Yellowstone National Park Audio Tour

Old Faithful Geyser

Witness the world’s most famous clockwork wonder as it shoots thousands of gallons of boiling water high into the sky. It is the iconic heart of the park, offering a reliable and spectacular display of geothermal power that has captivated travelers for generations.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Marvel at the surreal, vivid rings of orange, yellow, and deep blue that make this the most photographed thermal feature in the United States. This massive spring is larger than a football field and looks like a shimmering rainbow resting on the earth’s crust.

Midway Geyser Basin

Explore a concentrated landscape of massive geothermal wonders, including the steaming craters of Excelsior Geyser and the brilliant Turquoise Pool. A boardwalk stroll here puts you face-to-face with the sheer scale of Yellowstone’s volcanic activity.

Fairy Falls Overlook

Take a short hike to reach the premier vantage point for viewing the Grand Prismatic Spring from high above. This elevated perspective is the only way to truly appreciate the spring’s massive size and perfect radial symmetry.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone—Artist Point

Stand at the edge of a breathtaking chasm where yellow-tinted canyon walls drop deep into the mist of the thundering Lower Falls. It is widely considered the most beautiful vista in the park, offering a view so perfect it looks like a curated landscape painting.

Lamar Valley

Often referred to as America’s Serengeti, this vast expanse is the best place in the park to spot grizzly bears, wolf packs, and massive herds of bison. The wide-open meadows and winding river provide a serene backdrop for world-class wildlife viewing.

Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces

Walk through an otherworldly landscape of cascading travertine structures that look like a frozen, melting staircase. These living sculptures change daily as mineral-rich water flows over the tiers, creating a palette of whites, tans, and burnt oranges.

Hayden Valley

This lush, central valley is a prime corridor for roaming wildlife and offers some of the most peaceful river views in the park. It’s an essential stop for those hoping to see bison traffic jams or catch a glimpse of a hunting coyote in the tall grass.

Norris Geyser Basin

Experience the hottest and oldest thermal area in Yellowstone, where the ground literally hums with volcanic energy. This "porcelain" basin is home to Steamboat Geyser, the world's tallest active geyser, and a variety of acidic, crystal-clear pools.

Yellowstone Lake—Fishing Bridge Area

Visit the shores of the largest high-elevation lake in North America, where the water meets the horizon against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Historically a prime spawning ground for cutthroat trout, it remains a tranquil spot for birdwatching and photography.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Discover a unique geothermal area where bubbling hot springs and deep blue pools sit right on the edge of the icy Yellowstone Lake. On a calm day, you can see the Abyss Pool shimmering just inches away from the vast, open water.

Mud Volcano & Dragon’s Mouth Spring

Listen to the rhythmic, roaring sounds of steam and waves crashing inside a dark cavern at Dragon’s Mouth Spring. This area showcases the park's more turbulent side, featuring churning mud pots and the pungent scent of the earth's inner workings.

Fountain Paint Pot—Lower Geyser Basin

This site offers a greatest hits of Yellowstone geology, featuring geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles all in one loop. It’s the best place to see the gloopy, popping mud that changes consistency and color with the seasons.

Artist Paint Pots

Follow a scenic boardwalk to see small, bubbling pots of pastel-colored mud and steam vents tucked against a wooded hillside. The vibrant blues and milky whites of the pools here create a delicate, artistic contrast against the rugged forest.

Tower Fall

Watch the Tower Creek plunge 132 feet past jagged volcanic pinnacles into the canyon below. This dramatic waterfall is framed by unique rock needles that give the area its name and a distinctly gothic atmosphere.

Gibbon Falls

Pause at this roadside gem where the Gibbon River tumbles 84 feet over the remnants of an ancient caldera rim. The wide, fan-shaped cascade provides a beautiful example of how the park’s volcanic history shaped its modern waterways.

Firehole Canyon Drive & Falls

Take a detour through a narrow canyon flanked by massive lava cliffs and the rushing Firehole River. The drive culminates at a powerful waterfall and a popular swimming hole where the water is warmed by upstream geothermal runoff.

Undine Falls

Enjoy a perfect view of this three-tiered waterfall as it drops 60 feet over a cliff of volcanic basalt. Easily accessible from the road, it’s a refreshing stop that showcases the hidden vertical beauty of the park’s northern range.

Calcite Springs Overlook

Look down upon the narrowest section of the Yellowstone River, where steep cliffs reveal basalt columns that look like giant honeycomb structures. The emerald green water and the presence of thermal springs at the river's edge make this a fascinating geological crossroads.

Sheepeater Cliff

Examine a striking wall of hexagonal basalt columns formed by cooling lava flows thousands of years ago. Named after the Sheepeater tribe of Native Americans, this site combines fascinating geology with deep cultural history.

Obsidian Cliff

Marvel at a massive cliff made of natural black volcanic glass, which was once a primary source for stone tools across the continent. While you cannot collect the glass, the shimmering black rock face remains a stunning monument to the park's prehistoric past.

Albright Visitor Center

Step inside this historic red-roofed building in Mammoth to learn about the park’s transformation from a wild frontier to a national treasure. It serves as a great orientation point, featuring deep dives into the history of the U.S. Army’s role in protecting Yellowstone.

Grant Visitor Center

Focus your visit on the powerful story of the 1988 fires and the ecological resilience of the Yellowstone wilderness. Located near the lake, this center offers excellent exhibits on how fire shapes the life cycle of the forest.

Fishing Bridge Visitor Center

Housed in a beautiful National Park Service Rustic-style building, this center highlights the diverse birdlife and aquatic biology of Yellowstone Lake. It’s the perfect place to learn about the delicate balance of the park’s underwater ecosystems.

Blacktail Plateau Drive

Escape the main crowds on this one-way dirt road that winds through open meadows and pine forests. It’s a fantastic slow-travel route for spotting deer, elk, and bears away from the busier paved loops.

Sylvan Lake / Pelican Creek

Find serenity at these quiet waterways where the forest meets the shore in a landscape of marshy meadows. This area is a haven for moose and waterfowl, offering a peaceful retreat for those looking to experience the park’s quieter side.

Petrified Tree

Stand before a literal relic of the past: an ancient redwood tree that was turned to stone by volcanic ash millions of years ago. It’s a rare, tangible link to a time when Yellowstone’s climate was dramatically different from what it is today.