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    Recommended Reviews - Hayden Valley

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    Reviews With Photos

    Marissa C.

    If you want to see some Bison up close and personal, this is the place!! You just better not be in a hurry to get anywhere. The bison give zero f*cks and you will probably be stuck behind a line of cars for at least 1 hour. Some people have said they were stuck in this zone for 3 hours! It's definitely a great experience to drive through here, just be smart about it (like, don't get out of your car, etc.) Don't be THAT PERSON who makes traffic even more worse because you decide to get mauled by a bison...

    Carry binoculars
    Tom B.

    I love this part of the park it's easy to see wildlife because of all the open meadows but mostly I see bison in herds and the single who don't like to mingle

    Grizzly!
    Robert C.

    1. We were driving late in the afternoon around 6pm, after a harrowing 90 minute drive in a June thunderstorm along a curvy, winding mountain road between Roosevelt and Canyon. 2. As we came to the Hayden Valley, traffic slowed along the 2 lane road in several spots due to bison walking alongside the road. These dudes were shedding fur fast due to the summer temperatures. 3. In one spot, the traffic completely stopped. We stay in the car, with the windows down, and 26x zoom lens camera, on maximum pixel resolution. 4. Traffic remains stationary for several minutes, and the wife gets out of the car with camera ready. 5. A cell phone camera is no good for long range animal shots here in dusk conditions! 6. A bushy tailed fox wanders in the meadows near the forests besides the road, and pauses to bask in the brief moment of attention. 7. 3 minutes and 4 pictures later, we are on our way to our next animal encounter in the Hayden valley. 8. More bison near the road and more road slowdowns. Bison most active near dusk and dawn. 9. Another traffic stoppage, and the wife gets out of the car with the camera again. 10. Ranger comes by, holding everyone back. It's a bear this time, wandering about 50 yards from the road. 11. Close look shows the bear to have a tracking collar. Holy cow, this is no ordinary black bear, like we see in Yosemite, but a grizzly bear! 12. No grizzlies left in California, only in the Rockies and Alaska. The grizzly turns toward my wife, and she gets a long distance facial shot for another addition to the family album! 13. The next morning, we cross the Hayden valley on our way from Lake Yellowstone hotel to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Herds of brown bison along with their bright orange calves, visible from the road. 14. Waterfowl like white pelicans along the Yellowstone river, leading to Yellowstone lake. 15. Photographers with long range lens cameras mounted on tripods at each of the outlooks, shooting long range shots of elk and moose. 16. Signs say no fishing allowed in Hayden Valley, along the Yellowstone River. But I wouldn't be surprised if a grizzly went into the Yellowstone River looking for cutthroat trout or whitefish. 17. On our way back, we stop by the Sulphur Calderon and the Mud Volcano, with big mists arising above the ground, next to the road. 18. What smells like a dragon, makes noise like a dragon, and breaths flames like a dragon? My ex! No, there is one hot springs, smells like rotten eggs, with boiling water noises in the underground, next to an opening in the ground, where water used to spew out on occasion. It's called Dragons Mouth Springs.

    Hayden Valley
    Anton K.

    The Hayden Valley is in the heart of Yellowstone with the east gate giving you the nearest access. It's 7 miles wide and 7 miles long and was once filled with water from an arm of the Yellowstone river. Glacial till from 13,000 years ago and river sediments created a marshy environment today which has little tree encroachment. Bison, elk and moose can often be seen in this wide open environment from any of the many scenic panoramic turnouts. Unfortunately the bison often cross or congregate on the road creating huge traffic tie ups. There are two accessible hiking trails, the Hayden Valley trail and Mary Mountain trail. Traveling on either of these trails may get you a run in with a bear, fox or coyote. Wolf packs are rare in this area. With many bodies of water birds are plentiful. Ducks, Canadian geese and pelicans can be seen on the Yellowstone river and it's tributaries. At LeHardy rapids which has a boardwalk alongside the river, beavers and otters can be viewed, During the spawning season cutthroat trout can be seen jumping the rapids .Pelican Valley is located 3 miles east of Fishing Bridge and can be accessed via the Pelican Valley trail. The trail is 6.8 miles round trip (4-5 hrs) it's easy to moderate and is open land surrounded by forest. Bring bear spray on this trail which is closed for part of the year. Of course, sunrise and sunset are the best times to get a glimpse of rare wildlife while bison, elk and moose are plentiful anytime of the day. In the early morning dew evaporates off the cool earth and produces an ethereal and otherworldly atmosphere which is great for photos. Aside from the wildlife there are turnouts for Mud Volcano, Mud Geyser, Sulfur Calderon and Black Dragon Calderon which are all nearby and worth a stop.

