Yellowstone National Park had long been on my travel wish list, yet I found myself delaying my plans for far too long. My dream was to embark on a two-month road trip through the iconic national parks of the Western U.S. I aimed for the summer of 2019, but when a position to lead a photo trip in Yellowstone came my way, I jumped at the chance. Here’s a guide to the highlights of Yellowstone National Park and tips for avoiding the busiest areas.
Bison were my favorite part of Yellowstone. I fondly recall the shouts of “Bison, on the right!” from fellow travelers.
Yellowstone dazzled me with its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. I’ve never encountered such a variety of animals anywhere else, except for a surprising encounter with a herd of camels in India while heading to the Taj Mahal. Even during peak tourist season, escaping the crowds was easier than expected. I've compiled a photo guide featuring the park's top attractions, the best times to visit, and photography tips. Enjoy! For detailed maps, be sure to stop by the visitor center for free brochures or check out their official website or download the free app.
Top Attractions in Yellowstone
Want to capture the perfect gnome photo? Find iconic spots like Old Faithful and place Alfred in the foreground. Use a small aperture for a sharp focus on both the foreground and background. I prefer overcast days to prevent shiny cheeks.
Old Faithful
This iconic geyser, known for its cone shape, erupts between 90 to 184 feet high, making it the park's most predictable feature. Follow GeyserNPS on Twitter for eruption predictions. Signs throughout the visitor center and local hotels will also provide updates. Spend a couple of hours strolling the boardwalks that weave through various geysers and thermal pools, including Morning Glory Pool.
In the early afternoon, a light fog lingered over Grand Prismatic, reflecting the clouds beautifully.
Grand Prismatic
This vibrant hot spring ranks as the largest in the U.S. and the third largest globally. It’s a must-see, located in the Midway Geyser Basin, a few miles north of Old Faithful. Note that the Fairy Falls hike, which offers an overhead view of Grand Prismatic, is closed for construction as of July.
Sapphire Pool at Biscuit Basin
Biscuit Basin
This area features a collection of thermal pools and geysers within the Upper Geyser Basin. Sapphire Pool, pictured above, is particularly photogenic, known for its crystal-clear blue water. The boardwalk loop spans 2/3 of a mile.
Mammoth Hot Spring lies near the northern entrance of the park, close to Gardiner, Montana.
Mammoth Hot Spring
At Yellowstone's northern entrance, this large hot spring boasts an impressive stair-step formation. The extensive boardwalks allow for viewing from all angles, perfect for photography. If the lighting is poor from one side, simply walk around for a better shot.
View of lower Yellowstone Falls from Artist Point.
Yellowstone Falls
As the tallest waterfall in the park at 308 feet, the lower falls is likely the second most photographed site behind Old Faithful. The iconic view from Artist Point showcases the waterfall against the canyon backdrop. Expect crowds here. To escape the throngs, hike the steep Uncle Tom’s Trail for a view from the base of the falls, which tends to be less busy.
Sunrise at the marina on Yellowstone Lake.
Yellowstone Lake
At an elevation of 7,732 feet, this lake is North America’s highest. Its beauty is undeniable; make sure to stop at various viewpoints for stunning photos. The marina is also a great photo op.
Lamar Valley was a highlight of my visit, showcasing the most wildlife, including pronghorns, bison, and baby coyotes.
Lamar Valley
Dubbed North America's Serengeti, this area is rich in wildlife. The Northern bison herd roams here and extends north to Gardiner. A sunrise drive through this valley is essential for any visitor. I recommend a guided tour from Yellowstone Forever; our guide, Josh, was excellent at spotting wildlife that others missed and answered all our questions about the park.
The largest elk concentration we observed was in Hayden Valley and along Yellowstone Lake.
Hayden Valley
This valley is another fantastic spot for wildlife viewing, situated between the Yellowstone River and the lake. There’s a good chance of seeing waterfowl here as well. Early morning is the best time for a drive through the valley toward the lake, and with plenty of pullouts, you can safely take photos from your car without disturbing the animals.
Avoiding Crowds in Yellowstone
Popular spots like Artist Point and Old Faithful can get crowded. While it's easy to exclude people from your shots, sometimes including them adds context.
