12 Group 3-Day Yellowstone Tour West Yellowstone Round-Trip

Shortly after leaving Madison Junction, you’ll see the steaming thermal area come into view. Our first stop is a mud pot-dominated thermal feature named for its red, yellow, and brown mud. These colors come from varying oxidation states of iron in the mud. A highlight of the mud pots is their bubbling activity — the bubbles are formed by gases released from the Yellowstone volcano, and their activity changes with the seasons.

A 10-minute drive from Fountain Paint Pot brings us to the famous Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the U.S. and the third-largest in the world. It’s 75–91 meters wide, 49 meters deep, and discharges about 2,000 liters of 71°C groundwater per minute. The crown jewel of Yellowstone’s hot springs, Grand Prismatic Spring is over 100 meters in diameter, with a vivid color spectrum of blue, green, yellow, orange, and red radiating from its center — making it the park’s largest and most colorful thermal feature.

After a 15-minute drive, we arrive at Yellowstone’s largest visitor center and most iconic attraction: Old Faithful. Old Faithful was the first named geyser in Yellowstone National Park and remains its most famous landmark. It erupts approximately every 90 minutes, reaching heights of up to 40 meters — a truly spectacular sight. The visitor center here offers exhibits, educational films about the park, and a gift shop for souvenirs.

A 30-minute drive brings us to the mirror-like waters of Yellowstone Lake, where we’ll visit the West Thumb Geyser Basin on the lake’s shore. Formed by a volcanic collapse 150,000 years ago, this unique area blends hot springs and lake water to create a magical, misty landscape: the wispy steam of the hot springs rises above the green lake waters, framed by blue skies and white clouds — a scene unlike any other thermal area in the park. This is essentially a bay of Yellowstone Lake, where numerous geysers cluster together. The vents come in a variety of colors: some are translucent green, others a dark, cement-like black, creating a dreamlike, otherworldly scene.

After an hour’s drive, we reach the canyon area of Yellowstone. The Yellowstone River flows through the bottom of the canyon, which has been carved into its dramatic form over millions of years. Artist Point, located on the cliff edge of the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, directly west of Yellowstone Falls, is the best spot to view the canyon and the falls. It was here that painter Thomas Moran depicted Yellowstone Falls in 1872, giving the spot its name. The canyon stretches about 20 miles long and is roughly 1,000 feet deep. As you stand here, what captivates you most is not the canyon’s depth or shape, nor the rushing green river below — it’s the kaleidoscope of colors in the weathered volcanic rock. The canyon walls glow with brilliant hues: white, yellow, green, blue, crimson, and countless shades in between, as if painted in oils. These millions of tons of rock hold their vivid colors fast, never fading in the rain, wind, or sun.

From its exterior decor to interior design, the town is steeped in Western cowboy culture. The world-famous Antler Park is located right here, boasting the largest and most impressive elk antler arches in the United States. There are four identical arches at each corner of the park, crafted from naturally shed antlers left by elk herds after wintering in the National Elk Refuge. These arches are a must-visit photo spot for every traveler.

The Snake River flows down from the Jackson Lake Dam, curving sharply near Highway 89 toward Moran. This horseshoe-shaped bend, resembling a wild ox’s horn, gives the area its name: Oxbow Bend. A pull-off along the highway offers views west to the majestic Mount Moran, which rises dramatically above the river bend. The massive granite peaks stand tall and striking. On calm mornings or evenings, when the water is still, the reflection of the snow-capped mountain in the river creates a breathtaking scene that has made this spot iconic among photographers worldwide. Tall cottonwood trees and the glistening river create a serene, lazy atmosphere reminiscent of idyllic rural scenes painted by British landscape artists. This is a renowned wildlife viewing spot in Grand Teton, a must-shoot location for photographers, and the best place to admire Mount Moran. Grand Teton’s fall foliage is legendary, drawing countless photographers every autumn to capture its beauty.

From Snake River Overlook, drive south along Highway 191 for a short distance until you see a roadside sign for Teton Point Turnout. The parking area offers wide, unobstructed views of the Teton Range. Gaze out at the continuous, undulating peaks lined up in a row, and take in the awe-inspiring sight of the permanent glaciers atop the mountains.

Jackson Lake is a natural glacial lake located in Grand Teton National Park, northwestern Wyoming. It is approximately 24 km long, 11 km wide, and 134 meters deep, with an average annual water temperature of 16°C. Since the construction of the Jackson Lake Dam, the lake has expanded, and its surface water is used for irrigation by farmers in Idaho. The Snake River flows into the lake from the north and exits through the dam on the eastern side. The lake is rich in aquatic life, including introduced and native trout species, Snake River cutthroat trout, and mountain whitefish. It contains more than 15 islands, most notably Elk Island and Donoho Point. The Leigh Lake Trail extends from the southern end of Yellowstone National Park to the northern end of the lake, then continues along the eastern shore. There are several marinas and lodges nearby (all offering boat tours except Jackson Lake Lodge).

