The Mount Washburn Trail
Mount Washburn is a prominent peak in the park's Washburn Range, standing more than 10,000 feet high from its base. The trail is ideal for hiking in the summer or snowshoeing in the winter, and provides one of the best views for the least amount of effort. Visitors can drive up Chittenden Road to the parking area, from which a two and a half-mile trek will bring hikers to the summit for a 360-degree view of the park.
Grand Loop Road
The park is replete with scenic drives, although none as diverse and panoramic as the Grand Loop Road, which winds around mountainous terrain, valleys, forests, canyons, cliffs and waterfalls. A slow, relaxing cruise will give visitors a chance to view a large amount of the unique vegetation and diverse wildlife the park has to offer in a shorter amount of time. Low traffic will allow for stopping and taking pictures.
Geysers
No trip to Yellowstone would be complete without witnessing the spectacular display of geysers that erupt around the park at routine intervals. The signature attraction at the park, Old Faithful, erupts about every 90 minutes, spewing between 4,000 and 8,000 gallons of water 140 feet into the air (according to VirtualTourist). However, other areas, such as Castle Geyser, Geyser Hill, Grand Geyser and the West Thumb Geyser Basin, are also enthralling to watch.
Firehole River Swimming Area
This is one of only two places in the park that allow swimming, which is ideal after a long summer hike through the park's many trails. Tall cliffs around Firehole River and the nearby hot springs create a deep warm water pool, which can be accessed by drifting down gentle but fast-flowing rapids from a place upstream. While visitors swim at their own risk, the park does forbid diving and cliff jumping for the safety of everyone.
Grand Teton Bike Tour
Active visitors are encouraged to take a guided mountain biking tour through the picturesque Grand Tetons, with a wide variety of tours offered to accommodate different skill levels. On each full day tour, visitors will be supplied with a mountain bike, helmet, water bottle, box lunch and local guide who will share the history of the area while providing instruction in both mountain biking techniques as well as trail etiquette.
Fishing
Dozens of guided fishing businesses exist in or near the park to help create a memorable experience for those looking to enjoy one of the park's most storied pasttimes. The fishing season goes from Memorial Day weekend through the first Sunday in November. The most popular fish in the park's rivers are wild trout, which are abundant in places like Joffe Lake and Gibbon River. Fishing permits are required.