    This is God's country.
    Gail P.

    According to the Wikipedia page of Hayden Valley, this scenic area is "a large, sub-alpine valley in Yellowstone National Park straddling the Yellowstone River between Yellowstone Falls and Yellowstone Lake. The valley floor along the river is an ancient lake bed from a time when Yellowstone Lake was much larger. The valley is well known as one of the best locations to view wildlife in Yellowstone," most especially large herds of bison. This is so true! Even though the views of the valley and Yellowstone River are fabulous, the animal activity is what gives Hayden Valley 5 YELP STARS! Buffalo--as far as the eyes can see. And if you are lucky, grizzly and black bears as well as elk and deer. The bison are so prevalent that they roam along the road. I had one big male walk right past my rolled down window and he was a beauty! This is notorious grizzly country and these big bears are not sociable! Therefore, it is not advisable to hike here. The Yellowstone River, which winds through Hayden Valley also makes it a great place to spot all different kinds of waterfowl. Look for the lily white trumpeter swans, which like to congregate near the Fishing Bridge in summer and early fall. One website called Hayden Valley and this part of northwestern Wyoming a vast "open air zoo" and that's exactly what it is. Drive cautiously through Hayden Valley but have your camera and binoculars at the ready.

    Bisons right on the road

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    9 years ago

    Great view for miles! We saw bald eagles eating a fish, bison herds, and elk in the distance. Enjoy the scenery and take it all in!

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    8 years ago

    I liked this area even better than Lamar. Closer and more scenic. Plenty of wildlife, although not as dense with bison.

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    Review Highlights - Hayden Valley

    The bison give zero f*cks and you will probably be stuck behind a line of cars for at least 1 hour.

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    Old Faithful - Waiting for 6:05 for the geyser to go off

    Old Faithful

    4.6(103 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    This was our main site seeing destination inside Yellowstone National Park. We got to the area…read moreright on time because about 5 minutes after we got to the geyser it went off. It was a really cool experience and a must when visiting Yellowstone. I know when my family came this way when I was a child, while most others got to see it, I wasn't feeling well so my mom and I hadn't gotten a chance that trip to come to Old Faithful. I'm glad I was finally able to see it in its full glory. It is quite crowded, so when it comes to pictures just try to stay aware of your surroundings. Try to stay out of main pathways as well as being conscious of the fact it's practically impossible to get photos without others in the background and you'll probably end up in some photos too. If you're already here, don't skip past this well known spot, it's a fun experience for sure. The park is big so if you want to see it all I can see it taking days, especially since the fastest you can go is 40-45 miles an hour with a lot of areas actually being closer to 25. Both my husband and I were so glad we stopped by.

    You don't go to Yellowstone and skip Old Faithful-you just don't. Even if it's June and snowing…read moreoutside. You bundle up and go, baby! There's a massive parking lot and some paved walkways to get to the viewing area-very accessible to all. Signs outside will indicate the next anticipated eruption time-which are usually pretty accurate, hence the name. It's a fun experience-gathering with a bunch of other excited strangers, watching and waiting for Mother Nature to burp. As people are waiting, they are taking each other's pictures for them, asking where everyone is from and inquiring about the wildlife sightings experienced that day. It's community building. The actual eruption lasts just a few minutes, but is worth seeing at least one. And who knows? Maybe you'll make a new friend while you wait.

