Yellowstone National Park: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome: South Entrance (Jackson)

  This tour of Yellowstone features multiple entrances to accommodate travelers entering from any direction. Get ready to experience one of the most incredible landscapes in North America, featuring stunning volcanic features like geysers and hot springs, majestic wildlife from bison to gray wolves, and more natural beauty than you can capture with any camera.

• Lewis Falls

  The first thing you'll see if entering from the south is Lewis Falls, a humble but energetic 30-foot waterfall that's sure to whet your appetite for the sights to come.

• Grant Village & Visitor Center

  If entering via the South Entrance, you'll pass Grant Village, a great place to make a pit stop before continuing onto the Grand Loop which circles the whole park.

• West Thumb

  First in this section of the park is the West Thumb Geyser Basin, one of Yellowstone's largest geyser basins which features some truly remarkable geothermal features.

• Abyss Pool

  While exploring West Thumb, you'll spot the Abyss Pool, an impressively deep, shockingly blue pool which has actually been known to erupt, although very rarely.

• Fisherman’s Cone: William Trumbull

  Next is the Fisherman's Cone, a small, extremely hot spring where fishermen used to boil their fish immediately after catching them!

• Shoshone Lake & DeLacy Creek Trail

  Your route takes you next past Shoshone Lake, a lovely secluded little patch of wilderness with a great hiking trail to boot.

• Shoshone Lake Overlook

  Be sure to stop by the Shoshone Lake Overlook, up next, for some spectacular views of the lake.

• Trail to Shoshone Lake

  You'll pass the trail to Shoshone Lake next, for those who want to visit the lakeshore itself.

• Isa Lake & Continental Divide

  Up next is Isa Lake, which sits directly on the Continental Divide. In a way, this lake marks the backbone of the country!

• Kepler Cascade

  Continuing on, you'll pass the Kepler Cascade, a 150-foot waterfall that's definitely worth a stop.

• Old Faithful

  Old Faithful, up next, is one of Yellowstone's most famous attractions for a reason. This huge geyser is so reliable it was once referred to as "eternity's timepiece"!

• Beehive

  After that you can choose to visit the Beehive, a much humbler geyser which gets its name from the curious honeycomb-like formation surrounding it.

• Castle Geyser

  Then there's Castle Geyser, imposing and shielded by an enormous cone of calcified residue.

• Grand Geyser

  If you explore the geyser basin beyond Old Faithful, you'll find Grand Geyser, the most powerful predictable geyser in the world. These eruptions can reach up to 200 feet in height!

• Morning Glory

  Up next is Morning Glory, a deep hot spring pool which has, unfortunately, been severely damaged by tourists over the years. That said, it's still a sight to behold.

• Fairy Falls & Grand Prismatic

  After that you'll have the chance to visit Fairy Falls, a spectacular waterfall, and get a great view of the must-see Grand Prismatic hot spring in the process.

• Firehole River

  You've heard of hot tubs, but how about a hot river? That's exactly what you'll find at Firehole River, your next stop. It's a river naturally heated by a nearby hot spring!

• Grand Prismatic Parking Lot

  Then you'll be able to park and see Grand Prismatic up close. It's a staggeringly huge hot spring with rings of shocking color encircling it. This is one of Yellowstone's can't-miss attractions!

• Firehole Lake Drive and the Great Fountain

  Beyond that is Firehole Lake Drive, offering up-close views of the water, and the Great Fountain geyser. It isn't as predictable as Old Faithful, but you might get lucky and catch a seriously impressive eruption.

• Fountain Paint Pot

  Next up is the Fountain Paint Pot, a wonderfully colorful mud pot which is constantly burbling and rearranging itself thanks to the volcanic power underneath it.

• Fountain Flat Drive

  After that, you'll have a chance to take Fountain Flat Drive, which leads to a meadow where bison love to graze!

• Welcome: West Entrance Visitor Information Center

  You'll see the West Entrance Visitor Information Center if entering the park via the town of West Yellowstone.

• Madison

  If entering through the West Entrance, you'll pass through the Madison Junction, which is supposedly where explorer Ferdinand Hayden first had the idea to make this a national park.

• Gibbon River

  As you drive past the picturesque Gibbon River, you'll hear about its importance to the Shoshone tribe, as well as how they used the park's natural obsidian deposits in the past.

• Gibbon Falls

  After that you'll find Gibbon Falls, one of the park's most easily accessible waterfalls. Unlike many falls, which require long hikes down rocky trails, this one can be seen from the road!

• Artist’s Paint Pots

  Your route takes you next to the Artist's Paint Pots, another set of colorful mud pots featuring a boardwalk which takes you past not only the paint pots, but also a bunch of small geysers as well. This is a must-see spot.

• Boardwalk Artist's Paintpots

  As you explore the paint pots, you'll also get a great look at how the geothermal features have affected the surrounding trees.

• Gibbon Meadows

  You'll pass Gibbon Meadows next. If you're looking for a picnic spot to take a scenic break from driving and walking, this is a great one to choose.

• Norris Geyser Basin

  The next geyser basin you'll reach is the Norris Geyser Basin, the oldest, hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone, with temperatures measured up to 459 degrees below the surface!

• Shortcut to Canyon Village

  If you want to head straight to Canyon Village, you'll have an opportunity to do so next by taking this route straight across the Grand Loop rather than all the way around.

• Semi-Centennial Geyser

  Next, you'll pass a strange and remarkable geyser: the Semi-Centennial Geyser. It hasn't erupted since 1922, but who knows? You might get lucky!

• Electric Peak

  As you continue, you'll see Electric Peak, an 11,000-foot summit which earned its name thanks to a daring, storm-harrowed climbing experience back in the park's early days.

