Last Updated: September 2026

Embark on an adventure like no other as you dive headfirst into the OG of U.S. national parks—Yellowstone! 🌋🦬

It's where erupting geysers meet rainbow-colored hot springs, where bison roam like they own the place (because, honestly, they kind of do), and where every hike feels like you're walking through a live-action nature doc.

Whether you're here to tick Old Faithful off your bucket list, chase waterfalls, or simply soak in that fresh mountain air, Yellowstone is an absolute must.

This itinerary covers two jam-packed days exploring both the West and East sides of the park, plus tips, vegan snack inspo, and packing recs so you don't end up hangry or soggy in the wild.

✨ Before You Go: What to Know About This Itinerary

Accommodation Location: We based ourselves in West Yellowstone, which made exploring both sides of the park super convenient. Cute town, walkable, and had enough food options to keep us fed after long days.
Food Situation: Dining inside the park is limited and not particularly vegan-friendly. We flew into Bozeman and hit up a grocery store right away to stock up on road trip essentials, hiking snacks, and lunch supplies — highly recommend doing the same.
Start and End Point: We flew in and out of Bozeman and did Yellowstone before heading north to Glacier National Park. If you're doing the same route, check out our full Glacier itinerary here.

⚠️ Yellowstone Safety + Travel Tips

Bison Safety: Do not approach them — stay at least 25 yards back (that's the official NPS guideline, and it's not optional). Give them tons of space, and if you see one on the trail or road, back away slowly. These guys are deceptively fast and not here for your selfie content.
Accessibility: Many geyser trails are wooden boardwalks and pretty flat, but there are some inclines. Overall, it's one of the more accessible national parks.
Traffic Advisory: Traffic gets real — especially when bison block roads or tourists stop for pics (which they always do). One day we were stuck in a 2-hour backup. Early entry = less stress.
Trail Etiquette: Stick to the trails! Especially near geysers and hot springs — some of that steamy water is actually boiling. Yellowstone doesn't mess around.
Pet Policy: Dogs are allowed in the park but not on most trails. Plan accordingly if you're traveling with a furry friend.
Smells of Yellowstone: Sulfur = stink bombs from nature. Just mentally prepare yourself 'cause it can get a lil stinky at times 🦨

🌱 My Go-To Vegan Hiking Snacks:

Peanut Butter + Banana Sandwich
PB&J (tried and true — Uncrustables are great for convenience!)
Cuties / Oranges
Pistachios
Trail Mix
Nature's Bakery Fig Bars
Lenny & Larry's Cookies
Peanut Butter Stuffed Pretzels (my guilty pleasure)

🎒 Packing Guide

Rain jacket / packable poncho
Comfy hiking boots
Microspikes (if visiting in spring/late fall)
Hiking poles (and don't leave them on the plane like one of our group members did 😅)
Refillable water bottle or CamelBak — I used a CamelBak for the hikes, but kept a reusable bottle in the car filled with water to drink between stops
Layers, layers, layers — we were here in June, so the mornings were chilly, but once the sun came up and we were on the trails, it heated up quickly

Now that we got all of that out of the way — let’s get into this trip!

Overview of Itinerary:

Day One: West Side of Yellowstone
- Fountain Paint Pot Trail
- Old Faithful
- Grand Prismatic
- Fairy Falls Trailhead
- West Yellowstone
Day Two: East Side of Yellowstone
- West Thumb Geyser / Yellowstone Lake
- Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
- Mud Volcano
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- Yellowstone Hot Springs
- Gardiner
FAQs

DAY ONE: West Side

Fountain Paint Pot Trail

🕐 Estimated Time: 30–45 minutes

Take a short-but-epic stroll through Yellowstone's bubbling, steaming, and splattering geothermal playground. The Fountain Paint Pot Trail is like nature's lava lamp — with vibrant mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and hot springs showing off their wild side. Stay on the boardwalk (seriously!) and soak in the otherworldly vibes

Old Faithful

🕐 Estimated Time: 1.5–2 hours (including Old Faithful + trail)

Now this is the main event! This geyser isn't just famous — it's punctual. Catch it erupting approximately every 90 minutes as it blasts boiling water up to 180 feet in the air. But don't stop there — walk the Upper Geyser Basin Loop to discover dozens of lesser-known (but just as cool) geysers and springs.

Pro Tip: Check eruption times ahead of time on the NPS website or at the visitor center.

📝 Personal Note: We got there right after Old Faithful had erupted, so we did the Upper Geyser Basin Loop and kept track of the time it was set to erupt again. We were able to walk the whole loop and end it right as Old Faithful went off!

Grand Prismatic

🕐 Estimated Time: 30–60 minutes round-trip to overlook

Behold the literal rainbow of geothermal features. Grand Prismatic Spring is Yellowstone's most colorful and Instagram-famous spot for a reason.

Pro Tip: For the best view, skip the crowded boardwalk and hike to the overlook via the Fairy Falls trailhead. On a sunny day, the vivid blues, oranges, and greens are chef's kiss.

Fairy Falls Trailhead

🕐 Estimated Time: 2–3 hours (depending on how far you go and photo stops)

Walk through enchanted pine forests and wildflower meadows on this 5-mile round-trip hike to Fairy Falls — one of the tallest waterfalls in Yellowstone. It's a moderate, mostly flat trek with serious payoff at the end.

