4 Day Yellowstone Itinerary for First-Timers

Yellowstone is one of the top National Parks in the country. And you can see most of it in just 4 days! Check out this 4 day Yellowstone itinerary for first-timers.

For first-time visitors, it can feel overwhelming to plan a Yellowstone National Park itinerary that covers all the must-see sights in just a few days. But 4 days is the perfect amount of time to see the best that Yellowstone has to offer!

From witnessing the iconic Old Faithful geyser to spotting wildlife in Lamar Valley, you can see it all on this 4 day Yellowstone National Park itinerary.

4 Days in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park covers 3,500 square miles, so there’s a lot to see in just 4 days! But 4 days is actually just enough to see the big sights.

Once you get yourself to Yellowstone (I recommend flying to Jackson, WY and entering through the south entrance, flying to Cody, WY and entering through the east entrance, or flying to West Yellowstone, MT and entering through the west entrance) and rented a car for your stay, the rest is pretty easy.

I recommend staying inside the park for the easiest access to all the top sights (no dealing with traffic jams at the entrance gates). We stayed at the Old Faithful Inn, which is the most iconic hotel in the park and well worth its reputation.

Day 1: Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin

These activities can easily be done on your first day arriving in Yellowstone; book a flight that arrives early in the day, and then rent a car and make the drive to the National Park.

Check into your hotel (again, I highly recommend the Old Faithful Inn) and then get ready for some exploring!

For your first day, start at the Upper Geyser Basin, home to the famed Old Faithful geyser and one of the most popular things to do in Yellowstone. You can find predicted eruption times at the Old Faithful Visitor Center and at reception at Old Faithful Inn. I recommend starting with Old Faithful on the first day because if you miss the eruption, you have time to come back and try again another day.

Walk along the Upper Geyser Basin Trail, a 4.9 mile looping boardwalk that takes you to other predictable geysers like Castle Geyser and multi-colored hot springs like Morning Glory Pool.

While you’re in this area, you can even do an Old Faithful Inn tour to see inside a historic guest room and learn more about the hotel’s history.

You’ve got a ton of dining options in this area. I recommend the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge Obsidian Dining Room for sit-down restaurants. The Old Faithful Inn Bear Paw Deli is great for a quick grab-and-go lunch.

More Day 1 Activities

If you find yourself with some extra time, I recommend hiking the 1-mile Old Faithful Observation Point Trail. You could also make the drive to Moose Falls and Lewis Falls, near the south entrance, both with a short hike to beautiful 30-foot waterfalls, and check out the Continental Divide at Isla Lake, where water flows from the lake to both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Day 2: Grand Prismatic Spring, Lower Geyser Basin, & Norris Geyser Basin

This second day takes you up the southwestern side of the Grand Loop Road that interconnects the park’s main attractions. You’ll want to get an early start to beat the crowds, which is another great reason to stay inside the park.

Start your day with a visit to Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s famed rainbow hot spring. You’ll want to see it from above at the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook on the 1.6 mile roundtrip Fairy Falls Trail and from close-up on the 1 mile boardwalk of the Midway Geyser Basin.

Drive along Firehole Lake Drive, a 3-mile, one-way road that winds through the Lower Geyser Basin for pull-offs and short boardwalks to formations like Great Fountain Geyser and White Dome Geyser.

Gibbon Falls makes for a nice pit stop with a short walk to a view of an 84-foot waterfall.

Then head on to Norris Geyser Basin, the hottest and oldest hydrothermal area in Yellowstone, for a 1.5 mile boardwalk in the Back Basin and a 0.75 mile boardwalk in the Porcelain Basin. You’ll find Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest geyser though it rarely erupts, in the Back Basin.

Finally, drive along Firehole Canyon Drive, a 2-mile, one-way road that takes you past the rushing 40-foot Firehole Falls.

I recommend packing a picnic lunch for Day 2. You can get sandwiches to go from Old Faithful Inn Bear Paw Deli. For dinner, I recommend heading back to the Old Faithful area where there are a lot of food options; you can eat at Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria and have a view of Old Faithful erupting!

More Day 2 Activities

If you find yourself with some extra time, you can build in other stops like Biscuit Basin or the Fountain Paint Pots.

Day 3: West Thumb Geyser Basin & Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

On the third day, explore the southeastern part of the Grand Loop. Again, you’ll definitely want to get an early start to your day.

In the morning, head to West Thumb Geyser Basin to see all the geothermal activity that Yellowstone National Park is known for, all in one place. It’s an easy walk around a 0.5 mile boardwalk with great views of Yellowstone Lake.

Up next is Mud Volcano, the stinkiest and most acidic part of the park with a 0.6 mile trail around gurgling geyser, springs, and mud pots.

