Our One-Day Yellowstone National Park Adventure (April 2025)
- Family Traveling USA
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
We visited Yellowstone National Park on April 24, 2025, just after the park had reopened for the season! We were in the area on a family road trip and had been wanting to visit Yellowstone for quite some time.
Since it was still early in the season, only a limited number of roads were open, and from what we could tell, most of the campsites, lodges, and restaurants weren’t open yet. But we were determined to pack as many of Yellowstone’s iconic sights as we could into our one-day stop!
🚗 Starting Our Day: Bison & Bears on the Way to Old Faithful
We arrived at the park at 8:54 AM and headed straight toward Old Faithful. Along the way, we were lucky enough to spot bison and even a grizzly bear! Definitely not a bad way to start the day.
We were thrilled to find that the Visitor and Education Center was open. It had:
A beautiful indoor viewing area
Fun, hands-on exhibits about geysers and the park
Clean indoor restrooms
A cute gift shop
We explored the center briefly but decided to view Old Faithful outdoors to get as close as possible. Despite the cold and even a bit of snow, we got a front-row spot around 10:22 AM and waited for the eruption. The geyser was predicted for 10:45 AM, with a 10-minute window before or after, and it finally erupted at 10:55 AM—and it was absolutely worth the wait! What an awesome experience to see in person.
🌊 Gibbon Falls: A Quick, Scenic Stop
Next up was Gibbon Falls—a quick and easy roadside stop with a parking lot, vault toilets, and a short path to view the falls. We didn’t stay long, but it was a fun first waterfall to kick off the trip!
🏞️ Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone + Waterfall Views
We headed to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and parked near Grand View, where we enjoyed a beautiful overlook of the massive canyon. The view was incredible, though it felt a little nerve-wracking with our three young kids—there’s a stone boulder "fence" with no rail, so definitely hold hands near the edge!
From Grand View, we decided to walk to the Lower Falls viewpoint (though there’s also a parking lot nearby). It wasn’t the most scenic walk—it followed the road—but we wanted to stretch our legs.
At the Lower Falls viewpoint, we had another epic view! This one felt slightly safer, with a higher stone wall and one area with a metal railing, but still, not super secure for littles—so stay alert.
🌊 The Hunt for the Upper Falls
Finding the Upper Falls viewpoint took some trial and error! Our first attempt at the signed Lower/Upper Falls area didn’t offer an Upper Falls view point (from what we could see), and the loop road was a bit confusing. Eventually, we crossed a bridge further down the main road and discovered a great Upper Falls viewing area with a spacious parking lot and short walk to the falls.
This was, in our opinion the most kid-friendly— waterfall viewpoint of the day! The path was wide, and the stone wall felt a bit higher and safer. Plus, seeing the waterfall surrounded by snow was just beautiful.
🚙 Drive-by Mammoth Hot Springs
With daylight fading, we decided to drive by Mammoth Hot Springs. Even from the car, it looked pretty epic! There was a parking area, but we didn't stop since we were trying to make it to Lamar Valley before dark.
🦬 Sunset in Lamar Valley: Wildlife Galore!
As we made our way to Lamar Valley, we were greeted by herds of bison, pronghorn, and white-tailed deer. We were crossing our fingers for a wolf sighting, but no luck this time!
Still, this scenic drive through Lamar Valley was one of the most memorable parts of our day—there were just so many bison, and the whole area felt like a peaceful wildlife wonderland.
🌌 Finishing the Day After Dark
We ended up staying in the park until 10:21 PM. Yellowstone’s gates are open 24/7, but by evening the park felt very quiet and desolate, especially with most facilities still closed for the season.
It was a long day, with lots of car time and little-to-no cell service, so we recommend bringing:
Downloaded music or audiobooks
Plenty of snacks
Activities for kids to enjoy on the go
Final Thoughts
We were so glad we made time to visit Yellowstone—even with limited access, it was such a special and unforgettable experience. Seeing Old Faithful erupt, spotting wildlife, and taking in those majestic waterfalls made it totally worth the early-season chill!
Thanks for reading, and happy travels from our family to yours! 💛
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