What better way to end a road trip, than by exploring the breathtaking and awe-inspiring beauty and diverse natural wonders of Grand Teton, nestled in the heart of Wyoming’s Rocky Mountains.

With its magnificent mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife, there is so much to see and do here but honestly, you only really need one day in Grand Teton National Park.

Whether you’re into hiking, kayaking on the crystal-clear waters, or simply soaking in the stunning vistas, a visit to Grand Teton National Park promises unforgettable memories and a deep appreciation for the wonders of our natural world.

In this guide, we’ll show you all the things to do in Grand Teton National Park in one day, so you can make the most out of a 24 hour trip here.

Is Grand Teton worth visiting?

As soon as I say the majestic mountains rising sharply out of the valley floor, I knew we will be back for a longer visit because even though I was burned out from a year on the road, I was totally and completely mesmerized by the beauty.

Even though we had weather issues and road closures due to black bear activity, which took away a day of scenic driving and small hikes, we absolutely fell in love with Grand Teton and feel it’s absolutely worth visiting Grand Teton National Park for nature lovers.

We were fortunate enough to see the beginnings of fall and boy was it beautiful. It lit up the cloudy and gloomy skies.

It’s not just the jagged snow peaks of the Teton Range that had us mesmerized, but the Jackson Hole Valley it stands guard over, with the Snake River winding through the yellow grasslands and cottontails that line its bank.

But we couldn’t see too much on our scenic drive down from Yellowstone (meant to be beautiful and worth a meander) the colors definitely grabbed our attention.

Where is Grand Teton National Park?

Grand Teton National Park is in the Northwest of Wyoming between Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole, a popular ski region in the US.

The Grand Tetons National Park encircles the Teton mountain range, the 4,000-meter Grand Teton peak, and the valley known as Jackson Hole.

Seven day entrance passes cost $35 per car and $20 per hiker. If you plan on visiting multiple USA national parks, it’s best to get your America the Beautiful Pass.

Jackson Hole Airport is served by most major U.S. networks, although flights here can be pricy. Salt Lake City (about 5 hours drive) is the closest major international airport.

We highly recommend incorporating Grand Teton, Jackson and Yellowstone on a Wyoming road trip. Also consider including the hidden gem of a state Idaho, which sits at the opposite side of the Teton range.

What are the Grand Tetons?

This park is named for Grand Teton, the tallest mountain in the 40-mile Teton Range, which runs through the park.

The naming of the mountains is said to be from early 19th Century French-speaking trappers, who called them Les Trois Tetons (the Tree Teats) which was later shortened to Tetons.

Grand Teton rises over 7,000 feet above Jackson Hole. Mount Owen is the second highest summit in the range.

The 310,000 acres includes lush valley floors, mountain meadows, hiking trails, wildlife, alpine lakes and the rising peaks of the Teton Range.

There is something for everyone to experience, not matter the season (although limited in winter).

While Fall is the most scenic, summer is the most popular with the opportunity for viewing wildlife, including bison, elk, moose, bears and bighorn sheep.

We didn’t see too much wildlife in the Grand Teton (best time to see them is dawn and dusk), but did check off the one animal we most wanted to see.

Things To Do in Grand Teton National Park In One Day

If you don’t yet know what to do in Grand Teton National Park, keep reading, and no matter how long you stay or how deep you explore, you’ll instantly acknowledge that this national park deserves the words ‘jaw dropping’.

We only had time to spend one day at Grand Teton National Park. We focused on the area most people told us not to miss: Jenny Lake and Mormon Row Historic District.

We were going to stay longer to explore more things to do in Jackson Hole but the snow storm due to arrive sent us headed straight back home to Raleigh, North Carolina.

Grand Teton NP can be easily explored in a day and many do this in order to have more time at Yellowstone NP.

But the Tetons are just as wild and beautiful and offer so much for you to enjoy.

1. Visit Jenny Lake: Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point Hike

Exploring Jenny Lake is one of the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park and a highlight of any day trip to Grand Tetons, and it could easily take up your entire day.

But you can also choose to spend less time. It all depends on what you want to experience at Jenny Lake.

We’ll share what we did with children (7, 8 and 12), two of them experienced hikers, and one not. No matter your age, it’s a Grand Teton day trip that anyone can do.

Jenny Lake sits at the base of the Cascade Canyon and is two square miles of pristine water and beautiful views of the Tetons.

Motorboats are allowed here and the Jenny Lake ferry shuttle service runs across the lake.

You can also rent Kayaks and canoes from Jenny Lake Boating for either $25 per hour or $100 per day. Rentals are first-come, first-served.

For those seeking serenity, head to North Jenny Lake where fewer people visit. South Jenny Lake is where we explored and has more amenities.

Also, go early in the morning to find easier parking, avoid crowds and ferry waits (if you are catching it). In the summer they start running at 7am.

Photography may be better in the afternoon from Inspiration Point however. But, really it’s so beautiful that any time is great.

Jenny Lake Hiking and Boat Shuttle

If you want to spend most of your day at Grand Teton National Park, then the 7.6 mile Jenny Lake Trail loop  is for you. The Jenny Lake Trailhead starts near the visitor center.

You can hike from the visitor center to Inspiration Point and back along the trail, which is 2.5 miles one way.

To save time and little legs, we decided to catch the Jenny Lake boat over to the other side of the lake from the visitor center.

Jenny Lake Boat Details

The Jenny Lake ferry departs from South Jenny Lake around every 15-minutes and carries you across the water to the Cascade Canyon trailhead at the West Shore boat dock.

The boat takes about 15-minutes and offers spectacular views and guided commentary along the way. It’s a great way to learn more about the lake and Grand Tetons.

For more learning, be sure to stop in at the visitor center to grab a Junior Ranger booklet for the kids, so they can earn their Junior Ranger badges.

You can find ferry times and prices from the official website.

Hidden Falls

One of the most popular things to do in Grand Teton National Park is the hike to Hidden Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in the park.

It’s very easy to incorporate into your visit to Jenny Lake.

Hidden Falls is a serene family-friendly activity at Grand Teton NP, especially if you combine it with the boat ride.

It will be busy here so join the fun as you walk through the forest, over a beautiful gushing river and then turn left into a pocket of forest which opens up to Hidden Falls.

Hidden Falls is a thundering cascade dropping 200-ft. down a series of rocky ledges.

Shuffle your way through the crowds for a photo. This is a good spot for family photos.

The hike from the dock is 1.3 miles return.

Inspiration Point

From Hidden Falls, the trail continues left up to Inspiration Point, one of the other popular Grand Teton National Park hikes.

It is a little more strenuous than the Hidden Falls trail, and a small section of it is rocky, steep and narrow.

Along this trail, you’ll have views of the Cathedral Group, which is Teewinot Moutnain, Grand Teton and Mount Owen and spectacular views out over Jenny Lake across to the Gros Ventre Mountains.

From the boat dock to Inspiration Point it is 2.2 miles return.

We’re experienced hikers, but I think its quite manageable for anyone with plenty of stopping points along the way to catch your breath.

Our girls would have handled it no problem, but they wanted to stay at the viewing rest spot with their cousin.

Those with more time and energy, can continue hiking up into Cascade Canyon. We’ve put that on our Grand Teton National Park things to do list for our next visit!

