Craving epic landscapes, boiling geysers, and wildlife sightings that will make your friends green with envy? Then buckle up, buttercup, because we’re about to uncork the perfect Yellowstone National Park itinerary for 5 days.
This ain’t your grandma’s tour bus ride – we’ve got geyser gazing, canyon exploring, and enough animal encounters to make you feel like Dr. Doolittle on vacation. So, pack your sense of adventure (and bear spray – just in case), because Yellowstone’s wild side awaits!
5-Day Yellowstone Road Trip
What Yellowstone Entrance is Best?
This all depends on where you’re coming from. You can adjust your Yellowstone National Park Itinerary 5 Days Road Trip to match the entrance of your choosing. Let us help:
- North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana – Mammoth Hot Springs – Best if flying in to Bozeman or driving in from the North. This is also the only entrance open year-round.
- Northeast Entrance in Cooke City, Montana – Lamar Valley – Best if flying into Billings and coming in from the Beartooth Highway
- East Entrance near Wapiti, Wyoming – Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Yellowstone Lake – Best entrance for those flying into Cody
- South Entrance near Moran, Wyoming – Yellowstone Lake – Best for those coming in after visiting Grand Teton National Park or flying into Jackson Hole
- West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana – Old Faithful – Best entrance for anyone flying into Idaho Falls Regional or flying into/staying in West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Itinerary: 5 Days Road Trip
If you have 5 days to road trip Yellowstone National Park, we have the perfect Itinerary. This Yellowstone Itinerary includes scenic drive routes, short hike options and the best views of this incredible National Park.
Explore a small piece of the entire park with this 5-day Yellowstone National Park Itinerary. We’re traveling Grand Loop Road to every corner of the park, let’s go!
Day 1: Mammoth Hot Springs
Enter the park from its North Entrance and begin your Yellowstone Road Trip! First stop, Mammoth Hot Springs.
The Mammoth Hot Springs Area is home to the only year-round campground, a ton of park history, and a variety of hydrothermal features.
Best places to visit near Mammoth Hot Springs:
- Drive through Roosevelt Arch, a symbolic entrance to the first National Park.
- Check out Albright Visitor Center and do the walking tour of Fort Yellowstone to learn more about the history of the park.
- Hike 4.4 Miles and 1,282 Feet up Bunsen Peak early in the day to avoid crowds and ensure a parking spot.
- Check out Norris Geyser Basin to learn more about the hydrothermal activity at Yellowstone National Park.
- Explore 2.5 miles of geothermal activity at Mammoth Terraces, a large hot spring complex on a hillside of travertine terraces.
Best Places to Stay Near Mammoth Hot Springs:
- Stay in Gardiner, Montana
- Mammoth Campground
- Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins
Hydrothermal features are really neat! They can also be very dangerous. Please stay on the boardwalks and follow all posted regulations (and common sense). These areas are literal hot spots.
Day 2: Lamar Valley
Drive East on Grand Loop Road toward Lamar Valley to start your second day in Yellowstone National Park.
This area of the park is known for being a wildlife hot spot. You will frequently find cars pulled over on the side of the road. Drive with caution for both other park visitors and wildlife crossings. There’s nothing cooler than a whole herd of Bison crossing the street right in front of you!
Best things to do in the Lamar Valley Area:
- Wildlife Viewing at dawn! Hang around the Slough Creek area for possible Wolf sightings.
- Hike Yellowstone River Overlook (3.2 mi. & 472 ft.) and Specimen Ridge Trail for incredible views of the valley below and possible Bighorn Sheep sightings.
- Check out Tower Fall, a 132-foot waterfall in the Tower-Roosevelt region of Yellowstone National Park.
- Hike the 3-mile Lost Lake Loop with a pitstop at the Petrified Tree
- Slow down and saddle up! Explore the park on horseback through a Yellowstone National Park Lodges Tour for a truly unique experience.
Best Places to Stay Near Lamar Valley:
- Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
- Slough Creek Campground
- Pebble Creek Campground
Experiencing wildlife in its natural habitat is a treat! Please make sure you do not approach or feed any animal. This includes bison and elk as they have injured people people.
It is best to stay 100 yards (91 m) from black and grizzly bears and wolves and 25 yards (23 m) from all other animals. If your presence has caused an animal to change its behavior, you are too close. Wild animals are incredible to view from a distance.