Then you’ll want to drive through Hayden Valley, making frequent stops to see what wildlife you can spot. This area is a haven for bison, bears, wolves, and other animals. Dawn and dusk are the best times to see bears in Hayden Valley, so be sure to drive through here on your way back today as well.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is your next stop, with tons of scenic views of the canyon walls and waterfalls. Make sure you stop at Artist Point with one of the best views of the 308-foot Lower Falls and Upper Falls View to see the 109-foot Upper Falls on the South Rim, then drive along the North Rim to see the Brink of the Upper Falls, Lookout Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point.

North Rim Drive ends at Canyon Village where you can eat at the Canyon Lodge Eatery or Canyon Lodge Washburn Lookout. Packing a picnic lunch is also a great choice for Day 3.

More Day 3 Activities

If you find yourself with some extra time, you can add in a stop at Fishing Bridge Visitor Center where you can walk along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. And if you’re looking for another hike, take the steep trail to the Brink of Lower Falls at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone’s North Rim.

Day 4: Lamar Valley, Roosevelt Arch, & Mammoth Hot Springs

On your last day in Yellowstone, head all the way up to the northern part of the park. An early start is essential because you have a lot of driving ahead of you.

If you want to break up your long drive to begin with, start with a stop at the Fountain Paint Pot Trail in the Lower Geyser Basin where you can stretch your legs on a 0.5 mile boardwalk to formations like the Fountain Paint Pot and Fountain Geyser.

Along your drive, make sure to take scenic stops wherever you find a good pull-off. One I recommend is Washburn Hot Spring Overlook.

Stop at the Tower Fall General Store to walk the paved trail to Tower Falls Overlook, where you’ll get to see the 132-foot Tower Fall.

Next, you’ll drive through Lamar Valley, one of the best places to see wildlife in Yellowstone. You’ll see plenty of bison, but also keep an eye out for bears, wolves, coyotes, pronghorn antelope, and elk. I recommend turning around near Soda Butte so you can drive to your next stop.

The Petrified Tree offers a nice little detour to see a tree trunk preserved from millions of years ago.

Next, you’re off to Montana to see the Roosevelt Arch, which once served as the north entrance to the park. You’ll have to exit Yellowstone in order to see the arch and walk around Gardiner, Montana, so be sure you have your park pass with you.

Back inside Yellowstone National Park, you’ll head to Fort Yellowstone to see the historic buildings where the US Army stayed when they were managing the park in the 1890s and early 1900s.

Then it’s time to explore Mammoth Hot Springs. Start at the Lower Terraces for a 1.7 mile looping boardwalk with lots of stairs and steep inclines. You’ll see formations like Jupiter Terrace and Cleopatra Terrace. Then drive the Upper Terraces with pull-offs and overlooks like Main Terrace Overlook and Fort Yellowstone Overlook to get a view of the hot springs from above. (If the park is exceptionally crowded, the Upper Terraces drive may get changed to a walk-through area.)

On your way back, stop at Undine Falls for a view of a 60-foot waterfall cascading over a series of three drops.

For supper, I recommend eating at the Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room. And as on the other days, I recommend packing a picnic for lunch.

More Day 4 Activities

If you’re in the mood for a hike, add in the 0.75 mile unpaved portion of the Tower Falls Trail down to the banks of Tower Creek. You can also stop off at the Calcite Springs Overlook for a great view of the Yellowstone River.

Yellowstone in 4 Days Map

Ready to spend 4 incredible days in Yellowstone National Park? Use the map below to plan out your trip.

I hope you have an amazing Yellowstone vacation!

Want to combine a trip to Yellowstone with a trip to Grand Teton National Park? Check out my Ultimate 7 Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Itinerary here!

4 Day Yellowstone Itinerary FAQ

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park

Want to stay inside Yellowstone National Park? It’s the best place to stay when visiting! There are 9 lodges inside the park:

• Where We Stayed: Old Faithful Inn
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins
• Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
• Canyon Lodge & Cabins
• Lake Lodge Cabins
• Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins
• Grant Village
• Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabin
• Roosevelt Lodge Cabins

Yellowstone also has 12 campgrounds that you can reserve in advance.

More Wyoming Itineraries

Use the posts below to help plan out your perfect Wyoming vacation.

• Yellowstone Packing List: Essentials for Stress-Free Sightseeing
• Perfect 7 Day Yellowstone & Grand Teton Itinerary
• 35 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
• Old Faithful Inn Review: Is It Worth It?
• 21 Best Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park
• Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa Review: Jackson Hole Hotel
• 11 Best Things to Do in Jackson, Wyoming
• Easy 1 Day Grand Teton National Park Itinerary
• 8 Best Yellowstone Restaurants: Where to Eat in the Park
• Where to See Bears in Yellowstone National Park

Cheers!

Paige

Did you find this 4 day Yellowstone itinerary helpful? Let me know in the comments!