Hike back to Jenny Lake Visitor Center

After a bit of math calculation at Inspiration Point, and a bit of glorious sunshine for inspiration, we decided it would be easier, quicker and less mileage to walk back the 2.5 miles via a short detour to Moose Pond from Inspiration Point, rather than take the boat back.

2. Hike to Moose Pond

We were going to take the boat back and then walk the 1 mile one way to Moose Pond from the visitor center.

Since it would only be an extra mile at the most of walking, it made better sense to stretch the legs, soak up the warmth and enjoy the views.

The ferry gets busy which means wait times. I’d rather use my time better by walking with the earth and all its beauty.

The walk all the way to Moose Pond was relatively easy and beautiful, offering stunning views of Jenny Lake the entire way.

I think I enjoyed this part of hike more than any other during our day here.

Look out for the sign coming back from Inspiration Point that points you to turn right to walk back to the visitor center rather than go back to the edge of the lake for the ferry.

We’re so glad we did not skip Moose Pond, because as the name suggests, and from the many tips we received as it being one of the best things to do in Grand Teton National Park, we did see moose!

A family of moose – Mom, dad and baby moose.

We first saw them from high above on the trail and watched them eating from the pond and running around.

Then we walked down to the bottom trail to get closer to the pond. They were on the other side of the pond so not close to us.

You can walk around Moose Pond so we set off on the trail keeping an eye on the moose who took off in a sprint. We think they heard hikers coming from the other side as we saw them in the distance.

We kept walking until just ahead hikers came towards us walking right past the moose in the bushes. They are more than a little on edge.

We stood with them for just a minute watching Mom from a safe distance in the bushes munching on the grass.

It was incredible to be so close to the moose. She then stepped onto the path and turned her head to look at us.

Without a word to each other, all of us turned at the exact same time and backed slowly away.

Mum was clear in her eyes: “If you don’t go now, you’re going to feel my antlers.”

Needless to say we did not complete the Moose pond loop. #ordersfromthemoose

If you wanted to just walk to Moose Pond from the visitor center the trail is also easy.

If you don’t feel like hiking to Moose Pond, you can also drive along Teton Park Road.

3. Mormon Row and Antelope Flats Scenic Drive

Mormon Row is where you’ll find that classic Grand Teton photo.

In fact, Mormon Row and the Moulton Barns may be the most photographed destinations in the park. It is at the south entrance to the park.

In the 1890s a group of Mormon homesteaders arrived from Idaho to establish a community with the intention of clustering their farms to share labor and develop community bonds.

That area is now known as Mormon Row, within the Grand Teton National Park, and has been historically preserved for all those budding photographers wanting the perfect shot of those infamous Moulton Barns with the Teton Range in the background.

The clouds weren’t cooperating too well with us on our visit!

Whilst here, drive down Antelope Flats to the Gros Ventre River, an open grassland and prairielands that is meant to be popular with bison. We did not see any.

The views along here of the Teton Ranges are spectacular. The Gros Ventre Campground here looked amazing alongside the Gros Ventre River amidst the tall cottonwood trees and sagebrush.

The river here is also a popular place to spot moose.

There were some moose hiding in the bushes and had been spotted only moments before we arrived. But they were good at camouflaging themselves.

Anglers will love throwing in a rod here. There were several enjoying themselves in the sun.

This is a loop road that links up to the Gros Ventre-Kelly Rd and takes you back to Jackson.

Biking through this section of the Jackson Hole Valley is also popular.

4. Visit Jackson, Wyoming

No trip to Grand Teton would be complete without making a stop in Jackson. What a cute cowboy town!

Jackson is a very unique USA town and offers much in the way of restaurants, cafes, breweries and shops.

To clear up any confusion, Jackson Hole is the valley, Jackson is the town that is in Jackson Hole Valley. There is so much to do in this area, we really want to explore more in depth on another trip. Here are just a few tips.

Stop in at the Cowboy Bar is a must.

The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar was establied in 1937 and is a landmark watering hole famous for its Western Swing Dance lessons, and live music. The decor will intrigue you.

Jump on one of the saddles at the bar and be sure to visit with the stuffed grizzly bear to learn how he was killed by man during an attack who bit his jugular! Crazy story.

• We also enjoyed the Snake River Brewery which had fantastic pizzas and industrial feel. Busy place but worth it.
• Roadhouse Brewery in the middle of downtown serves food and craft beer.
• The Stillwest Brewery & Grill had a lovely outdoor deck right at the bottom of Snow King Mountain. Best for views!

5. Visit the Elk Ranch Flats

Elk Ranch Flats is a historic site that was once a thriving irrigated cattle and hay ranch.

It’s surrounded by stunning natural beauty, and provides visitors with a unique opportunity to witness the harmony between human activity and the wilderness.

Explore the remnants of the ranch structures while immersing yourself in the breathtaking scenery of the Teton Range.

6. Drive the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive

The Jenny Lake Scenic Drive is a picturesque drive that takes you past stunning views of the Teton Range, with the opportunity to spot abundant wildlife along the way.

It’s accessible from North Jenny Lake Junction, and takes you west towards the mountains and then south on a one-way scenic route.

The 5-mile Jenny Lake Loop Road is easily accessible from Teton Park Road and provides a flat and leisurely drive.

It’s almost as if they are watching you, standing guard protecting you and ensuring that you are behaving and taking care of Saguaro National Park and the natural beauty surrounding you.

While the unique Saguaro cacti are what makes the park so famous, there are plenty of things to do in Saguaro National Park, Tucson.

Out here, you get to witness the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, an arid region covering approximately 100,000 square miles in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California, as well as most of Baja California and the western half of the state of Sonora, Mexico.

If you’re thinking of visiting Saguaro National Park but you’re not sure what to do, here are the best attractions in Saguaro National Park…

What is Saguaro National Park Famous For?

The Saguaro National Park is famous for Saguaro Cactus. Like a scene from the Wizard of Oz, I half expected them to start moving and talking to me.

It took all of my will power not to go up and hug one. They seem like they’d be so cuddly.

I won’t dare you to try it though. Once you get close enough to those spikes, you’ll rethink the cuddly description.

I knew this region in Tucson, Arizona had these cactus that are always the kind you drew as a child when desert sketches were required.

But I thought these giant Saguaro cactus would be few and far between on the sandy plains of a red desert. I had no idea they’d be so ubiquitous.

The mountains in Tucson are covered with them. From a distance it looks like a bleak winter scene or a forest fire has run through and stripped all the leaves off the trees.

It’s just trunks and arms of all different sizes, styles, and formations standing sentinel.

They are simply stunning!

There is no better place to see them than in the protected Saguaro National Park, Tucson.

Is Saguaro National Park Worth Visiting?

The vegetation of the Sonoran Desert is the most diverse of any desert in North America.

It’s not just those Tucson saguaros dominating the landscape but other cactus types such as the barrel cactus, yuca, cholla (those things jump at you) and one of our favorites from our time in Big Bend National Park, the prickly pear.

I tell you we fell in love with cactus during our time in the Tucson mountain district.

I love the Saguaro National Park Arizona for several reasons:

• It’s small and so easy to do in a couple of hours to a day.
• There are plenty of short hikes that are easy for kids
• It’s split into two different parks, east and west, which makes it more interesting. You’ll be surprised at how different they are.

