Grand Loop Road

A figure-eight 229 km loop road inside Yellowstone National Park that links Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs, along with nearly every major landmark in the park.

The Grand Loop Road is the backbone of Yellowstone National Park. It was built gradually from the late 19th century to the 1930s and forms a figure eight. It totals 142 miles (229 km), and the roads from all five park entrances connect to it. Starting clockwise from the western loop: Mammoth Hot Springs (terraced travertine terraces); the Norris Geyser Basin; Gibbon Falls; the Artist Paint Pots; then along the Firehole River, the Fountain Paint Pot, the Midway Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring; and in the Upper Geyser Basin, Old Faithful Geyser and the Old Faithful Inn. After crossing the Continental Divide, you reach the West Thumb Geyser Basin and Yellowstone Lake. Heading north, you pass Hayden Valley (bison and grizzly bears), the Mud Volcano, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (Artist Point and Lower Falls). Then climb over Dunraven Pass, the highest point on the entire loop at about 2,700 m near Mount Washburn, to Tower Fall. The northeast entrance leads toward Lamar Valley, known as America's Serengeti. Then head west back to Mammoth. Driving straight through takes about 7 hours. Plan at least 3 days, staying in Old Faithful, Canyon Village and Mammoth. The speed limit is 45 mph. Bison traffic jams are common, and in peak season parking lots fill up before 10 a.m. Never leave the boardwalks, as hot springs can be deadly. Keep 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from other animals.

Grand Loop Road

Along the route