Summer is peak visiting time, and I was apprehensive about the crowds. I pictured long lines of tour buses and traffic that would make rush hour in L.A. seem like a leisurely drive. To my surprise, it wasn't as bad as I feared. Yes, there were lines to get into parking lots, but many visitors opted to park along the roads, allowing me to find prime parking easily, even with a 15-passenger van! Patience is key when it comes to parking in Yellowstone.
Most of the major attractions were relatively empty before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. During my July visit, sunset occurred around 9:15 p.m. Most tourists sleep in and have dinner around 6 p.m. I rose at 4:30 a.m. daily to capture the best light until sunset, and I was amazed at how empty popular spots were at that hour!
Budget Tips for Yellowstone
The bison herds in Yellowstone represent the only genetically pure herd remaining in the lower 48 states. (Fred, the bison in the photo, resides in Lamar Valley.)
- Bring your own meals. Food options in the park are limited and repetitive, with cafeteria menus remaining unchanged daily. Expect to pay around $10 for an average meal without drinks. For a better dining experience, I recommend the Obsidian Dining Room at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. If you need variety, consider driving to Gardiner at the northern entrance.
- Camping: While lodges are comfortable, they can be pricey. There are 12 campgrounds offering over 2,000 sites. Five campgrounds can be reserved in advance; others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Backcountry camping options are also available. For camping details, visit this link.
- Fee-Free Days: Take advantage of designated fee-free days at national parks each year. The regular entrance fee is $30 per car or $50 for a combo pass for Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
- Fuel Up Outside the Park: Gas prices in the park are generally higher and less accessible. Fill up in Gardiner or nearby towns before entering.
Wildlife Photography Tips for Yellowstone
An elk strolls along a side road near Yellowstone Lake at sunrise.
- Early risers get the best shots. We were often on the road 30 minutes before sunrise, which proved beneficial for both scenic landscapes and wildlife photography. Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are the top spots for wildlife.
- Manage your expectations. The chance of spotting a lynx is slim—much like winning a prize from an arcade claw machine. While you'll see plenty of wildlife, aside from bison and elk, many animals may be too distant for good photos. Some people waited hours just to capture bears.
- Use a 400mm lens. My 70-200mm lens was sometimes inadequate for close animal shots or even for including them in landscape photos. Thankfully, I borrowed a friend's 400mm lens, yet even then, some animals, like the baby coyotes we encountered, were too far away.
- Maintain a safe distance. Avoid becoming a statistic. Every year, people are injured by getting too close to wildlife. I witnessed someone attempting to take cell phone pictures of an elk from just three feet away! Stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from bison and elk.
- Shoot from your vehicle. I often pulled over and photographed from my car to maintain a safe distance from wildlife.
- Pay attention to composition. Be mindful of your foreground and background in animal shots. Avoid distractions like people or vehicles.
- Get low. Positioning yourself lower can help animals stand out against the background.
- DO NOT BLOCK ROADS. If you spot a bear and wish to take photos, do not stop in the road. It’s unsafe and causes significant traffic issues. Instead, pull over at the next turn-off.
Best Times for Capturing Yellowstone’s Highlights
We aimed to return to Grand Prismatic at sunset to avoid fog, but a storm rolled in. After clearing, the fog intensified, yet we still captured stunning photos.
Yellowstone Falls: Mid-morning (9-10 a.m.) along the south rim is ideal for the best light on the falls and the chance for a rainbow.
Obsidian Cliffs: Visit in the mid to late afternoon for light reflecting off the volcanic glass.
Grand Prismatic & Thermal Features: For dramatic steam effects, early morning is best. For vibrant colors, aim for a breezy late afternoon, especially if you want to showcase the grandeur of Grand Prismatic. We visited in the early afternoon when the sun was harsh, but returned at sunset after a storm, which created a foggy yet beautiful scene.
To avoid crowds: Arrive before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. in the summer months. Most tourists tend to sleep in and have dinner around 6 p.m.
Ideal Times to Visit Yellowstone
Wildflowers in the Lamar Valley at Yellowstone
For wildlife: Late May to early June is prime time, as bears and their cubs are more visible and closer to roads. This period features less snow and plenty of green food for them.
For snow and wolf sightings: Late January to early February is best.
For flowers or autumn hues: Mid-June for low elevations and late July for higher elevations for flowers. Late August offers the best fall colors.
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