I can almost guarantee you are Googling how to pronounce Saguaro. I did a couple of times until I could remember it. Don’t Google it, here it is…

Saguaro is pronounced ‘sa-WAH-roh’.

Where is Saguaro National Park? East and West

Where is Saguaro National Park? Let’s start with a bit of clarity for you,

The Saguaro National Park is actually split into two National Parks and is separated by the city of Tucson. These two Tucson parks are probably the only National Park that does that.

West Saguaro National Park seems to be the most popular, and is more of a dense cactus experience. It felt very orange and dusty and hilly.

Don’t discount East Saguaro National Park, however, as it’s equally as beautiful and deserves your attention.

The East side of the park feels more open and valley like with the mountains in the distance. This park felt more green and scrub like. The views as you drive through this park are spectacular.

Should You Visit Saguaro National Park East or Saguaro National Park West?

I’m hoping you have a enough time on your Tucson vacation to visit both East and West.

However, if you only have time for one, I’d recommend West Saguaro National Park.

We didn’t do any hiking in the East as we were short on time, and there didn’t seem to be as many family-friendly hikes. The scenic drive is shorter in the West, but there are more hikes which can extend your time.

It is about an hour’s drive between the two National Parks, so if you have more than one day to explore Tucson, then I recommend you DON’T do them in the same day.

This is a lot of wasted time and poor planning.

Thankfully, there are a lot of things to do in Tucson near both sides of the park to make a full day filled with Tucson activities.

We recommend combining a trip to Saguaro National Park West with the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (if that interests you.)

Although I think its kind of weird to visit a desert museum inside a desert, but it’s more of a botanical gardens than a desert. Why not just go and explore the real desert and learn about it from real life experiences?!

Saguaro National Park West is also next door to the Tucson Mountains, which has a lot more hiking and biking trails. Don’t miss the Gates Pass – the views here are stunning. Sunset is meant to be amazing here.

Saguaro National Park East is near Sabino Canyon and the Catalina State Park. I’d spend the morning in East Saguaro and then the afternoon exploring Sabino Canyon, which is just spectacular, as is Catalina State Park.

You are spoiled for choices in Tucson for natural beauty!

Things to Do in Saguaro National Park West (Tucson Mountain Region)

You only need a few hours in the West side of the park. It just depends on how many West Saguaro National Park trails you want to hike.

We spent about 4 hours in the park to do the activities outlined below.

I recommend you go in the afternoon so you can be there for sunset. There are also plenty of pull outs along the dirt road to the National Park in the Tucson Mountains park.

If you were only visiting for a day and wanted to do sunset at Gates Pass instead, then I would recommend it over the sunset on the Desert Discover nature trail. I think it would be more spectacular.

In that case, head into Saguaro National Park West in the morning.

Also, be aware, we visited during the cooler winter months so it was fine for us to visit and hike during the “middle” of the day.

If you are visiting during the brutal hot summer months, you’ll want to plan carefully as it wouldn’t be smart to hike during the middle of the day.

Go early or late.

1. Embrace Cactus Diversity at the Cactus Garden Trail

At the Red Hills Visitors Center is a lovely paved 0.5 mile trail that winds through a cactus garden.

It’s a great introduction to the National Park and the many different types of cactus and their importance to the desert environment.

Start your Saguaro experience here.

Since her introduction to cactus by way of the prickly pear in Big Bend National Park, Savannah has become quite the cactus lover, so she enjoyed learning that there are many more different types of cacti.

2. Marvel at the Scenic Bajada Loop Drive

The Bajada Loop Drive is a fantastic 3-mile scenic loop drive. It’s one of the best scenic drives out of the city of Tucson. It combines two roads, Hohokam Road and Golden Gate Road.

All the Saguaro National Park hiking trails mentioned below are located off the drive, as well as several more monuments and viewpoints. You can even bike this scenic loop. Warm up those legs because they’ll be working hard.

This is mostly a gravel road and can get quite hilly and bumpy in some parts. Two wheel drive cars are allowed on the road, but just take it easy.

We were bumping around in our big Beast – our Ford 250. Pack a picnic and take your time.

3. Look for Petroglyphs at Signal Hill

Don’t let the Rattlesnake Habitat sign scare you as you walk up the path to Signal Hill.

There is a lot of wildlife in Saguaro National Park, but they are usually nocturnal animals or harmless reptiles such as lizards and roadrunners.

You can see why they love it with its rocky façade. This is a busy path, the rattlesnakes have probably long crawled into a hole somewhere.

That being said, be sure that you do not let the kids go scrambling up the rocks. Ensure all of you stay on the path and watch were you put your feet and hands.

This is an easy 0.5 mile return hike up a small rocky hill to see some ancient petroglyphs – and beautiful views as well.

The Signal Hill picnic area here is serene and shady as well.

4. Hike the Sendero Esperanza Trail

You can read about Kalyra’s cactus attack here. It’s one reason we will never forget this spectacular one way 3.4 mile Saguaro National Park hiking trail.

Unfortunately, due to the cactus, we did not get to the end valley views, but Savannah and I made it somewhat up the switchbacks to catch a glimpse of them

No photos sorry, because at that moment we were flying back down the trail to help attend to Kalyra’s emergency, which did not end up being coyotes or rattlesnakes as feared.

You’ll see all types of cactus on this trail. It was an easy mostly flat walk until you get to the switchbacks, and well switchbacks, they’re not challenging.

5. Enjoy Sunset on the Desert Discovery Nature Trail

This is the easy 0.5 mile paved loop road you’ll want to do at sunset.

You can wander around and read the plaques to learn more about the desert. Then find yourself a shelter to sit and watch the sunset.

The sun sets behind the mountain so it’s an early set and the sky still quiet bright when it goes down.

You can still grab a good silhouette photo of the cactus – so very Arizona – and one of our bucket list things to do in Arizona.

Hang around to catch the colors coming out in the sky once the sun goes down.

6. Hike the Valley View Overlook Trail

If you’re looking for a short hike to do, then the Valley View Overlook trail is a short 1.3-km out-and-back trail which takes less than 20 minutes to walk.

It’s very easy and popular because it has incredible views of the cacti and bird life.

7. Hike the King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak

For a more challenging hike, consider the Kings Canyon trail to Wasson Peak, which is a 6.7-mile out-and-back trail.

It’s a moderately challenging hike that can take up to four hours to complete, with an elevation gain of 556 meters.

Take lots of water and start early in the day as this hike is hot! But it has incredible views.

8. Go Horseback Riding

If you’d prefer not to walk, how about exploring the park on horseback? Saguaro Stables are a professional horse-riding company who offer horseback riding experiences in the Sonoran desert.

You can ride at sunset, climb up the mountain trails, and meander through the cacti lined trails.

It’s the perfect thing to do in Saguaro National Park for those who prefer a gentler way to explore.

Things to Do in Saguaro National Park East (Rincon Mountain Region)

The Rincon Mountains section of Saguaro National Park is the larger and more remote of the two halves of the National Park.

It includes an extensive mountainous area with hills as high as 8,664 feet.

9. Take the Stunning Cactus Loop Drive

The Cactus Loop Drive is a stunning 8-mile scenic loop paved drive with undulating land to start you off with a good view of the craggy peaks, vistas and of course, ubiquitous cactus.