Day 3: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Explore this incredible area of Yellowstone National Park on your third day.
The Yellowstone River carves through the multi-colored rhyolite creating incredible cliffs. Many of these cliff edges provide stunning overlooks. We’re here to help you find your favorite viewing area of the falls and more!
Best things to do near Grand Canyon of Yellowstone:
- Check out the Canyon Rim South Trail for views of Upper and Lower Falls from the famous Artist Point Overlook.
- Hike or mountain bike the 6.8 mile Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn.
- Explore a bit of the North Rim Trail including Inspiration Point and Brink of the Lower Falls.
- Travel to Hayden Valley at Dawn or Dusk for another great opportunity for wildlife viewing.
- Spend time in Canyon Village at the Canyon Visitor Education Center to learn more about the super volcano!
Best Places to Stay Near Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone:
- Canyon Cabins
- Moran Lodge
- Canyon Campground
The sheer cliffs of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are truly amazing! They provide stunning views of the Yellowstone River below. For your safety, it’s important that you stay on trail – any trail closures are for your safety and should be adhered to.
Day 4: Yellowstone Lake
We’re heading to the southern end of the park to check out Yellowstone Lake on Day 4.
Situated at almost 8,000 feet above sea level, Yellowstone Lake is the largest high elevation lake in North America. Boating, swimming, and fishing are some of the unique activities this lake can offer park visitors.
Best Things to do near Yellowstone Lake:
- Hike the 2.5 mile Storm Point trail for beautiful views of Yellowstone Lake with a mountainous backdrop.
- Explore West Thumb Geyser Basin, a truly unique geyser basin along the shores of Yellowstone Lake.
- Climb 3.6 miles and 793 feet up Elephant Back Mountain for a birds eye view of Yellowstone Lake.
- Bike or Hike 2 miles round trip to Natural Bridge down an old park road.
- Rent a Boat from Bridge Bay Marina and explore the lake from the water!
Best Places to Stay Near Yellowstone Lake:
- Lake Yellowstone Hotel
- Bridge Bay Campground
- Grant Village Campground
Be sure to protect Yellowstone from invasive aquatic species. The park requires all watercrafts to have a Yellowstone National Park Aquatic Invasive Species inspection and boat permit before launching in any Yellowstone waters. This includes angler tubes and paddle boards!
You can receive your boat permit and inspection at Bridge Bay Ranger Station, Grant Marina, Lewis Lake Ranger Station, and Bechler Ranger Station.
Day 5: Old Faithful
Spend your fifth and final day in Yellowstone in the Old Faithful Area. This is one of the parks most popular areas and for good reason! If you only have a day to spend, utilize this as your one day itinerary.
Old Faithful is one of 500 geysers in the park. It’s one of six geysers that rangers currently predict which is how it received its name! Thermal features are changing every day; Old Faithful can stop erupting any day, but it’s only varied its eruptions by 30 minutes in the last thirty years.
Best Things to do near Old Faithful:
- Step back in time at the Old Faithful Inn, built in the early 1900’s, to visit one of the few remaining log hotels in the United States.
- Arrive at dawn to watch Old Faithful Geyser erupt. Then explore the Upper Geyser Basin and Geyser Hill Loop Trail for more geothermal features.
- Hike or bike the 5.3 mile Lone Star Geyser trail for less crowds and 40-foot eruptions!
- Walk the boardwalk at Grand Prismatic Spring for a look at this colorful hot spring.
- Hike/Bike to Fairy Falls with a pitstop at Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook to really see the rainbow colors.
Best Places to Stay Near Old Faithful:
- Madison Campground
- Old Faithful Lodge
- Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins
This is a really incredible area of the park! We highly recommend stopping in to the Old Faithful visitor Education Center to learn more about the park’s hydrothermal features.
Additionally, we recommend bringing bikes to this area of the park. Being able to ride our bikes to two really beautiful areas of the park allowed us to fit a lot of Yellowstone beauty into one amazing day in the park!
Yellowstone Itinerary
This Yellowstone National Park Itinerary 5 days road trip can be completed from any of the parks entrances.
Check out a map of Yellowstone to see exactly where you’ll be starting. Then complete a loop hitting each of these major areas along the way.
