Yellowstone National Park is a must-go for nature lovers, and the Lower Loop is one of the most visited areas within the park. The Lower Loop covers approximately 96 miles and offers visitors a chance to experience nature.
The Lower Loop of Yellowstone has some of the most iconic attractions in the park, including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Lower Falls. Visitors can also explore lesser-known areas, such as Biscuit Basin and Firehole Canyon Drive, and enjoy the stunning scenery and abundant wildlife.
Here is an ultimate guide to what to see in the Lower Loop of Yellowstone.
Old Faithful
Old Faithful is a popular attraction in Yellowstone National Park. A geyser erupts approximately every 90 minutes, shooting hot water and steam up to 185 feet into the air. Visitors can view the eruption from a safe distance.
There is also an Old Faithful Visitor Center nearby, where visitors can learn about the history of the geyser and the surrounding area.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring is the third-largest hot spring worldwide. It is known for its vibrant colors, caused by bacteria and algae that thrive in warm water. Visitors can view the spring from a boardwalk that surrounds it, and several hiking trails in the area offer stunning views of the spring and the surrounding landscape.
Lower Falls
Lower Falls is a 308-foot waterfall located in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The waterfall is one of the most photographed attractions in the park, and visitors can view it from several lookout points along the canyon rim.
Several hiking trails in the area offer stunning views of the waterfall and the canyon.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs is a series of hot springs and terraces known for their unique formations and vibrant colors. The terraces are formed by the buildup of calcium carbonate and other minerals, and they have been shaped over thousands of years by the flow of hot water from the springs.
Visitors can walk along boardwalks that wind through the terraces and learn about the geology and history of the area.
Hayden Valley
Hayden Valley is a large open valley known for its abundant wildlife. Visitors often see bison, elk, bears, and other animals grazing in the valley. Several hiking trails in the area offer stunning views of the valley and the surrounding mountains.
West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin is a small geyser basin located on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. It is known for its colorful hot springs and geysers, and visitors can walk along a boardwalk that winds through the basin.
Several hiking trails offer stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin is one of Yellowstone National Park’s most active geothermal areas. It is known for its geysers, hot springs, and mud pots, and visitors can walk along a boardwalk that winds through the basin. Several hiking trails in the area offer stunning views of the basin and the surrounding landscape.
Fishing Bridge
Fishing Bridge is a historic bridge that spans the Yellowstone River. It is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, and visitors often see anglers fishing for trout and other fish in the river. There is also a visitor center nearby that offers information about the history and ecology of the area.
Watch this video to get a glimpse of the Fishing Bridge at Yellowstone:
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is known for its crystal-clear water and stunning mountain views, and visitors can enjoy various activities on the lake, including fishing, boating, and kayaking. Several hiking trails offer spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Artist Point
Artist Point is a scenic overlook located on the south rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It offers stunning views of the Lower Falls and the surrounding canyon, and it is one of the most famous viewpoints in the park. Visitors can access the overlook via a short hiking trail from the parking area.
Firehole Canyon Drive
Firehole Canyon Drive is a scenic road that winds through a narrow canyon in the park’s southwest corner. It is known for its stunning scenery, including waterfalls, rock formations, and the Firehole River.
Visitors can access the road from the Madison Junction and drive to the Firehole Falls, where they can stop and view the waterfall.
Fountain Paint Pot
Fountain Paint Pot is a small thermal area near the Lower Geyser Basin. It is known for its mud pots, geysers, and hot springs, which are colored with vibrant orange, blue, and green hues. Visitors can walk along a boardwalk that winds through the area and learn about the geology and history of the park.
Gibbon Falls
Gibbon Falls is an 84-foot waterfall located on the Gibbon River. It is known for its stunning beauty and can be accessed via a short hiking trail from the parking area. Visitors can also view the waterfall from a nearby overlook.
Biscuit Basin
Biscuit Basin is a small thermal area located near Old Faithful. It is known for its colorful hot springs and geysers, surrounded by a boardwalk visitors can walk along. Biscuit Basin is less crowded than other thermal areas in the park, making it a peaceful and tranquil place to visit.
Virginia Cascade Drive
Virginia Cascade Drive is a scenic road that winds through a forested area in the western part of the park. It has stunning views of the Virginia Cascade, which is a 60-foot waterfall that cascades over a series of rocks.
Visitors can access the road from the Norris Junction and drive to the Virginia Cascade, where they can stop and view the waterfall.
Conclusion
The Lower Loop of Yellowstone National Park offers visitors an opportunity to experience some of the most iconic attractions in the park. Visitors can explore lesser-known areas, such as Biscuit Basin and Firehole Canyon Drive, and enjoy the stunning scenery and abundant wildlife.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned Yellowstone enthusiast, the Lower Loop is a must-see destination in the park.