This drive is popular with cyclists, we saw so many whizzing past us down the hills.

There are a few hiking trails leading off it, although I couldn’t find too much information on them.

There are also many lookouts and pullovers to enjoy the dramatic scenery. I wish I had more time to do at least one hike.

The following trails sound good for families:

• Mica view trail (2 mile return). There is a picnic area here also.
• The easy 1-mile round trip Freeman Homestead Trail is one of the best short hikes to get up close to some of the biggest, most mature saguaros in the park.
• To learn about desert life, the paved one-quarter mile Desert Ecology Trail apparently has interesting interpretive signs describing the plants and animals that inhabit the Sonoran Desert, and some activities for kids.

10. Soak in the views at Rincon Mountain Overlook

I loved this overlook off the side of the hill, giving you a unique perspective of the Rincon mountain district and its riparian environment.

If you visit at the right time you will see water running down the mountain sides and small springs. We could easily imagine just by looking at the dusty path they have left behind.

11. Have a Picnic (or rock scramble) at Javelina Rocks

Jump out of the car to appreciate the javelina rocks, named after the animal that likes to call this rocky outcrop its home.

We didn’t see any, but we liked walking around the rocks and enjoying the view.

Composed of an ancient granite called Catalina Gneiss, the Javelina Rocks Overlook on Cactus Forest loop drive offers stunning views of the Tucson basin and the enormous saguaro cactus. It is a popular picnic spot.

There maybe a trail going around the rocks, but we just found a worn trail in the scrub and walked up and over the rocks.

If there are any artists in the house, bring your easel and your paints and stand in the scrub to paint the javelina rocks and desert surroundings.

We saw a man doing it and his painting was very striking. Not a bad studio to work in.

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Tips For Visiting Saguaro National Park

• Tips to gauge a saguaro’s age: a saguaro won’t grow any flowers until it’s 35, and it won’t get its first arm until it’s 50-75 years old. They can live up to 250 years old!
• October through April are the best times to visit these Arizona National Parks, summer often bring triple-digit temps.
• Stay on the trails and watch where you place hands and feet. Cacti are sharp and spiky, and scorpions and rattlesnakes inhabit the area.
• Note that there is a public restroom near Mica View Picnic Area, but not anywhere else in the park.
• Visit sometime between late-May and June to see the saguaro cactus bloom white, waxy flowers that are Arizona’s state flower.
• Admission to the park is $25.00/vehicle, $20.00/motorcycle, or $15.00/person and $5.00/bicycle.Your entrance fee is good for both locations for 7 days from the date of purchase.
• We have the Annual National Parks Pass that covered our admission.
• The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Junior Rangers Program

From my research before our trip to visit Tucson, I learned that the Junior Ranger Program is awesome in the Saguaro National Park and its worth spending time at the visitor center.

We love the Junior Ranger’s program.

Basically, the kids are given an educational booklet with fun activities to help them engage with the National Park and learn from it.

They also learn how to be good stewards of the earth. When they complete the activities they get a junior ranger badge. We’re doing our best to collect them.

Sadly, we cannot comment on the Junior Ranger program at Saguaro as we visited during the Government shutdown and the Saguaro visitor center was closed and no National park rangers around.

Saguaro National Park Camping

Backcountry camping is allowed at 6 designated campgrounds within the Saguaro Wilderness Area, a permit is required for all overnight stays.

These camp sites are not accessible by vehicles and must be hiked to.

The fee for this permit is $8.00 per campsite, per night. The closest is a 5.9-mile hike to Douglas Spring.

See nearby RV camping options below.

Where to Stay in Tucson

If you are still undecided on where to stay in Tucson near the Saguaro National Park, here are some places we recommend…

RV Camping: Gilbert Ray Campground

We loved >this campsite in the middle of the Tucson Mountain wilderness.

Our site was huge and very secluded and the campground serene and beautiful. And what a bargain for only $20 a night.

It was a bit rough not having showers and limited water supply. But at least it teaches you about water conservation and how much you can waste!

If you’re looking for camping near Saguaro National Park, you are only a five minute drive to the West entrance gate!

Catalina State Park

We stayed one night at Catalina State Park in Tucson.

We highly recommend this campground. Be sure to book in advance as it’s popular. The scenery and SUNSETS are stunning at the base of the Catalina Mountains.

There are a few trails straight from the campsite that are easy for walking or biking. The sites are clean, level and spacious and the bathrooms very clean with warm showers and it’s only $35 a night.

There is even a book exchange and they have lots of ranger led activities.

They also have free wifi and the cell service (Verizon) is fast.

Tucson Hotels & Apartments

For those who are looking for Tucson hotels or apartments, or hotels near Saguaro National Park, check out the options through our partner, Booking.com.

We find they have the widest range of properties. You get free cancellation on most rooms, and a best price guarantee.

Plus, they have verified reviews from guests who have actually stayed at the property!

You can use the map below to help you find hotels and vacation rentals in Tucson.

Popular Tours of Tucson

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Saguaro National Park

A visit to Saguaro National Park in Tucson is a truly rewarding experience that immerses you in the beauty and wonder of the Sonoran Desert.

From the iconic saguaro cacti that dominate the landscape to the diverse array of plant and animal life, this national park offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and explore the wonders of the desert ecosystem.

Whether you choose to hike the scenic trails, admire the breathtaking sunsets, or learn about the cultural significance of the saguaro cactus, Saguaro National Park will leave you with a profound appreciation for the natural world and a sense of awe and tranquility.

With its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, Saguaro National Park is undoubtedly worth a visit for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a memorable and enlightening adventure in the heart of the Sonoran Desert.

More Things to Do in Arizona

Need more inspiration for your Arizona trip? Here are some other resources that may be useful to you…

• 18 amazing things to do in Tucson with kids
• Best Tips for Planning a Trip to the Grand Canyon With Kids
• Magical things to do in Sedona with kids
• The Unique and Extraordinary Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Other US National Parks

Planning a USA national parks tour? Then you may find these other guides helpful…

• Don’t miss these 11 things to do in Arches National Park
• 5 Incredible National Parks in California
• 14 Things to do in Zion National Park
• 12 Coolest Things to do in North Cascades National Park

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These are the adventures I live for. Adventures that test my comfort zone in the middle of extraordinary natural beauty (without the crowds).

Kayaking around the cliff faces of Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park, California, made me realize we haven’t had such a unique and special natural adventure like this since leaving Australia to live in the U.S.

I’m ready for more of it. And when you visit Channel Islands National Park it will be a highlight of your adventures in California.

It was our big bang final experience after an amazing 10 day road trip from San Diego, through Orange County, then up to Ventura County on a partnership with Visit California.

But how do you spend one day in The Channel Islands and how do you take a day trip there? In this guide I’ll share with you what you can do in one day and how to take a Channel Islands National Park day trip.

Where is Channel Islands National Park?

Channel Islands National Park is located off the coastline of Ventura California.

Ventura County is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara.

Its remoteness helps to give it the title of the least visited of the National Parks in the USA, but undoubtedly it’s one of the best things to do in Ventura CA.

It’s not that remote – an 80 minute ferry ride from Ventura Harbor on the California mainland. But, enough to only capture the most adventurous of hearts.

