it’s an image straight out of a postcard.
This is another Yellowstone moment that’s never guaranteed, but fall is the best time to try. The elk rut takes place from mid-September through early October, and Mammoth is one of the most reliable places to hear and see this spectacle up close.
Thanks to a casual conversation with my mother-in-law, we were lucky to check this off our Yellowstone Bucket List in September 2023. While visiting us in Yellowstone, she stumbled upon a picture of an elk on the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces and mentioned how amazing it would be to witness this in person. We assumed this was wishful thinking, but the very next day, we found ourselves in Mammoth during the peak of the rut, watching a massive bull elk bugling on the terraces, surrounded by his harem. It was Yellowstone magic and a perfect reminder that sometimes, bucket list moments occur when you least expect them!
✅ Hear (& watch) a Bull Elk Bugling On the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces–September 2023
7. Watch Pronghorn Run at Full Speed During the Rut
Pronghorn are already one of the most fascinating animals in Yellowstone, but seeing one run at full speed during the rut would be next-level incredible. As the fastest land animal in North America, capable of reaching speeds up to 60 mph, pronghorn evolved to outrun prehistoric predators—meaning nothing else in Yellowstone moves like they do.
The pronghorn rut happens in September when males aggressively chase off rivals and corral females into harems. During this time, fights break out, chases ensue, and Yellowstone’s normally calm pronghorn suddenly turn into some of the most intense animals in the park. Seeing a pronghorn streak across a valley in an all-out sprint, hooves barely touching the ground, dust kicking up behind them, would be one of those blink-and-you-miss-it moments you’d never forget.
We’ve seen pronghorn grazing and on the move, but witnessing a full-speed sprint during the rut is next on our Yellowstone bucket list!
8. Hike Mount Washburn at Sunrise for 360-Degree Views
Hiking Mount Washburn is already one of Yellowstone’s most rewarding trails, but doing it at sunrise takes it to a whole new level. At 10,243 feet, the summit offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire park—rolling valleys, distant mountain ranges, and even steaming geyser basins. Arriving just as the first light of day spills over the horizon would make the climb even more unforgettable.
The early start would mean hiking in the dark, guided only by headlamps and the sounds of Yellowstone waking up. There’s a good chance of spotting bighorn sheep along the trail, and in the quiet of dawn, there’s always the thrill of knowing you might see other wildlife before they retreat for the day. Then, as you reach the summit, the sky shifts from deep purple to fiery orange, revealing the entire Yellowstone wilderness bathed in golden morning light.
9. Hike Seven Mile Hole to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Seven Mile Hole isn’t just any hike—it’s the only maintained trail that takes you all the way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. That alone makes it a true bucket list hike. While most visitors admire the canyon from overlooks like Artist Point, this trail offers a rare chance to descend into the depths of this geological wonder and experience it from the canyon floor.
The hike starts off deceptively easy, following the Rim Trail through forests and meadows, with stunning views of the canyon below. But after a few miles, the real challenge begins—a steep, nearly 1,400-foot descent into the canyon, with switchbacks that test your endurance and legs. The farther you go, the more you realize how few people take this route, making it feel like an exclusive, off-the-beaten-path Yellowstone experience.
At the bottom, the reward is unparalleled—thermal features bubbling near the Yellowstone River, the canyon walls towering above, and a perspective on the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone that few ever get to see. But what goes down must come up, and the climb back out is a serious workout, making this hike as much about determination as it is about adventure!
10. Drive Yellowstone’s Northern Range in Winter
Yellowstone in winter is an entirely different park—quieter, wilder, and largely untouched. While much of the park is closed to vehicles during the snowy months, the Northern Range remains open, offering one of the most incredible winter experiences in North America. Driving this route is like stepping into a real-life nature documentary, where steaming rivers cut through frozen landscapes, bison plow through deep snow, and wolves patrol the valleys in search of prey.
The drive from Gardiner to Cooke City winds through Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and Lamar Valley, passing through some of the best wildlife-watching areas in the park. Winter is prime time for spotting wolves, and with fewer crowds, the chances of seeing them hunting or interacting with their pack are higher than any other season. Bison, elk, coyotes, and foxes add to the magic of this drive, their thick winter coats blending into the snow-covered world around them.
Stopping to snowshoe along the way adds another layer to this winter experience, allowing for a quiet, immersive moment in Yellowstone’s winter wilderness. Driving Yellowstone’s Northern Range in winter isn’t just a scenic drive—it’s a chance to experience the park at its most raw and beautiful! A winter trip is the perfect addition to any Yellowstone bucket list.
