bison

America’s first national park spans nearly 3,500 square-miles, the bulk of which occupies the northwestern corner of Wyoming. Known for its geothermal wonders the park is a filled with gurgling geysers, bubbling mudpots and hidden hot springs. But Yellowstone is much more than geysers, as it also features dramatic canyons, lush forests, and fertile valleys that are home to bears, wolves, elk, antelope and an extremely healthy bison population. And with a handful of western highways leading to the park, there’s plenty of opportunity to explore this diverse ecosystem.

Insider Tips

• Although there’s accessible parking near the Brink of the Upper Falls Viewpoint in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the viewpoint itself is not accessible due to stairs and a steep grade. That said, you can get a better – and quieter — view if you continue along the North Rim Trail, past the left turnoff to the brink. And if you’d like a short hike through the woods that crosses Canyon Bridge and offers excellent views of the Yellowstone River and the Chittenden Bridge, then just continue along this accessible trail for another half-mile.
• For a break from the congested traffic along the road to Old Faithful, take a short detour along Firehole Lake Drive. This one-way loop begins about a mile south of Fountain Paint Pot, and features accessible stops at Firehole Spring, Giant Fountain Geyser and Firehole Lake. As an added bonus, this route is pleasantly devoid of the bus loads of tourists that frequent the other area attractions, as larger vehicles are prohibited on this road.
• If you’d like to overnight in the park in an accessible room with a great view, then choose room 202 at the Yellowstone Lake Hotel. This corner room, which features a bird’s eye view of Yellowstone Lake, is furnished with a 25-inch high king-sized bed and is equipped with an accessible tub/shower combination.

Yellowstone National Park Accessible Itineraries

Nearby National Parks

Grand Teton National Park
Glacier National Park

More About Yellowstone National Park