• Sheepeater Cliffs

  Past that are the Sheepeater Cliffs, a landmark with a strange story behind its equally strange name.

• Swan Lake Flats

  Up next are the Swan Lake Flats. These aren't just a great place to spot wildlife, they're also the birthplace of one of Yellowstone's eight wolf packs!

• Bunsen Peak and Sheepeater Cliffs

  Then there's Bunsen Peak, named after the inventor of the Bunsen Burner. Why? You'll have to visit to find out!

• Golden Gate Bridge

  Continuing on, you'll cross Yellowstone's very own Golden Gate Bridge, a staggering canyon bridged by an incredibly intricate viaduct. The views on this section of your drive simply can't be beat!

• Hoodoos

  As you drive, you'll pass through a collection of huge boulders resulting from an ancient landslide.

• Mammoth Hot Springs

  After that, you'll see Mammoth Hot Springs, one of Yellowstone's most picturesque features. But these terraced hot springs aren't just perfect for photos--they're also a huge draw for the local elk population!

• The Town of Mammoth

  If you're yearning for civilization, you'll find it at the next stop: the town of Mammoth. Dating back to the 1800s, this is the perfect place to take a quick break, grab a bite, and spot some elk!

• Welcome: North Entrance (Roosevelt Arch)

  Visitors entering from the north will pass through the Roosevelt Arch at the North Entrance.

• Boiling River

  If entering from the north entrance, you'll pass another heated river called the Boiling River. Don't worry about the name, though--it's actually quite a pleasant temperature!

• Albright Visitor Center

  The Albright Visitor Center is up next for those entering from the north, and it's a great place for anyone to stop for snacks or a restroom break.

• Undine Falls

  Up next are the Undine Falls, a 60-foot waterfall named after fairies from German folklore.

• Wraith Falls

  Just across from Undine Falls is a trailhead leading to the 80-foot Wraith Falls, another of Yellowstone's nearly 350 waterfalls!

• Petrified Tree

  The route takes you next to the Petrified Tree, one of Yellowstone's strangest attractions. While it may not look it, this tree is actually millions of years old!

• Lost Lake

  The Petrified Tree also marks the trailhead to the Lost Lake, a mysterious lake which, depending on who you ask, may not even exist!

• Roosevelt Lodge at Tower Junction

  Next, you'll pass through Tower Junction, home to the Roosevelt Lodge where, despite the name, no Roosevelt ever camped. But that doesn't make it any less of a fantastic camping spot!

• Tower Junction

  When you arrive at Tower Junction, you'll be able to choose whether to continue following the Grand Loop toward Yellowstone's Grand Canyon or take a detour to Lamar Valley, a favorite hangout of the local wildlife.

• Slough Creek

  Your route takes you next past the popular Slough Creek trail, which leads into the secluded Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness just beyond Yellowstone's borders

• Lamar Valley

  As you drive, you'll pass Lamar Valley next. This valley is the best place in Yellowstone to spot the park's iconic wildlife. You'll almost definitely see bison here, and might even get lucky and catch sight of some elusive wolves!

• Trail

  While passing through the valley, you'll have the chance to hike the Lamar Valley Trail. It's a picturesque hike for sure, but be sure to keep your distance from the wildlife!

• Welcome: Northeast Entrance (Cooke City)

  Visitors entering from the northeast will enter through the Northeast Entrance near Cooke City.

• "Devil’s Den"

  Those entering from the northeast will encounter Devil's Den, the iconic landscape captured by famed painter Thomas Moran, whose work helped to put Yellowstone on the map.

• Dunraven Pass and Mt Washburn

  Continuing along the Grand Loop, you'll arrive at Dunraven Pass, one of the highest points in the entire park. This 9,000-foot pass also features the trailhead to a hiking trail leading up an additional 1,000 feet for a truly commanding view of the park below.

• Yellowstone River

  As you drive, you'll pass the powerful Yellowstone River, another great place to spot animals like bison or grizzlies stopping for a drink at the riverbank.

• Canyon Village

  Next, you'll pass through Canyon Village, the strange, semi-town where many of Yellowstone's workers live during their time at the park. It offers a fun glimpse into what life is like for the park employees!

• Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

  After that you'll come to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, a canyon impressive enough to rival even Arizona's Grand Canyon!

• North Rim of Grand Canyon

  On the north rim of the canyon, you'll find plenty of phenomenal lookout points, so don't forget to snap plenty of photos!

• Inspiration Point

  Continuing on, you'll arrive at Inspiration Point, the most popular of the overlooks along Yellowstone's Grand Canyon. The vista here is simply unmatched anywhere else in the park.

• South Rim of Grand Canyon

  You'll come to the canyon's south rim next, which offers just as many viewpoints and hiking trails as the north rim, including the beautiful Artists Point.

• Hayden Valley

  Up next is Hayden Valley, which offers a glimpse into the past. Though it's a lush green valley today, it was once at the bottom of a lake!

• Welcome: East Entrance (Cody)

  Those entering from the east will enter through the park's East Entrance near Cody.

• Fishing Bridge Visitor Center

  If you're coming in through the east entrance, you'll pass the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center, where you can stop for snacks, maps, and restrooms.

• Fishing Bridge

  Next, you'll cross Fishing Bridge and hear about the park service's early, misguided attempts to boost park visitation by introducing invasive trout to the rivers.

• Yellowstone Lake

  Finally, you'll arrive at Yellowstone Lake, the largest high elevation lake in North America. This pristine lake is too cold to swim in, but it makes the perfect place for a picnic or even a boat ride!

• Shortcut

  This last stretch of the Grand Loop will take you to West Thumb for a second time, concluding the circle--or, if you've entered the park from an entrance besides the South Entrance, it will bring you there for the first time so you can see the rest of the park!