This post is about the best things to do outside Yellowstone National Park!
Yellowstone National Park may be the crown jewel of the United States and the first national park in North America, but the adventures don’t stop at the park boundary. While millions of visitors come to witness geothermal features like the vibrant colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the dramatic cliffs of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the iconic eruption of Old Faithful Geyser, the surrounding landscapes and towns hold their own magic.
From high-elevation lakes and must-see attractions like the Beartooth Highway to charming gateway towns filled with history and fun things to do, there’s a whole world waiting outside Yellowstone. This comprehensive guide explores the best places, scenic drives, wildlife experiences, and outdoor adventures to add to your Yellowstone vacation.
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Know Before You Go
Yellowstone is a big place—over 3,400 square miles—and preparation is essential. Before setting out, stop at a visitor center to speak with a park ranger about current conditions. They can recommend quick stops, short walks, or nice boardwalk loops to must-see attractions like Norris Geyser Basin, Mud Volcano, or Mammoth Hot Springs. Parking areas near popular geyser basins can fill quickly, so plan to arrive in the early morning or late evening.
Wildlife safety is another priority. The whole area is home to native species including wolves, elk, and grizzly bears. Keep your distance, never feed wildlife, and carry bear spray when hiking. Many boardwalk trails and observation points are built to give you the best views while protecting sensitive geothermal features. Always stay on marked paths—geysers and colorful hot springs may look calm, but water temperatures can be dangerously high.
When planning your Yellowstone vacation, use secure websites with a padlock icon for booking guided tours, and rely on official government organizations like the National Park Service for updates.
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Best Time to Visit
The best time to explore Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding areas depends on what you want out of your trip. Summer is the most popular season, offering the best chance to experience the whole area—from geyser basins to scenic drives—without snow closures. The longer days and sunny weather are perfect for exploring panoramic views from high-elevation lakes, Observation Point, or the Overlook Trail above Fairy Falls parking lot.
Fall is another favorite time, when vibrant colors sweep across the forests and valleys. Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley become especially striking, with golden grasses that make spotting wildlife like black bears, grizzly bears, and herds of bison even easier. If this is your first time visiting, check official websites such as the National Park Service gov website for updates on seasonal closures, road conditions, and wildlife safety tips.
Spring is less crowded, but snow can linger on boardwalk trails and create limited access to must-see attractions. Winter brings a quiet magic to West Yellowstone, where snowshoeing and cross-country skiing open up a different side of the park boundary. Whenever you go, early morning is the best way to beat crowds and enjoy natural wonders in peace.
Best Things to do Outside Yellowstone National Park
1. Grand Teton National Park
South of Yellowstone Lake lies Grand Teton National Park, one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in North America. The Teton Range juts dramatically into the sky, its jagged peaks reflecting off Jenny Lake in views that rival the best places inside Yellowstone itself.
Take a short walk around the lakeshore or board a shuttle boat for a fun way to access trails that climb into Cascade Canyon. For hikers looking for more elevation gain, the trek to Amphitheater Lake delivers some of the best views in the park. Wildlife is abundant here too—you may spot moose wading in marshes, bald eagles soaring overhead, or even black bears foraging in the distance.
Grand Teton is also home to historic structures like the Mormon Row barns, which are iconic for photography, especially at sunrise when the mountains glow pink. President Theodore Roosevelt himself once marveled at this region, and it remains a must-see attraction for any Yellowstone vacation.
2. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Just outside Grand Teton National Park lies Jackson Hole, a lively mountain valley famous for combining rugged outdoor adventure with a vibrant cultural scene. Jackson’s Town Square, framed by elk antler arches, is a fun stop for first-time visitors. In summer, you can catch live music in the square or join a guided tour of local art galleries.
For panoramic views of the Teton Range, ride the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. From here, short walks lead to high-elevation overlooks with sweeping views across the whole area. Adventure seekers can raft the Snake River, while those visiting in winter will find some of the best skiing in the United States.
3. Cody, Wyoming
Founded by the legendary showman Buffalo Bill Cody, this town offers a look into the Wild West. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is more than just a museum—it’s five museums under one roof, covering everything from natural history and firearms to Plains Indian culture.
Cody is also home to the Cody Nite Rodeo, one of the most fun things to do in the summer months. The rodeo provides a lively atmosphere with bull riding, barrel racing, and entertainment that captures the spirit of the West. Just outside town, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway offers a short drive with big rewards—panoramic views, pull-offs with observation points, and a chance to see native species in their natural habitat.
4. Bozeman, Montana
North of Yellowstone’s north entrance lies Bozeman, a bustling college town with an adventurous spirit. The Museum of the Rockies is a must-see attraction, featuring one of the largest dinosaur fossil collections in the United States and excellent exhibits on Yellowstone’s geothermal history.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the easy hikes along the Gallatin River or scenic drives through Paradise Valley, where the Yellowstone River winds between mountain ridges. On sunny days, the valley glows with vibrant colors, making it one of the best places for photography. For those who want to dive deeper into the region’s culture, downtown Bozeman offers fun things like local breweries, live music venues, and art galleries.
