Yellowstone is one of those places that everyone tells you is amazing—and for once, the hype is totally justified. But no matter how many photos you’ve seen or travel guides you’ve skimmed, nothing quite prepares you for what it’s like to experience it firsthand.
I went in expecting geysers, wildlife, and some classic national park scenery. What I didn’t expect were the moments that completely redefined what I thought I knew about the park. From steaming alien landscapes to whimsical lodges and genetically pure bison, Yellowstone was an overwhelmingly exciting experience.
Here are 7 things that genuinely surprised me—and might surprise you too.
1. Yellowstone is huge and the roads can be a clusterf…
Yellowstone is a deceptively vast park. You’ll glance at the map and think, “Oh yeah, we can hit a few spots in one afternoon,” and then you plug the route into your GPS and realize… nope. It’s not just the distance — the speed limits are low, and traffic can really slow you down.
When we first entered the park, we got stuck for two hours because of a roll-over accident on the road and this created the longest traffic jam I’ve ever seen in the national park. (The driver and passengers were okay.)
If it’s not an accident, it’s the wildlife. People will stop their cars in the middle of the road to take photos of bison, elk, or bears, causing what locals call bison jams or bear jams.
Even if nobody is slowing you down you may want to pull over at any minute to check out the many springs, geysers, and scenic overlooks that you’ll want to stop at as you drive through—this park is just not a place to rush.
So when you’re trying to get around, definitely plan more time than you think you’ll need.
2. Old Faithful is kind of underwhelming
Okay, confession time: Old Faithful wasn’t as impressive as I expected.
Don’t get me wrong, I still loved seeing it—there’s something special about the ritual. Everyone gathers, eyes on the horizon, waiting for this natural clockwork moment.
It’s one of the few times in a national park where everyone pauses together. You feel connected—not just to the people around you, but to the millions who’ve come before since Old Faithful was first documented in 1870. The eruption itself was less dramatic than I expected, but the experience still felt like a quintessential national park moment worth having.
What I actually found more interesting—though in a totally different way—was the walk from Old Faithful to Upper Geyser Basin.
There’s a whole network of geysers and hot springs along the path, each one alive in its own weird, mesmerizing way. Some barely whisper, sending up soft ribbons of steam, while others churn and bubble like cauldrons.
Being this close to the warmth and the intense sulphhur scents, you really get a sense of the earth’s raw energy. It felt like stepping into a steamy alien world—one powered by a sleeping supervolcano just beneath your feet.
3. Grand Prismatic Spring is bigger and more vibrant than I expected
This one totally blew me away. I’d seen the photos, sure—but standing there in person, it’s something else.
The colors are wild. The steam rising off the ground makes everything feel a little magical, and even the sulfur-y smell somehow adds to the experience. Yeah, there were tourists everywhere, but it didn’t take away from how stunning it was. Grand Prismatic is truly a natural wonder.
One thing I totally didn’t expect? The largest geyser in the world is right here in Yellowstone. It’s called Steamboat Geyser, and it’s right next to Grand Prismatic.
While it’s not as famous as Old Faithful, Steamboat’s eruptions are absolutely wild when they happen. It can shoot water over 300 feet into the air, casting debris onto cars in the not-so-close parking area. The catch? It’s completely unpredictable. It might go off twice in a month or take several months to erupt. We didn’t catch an eruption, but even seeing it steaming and gurgling was kind of awe-inspiring. It feels like it could blow at any moment.
One thing you really have to try to do is go to the Grand Prismatic overlook. It’s just a short stroll uphill on a well-marked trail that winds through fragrant pine trees. The path is easy and family-friendly, with plenty of spots to pause and take in the fresh air.
When you reach the top, the view opens up dramatically, revealing the full breathtaking sweep of the Grand Prismatic Spring below — those swirling, vibrant rings of blue, orange, and yellow stretching out like a living painting. From up there, you really grasp the scale and stunning beauty of the spring.
4. You can get up close and personal with The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is not only breathtaking but also geologically fascinating.
Carved by thousands of years of erosion and hydrothermal activity, the canyon stretches about 20 miles long, plunges up to 1,200 feet deep, and showcases vivid hues of yellow, pink, and orange caused by the oxidation of iron in the volcanic rock. You can see steam coming up from the canyon in some parts.
The big allure here is Yellowstone Falls, and I highly recommend hitting up Artist Point for one of the most iconic views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. But there are quite a few other viewpoints, too. You can drive along either the North Rim or South Rim, with multiple pullouts offering different angles of the canyon and both the Upper Falls and Lower Falls.
What really surprised me was that you can actually hike down to the Brink of the Lower Falls—standing right at the edge, feeling the spray on your face and hearing the thunderous roar up close, was absolutely breathtaking.
5. Old Faithful Inn is an absolute historic gem
The Old Faithful Inn is a true national treasure—equal parts lodge and living history.
Staying at the Old Faithful Inn felt like stepping back in time—in the best, most magical way. Built in 1904, it’s crafted from locally sourced lodgepole pine and rhyolite stone, with towering wooden beams rising into a dramatic multi-story lobby anchored by a massive, four-sided stone fireplace. Handcrafted railings, gnarled log staircases, and a soaring, asymmetrical roofline give the whole place a whimsical, almost fairytale feel.
Even if you’re not staying overnight, it’s absolutely worth a visit just to walk through the lobby and soak in the atmosphere. Was it expensive? Yes. Did a mouse scurry across my room floor? Also yes. But waking up in the heart of this volcanic landscape, with geysers steaming nearby—that’s something I won’t forget anytime soon.
6. The bison are genetically pure and truly American
Seeing buffalo in the wild for the first time was honestly surreal.
They’re massive, calm, and somehow majestic and goofy at the same time. Watching them roll around in the dirt like giant dogs was entertaining. It’s one thing to see them on a postcard, but up close (from a safe distance!), it hits different.
Yellowstone is home to the only herd of American bison that has lived continuously in the wild since prehistoric times. Unlike other herds that were reintroduced or managed like livestock, Yellowstone’s bison have never been domesticated or crossbred with cattle. They are 100% pure bison.
To see them, go to Hayden Valley—especially early in the morning or around sunset, when wildlife is most active. The valley is this wide, open expanse of rolling hills and meandering rivers, and it feels like a scene out of a nature documentary.
We saw herds of bison grazing near the water, some crossing the road right in front of us like they owned the place (which, honestly, they do).
Bring binoculars if you have them—there’s a good chance you’ll also spot elk, bald eagles, or even a bear in the distance. Just pull over at one of the many roadside pullouts, stay in your car or well back from the animals, and soak in the wildness of it all.
Final word
Yellowstone isn’t just a park you visit—it’s a place that surprises you at every turn, challenging your expectations and inviting you to slow down and truly take it all in. From the quieter moments exploring steaming geysers up close, to the sense of history echoing through Old Faithful’s ritual, to the raw beauty of the wild bison roaming free, this place is packed with unexpected magic.
If you go, don’t just chase the big landmarks or plan your trip by the clock. Instead, let yourself wander, soak in the weird and wonderful details, and connect with the landscape in a way photos and guides just can’t capture.
Yellowstone reminded me why some places are legendary—not because they’re flashy, but because they hold layers of history, nature, and surprise waiting to be uncovered.
And honestly? That’s what made my trip unforgettable.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
