We all know about Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Mammoth Hot Springs, but to be honest, all of Yellowstone National Park is one giant photo spot – just like it is with wildlife watching. Great views greeted me every day in the park, but a few stood out as the best photo spots in Yellowstone National Park. All of these are popular and easy to reach spots, but they are not typically found on most “Must See” lists.
Roosevelt Arch
The north entrance of the park in Montana is home to the easily recognizable Roosevelt Arch. The arch is inscribed at the top, “For the Benefit and the Enjoyment of the People.” It was completed in 1903 and Teddy Roosevelt placed the cornerstone. It truly is a gateway to exploration.
Observation Point
Grab a seat on the benches and watch and wait among the throngs of people for Old Faithful to do her thing. It’s a Yellowstone National Park rite of passage. But after you see it erupt once, head for the hills.
Take the Observation Point trail up Geyser Hill for a stunning view of Old Faithful, the crowd, and much of the Upper Geyser Basin. The trail is short – only .8 miles to the top – but steep. Worth it for this panoramic view.
After your near aerial view of Old Faithful, continue out the trial to Solitary Geyser instead of heading back down the hill. The quiet and calm out here is a nice change from the crowds down below.
The hike to Observation Point and out to Solitary Geyser and back to the boardwalk is 2.2 miles.
Point Sublime
I didn’t know that the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone could be viewed only steps from a parking lot. I worked for it. Walked up a hill, through a field, past a sulfur pond, across an alien landscape, and along a marsh before I finally caught sight of the majestic valley. And it was completely worth it.
From Uncle Tom’s Point parking area the Clear Lake Trail connected to a trail that took us past Lily Pad Lake and eventually dumped us out on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We turned right and headed for Point Sublime and we were the only ones there! On a weekend in June, we were the only ones there! But even more exciting than the solitude were the views.
Tower Falls
Sadly we didn’t get to spend much time in the Tower-Roosevelt Section of the park. But we did make time for a quick stop at Tower Falls.
Even more than the falls, I loved the walls in this canyon nearby. The top looks more like a collection of posts than a cliff face.
Artists Paintpots
We visited here as our first exploration on our first full day in the park. The fog mixed with steam and created an eerie (but exciting) atmosphere in this section of the park. We were the only people here.
Firehole Falls
This small waterfall is near the beginning of Firehole Canyon Drive and is a worthy diversion on your trip to the Firehole Swimming Area.
The lava rock walls surrounding the Firehole Falls parking area reveals another dimension of the dramatic, volcanic landscape in Yellowstone National Park.
45th Parallel
The 45th Parallel marks the line of latitude that is halfway between the equator and the North Pole. This stop isn’t so much about a great view as it is about a geographic point of interest. Still makes a fun Instagram shot!
This Yellowstone National Park Photo Spot can be found on the North Entrance Road. It is between Gardiner and Mammoth and very close to the Boiling River Parking Area.
Go
As I mentioned, all of Yellowstone National Park is a great photo spot. Bring extra batteries and storage to help you capture these beautiful memories.
Ready to capture a great shot? Pin or share the image below to let everyone know you’re headed to the best Photo Spots in Yellowstone National Park.
Learn More
Check out these posts for more information about visiting Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone National Park Overview
Camping in Yellowstone National Park
Geysers in Yellowstone National Park
Secret Swimming Spots in Yellowstone National Park
Wildlife Watching in Yellowstone National Park
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