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    Old Faithful
    Old Faithful
    Old Faithful

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    Grand Prismatic Spring - Cloudy and gloomy night

    Grand Prismatic Spring

    4.7(55 reviews)
    14.0 mi

    If you only make one stop in all of Yellowstone, make it this one -- and then make it twice. There…read moreare places you visit and places that genuinely stop you in your tracks -- Grand Prismatic Spring is the second kind. This is hands down one of the most stunning natural wonders I've ever seen, and I've driven across this country more times than I can count. Nothing prepared me for how massive and alive this place feels in person. Here's the thing though -- you HAVE to experience it two ways to get the full picture. First, walk the boardwalk up close. The steam rising off the water, the vivid colors shifting from deep blue at the center to turquoise, green, yellow, and burnt orange along the edges -- it's surreal. You're standing right next to something that looks like it belongs on another planet. Then drive about a mile or two down the road and do the Grand Prismatic Overlook trail. It's only 0.8 miles one way, easy walk, but the view from up there is everything. That's the iconic shot you've seen in National Geographic and documentaries -- the full rainbow ring from above, the steam curling into the sky, the forest stretching out behind it. It puts the whole scale into perspective. Don't make the mistake of only doing one stop. Do both. You'll thank yourself later.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    One of my favorite spots at YNP!…read more I recommend you visit mid day to experience the full colors of grand prismatic. You can also hike the fairy falls hike to the overlook. It's about 1.5 miles round trip. It's not difficult, however there's a small area that is a little steep. We experienced the springs in cloudy/ gloomy day and the next day, very sunny and warm weather. Both experiences were amazing and unique.

    Photos
    Grand Prismatic Spring - Overlook (fairy falls trail )

    Overlook (fairy falls trail )

    Grand Prismatic Spring
    Grand Prismatic Spring

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    Fort Yellowstone - Horace M Albright Visitor Center - 07.13.21 National Park Passport stamp

    Fort Yellowstone - Horace M Albright Visitor Center

    4.8(5 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    Great place to visit to learn more about Yellowstone National Park. This historic building was…read morebuilt by the United States Army in 1909 to house the troops who protected the park before the National Park Service was established. It's located next to Mammoth Hot Springs. The interactive displays tell the history of the park and about the landscape and wildlife. There are staff on hand to answer your questions and a bookstore inside that sells resources about Yellowstone.

    In the first major stop coming from the NW entrance of Yellowstone is the Mammoth Springs Historic…read moreDistrict. One of the historic aspects of this community, besides the hot springs, is Fort Yellowstone, first started in 1872 and taken over by the National Park Service in the early 1900s. The Horace M Albright visitor center should be your first stop. It used to be a bachelor's officers quarters, with room for six, and is not only a good source of information about Fort Yellowstone, it a small museum with info on the park, the animals in it, and the nearby Springs. The Park Rangers operating the desk are a font of information. There are monitors near the desk that provide details of the camp sites, traffic and nearby lodgings. It's hard to reconcile the modern day technology in a building over a 100 years old. Many of the original buildings that make up Fort Yellowstone are still standing and although occupied by employees of the park and the district and not available for a tour, it's still worth a walk to interesting walk. As you walk, you'll probably also see a herd of resident elk, sometimes walking and sometimes sitting. (They aren't tame, though, and the signs at the visitor center warn you not to approach them.) On your way to the Springs and the hiking path around them, take a few extra moments and learn about the pre-park history.

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    Fort Yellowstone - Horace M Albright Visitor Center
    Fort Yellowstone - Horace M Albright Visitor Center
    Fort Yellowstone - Horace M Albright Visitor Center - Elk in town.

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    Elk in town.

    Lookout Point - View from the brink of the lower falls

    Lookout Point

    5.0(4 reviews)
    21.3 mi

    This spot gives you an amazing panoramic view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from the north…read moreside. Lookout Point is one of a few lookout spots you can stop at when you drive on North Rim Drive (a one-way drive). Just heads up, the parking lot isn't very large. If you continue on with your drive on North Rim Drive, you will eventually end up in Canyon Village. If you want to make an adventure of your stop here, I suggest hiking the North Rim Trail east to Inspiration Point and enjoy the beautiful views along the way. There is also a paved path and some wooden steps below that take you down to a viewing platform called Red Rock Point. This will give you a close full view of Lower Falls. Lookout Point was one of my favorite spots to stop at on the North Rim. I highly recommend checking it out.

