About Yellowstone
Yellowstone, established in 1872 as the world's first national park, sits atop a slumbering supervolcano whose heat powers more geysers and hot springs than the rest of the planet combined. Old Faithful still performs on schedule among the steaming cones of the Upper Geyser Basin; Grand Prismatic Spring spreads its impossible rainbow rings; and Mammoth's travertine terraces build their white staircases at the park's northern gate.
The thermal wonders share the stage with America's finest wildlife theater. Bison herds own the Hayden and Lamar valleys — the 'American Serengeti' — where wolves course the river flats at dawn and grizzlies dig the meadow edges; elk, pronghorn, and bighorn fill out the cast. And through the park's heart the Yellowstone River thunders over two great falls into its own Grand Canyon, whose yellow stone walls named the entire wonderland.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Yellowstone.
Do the Old Faithful basin properly
See the famous geyser erupt, then walk the boardwalks past Castle, Grotto, and Morning Glory Pool — and check the predictions board: catching Grand or Riverside erupt beats the headliner.
Overlook Grand Prismatic
From the Fairy Falls trail overlook, the spring's full color wheel — sapphire core ringed in emerald, gold, and rust — spreads below like a painted eye. Midday light is best.
Dawn patrol in Lamar Valley
Arrive at first light with binoculars: bison herds in the mist, wolves working the river flats, grizzlies on the slopes. There is no better wildlife hour in the Lower 48.
Tours That Visit Yellowstone
Book any of these through Pavlus and pay less — never a service fee. Browse the full catalog → or call 800-528-9300 for your unadvertised Pavlus price.