Yellowstone In A Day: 1-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Visiting Yellowstone in a day might seem impossible—after all, you can spend years exploring Yellowstone and still experience something new each trip. But with a well-planned itinerary, you can experience many of the park's most iconic sights with just 24 hours to explore!

If you’re up for a long but incredible day touring one of the most famous national parks in the world, this one-day itinerary is designed to maximize your short visit by bringing you to the park's top attractions. Whether you're starting from Gardiner, West Yellowstone, or anywhere else, this guide will help you make the most of your time. Consider this the beginning of your Yellowstone adventures!

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One-Day Yellowstone Itinerary

This one-day itinerary is great for seeing as much of Yellowstone National Park as possible in one day. You can begin following this itinerary from whichever entrance—or point of attraction—is closest to you. To keep it easier to follow along, we’re sharing this itinerary as though you’re starting from the north, in Gardiner, MT, and driving clockwise.

Start Your Day in Gardiner, MT

Starting from Gardiner, MT, pass under the historic Roosevelt Arch and enter Yellowstone through the North Entrance.

Drive toward Mammoth Hot Springs, one of the park’s best-known geothermal areas. As you head south, keep an eye out for wildlife—elk are often spotted in the Mammoth area, and pronghorn antelope and bison along Yellowstone’s Northern Range.

While it’s tempting to spend time at the Upper and Lower Terraces (and you certainly should at some point today), we recommend returning later in the day when the terraces glow beautifully at sunset. Instead of stopping, continue on toward Lamar Valley for some of the best wildlife watching in the world.

Wildlife Watching in Lamar Valley

From Mammoth, follow the signs to Lamar Valley. (If you’re heading toward Mammoth from Gardiner, turn left before the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.) As you head toward Tower-Roosevelt Junction, you’ll pass through Blacktail Plateau, where wildlife sightings are common. Keep your eyes peeled for bison, bears, red foxes, coyotes, elk, moose, and even wolves.

Once you arrive at Tower-Roosevelt, turn left and head east into the famous Lamar Valley, often referred to as “America’s Serengeti” for its vast, open meadows and abundant wildlife. Early mornings offer the best chances to spot bison, wolves, bears, and other wildlife.

Drive as far as you’d like toward the Northeast Entrance, a great place to look for bighorn sheep and mountain goats, then retrace your steps to Tower-Roosevelt Junction to continue south on Grand Loop Road.

Bison in Lamar Valley on a chilly fall day.

Tower Fall & Dunraven Pass

After wildlife watching in Lamar Valley, retrace your route back to Tower-Roosevelt Junction and turn left to continue south. Shortly after, stop at Tower Fall, one of Yellowstone’s most picturesque waterfalls, which plunges 132 feet between tall rock formations.

Continue driving through Dunraven Pass, which offers stunning panoramic views of the park’s high-altitude landscapes and is a great place for bird-watching in Yellowstone.

Hikers might love the Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn Trail for 360-degree panoramic park views, though hiking this trail can be a full-day Yellowstone adventure in its own right! Continue driving Grand Loop Road until you reach Canyon Village.

Canyon Village

Once at Canyon Village, you’ll be at one of the park’s most breathtaking sights: the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Follow the short detours along both North Rim Drive and South Rim Drive.

The North Rim Drive features iconic overlooks like the Grand View Point and the Brink of the Lower Falls, a short but steep walk leading to an up-close view of the Lower Falls plunging 308 feet into the canyon below.

The South Rim Drive, on the other hand, provides access to the famous Artist Point Overlook, offering one of the most beautiful viewpoints in all of Yellowstone National Park. Both drives are short but packed with incredible scenery, making them essential stops for any visit to Yellowstone.

Hayden Valley

After Canyon Village, continue south through Hayden Valley, a wide expanse where you’re likely to encounter large herds of bison. Grizzly bears, coyotes, and wolves are also frequently spotted in this area, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. The valley's wide-open spaces make wildlife easy to spot, and the scenic pull-offs offer perfect places to pause and take it all in. Don't rush through Hayden Valley—wildlife watching here is one of Yellowstone’s highlights.

Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb Geyser Basin

Next, you’ll pass along the shores of Yellowstone Lake, the largest high-elevation lake in North America. This is a great spot for boating, kayaking, and fishing in Yellowstone. For those interested in hiking, the nearby Elephant Back Mountain Trail and Storm Point Loop offer short but rewarding hikes with stunning lake views.

A must-stop along Yellowstone Lake is West Thumb Geyser Basin, where geothermal features meet the lake's edge. The boardwalks here allow for easy exploration of the hot springs and geysers set against the backdrop of Yellowstone Lake. Along with the valleys, this is one of our favorite spots for sunrises in Yellowstone National Park.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin

Continue your drive to Yellowstone's most iconic landmark—Old Faithful Geyser. Stop at the Old Faithful Visitor Center to check predictions for upcoming eruption times, and while waiting, explore the Upper Geyser Basin. This area has the largest concentration of geysers in the world, including well-known geysers like Castle, Daisy, and Riverside. Watching Old Faithful erupt is a quintessential Yellowstone experience, so be sure to grab a good viewing spot and enjoy the incredible natural show.