There’s nothing over on the Channel Islands for you except beautiful beaches, cliff faces, valleys and canyons for hiking, and sea caves to explore on kayaks.

Oh wait.

There’s also snorkeling through the kelp forest, tiny island foxes waiting to grab your lunch, and this divine gum tree.

The Channel Islands National Park is made up of five islands:

• San Miguel Island
• Santa Rosa Island
• Santa Cruz Island
• Anacapa Island
• and Santa Barbara Island

We only visited Santa Cruz Island as it’s the perfect place for a one-day trip, and is the easiest island to get to.

How to Take A Channel Islands National Park Day Trip?

Not sure how to get to Channels Islands National Park?

You can visit any of the islands by the Channel Islands National Park ferry with Island Packers. The boat leaves from Ventura Harbor and takes you to Prisoner’s Harbor on Santa Cruz Island.

You can also visit by plane with Channel Islands Aviation, or your own private boat.

There are no roads on the island. You can get yourself around by foot or kayak.

While you can visit the islands all year round, you should keep in mind that not all islands are accessible in bad weather.

Island Packers Boat Trip to Channel Islands National Park

The Channel Islands ferry ride over from Ventura Harbor is an adventure in itself.

We spotted a group of seals resting on a buoy, large fish swimming to the surface, and dolphins in the distance.

As these waters of the Santa Barbara Channel run pretty deep, Island Packers boat tours to the Channel Islands and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary often see whales: humpback, fig and blue whales!

Yes, the largest animal in the world!!

We didn’t see any whales, but wait to you get to the end of this post so you can read more about how many dolphins we saw on the way back.

Things to do in Channel Islands National Park

Now you know how to get to the Channel Islands National Park, here are some of the best attractions you can do during your day trip.

1. Sea Cave Kayak Adventure at Scorpion Anchorage

We were spending the day at Scorpion Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the islands.

Our mission was clear – spend a half-day exploring the sea caves by kayak with Santa Barbara Adventure Company who offer several Channel Islands National Park tours.

Since Savannah clutched to me like a baby koala up a gum tree with every bump on the ferry over (which really wasn’t that bad), I thought our kayaking adventure was going to be a disaster.

She has been on so many boats, cruises, and once even kayaked 16 kms through the Noosa Everglades, but lately she’s developed a strange fear of boats.

However that all slipped away once she zipped up in her wetsuit, buckled up her life jacket, grabbed the paddle and jumped in the kayak.

Big sister Kalyra was right with her.

Since Savannah has no problem rock climbing up a 55 foot wall, I’m guessing the thrill of adventure overtakes her and she can’t help but breathe deep and fall in love with the experience.

I can’t tell you how much I love having these experiences with my daughters.

To have a seal pop its head up just meters from your kayak, to craftily paddle through Marg Simpson shaped crevices in the rock face, and navigate past rocks with the white wash give you a push is exhilarating.

“Paddle Kalyra. I’m going to steer and get us through without crashing the rocks, but I need you to keep paddling so we can get on the wave at the right timing.”

We timed our paddle through the narrow gap perfectly.

You just can’t beat having these thrilling team working experiences with your kids.

After paddling through the belly of elephant cave, we learned about the dwarf wooly mammoths that thrived on the island until the last Ice Age ended.

We also learned about the Indigenous history and culture on the island, its past ranching history before becoming a National Park, the restoration projects that happen to protect the flora and fauna, and the different animals that live on the island, including foxes, ravens and nesting birds.

Go into the dark cave to find your power

Then there was the moment where we sat in the darkness of the Painted Cave grappling with our fears and deciding whether to take advantage of the low tide and paddle into the back room with only the light of a flashlight to guide us.

Painted Cave is one of the largest sea caves in the world and stretches 300 meters back into the island.

Savannah wasn’t having any of it, but I managed to help Kalyra find the courage to take the flashlight and help us find our way.

Savannah and Craig waited in the cave entrance, while Kalyra and I paddled beside our guide who expertly guided us into the dark and noisy cave.

The sound of the ocean rushing in and hitting the walls to deepen the cave spooked us.

I felt small and vulnerable.

These moments with Mother Nature remind you of your aliveness and that your smallness is part of something so significant.

It’s almost as if in that moment She passes over to you some of her power.

Snorkeling amongst the Kelp Forest

Since the water temps are pretty chilly in California, we decided on the ferry ride over that we probably wouldn’t snorkel.

But, once we peered over the kayak to watch the bright orange Garibaldi, the protected state fish of California, swimming amongst the kelp forest, I knew I could not turn my back on this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Don’t worry, if you fear cold water, it really wasn’t that bad. It was much colder when we swam with the sea lions in South Australia.

The Channel Islands Adventure Company has thick wetsuits you can wear, including a full head feature.

I know, I’m setting sexy snorkeling fashion trends here.

I really didn’t need it but how could you say no to this look?

Kalyra jumped in beside me and we explored the kelp forest around the pier together.

The underwater rainforest danced around us as we peered between the giant kelp to discover what lies amongst and under them.

Elise, our awesome guide, helped us by bringing out sea stars, sea cucumbers and bright purple sea urchins for us to have a look at.

I decided to swim back to shore to see if I could spot any sand rays. Except I took a wrong turn and ended up on top of the kelp forest trying to swim my way across in my heavy wetsuit!

That was such hard work, but I made it and did not see any rays, over the short strip of sandy bottom I managed to crawl my way over to.

It’s all part of the Channel Islands Ca adventure!

Elise was very patient and friendly, making sure we were comfortable and having a good time.

We enjoyed our time with her kayaking around the cliffs and seeing Santa Cruz Island from the water (and under it!)

2. Have A Picnic on Santa Cruz Island

Once our Channel Islands kayaking tour was over, we found a picnic table to sit with the sun, and the creeping foxes to enjoy a picnic lunch from Channel Islands Provisioners.

Owner, Chef Neal met us at the Ventura Harbor terminal to pass us each an insulated lunch pack. Chef Neal gave us lots of great tips about the island before we got onto the boat.

Chef Neal makes everything in your prepacked lunch from scratch and has a selection of island gourmet fare from sandwiches to salads.

Our salads were definitely gourmet, the food so fresh and flavorful, the girls’ sandwiches were equally gourmet and delicious.

Craig and I are gluten free and Chief Neal can cater to food allergies.

In the lunch pack you also get a trail mix – perfect for taking on the kayak – fruit and a water bottle filled with icy chilled water.

Neal also provided breakfast for us to eat on the boat ride over to Santa Cruz Island.

There are no shops or food vendors on the island, so be sure to bring your own lunch, or if you want a hassle free Channel Islands experience, grab a prepacked meal from Channel Islands Provisioners.

Be sure to order at least 3 days in advance!

3. Hit The Hiking Trails on Santa Cruz Island

We had little time after we finished our lunch before the ferry left to go back to Ventura.

But, we had just enough time for some Channel Islands National Park hiking. There isn’t much in the way of development on the island, only a campground and a lighthouse, which means the biggest attraction is the nature.

We followed one of the trails from the visitor center up to a viewpoint to look out over Scorpion Anchorage.

It’s a loop walk that takes you further around to look over the cliff faces you just kayaked around.

