I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Yellowstone is the Disneyland of National Parks. Lakes, rivers, meadows, mountains, canyons, geysers, hot springs, wildlife – Yellowstone National Park has it all! So this pretty much makes it a one stop shop for photo content. So I am going to list out my “Most Instagrammable Spots” in Yellowstone below:
1: Yellowstone Lake
Probably not one of the most popular spots when you think of Yellowstone but picturesque and serene. Park at the Grant Village visitor center and take a short walk down to the rocky beaches of the lake. Great spot to get photos at sunset! When we went, we were the only ones on the beach.
2: Norris Geyser Basin
One of the awesome things about Yellowstone National Park is all the boardwalks. Norris Geyser Basin was a favorite with plenty of springs to take photos in front of. The loop is quite long, so it helps keep the crowds a bit more dispersed. Again, parking can be challenging so keep that in mind.
3: Hayden Valley
Enjoy vast meadows and wildlife during your drive through Hayden Valley. There are plenty of places to pull over and take photos. I picked this as one of my top photo spots because where else can you get a photo with a bison in the background?! Now just remember to keep a distance of at least 25 yards (or two buses) when near bison.
Tip: Early mornings and evening are the best times to see wildlife but we saw bison every time we drove through the valley.
4: Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Now this spot blew me away! Roaring waterfalls and sea foam green water… There are trails that will get you very close to get a great photo for the ‘gram but we enjoyed some of the easier view points.
5: Grand Prismatic
To get a photo of The Grand Prismatic in all it’s colorful glory, I would recommend taking the 1.8 mile round trip hike from the Fairy Falls Trailhead to the overlook. Be sure to go when the sun is high in the sky to fully see the colors. Mornings at Yellowstone tend to be steamy around the geysers and hot springs, as the air is still cool. Therefore, the colors wont shine through as bright, so plan to go mid-day for the best photos!
6: Old Faithful
Definitely THE most famous attraction in the park! Pick a spot and be ready to hang out until the next eruption. While there is no exact time, Old Faithful is said to erupt about every 90 minutes. You can check the timing of Old Faithful’s eruptions at the Visitor Center or by downloading the “GeyserTimes” app on your phone. Note, there is also an overlook if you want to beat some of the crowds and get a different angle for your photo. It’s about a mile long trail to get up there, so be sure to time it appropriately.
7: National Park Sign
I mean this goes without saying but be sure to grab a photo at one of the 5 entrances into the park! We chose to get a photo at the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana. We picked this spot because it is also where you will find photo spot #10.
8: Mammoth Hot Springs
Another super popular spot in the park, Mammoth Hot Springs can be found 4 miles from the North Entrance and has two different parking lots – one for the upper terraces and one for the lower. Seeing as how this is a super popular spot, I recommend going early or later in the afternoon as parking can be difficult.
9: Roaring Mountain
It was pouring rain when we stopped here but look at this stunning photo from Jasmine Alley. Such a cool spot for a photo.
The name “Roaring Mountain” comes from the sound the fumaroles make. In the late 1800’s it was said you could hear the sound from miles away!
10: Roosevelt Arch
“For the benefit and enjoyment of the people” this famous arch can be found at the North Entrance in Gardiner and is super accessible as you can park right next to it.
Use this map to plan your trip!