At 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone is one of the largest National Parks in the United States. It’s important to take drive time into consideration. This is why we recommend staying in a different area of the park each night of your stay. While it may have its inconveniences, it will save you travel time in the long-run.
If you only had time for two days in the park, I would visit the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Old Faithful areas!
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Yellowstone National Park: Your Burning Questions Answered (Without Getting Singed)
Yellowstone National Park, a wonderland of geysers, hot springs, and wild creatures, ignites curiosity in travelers worldwide. Here’s the lowdown on the most frequently asked questions, so you can plan your Yellowstone adventure without getting lost in the wilderness (of information):
1. Is Yellowstone National Park open year-round?
Yellowstone is a trooper, but even it needs a break! Most roads close due to snow from late November to mid-May. However, the park’s North entrance (near Gardiner, Montana) stays accessible year-round, with limited services available. Always check current conditions and seasonal closures before your trip!
The best time to visit the park is during the summer months if you want access to all of the park roads and best spots. With summer months comes crowds though, so be prepared!
2. Do I need a permit to enter Yellowstone National Park?
Yup, gotta pay to play (but it’s worth it!). You’ll need an entrance pass, valid for seven days. Purchase one online beforehand or at the entrance gate.
If you plan on visiting multiple National Parks, such as Yellowstone, Grant Teton, and Glacier National Park, look into the annual America the Beautiful parks pass for $80.
3. Old Faithful – how faithful is it REALLY?
Old Faithful lives up to its name, erupting roughly every 73 to 93 minutes. Patience is a virtue, but the wait is well worth the awe-inspiring spectacle.
Pro tip: Check the park website for the latest Old Faithful eruption prediction times.
4. Bison or Buffalo? What’s the deal?
Technically, they’re bison, but “buffalo” is a widely used nickname. Just remember, these are wild animals, not cuddly cows. Give them plenty of space (think the length of a football field) and avoid approaching them.
5. Can I swim in the hot springs?
Nope! Yellowstone’s geothermal features are scorching hot, reaching temperatures that can boil you alive. Admire them from a safe distance and leave the swimming to the designated lakes.
6. What airports are closest to Yellowstone National Park?
There are several airports within 2 hours of Yellowstone National Park. The closest airport is Yellowstone Airport, however, the closest international airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International in Montana.
- Yellowstone Airport (WYS) – 5 minutes to West Entrance
- Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – 1 hour to South Entrance
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) – 1.5 hours to North Entrance
- Cody / Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) – 1.5 hours to East Entrance
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) – 1.45 hours to West Entrance
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – 5 hours to West Entrance
7. What wildlife can I expect to see in Yellowstone?
Yellowstone is a wildlife wonderland. Keep your eyes peeled for bison, elk, wolves, black bears, grizzly bears, and a plethora of bird species including bald eagles. Maintain a safe distance between yourself and wildlife at all times.
Always carry bear spray while hiking and try to hike in parties of 3 or more. Bear spray can be purchased inside the park the most visitor centers and general stores if you’re unable to travel with it. You cannot bring bear spray on an airplane, even in checked luggage!
8. What kind of food and drinks are available in the park?
Yellowstone offers various restaurants and cafeterias within lodges and developed areas. Pack snacks and a refillable water bottle for exploring in between designated food stops.
9. When should I book my accommodations in Yellowstone?
Lodges, cabins, and campsites are available within the park but it’s competitive! Book accommodations, including lodges, cabins, and reservable campgrounds, inside the park a year before your trip. They come available 13 months in advance on the 5th of every month!
The best way to experience the park is from the inside. However, if you are looking to stay outside of the parks, near one of the entrances, it is a good idea to book at least 6 months in advance.
10. Is there Wi-Fi in Yellowstone National Park?
There is very limited cellphone service inside the park. Limited Wi-Fi is available in some lodges and developed areas. Be sure to download all reservations, confirmations, and maps offline before entering the park.
I like to screenshot everything I need and save it to a folder titled with the location of my stay! Consider this a chance to truly connect.
Conclusion
Spending 5 days in Yellowstone National Park really allows you to experience its beauty! With the ability to spend time in each corner of the park, you’ll learn to appreciate Yellowstone for what it’s really worth.
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