As evening falls, we return to the Yellowstone Lake area. As America’s largest volcanic lake, Yellowstone Lake is famous not only for its unique mix of geysers and lake waters but also for its exceptional sunset views. West Thumb is one of the most distinctive trails on the lake, where you’ll see the wispy steam of hot springs rising above crystal-clear waters, set against a backdrop of blue skies and white clouds.

After lunch, we’ll explore the boardwalk area behind Old Faithful. Upper Geyser Basin has the highest density of geysers in Yellowstone: of the park’s 200-250 total geysers, about 180 are located here. Along the trail, we’ll visit famous features including Castle Geyser, Great Fountain Geyser, Daisy Geyser, Riverside Geyser, and the Mud Volcano area, where you can observe all four types of thermal features: fumaroles, hot springs, geysers, and mud pots. If time and energy permit, after reaching Mud Volcano, you can continue along the boardwalk to Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin. Sapphire Pool and Mud Volcano are the two most iconic thermal features on this trail.

About 40 minutes after entering the park, we will first arrive at the Grand Prismatic Spring boardwalk. The entire trail is approximately 3 kilometers long. The first half consists of relatively flat gravel terrain, while the second half features some gentle slopes. Due to weather conditions, this trail is only open to the public during the months of May, June, July, and August each year. If you visit at other times, please be extra careful.

Norris is named after Philetus Norris, the second superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, who first compiled detailed information about Yellowstone’s geothermal features. It is home to some of the hottest and most unstable geysers in the park, including the world’s largest geyser, Steamboat Geyser. A dormant giant, Steamboat erupts infrequently (last major eruption in 2008), but once set a record height of 380 feet. Due to its instability, new geysers emerge and old ones fade every year.A famous feature here is the acidic geyser "The Devil’s Inkwell," with a pH of 3 (as acidic as lemon juice) — a stark contrast to most of Yellowstone’s alkaline hot springs. Other notable thermal features include Pearl Geyser, Porcelain Basin, Ledge Geyser, and Colloidal Pool. The orange and green microbial mats lining the thermal streams here are also a stunning sight.

Located in the northeastern corner of Yellowstone National Park, Lamar Valley features gentle slopes and lush grasslands. It is home to iconic wildlife including bison, grizzly bears, pronghorn, black bears, and elk. Once a ranch in the early 20th century, it is now renowned as one of the best places in the lower 48 states to spot gray wolves, especially in spring, early summer, and winter mornings. The landscape at the intersection of Tower Roosevelt and Lamar Valley is often described by visitors as "sensual in the foreground, majestic in the background," promising a unique experience for every traveler.

Sheepeater Cliff is composed of columnar basalt formed by lava flows approximately 500,000 years ago. The Gardner River cuts through the valley, exposing these dramatic cliff faces. The basalt here is known as columnar basalt, formed as the lava cooled and fractured into hexagonal columns.

Located in the northwestern part of Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth Hot Springs is home to the park headquarters and a popular spot for elk during their mating season. Famous for its travertine terraces, Mammoth is geologically distinct from other thermal features in the park.As hot water emerges from limestone bedrock, it dissolves calcium carbonate. When the water cools at the surface, the calcium carbonate precipitates and builds up as travertine platforms. Over time, as underground outlets become blocked by mineral deposits, the water shifts to new channels, creating additional terraces. The terraces take on yellow, white, and brown hues from algae and microorganisms, forming layered "travertine terraces" that resemble ancient woolly mammoths. Mammoth Hot Springs is the largest known carbonate-depositing spring in the world.

This iconic archway at Yellowstone’s north entrance was laid in 1903 by Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States. It is one of the park’s main symbols and the only formal "gate" among Yellowstone’s entrances. Roosevelt had the phrase "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People" carved into the arch, taken from the act of Congress that established Yellowstone National Park.

About 8 miles north of Yellowstone’s north entrance, you’ll reach Montana’s newest hot spring facility, Yellowstone Hot Springs. Tucked in the southern end of Paradise Valley between two mountain ranges and built along the Yellowstone River, it offers a unique mineral-rich hydrotherapy experience. The continuously flowing hot springs and peaceful natural setting help guests relax and unwind, surrounded by mountain views and soaring eagles. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that can only be truly appreciated in person.