If you don’t want to do any kayaking and would prefer to stay on land, the Potato Harbor and Cavern Point Loop trail is a popular 4.5 mile hike that takes you on a loop along the northern coast of the island.

Alternatively, the Smugglers Cove hike is a longer, more challenging 8 mile hike. We didn’t have time for this one, but if we stayed longer, we would love to do this one.

We’ll save the bigger hikes for next time we visit the Channel Islands National Park with kids.

What to Take to Channel Islands National Park

If you’re thinking this all sounds great, but you’re not sure what to take, here are some items we recommend all visitors bring with them:

• GoPro camera – perfect for your kayaking adventure
• Waterproof phone case – I took my phone on the kayak with one of these to take video. Don’t take your phone with you without one.
• Dry bag – if you want to take things on the kayak with you
• Sunscreen – the sun in California is quite a burning sun. Protect yourself
• Hat (there is little shade on the islands)
• Sunglasses
• Swimming costume and rash shirt
• If you have your own snorkel gear, bring it so you don’t have to pay to rent it
• Keens, or similar hiking sandals that are waterproof
• Ample food for your day as there are no stores or concessions on the island
• Bring plenty of water if you are visiting in the summer
• Warm jacket for the boat ride back, it can get breezy
• Tissues and hand sanitizer. There are only pit toilets on the island, fair warning.

Be sure to take off your own trash, there are no receptacles on the island.

Best Time to Visit the Channel Island National Park

The Channel Island National Park is open all year round, but each season brings something special with it.

In the Spring, you can expect to see the green islands blooming with wildflowers. It’s also when the Western gulls and seabirds begin nesting and the fox pups are born.

However, for those interested in wildlife watching or whale watching experiences, you can expect the whales to have left by this time, but the sea lions and northern fur seals and elephant seals still gather.

The summer is prime time for getting out on the water for snorkelling and diving adventures. It’s also when the seabirds babies leave their nests and the sea lions have their pups.

It’s also when the blue and humpback whales start to visit for their annual migration. However, June to September are the busiest times to visit for tourism.

Autumn is when the blue and humpback whales leave and the bird migration starts to move on, and winter brings the Gray whale to the islands between December to April.

Video of the Channel Islands National Park

Final Thoughts on A Channel Islands Day Trip

I stood under the gum tree breathing it in for some time. Oh how I miss that fresh earthy smell that usually tells me I’m home. Thank you Channel Islands California for that unexpected moment of joy.

As they say, home is where the heart is, and my heart felt in the right place on Santa Cruz Island.

Our visit provided a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle of southern California we typically experience.

So far it’s one of the most beautiful places in California we have seen. You can also go camping on the island.

So, if you love adventure, natural beauty, and remoteness without being too isolated, these islands would have to be one of the best places to visit in California.

And if the day couldn’t be more perfect, on the way home, our boat stopped and turned around.

Right there, coming to remind us of how precious and special nature is, was a pod of about 100 dolphins. I have never seen so many dolphins in my life.

We stayed with them for some time watching them chase fish and dive in and out of the water.

Visiting the Channel Islands National Park with kids is just pure magic.

Other California National Parks

Looking for tips on other national Parks in California? Start here:

• 17 amazing things to do in Ventura County
• California bucket list places to visit
• 10 Day Itinerary – Best Places to Visit in Southern California (beyond Disneyland)
• 18 best things to do in Yosemite NP
• 8 awesome things to do in Joshua Tree National Park
• 5 incredible national parks in California
• The extraordinary Death Valley National Park

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Yellowstone is one of the best National Parks in the USA we have visited so far, and we certainly felt it lived up to the hype.

With bubbling hot mud pits, steaming sulphur holes, multi-colored hot springs, geysers shooting off randomly and perfectly timed, grand canyons filled with waterfalls, and an abundance of wildlife roaming around this is a volatile yet spectacular landscape – there is no shortage of attractions in Yellowstone National Park to keep you busy.

Not many travel experiences exceed our expectations, but this park actually did, and we’ve visited a lot of awesome national parks over the years.

If you’re not sure what to do in Yellowstone NP, we are here to help you figure out what to see and do, and start to map out your Yellowstone itinerary!

Is Yellowstone National Park Worth It?

Before visiting Yellowstone I heard the tales – mostly of Old Faithful Geyser and bison – but I still did not grasp how uniquely wonderful, strangely beautiful the geothermal features of Yellowstone NP.

There are sites here that you just won’t find anywhere else in the USA. It has more than 10,000 hydrothermal features, in the form of hot springs, mudpots and geysers.

It also has some incredible colors in its landscape, made from the unique volcanic geology of the area.

If you’re a photographer or a nature lover, you’ll find Yellowstone is 100% worth visiting.

Not to mention there are so many cool and unique things to see in Yellowstone National Park and it has to be seen to be believed.

Tips for Staying Safe in Yellowstone

Now, there are plenty of things to do in Yellowstone National Park Wyoming that does not involve danger – but it’s something to consider and be in awe of.

To stay safe, don’t step off the boardwalks or think that steaming hot spring is made for swimming. It’s made for one thing only – boiling or eating away at your skin!

Also, don’t try to take selfies with the bison. They have large horns they don’t mind shoving into you if you piss them off.

These are just some of the absurd tales you’ll hear about visitors to Yellowstone.

We visited with our kids, Craig’s sister, and our two nieces, no one was hurt, and we all had an incredible time and consider it to be one of the coolest and most unique places to visit in the US.

Yellowstone is included in our best USA road trips list!

Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

If you don’t know what to see in Yellowstone, let’s talk about some of the best Yellowstone attractions you can’t miss down below!

By the way, this is not in any order of best places to see in Yellowstone National Park, as they’re all just so awesome.

1. Check Out Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs was the first place we visited in Yellowstone and I was bowled over by its beauty. It has a special place in my heart.

Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of springs created over thousands of years. Hot water from the springs cooled and deposited calcium carbonate, leaving behind dramatic bleached white hues of frozen cascading terraced pools.

You can walk the boardwalks above the hydrothermal features of the lower and upper terraces and experience awe for a little bit.

Look for the elks sitting on what I guess is the perfect warm spot in between the scalding grounds and steaming springs. Don’t try this at home though!

For us, these hot springs are one of the most incredible things to see in Yellowstone.

2. Visit Mammoth Village

I also found historic Mammoth Village to be the nicest out of all the Yellowstone villages. This is a great place to rest, picnic, stock up on your goods and spot elk.

Yes, elk love to walk freely around this village. Be sure to keep a safe distance. Rangers usually are there to help steer you away.

3. Soak in the Boiling River

Not far from Mammoth Village is a total surprise and a Yellowstone must do!

I know you’re dreaming of slipping into a hot spring after seeing so many of them in Yellowstone. But remember they are dangerous.

Instead, head to the Boiling River, not as dangerous as the name denotes.

It runs alongside and spills into the Gardner River. There are small areas on the edge of the river where the water is not boiling as it mixes with the very cold water of the river.

Be careful you don’t go too far over to the edge of the river as that is where the water gets pretty darn hot.

The scenery here is spectacular and and it’s one of the coolest places to visit in Yellowstone (parden the pun).

4. Explore Hayden Valley

I loved driving through Hayden Valley each day as we explored the park from our campsite near Yellowstone Lake.