✅ Drive Yellowstone’s Northern Range in Winter—February 2023
11. Snowmobile Through Yellowstone’s Interior
One of the most thrilling ways to experience Yellowstone in the winter is by snowmobiling through the park’s interior. With interior roads closed to regular vehicles, snowmobiles become one of the only ways to access Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and other iconic landmarks—and the ride itself is just as unforgettable as the destinations!
Snowmobiling through Yellowstone in winter means gliding past towering walls of snow, following bison as they use the roads as their personal winter highways, and stopping to witness geysers erupt into the icy air.
✅ Snowmobile Through Yellowstone’s Interior—February 2023
12. Celebrate Yellowstone Christmas in August
Of all the unique traditions in Yellowstone, Christmas in August might be the most unexpected—and that’s exactly why it’s on our bucket list. Every year on the evening of August 24th and into August 25th, a little piece of holiday magic takes over Yellowstone, with lodges, campgrounds, and even some visitors celebrating Christmas in the middle of summer.
This quirky tradition supposedly traces back to the early 20th century, when a freak August snowstorm stranded a group of visitors at Old Faithful Inn. Deciding to make the most of their unexpected situation, they celebrated Christmas right then and there—and somehow, the idea stuck. We’re not sure if this is actually what happened but either way, over the decades, Christmas in August became an unofficial Yellowstone tradition, embraced by rangers, employees, and longtime visitors.
Spending Christmas in August in the park means soaking in the festive spirit in a way that’s completely different from a typical holiday season. Some lodges and campgrounds put up decorations, and if you’re lucky, you might even hear carolers. It’s one of those fun, only-in-Yellowstone experiences that makes you feel connected to the park’s history and to the generations of travelers who have celebrated before. It may not be snowing (hopefully), but experiencing Yellowstone’s take on Christmas in the summer is something we can’t wait to check off the list!
13. Get Caught in a Bison Jam During the Bison Rut
Bison jams are iconic Yellowstone experiences, but getting stuck in the middle of a full-blown rutting season standoff? It’s a Yellowstone rite of passage.
In late July and August, Yellowstone’s bison become louder, bolder, and more aggressive as massive bulls compete for dominance. What might usually be a slow-moving traffic delay turns into a front-row seat to one of the most intense wildlife spectacles in the park.
The air is thick with dust as bulls bellow deep, guttural roars, warning off rivals and trying to impress nearby cows. You can feel the tension as they stomp, snort, and swing their massive heads, sometimes breaking into full-on battles—two-ton giants crashing into each other with incredible force, just yards from your car. Meanwhile, younger bison weave through the chaos, cows keep an eye on their calves, and the whole herd moves wherever it pleases, completely unconcerned with the long line of stopped vehicles.
There’s nothing to do but sit back, roll down the windows, and take it all in—the sheer power of these animals, the deep, prehistoric sounds of their calls, and the way Yellowstone reminds you that you’re in their world, not the other way around.
✅ Get Caught in a Bison Jam at Rut—July 2015
14. Watch Bear Cubs Climbing a Tree
There’s something truly magical about watching bear cubs clumsily scramble up a tree, their little paws gripping the bark as they follow their mother’s lead. Unlike grizzlies, black bears are excellent climbers, and seeing them high in the treetops is one of the most endearing wildlife moments Yellowstone has to offer.
Spring is the best time for this, as mother black bears emerge from their dens with their cubs, teaching them essential survival skills—including how to climb to safety when danger is near. The Tower Junction area is one of the best places in the park to witness this, with its mix of meadows and wooded hillsides creating the perfect black bear habitat.
We were lucky enough to cross this off our bucket list on a May trip when we spotted a mother bear and her cubs right near Tower Junction. We watched in awe as the cubs clambered up a tree while their mother foraged nearby, occasionally glancing up to check on them. It was one of those perfect Yellowstone moments, a reminder of just how wild and wonderful this place truly is.
✅ Watch Bear Cubs Climb A Tree—May 2023
15. Go River Rafting on the Yellowstone River
Yellowstone is famous for its mountains, geysers, and wildlife, but rafting the Yellowstone River is an adventure that offers a completely different way to experience the park’s rugged beauty. Unlike the geothermal areas and scenic overlooks that require stopping and staring, rafting puts you in the middle of the action. Depending on the stretch of the river, you’ll cruise through calm, scenic waters or hit fun, bouncy rapids that get your heart racing. Either way, it’s an incredible way to take in Yellowstone’s stunning landscape from a totally new perspective.
Whether it’s a peaceful float or a thrilling whitewater run, rafting the Yellowstone River is the perfect mix of adventure and scenery—a must-do bucket list experience!
✅ River Rafting on the Yellowstone River—July 2024
16. Spot an Owl in Yellowstone
Owls are some of the most elusive and mysterious predators in Yellowstone, often heard but rarely seen. Spotting one in the wild—especially a tiny but fierce Northern Pygmy Owl or a majestic Great Gray Owl—is an unforgettable wildlife experience!
For birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts, there’s something special about catching a glimpse of an owl perched in a pine tree or silently flying through the forest.
I’ve been wanting to see an owl in Yellowstone for years… and finally, while driving through Yellowstone this past January, we saw a group of photographers watching something small in a nearby pine tree: a Pygmy Owl!
Northern Pygmy Owls are one of the smallest owl species in Yellowstone, measuring only about 6-7 inches tall. Unlike many other owls, they are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, making them one of the easier owls to spot. They are fierce little hunters, often preying on small songbirds, rodents, and insects, sometimes taking down animals nearly their own size.
In Yellowstone, they are most commonly found in dense conifer forests around places like Lamar Valley, the Northern Range, and the park’s higher elevations, especially where there are open meadows and clearings for hunting.
✅ Spot an Owl in Yellowstone—January 2025
17. Photograph a Red Fox in Snow
We’re clearly big fans of wildlife. It’s one of the reasons we fell in love with Yellowstone and keep coming back for me. It’s also why we bought Lincoln’s Lodge to live part-time at the foot of “nature’s favorite entrance to Yellowstone National Park” (Yellowstone’s North Entrance near Gardiner, MT).
At the top of my Yellowstone bucket list has always been seeing my favorite animal—the red fox—in the snow. I couldn’t get the picture out of my head… the thick winter coat of a red fox circled up against the snow, tail wrapped around its body, and its face tucked in just enough to shield from the icy air. This is the kind of peaceful, intimate wildlife moment I couldn’t wait to witness—a perfect contrast of fiery red fur against the pure white snow.
✅ Photograph a Red Fox in the Snow—February 2023
18. Boating or Kayaking on Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is already a breathtaking sight from the shore, but getting out on the water takes the experience to a whole new level. Whether in a kayak, canoe, or motorboat, exploring Yellowstone Lake by water is a bucket list adventure. It’s a chance to see the park from a completely different perspective, away from the crowds, where the wilderness feels endless, the air crisp, and the moment unforgettable.
✅ Boating on Yellowstone Lake—July 2024
19. Horseback Riding from the Corral to Dinner
Riding through Yellowstone on horseback is the kind of classic Western experience that feels like stepping back in time. Imagine winding through sagebrush-covered hills, open meadows, and pine forests, taking in uninterrupted views of the Lamar Valley and surrounding mountains, all while on the back of a sturdy trail horse. It’s not just a scenic ride—it’s a way to experience the park like early explorers once did.
The real magic of this experience, though, is where it ends—at an Old West-style cookout. After riding through the quiet wilderness, you arrive at a rustic outdoor setting, where the smell of sizzling steaks and cowboy coffee fills the air. There’s something special about dining under the open sky, surrounded by the sounds of crackling campfires, distant coyote calls, and the camaraderie of fellow riders.
It’s the perfect mix of adventure, history, and good food, wrapped up in an evening that captures the spirit of Yellowstone’s wild past. Whether you're an experienced rider or a total beginner, horseback riding from the Roosevelt Corral to dinner is a bucket list-worthy way to end a day in the park—and one we can’t wait to check off.
20. Drive Every Road in Yellowstone National Park
Most visitors stick to Yellowstone’s most famous scenic drive—Grand Loop Road, hitting the biggest attractions and calling it a day. And don’t get me wrong, that’s the perfect itinerary for first-time visitors! But for those of us who love exploring Yellowstone and keep coming back for more, the goal isn’t just to see the highlights—it’s to drive every single road in the park, from the main scenic routes to the lesser-known detours.
This means experiencing the famous drives, like the Lower and Upper Loops, the roads to each entrance, and the stunning scenic byways. But it also means venturing onto one-way roads like Firehole Canyon Drive and Blacktail Plateau Drive, following Chittenden Road up toward Mount Washburn, and even taking the breathtaking drive out of Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance to Beartooth Highway, one of the most scenic mountain roads in the world.
The beauty of driving every road in Yellowstone is that you never know what you’ll find—a hidden geothermal feature, a quiet picnic spot, or a surprise wildlife encounter where you least expect it.
Plan Your Trip to Yellowstone with our All-Seasons Travel Guide
Plan the ultimate Yellowstone vacation with our All-Seasons Yellowstone Travel Guide!
With detailed maps, insider tips, and custom itineraries you won't find anywhere else, our Yellowstone Travel Guide will help you experience the best—and less-traveled—parts of Yellowstone National Park. Take the stress out of planning a vacation to one of America's largest and most diverse national parks and make the most of your time with our comprehensive, easy-to-use travel guide.
Learn more about our All-Seasons Yellowstone Travel Guide here.
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