Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Yellowstone National Park?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Yellowstone National Park?

Many visitors spend five to seven days in Yellowstone National Park during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This national park offers a number of attractions to explore, including the hiking and the beautiful scenery.

Yellowstone National Park is a large and diverse national park in the state of Wyoming (with parts also touching Montana and Idaho). The park is filled with diverse landscapes and unique geysers including the most famous "Old Faithful". Visitors may see a number of wildlife species such as bison, elk, and bears. Within the park there are camping and lodges where visitors can stay (if they plan well in advance as places fill up).

Do you have one or two days to visit Yellowstone National Park? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Yellowstone National Park?

Unfortunately, one day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to enjoy the scenery and nature of Yellowstone National Park. Most vacationers schedule at least 5 or as many as 7 days to fully experience the popular national park. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit, which includes Old Faithful.

How to spend a day in Yellowstone National Park

When visiting Yellowstone National Park, you can't miss Old Faithful as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.

Yellowstone National Park is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With its spectacular geysers, colorful springs, and unique wildlife, the park really is a beautiful place to visit.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Yellowstone Lake Sunset Paddle ($125)

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Yellowstone National Park?

A weekend is usually not enough time to see everything in Yellowstone National Park such as Old Faithful and the hiking and the beautiful scenery. Because of everything to see and experience, you'll likely want more than a weekend, as many tourists set aside at least 5 or as many as 7 days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your adventure in this national park.

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How to spend 2 days in Yellowstone National Park

With a weekend (two to three days) in Yellowstone National Park, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the national park has to offer.

Known for it's hiking, Yellowstone National Park sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The park is huge, and there are countless hikes throughout. From short strolls to lengthy endeavors, there really is something for everyone. If you want to see the geysers, some of the best hikes are Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail, the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop, and the Lone Star Geyser Trail. For waterfalls you can check out Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, the North Rim Trail, and Fairy Falls Trail.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • 6-Mile Geyser Hiking Tour in Yellowstone with Lunch ($182)
  • Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch ($182)
  • Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch ($182)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Yellowstone National Park, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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