Grand Prismatic Spring

A short drive from Old Faithful brings you to Midway Geyser Basin, home to Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the park’s most colorful and famous features. Walk the boardwalks at the Midway Geyser Basin for a close look to this vibrant thermal pool, or hike to the Grand Prismatic Overlook via the Fairy Falls Trail for a bird's-eye view. The colors of Grand Prismatic are especially vivid on warm, sunny days, so we love being at the Midway Geyser Basin an hour or two before sunset on hot summer and fall days.

Norris Geyser Basin

As you head back north, consider a stop at Norris Geyser Basin, the hottest and most volatile geyser basin in the park. Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser, is the highlight here, though it erupts unpredictably. Even if Steamboat is quiet, the basin is home to numerous colorful hot springs and fumaroles, making it a fascinating end-of-day stop when exploring Yellowstone in one day.

Mammoth Hot Springs at Sunset

If you skipped Mammoth Hot Springs in the morning, now’s the time to visit! The Upper and Lower Terraces are even more striking at or even just after sunset when the light brings out the vivid white and orange hues of the travertine formations.

Finish your loop back in Gardiner, keeping an eye out for wildlife like bison, elk, and antelope along the way.

While this itinerary offers a fantastic one-day overview of Yellowstone, it's just a starting point. There are countless more sights to see, hikes to take, and wildlife to watch along Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road—and even more by detouring off the main path. For those short on time, this is a great way to experience the park in one day, but we hope you’ll return to explore more next time!

Yellowstone In A Day: Map & Route

FAQs About Touring Yellowstone in a Day

Can I see all of Yellowstone in one day?

While you can’t see everything in a day, you can cover a lot of Yellowstone’s most famous sights by following the main road through the park—Grand Loop Road—which connects many of Yellowstone’s highlight attractions.

How much driving is required for a one-day Yellowstone trip?

A lot of driving will be required to see as much of Yellowstone as possible when visiting for just one day. You'll be driving around 140-150 miles if you complete the full “Grand Loop,” which takes around 4-7 hours without stops. To drive through Lamar Valley to Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance, you’ll be driving an additional 14-30 miles, depending on how far you go. Plan for a full day of mostly driving when following this 1-day Yellowstone itinerary.

What time should I start my day trip into Yellowstone?

It’s best to start early, ideally an hour or so before sunrise, to maximize your time, avoid traffic, and catch wildlife in action. If you’re starting in Gardiner and following this itinerary clockwise, aim to be in Lamar Valley at sunrise for the best wildlife watching. You’ll likely be following this itinerary past sunset. For those starting from Gardiner, our recommendation is to be in Lamar Valley for sunrise and back at Mammoth Hot Springs for sunset. (This works best in the summer when longer daylight hours offer more time to explore.)

Can I start my one-day trip from any park entrance?

Yes, you can enter the park and start this 1-day itinerary from any Yellowstone entrance. Our recommendation is to pick up this itinerary at the point along Grand Loop Road closest to your starting destination. (Note: Grand Loop Road is sometimes referred to as Yellowstone’s “Grand Loop.”)

What are the best wildlife-watching spots when you only have one day in Yellowstone?

Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are the best areas for spotting wildlife like bison, wolves, and bears. Be here about an hour before and after sunrise and sunset for prime viewing opportunities.

How do I avoid crowds on a one-day Yellowstone trip?

Starting early and visiting popular spots like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring outside of midday peak hours is the best way to avoid crowds when visiting Yellowstone. However, it's best to expect crowds when seeing Yellowstone in a day, especially since you'll follow a loop to see multiple attractions in a limited timeframe. Prioritize the attractions that matter most to you and consider heading to those first to ensure you can secure parking and enjoy them in quieter conditions.

When should I visit Yellowstone to see as much as possible?

To see as much as possible in Yellowstone, plan your visit between June and August. During these months, all park roads are open, allowing you to access the main attractions and scenic areas without restrictions. This timeframe also coincides with favorable weather conditions and longer daylight hours, making it ideal for outdoor activities, wildlife watching, and exploring the park’s stunning landscapes.

Can I hike during a one-day trip?

Depending on the stops you make, you may be able to hike during your one-day Yellowstone trip. Consider shorter hikes like the Brink of the Lower Falls, Storm Point Loop, and the Grand Prismatic Overlook on the Fairy Falls Trail. Also be sure to hop out of your car to walk the boardwalk trails at the Mammoth Hot Springs, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Upper Geyser Basin, and Midway Geyser Basin.

Keep Planning Your Trip to Yellowstone National Park

Plan your ultimate Yellowstone vacation with our All-Seasons Yellowstone Travel Guide! With insider tips, detailed maps, and tailored itineraries for each season, ensure you never miss out, whether you’re enjoying water sports in the summer or spotting wildlife in the spring. Crafted from personal experience over 9 years, our All-Seasons Yellowstone Travel Guide is packed with expert advice for experiencing the best—and less-traveled—parts of Yellowstone National Park. Remove the overwhelm of planning a vacation to America’s first (and one of its largest) national parks and make the most of your visit with our comprehensive, easy-to-use travel guide!

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Happy Travels!

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