5. Chico Hot Springs & Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley, with the Yellowstone River cutting through its heart, is a beautiful area filled with geothermal features and historic lodges. Chico Hot Springs is the highlight, where outdoor pools fed by natural hot springs maintain relaxing water temperatures year-round. After a day of exploring geyser basins or the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a soak here is the best way to unwind.
The surrounding valley is full of natural wonders—rolling hills, panoramic views of the Absaroka Mountains, and opportunities for horseback riding or fishing. The whole area has a peaceful charm that contrasts nicely with the energy of Yellowstone’s visitor hotspots.
6. Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky is an outdoor playground just a short drive north of West Yellowstone. In winter, it’s one of the top ski resorts in North America. In summer, visitors can hike trails with manageable elevation gain, ride ziplines over the Gallatin River, or take scenic drives with stunning lookout points.
One of the best things about Big Sky is the variety of adventures in one place. Whether it’s mountain biking through alpine forests or taking a short walk to Ousel Falls, the whole area delivers natural beauty without the dense crowds of Yellowstone.
7. Red Lodge & the Beartooth Highway
Few scenic drives in the United States rival the Beartooth Highway. Starting in Red Lodge, Montana, this winding route climbs above 10,000 feet, delivering panoramic views of alpine lakes, snowfields, and rugged peaks. Along the way, quick stops at lookout points and short walks to boardwalk trails make it easy to enjoy the best views.
Red Lodge itself is a charming gateway town with historic structures, live music venues, and friendly shops. Pairing a drive along the Beartooth with a stop in town is a fun way to experience the region’s culture and scenery.
8. Gardiner, Montana
Gardiner, located at the north entrance, is home to the famous Roosevelt Arch. This historic structure, dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, proclaims Yellowstone as a “public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” It remains one of the park’s most photographed sites.
From Gardiner, you can access Mammoth Hot Springs and the Porcelain Basin, where colorful hot springs bubble and flow across terraces of white and orange. A short walk along the nice boardwalk loops offers the best way to experience these geothermal features up close. For adventure seekers, rafting trips on the Yellowstone River provide a thrilling perspective on the landscape.
9. Wildlife Beyond Yellowstone
Wildlife viewing is one of the best things about a Yellowstone vacation, and the fun doesn’t stop at the park boundary. The Lamar Valley extends into surrounding lands where wolves, bison, and pronghorn roam freely. Hayden Valley, too, is a great place to spot elk or catch sight of a grizzly bear lumbering in the distance.
Guided tours from West Yellowstone or Cody often focus on wildlife viewing, giving visitors the best chance to see native species safely. Birdwatchers can look for bald eagles, ospreys, and peregrine falcons soaring above the Yellowstone River. Remember: always keep a safe distance, use binoculars, and respect the natural behavior of the animals.
10. History & Culture of the Yellowstone Region
The story of Yellowstone is deeply tied to American history. President Theodore Roosevelt was a passionate supporter of national parks, and his dedication is remembered in the historic Roosevelt Arch. Inside the park, the Old Faithful Inn, built in 1904, is one of the largest log structures in the world and a symbol of the park’s early tourism era.
Beyond the park, small towns like Cody preserve the spirit of the Old West, while Bozeman celebrates the scientific discovery of Yellowstone’s geothermal features. For first-time visitors, exploring both the natural wonders and the human history of the whole area makes for a comprehensive guide to why Yellowstone is one of the most important natural treasures in North America.
11. Outdoor Adventures Outside Yellowstone
While the geothermal features inside Yellowstone draw millions of visitors, the lands outside the park boundary are just as rich with adventure. In Big Sky, you can zipline through alpine forests or tackle mountain biking trails. In Paradise Valley, horseback riding along the Yellowstone River offers a fun way to connect with the landscape.
Fishing is another highlight. Yellowstone Lake is known for cutthroat trout, while nearby high-elevation lakes and rivers provide some of the best places in the United States for fly fishing. In winter, cross-country skiing in West Yellowstone is a favorite activity, and snowmobiling offers a thrilling way to explore the snowy landscape.
12. Photography & Geothermal Feature Guide
Photographers will find endless inspiration both inside and outside Yellowstone. For the best views of Grand Prismatic Spring, hike the Overlook Trail from the Fairy Falls parking lot, where the vibrant colors of the largest hot spring in the United States can be seen from above.
Old Faithful Geyser is another must-see attraction. Arrive early morning for the best chance at unobstructed views, and check the visitor center for eruption predictions. Observation Point offers a higher perspective of the whole area, capturing both Old Faithful erupting and the historic Old Faithful Inn in one frame.
Other geothermal highlights include the colorful Morning Glory Pool in the Upper Geyser Basin, the roaring Steamboat Geyser at Norris Geyser Basin, and the steaming Mud Volcano area near Hayden Valley. Each location has nice boardwalk trails, making them accessible while protecting sensitive features.
Conclusion
Exploring outside Yellowstone National Park is one of the best ways to make your trip unforgettable. Whether you’re driving the Beartooth Highway, soaking in Chico Hot Springs, rafting the Yellowstone River, or wandering historic towns like Cody and Gardiner, the whole area offers fun things to do that complement the geothermal features and geyser basins inside the park. With panoramic views, rich history, and endless outdoor adventures, this is a destination that rewards those who look beyond the park boundary.