    At the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone there is a lower and upper portion of the falls. This is the…read morelookout point on the lower falls and I think this is the best view of the lower falls. You can go to the brink of the lower falls to see the top of the waterfall, but this lookout overlooks the entire thing which I think is better. Another underrated view is the red rocks view which is right next to this lookout point. Instead of going straight to the lookout you go down the stairs, walk a bit and then get to the red rocks view which is a bit closer to the waterfall and more eye-level. There are also fewer people here so you'll have more time to take nice pictures and videos without the crowds.

    Photos
    Lookout Point
    Lookout Point
    Lookout Point - Brink of the lower falls

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    Brink of the lower falls

    Tower Falls

    Tower Falls

    4.0(5 reviews)
    33.5 mi

    We stopped to admire the Tower Falls. We climbed up steps to get a fabulous view of the…read moreYellowstone river, falling through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The colors and rock formations were amazing. It looked like a photograph here.

    If I had to use a couple of words, I'd describe this waterfall as beautiful and magnificent. Why…read morethere's three and four-star reviews for this waterfall is beyond me! It was fascinating to watch. I could do it all day long! We don't have waterfalls where I'm from so I guess that's why I was so amazed by it. It's not the largest waterfall inside of Yellowstone Park by any means. However, I was still amazed by it! The water looks crystal clear. Watching the waterfall is so peaceful and soothing. Tower Fall is located on Tower Creek in the northeastern part of Yellowstone National Park. The waterfall dumps out water from the Yellowstone River. The waterfall is 132 feet. It was named by Samuel Hauser, a member of the Washburn Party. (Tower Falls) circa 1870. The U.S. Geological Survey renamed it to Tower Fall in 1928. A painting by Thomas Moran persuaded Congress to designate Yellowstone National Park as the world's first national park in 1872. This is according to Wikipedia. Would I recommend this waterfall and national park? YES, without a doubt. I think everyone should visit Yellowstone National Park if they get the opportunity to do so. It's a beautiful experience you and your loved ones will cherish for many years to come.

    Photos
    Tower Falls
    Tower Falls
    Tower Falls - 5/14/24 9 am 40 degrees

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    5/14/24 9 am 40 degrees

    Fountain Paint Pot

    Fountain Paint Pot

    4.8(13 reviews)
    13.7 mi

    Amazing mudpot which is an acidic hot spring with a limited water supply. Acid from the volcanic…read moregases and microorganisms decompose the surrounding rock into clay and mud. Mud pot, consistency, and activity vary with the seasons and precipitation.

    The Fountain Paint Pots Trail is one of my favorite quick stops in Yellowstone. At just about a…read morehalf-mile loop on an easy boardwalk, it's short enough for families and casual visitors but still delivers some of the park's most fascinating geothermal features in one compact area. Walking the trail feels like stepping into another world. You'll see bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, colorful hot springs, and even small geysers along the way. The "paint pots" themselves are especially fun to watch--the mud bubbles and plops like a cauldron, and depending on the season, the colors and textures shift, almost like the earth is painting itself. The steam rising from the ground, the strange smells of sulfur, and the constant bubbling sounds make the whole experience feel alive and otherworldly. I really appreciated how accessible the trail is. It's flat, easy to navigate, and perfect if you're traveling with kids or just want a short walk that still gives you that "wow" factor. Since it's a boardwalk, you can get close views without worrying about damaging the fragile ground. If you're exploring Yellowstone, don't skip this stop--it's quick, unique, and a perfect snapshot of the park's geothermal magic. https://linktr.ee/reessroots

    Photos
    Fountain Paint Pot
    Fountain Paint Pot - Red Spouter

    Red Spouter

    Fountain Paint Pot - Clepsydra Geyser

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    Clepsydra Geyser

    Hayden Valley - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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