I never grew tired of those rolling green hills, with the Yellowstone river running through it, steam rising up from the sides of the road reminding you of the unstable world that lived underneath you.

And the bison. I never got Bison Blasé even when they held up traffic with road crossings and camera clicking. See them up close is without doubt one of the top things to do in Yellowstone!

Wolves, elks, coyotes, and the occasional grizzly bear also frequent the area to graze, drink, and feed. We only saw bison, but in the distance once were wolves.

There are many things to do in the Hayden Valley area of Yellowstone.

5. See the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone National Park

I only learned that Yellowstone NP had a Grand Canyon and waterfalls after writing a post last year about best Montana hikes.

Are you serious? The Grand Canyon is spectacular and a Yellowstone must see!

The Yellowstone River runs through here, plunging 109 feet at the Upper Falls and then another 308 feet at the spectacular Lower Falls down into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

I found the Lower Falls to be the more beautiful.

We recommend spending time to explore both the North and South rim of the Grand Canyon, as it offers a wide perspective of its dramatic splendor.

Let’s look at where you can get good views of the Lower and Upper Falls.

These Falls were featured in our Best Waterfalls in the US list.

6. Hike The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone South Rim

It’s one thing to see it, but another thing to hike it! Hiking the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone South Rim is one of the best experiences as it allows you to see some of the most stunning natural sites.

It’s 1.8 miles one way beginning south of the Chittenden Bridge and ending at Artist Point passing by impressive views of the Upper and Lower Falls.

The South Rim Trail has some of the best views of the trail and is one of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park with kids!

We walked from Upper Falls Viewpoint to Artist Point. We had two cars, so could leave one waiting for us there.

Here are some of the highlights of the trail…

Artist Point

This is where you’ll find the full glory of the pastel rainbow colors of the canyon and the spraying waterfalls in the middle of the view.

We were told around 9am is the best time to come and possibly see a rainbow shooting across the falls. We didn’t see it!

There’s a short trail to go down to a platform for the view.

Upper Falls View

This view is at the start of Uncle Tom’s trail and offers views over the Upper Falls.

7. Drive The Grand Canyon Of Yellowstone North Rim

If hiking isn’t your thing, then the one-way scenic loop from The Grand Canyon is Yellowstone North Rim Drive is a beautiful scenic drive.

This drive takes you to many of the viewpoints of the North Rim’s Grand Canyon. Plan your stops well so you only have to drive it once!

Brink of the Upper Falls

Easy paved walk down to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls and watch it’s full power surging over the top.

Brink of the Lower Falls

I loved this 0.8 mile return walk through the forest and down steep switchbacks to the observation point perched at the top of the Lower Falls of Yellowstone as it surges 308 feet over the lip into the heart of the canyon.

The views down the river into the colorful canyon make the switchbacks worthwhile.

Lower Falls lookout Point

The Lookout Point offers easiest access view of Lower Falls on the North Rim

Redrock Point

Feeling energetic and want another view of Lower Falls? From the Lower Falls Lookout Point you can take the steps down Red Rock Point Trail to get further down the canyon.

Grand view

You can walk from Lookout Point to Grandview Point giving you views along the way close to the canyon rim.

Inspiration Point

Here the canyon view widens and you get incfredible views of the pastel pinks, yellows, orange and greens of the canyon. Named Inspiration Point for a reason.

8. Hike Uncle Tom’s Trail

Unfortunately this hike was closed on our visit. It’s a strenuous 0.8 mile return hike dropping 500 feet down (over 300 steps) to the base of the Lower Falls for spectacular views.

Be sure to conserve your energy for the hard climb out, especially if you’re visiting Yellowstone with kids

9. Hike the North Rim Trail

3.8 miles trail along the northwest wall of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. It crosses pristine pine forests perched atop precarious canyon walls.

10. Check Out The Mud Volcanos

What. Is. This. Place?

Were my only words when exploring the mud volcano area of Yellowstone National Park.

This area of muddy hot springs and fumaroles are located near one of the Yellowstone Volcano’s vents. You will see the steam rising from the road as you drive through here.

Bison love grazing in this area, surprisingly, because it’s a sulfurous land that stinks real bad.

A 0.7-mile loop takes you through the bizarre bubbling pools of mud and churning water with names like Sizzling Basin, Churning Caldron, Black Dragon’s Cauldron. Some look like they’re about to create waves.

There’s a steep slope in the beginning which takes you past “Cooking Hillside,” sprawling on both sides of the walkway.

Take the loop in a clockwise direction and end with the mouth of the dragon.

Dragon’s Mouth Spring is a spot where boiling water has gradually eroded away the hillside, creating a cavern that resounds constantly with roaring waters—almost like there really is a dragon lurking in there.

The kids loved visiting here after hearing the Native America myth surrounding it the day before in the Visitor Center.

I would say these volcanos are one of the most unique things to see in Yellowstone.

11. Check Out Sulphur Cauldron

Across the road from the Mud Volcanoes is an overlook for Sulphur Caldron.

Hold your noses, this place stinks so bad I was dry reaching. But as the most acidic springs in Yellowstone National Park, it’s a worthy stop. Just make it quick!

12. See the Bison at Lamar Valley

One of the top things to do in Yellowstone would be to get up early and drive through Lamar Valley.

Yes, just do it. It’s one of the most amazing scenic drives in the USA. (It continues on through the East Entrance to the Bear Tooth Highway into Montana.)

You have a great chance of seeing grizzly bears and wolves against a backdrop of mountain peaks and a small river flowing through the valley.

This valley is quite expansive so to find the animals look for the spotters by the side of the road. You can’t miss them.

Professional wildlife watchers come here for that elusive glimpse and photo of these beautiful animals.

I was so grateful to spot someone we had met days before. She called us over to look through her scope and there was a a pack of white and black wolves frolicking in the grass. We never would have spotted them otherwise.

The scopers spend hours out here and are typically generous with allowing you to take a peak so don’t be afraid to ask. Perhaps take your own scope and join them.

Along this drive we also saw black bears – no grizzly bears though, they continued to allude us not just in Yellowstone National Park but in all places you can find them in the United States.

13. Say Hello to Old Faithful Geyser

We were a little disappointed with Old Faithful, considering it would probabaly be the most poular of the Yellowstone attractions – best accessed from the west entrance.

Don’t get me wrong it as cool, and is considered one of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park, but after everything we had seen previously, this didn’t seem to have the same wow impact.

It is pretty impressive that Old Faithful shoots its steaming liquid 100 ft. in the air at a predictable time every day (every 40 – 90 minutes).

You can actually see predicted eruption times on the National Parks Services website here.

That makes it an exciting Yellowstone attraction for most visitors. As many of the other geysers aren’t as predictable or frequent.

Check at the visitor center for the timing of Old Faithful. Best to go first thing in the morning so you can plan your day better around this predictable geyser.

14. Marvel at Beehive Geyser

This was one of our favorite Yellowstone sights!

The Bee Hive Geyser randomly started shooting while we were attending the Junior Ranger program at the visitor center.

Named for the 4 foot cylinder cone resembling a beehive, it fires its water 200 ft straight up into the air.

Eruptions last about 5-minutes and end with a roaring steam that can be heard a quarter-mile away.

