Shared itinerary · Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone in 4 days

Four days through Yellowstone, entrance to entrance: geyser country from the West Entrance (Grand Prismatic, Old Faithful), the canyon and the lake, the north loop from Norris to Mammoth and the Roosevelt Arch, then dawn in Lamar Valley and out the northeast. 17 stops with times, notes and the drive legs between them, so the days add up before you arrive.

From the guide Yellowstone National Park: a first visit that works

Updated October 2026

Distance

300 km

Fountain Paint Pot → Dunraven Pass

Days

Stops

Each day of Yellowstone in 4 days: route, stops and distance
Day	Route	Stops	Distance
Day 1	Fountain Paint Pot to Old Faithful Inn	5	14.5 km
Day 2	Hayden Valley to West Thumb Geyser Basin	5	108 km
Day 3	Norris Geyser Basin to Roosevelt Arch	4	90.6 km
Day 4	Lamar Valley to Dunraven Pass	3	86.9 km

Day 1: Fountain Paint Pot to Old Faithful Inn

14.5 km

Geyser country, in from the West Entrance.

08:30
Fountain Paint Pot

Park & nature

One boardwalk with all four thermal feature types: geysers, hot springs, mudpots and fumaroles.

4.7 km · 8m drive to next
10:00
Grand Prismatic Spring

Park & nature

The Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk crosses right beside the rainbow rings.

1.5 km · 5m drive to next
11:30
Grand Prismatic Overlook

Activity

Park at Fairy Falls trailhead and climb 10 minutes to the overlook. The full spring only makes sense from above.

8.0 km · 15m drive to next
13:30
Old Faithful

Sight

Eruptions run about 90 minutes apart, predictions are posted in the visitor center. Walk the Upper Geyser Basin loop between shows.

321 m · 10m walk to next
18:00
Old Faithful Inn

Food & drink

Dinner under the 1904 lodgepole lobby, the largest log building in the world.

Day 2: Hayden Valley to West Thumb Geyser Basin

108 km

The canyon and the lake.

07:00
Hayden Valley

Park & nature

Bison at dawn, sometimes wolves and grizzlies at distance. Bring binoculars and pull fully off the road.

8.7 km · 20m drive to next
09:00
Artist Point

Sight

The classic painting view of the Lower Falls and the yellow canyon walls.

1.7 km · 10m drive to next
10:30
Brink of the Lower Falls

Activity

A steep 600 foot descent to stand on the lip of a 308 foot waterfall. The climb back is the workout.

25.7 km · 35m drive to next
13:30
Lake Yellowstone Hotel

Food & drink

Lunch in the sunroom of the 1891 colonial hotel looking over the largest high-elevation lake in North America.

26.7 km · 30m drive to next
16:00
West Thumb Geyser Basin

Park & nature

Hot springs pouring straight into the lake, with the Absarokas across the water.

Day 3: Norris Geyser Basin to Roosevelt Arch

90.6 km

North loop: Norris to Mammoth and out the original entrance.

08:30
Norris Geyser Basin

Park & nature

The hottest, most changeable basin in the park. Steamboat, the world’s tallest active geyser, lives here.

35.1 km · 40m drive to next
11:00
Mammoth Hot Springs

Park & nature

Travertine terraces that rebuild themselves year to year. Walk the upper and lower boardwalks.

1.2 km · 15m walk to next
13:30
Fort Yellowstone

Sight

The army ran the park before the Park Service existed. Elk graze the parade ground most afternoons.

7.6 km · 15m drive to next
15:00
Roosevelt Arch

Sight

The 1903 stone arch at the original Gardiner entrance. For the benefit and enjoyment of the people.

Day 4: Lamar Valley to Dunraven Pass

86.9 km

Dawn in the Serengeti of North America, then out the northeast.

06:00
Lamar Valley

Park & nature

The best wolf watching in the world. Look for the spotting-scope crowds and park beside them.

16.7 km · 30m drive to next
09:30
Tower Fall

Park & nature

A 132 foot plunge framed by volcanic pinnacles, seen from the overlook by the general store.

17.2 km · 25m drive to next
11:00
Dunraven Pass

Sight

The highest road pass in the park at 8,859 feet. Mount Washburn trailhead if you want a big hike to finish.