📝 Personal Note: We missed the waterfall turnoff (whoopsie). We didn't realize until we were pretty far down the trail, and by the time we made it back to the turnoff we were too tired to keep going to the waterfall — but we did see a ton of bison AND wolves, so... silver lining? Don't be like us: watch for trail markers so you actually make it to the waterfall!

After a full day of geysers and hikes, wind down in West Yellowstone. Walk around the little shops, grab dinner, and relive your best bison moments over something delicious!

🌱 Vegan Options in West Yellowstone:

Chinatown
Ernie’s
Madison Crossing Lounge
Red Lotus Chinese Restaurant
Yellowstone Beer Company
Yogi’s Waffles and Grill
Mountain Mama's Coffeehouse and Bakery

DAY TWO: East Side

West Thumb Geyser / Yellowstone Lake

🕐 Estimated Time: 30–45 minutes

The place where geysers meet lakefront views — literally. The West Thumb Geyser Basin sits right on the edge of Yellowstone Lake, giving you a dreamy combo of steaming pools, underwater geysers (!!), and mountain reflections. It feels like walking through a magical geothermal shoreline. The boardwalk loop is super easy and incredibly photogenic.

Mud Volcano

🕐 Estimated Time: 30–45 minutes

Experience the primal energy of Yellowstone's Mud Volcano, where boiling mud pots and churning thermal pools create a surreal landscape straight out of a sci-fi fantasy. As you walk the loop, you'll hear the earth gurgling beneath your feet and see steam rising from deep, bubbling cauldrons.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

🕐 Estimated Time: 1–2 hours depending on how many viewpoints/hikes you do

Definitely one of the park's most iconic spots — and for good reason. Towering canyon walls in earthy reds and golds stretch for miles, carved over thousands of years by the powerful Yellowstone River. Don't skip Artist Point — it's basically the money shot.

Want to get closer? Brave Uncle Tom's Trail (or one of the other viewpoint hikes) to descend down a steep series of switchbacks and feel the spray from the Lower Falls. It's steep and a leg burner, but totally worth it for those next-level waterfall views. You can take a breather in the car on the way to the next stop!

Mammoth Hot Springs

🕐 Estimated Time: 45–60 minutes

Step into a realm of wonder at Mammoth Hot Springs, where terraces of travertine limestone cascade down the hillside in a breathtaking display of natural beauty. Wander amidst the intricate formations and vibrant pools, and feel as if you've stepped into a world of pure magic and enchantment.

📝 Personal Note: There's parking at both the bottom and the top of the terraces. Most people take the shortcut up top, but we parked at the bottom and hiked our way up (or maybe we just like to torture ourselves?). It made the experience more rewarding, and the panoramic views at the summit were chef's kiss.

Yellowstone Hot Springs

🕐 Estimated Time: 1 -2 hours

Indulge in the ultimate relaxation experience at Yellowstone Hot Springs, where soothing warm waters and stunning mountain vistas provide the perfect escape from the rigors of everyday life. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating soak amidst the natural splendor of the area, and feel your cares melt away.

Heads up: this is a privately-owned soaking resort about 8 miles outside the North Entrance near Gardiner — not a free, natural feature inside the park. It's paid admission, and hours vary seasonally (Wednesday–Sunday, 9am–9pm as of publishing), so check their website and book ahead if you can.

Unwind with a delightful meal in the charming town of Gardiner, where quaint streets and local eateries beckon you to explore and indulge in the culinary delights of the region before heading back to West Yellowstone for the night!

🌱 Vegan Options in Gardiner:

Tumbleweeds Bookstore and Cafe
Wonderland Cafe
Eat Cafe
Big Sky Baked and Loaded

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 2 days enough time for Yellowstone?
You can absolutely hit the highlights of both the West and East sides in 2 days, like we did in this itinerary. That said, Yellowstone is massive — if you have 3-4 days, you could slow down, add the Lamar Valley for wildlife watching, or explore the South/North side more thoroughly.

What's the best time of year to visit?
We visited in June, which meant chilly mornings but warm, sunny afternoons — great hiking weather. Summer (June-August) is peak season with the most trail access but also the biggest crowds. Shoulder season (May or September) means fewer people but check road/trail closures, since some areas don't fully open until late May.

Do I need a reservation to enter Yellowstone?
No timed-entry reservation is required for Yellowstone itself, but you do need to pay the park entrance fee (or use an America the Beautiful pass). Just budget extra time at the gate during peak summer months.

Is Yellowstone vegan-friendly?
Inside the park, not really — dining options are limited and skew toward standard American fare. That's why we grocery-shopped in Bozeman before heading in. The gateway towns (West Yellowstone and Gardiner) have solid vegan-friendly options though, listed above for both days.

Which entrance should I use for this itinerary?
We flew into Bozeman and used the West Entrance both days, staying in West Yellowstone and driving to the East side for Day Two. If you're coming from Jackson or the South, you'd enter differently, but the itinerary order would work the same.

As your Yellowstone adventure comes to an end, it's time to pack up your hiking boots, roll down the windows, and either head home with a heart full of memories—or gear up for your next epic stop.

If you're continuing the journey north to Glacier National Park (like we did), you're in for even more jaw-dropping views, alpine lakes, and unforgettable hikes. Be sure to check out my full Glacier itinerary here for all the tips, must-see spots, and vegan travel hacks you'll need!

Wherever you're off to next—safe travels and may your snacks always be stocked! 🏕️🌿✌️

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