It’s a Yellowstone must see and I think way cooler than Old Faithful.

Trouble is, no one ever knows when it goes off, but usually twice a day. May you be as fortunate as we were.

15. Stay at Old Faithful Inn

While in the Old Faithful region, you might want to pop into the Old Faithful Inn – its one of the attractions of Yellowstone in itself.

The Inn is a national historic landmark built with local logs and stone. It’s considered the largest log structure in the world.

Old Faithfull Inn is the most popular lodging in the park – of course with those views of Old Faitfhul and the Upper Geyser Basin – but many visit just to gawk at the towering exposed wooden beams of the lobby and the massive stone fireplace.

There’s a dining room, lobby with live music, and a deck with views of Old Faithful. It would be good to have a sunset drink here and watch the old thing erupt

16. Walk the Upper Geyser Basin Loop Trail

Upper Basin contains nearly one quarter of all geysers in the world, which is phenomenal, considering its small size, and is a must do in Yellowstone!

It’s where you’ll find the majority of the geysers in Yellowstone National Park, as well as rainbow colored hot springs and steaming fumaroles.

Be sure to move beyond Old Faithful (the most famous geyser of all which is found here) to explore the network of paved paths and boardwalks that wind through the Upper Geyser Basin exploring the thermal features.

It will be a quieter experience and so pretty with Firehole River meandering through.

Some of the more popular things to see in the Upper Geyser are:

• Grotto Geyser (felt like a few mystical creatures were living amongst the caves of this unusual geyser)
• Giant Geyser
• Beehive Geyser (see above)
• Morning Glory Pool

17. Walk The Boardwalk at Midway Geyser Basin

There’s an 0.8 mile boardwalk that takes you through the basin and up to the outer edge of Grand Prismatic Spring overlook, one of the grandest of Yellowstone sights.

This begins across the Firehole River to the beginning of the trail where water cascades down over the river bank from the hydrothermal pools above creating a yellow and orange colorful natural wonders.

You then go up to Excelsior Geyser, a steaming pool of vibrant blue water. This geyser sends more than 4,000 gallons of boiling water a minute over the crater rim into the river.

Be very careful on the boardwalk here.

It is a narrow, yet a popular area. Some people just don’t take care and we were nearly pushed off a couple of times. Watch your children.

Remember – you do not want to step off the boardwalk, There is only a thin layer of crust separating your feet from boiling water. Oh yeah, we saw a few people doing it to get their photos. Faaaarrrrrkkkkkkkk.

18. See the Grand Prismatic Spring

The only slightly disappointing thing for us on our Yellowstone trip was kind of missing the Grand Prismatic Spring at its best, and not seeing it from the elevated viewpoint.

We still walked around it and managed to see much of its beauty, but most of it was shrouded in steam.

We just timed it wrong with the weather.

Not to worry, more reason to visit the West Yellowstone area again.

Grand Prismatic Spring would absolutely be one of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park, although again I haven’t heard about it as much as Old Faithful.

At nearly 113 m (370 ft.) across and 37 m (121 ft.) deep, Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in America and one of the largest in the world.

It steams and bubbles and has a vivid rainbow like appearance.

This is where you’ll get that picture you have always seen of Yellowstone’s star attraction.

19. See the Artists Paintpots

Artists Paintpots is a group of over 50 springs, geysers, vents and bubbling mud pots of varying textures and colors of red, blue, grey and brown.

There is an easy 0.6 mile trail this studio created by nature, starting in the forest and then moving up the hillside with pretty views over the gibbon Geyser Basin where the Paintpots are.

We visited on an overcast day so it felt very moody and like the witches were surrounding us and ready to throw us in their cauldrons.

20. Drive to Dunraven Pass

The drive out to Lamar Valley through the Dunraven Pass is spectacular. It’s the highest road pass in Yellowstone National Park.

If you want to go even higher consider the

21. Do the Mount Washburn Hike

Mount Washburn is located along Dunraven Pass. There is a popular 3 mile hiking trail to the top of Mount Washburn at 10,000 feet high. We have noted down as one of the things to do in Yellowstone when we return.

You will get top of the world panaoramic vistas and a good chance of seeing bighorn sheep, wildflowers and maybe even bear.

Pack enough water and snacks and adequate warm clothing as temperatures can change dramatically that high up. Allow for around 6 hours if hiking with kids. Check our guide for hiking with kids tips.

22. See Tower Falls

Tower Falls is located between Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Village.

It’s easy to combine this with your Lamar Valley excursion.

Tower Fall drops a dramatic 132 feet straight down before joining the famed Yellowstone River roughly 1,000 yards downstream. Come early to avoid the crowds.

There are a few pullouts on the road before the falls which offers great views of the canyon area here.

23. Admire Norris Geyser Basin

Welcome to the hottest, oldest and most volatile thermal region of Yellowstone National Park.

No plant, algae, or bacteria can survive here, which is a shame as I’m sure they’d love the mesmerizing array of colors.

My favorite was the green river running through Porcelain Basin. Is that for real?

There are two areas here: Porcelain Basin and Back Basin.

Back Basin is more heavily wooded with various features scattered along the 1.5 mile boardwalk path.

Steamboat Geyser is in this area and is the tallest geyser in the world, spraying water 300 – 400 feet. It could go off anywhere from every 4 days to 50 years so good luck with your timing!

Barren Porcelain Basin is absolutely spectacular. One of my favorite views of Yellowstone National Park was looking over this basin. A 3/4 mile boardwalk encircles the basin and offers quite the sensory experience.

24. Gaze at Gibbon Falls

I enjoyed Gibbon Falls and, having never heard of it as a place to see in Yellowstone, it was a lovely surprise.

It’s located off the road between Madison and Norris Junctions. There are several viewpoints from the car park.

Walk along as far as you can as it’s where you’ll see the full beauty of the falls tumbling 84 feet down into a a small pool and continuing on its journey down the river.

25. See Beryl Spring

Beryl Spring is an easy Yellowstone attraction to visit as you drive on the road to Norris Geyser Basin.

It’s small, pretty and really hot.

Someone was about to put their hand in it to test it until his wife started screaming at him. You really believe people couldn’t be that stupid until you visit Yellowstone and see it for yourself.

A sidewalk takes you right up to the hot spring. Look, but don’t touch!

26. Check out Castle Geyser

Another geyser that Yellowstone is famous for is Castle Geyser, which is located next to Old Faithful Geyser.

It is estimated the water from the eruption can reach as high as 75 feet (24 meters) and can even last for 20 minutes.

After that, it is followed by loud steam for another 30-40 minutes.

Castle Geyser is famous for its large cone structure that looks like a castle (hense the name), which is believed to be formed out of trees from the area that have been covered in years worth of sinter.

It’s estimated to erupt every 14 hours.

27. Check out Yellowstone Lake

Can you believe the most dangerous place in Yellowstone is actually Yellowstone Lake?

Yep. More people have died by its freezing temperatures than by any other means in the park!

We don’t recommend you go swimming here. It’s 7, 752 ft. above sea level and frozen six months of the year.

It features geysers, hot springs and underwater canyons. It’s 136 sq. miles so pretty big and offers loads to do and see in the area.

While driving along here a giant elk was crossing the road from the lake shore, bugling as he went by.

We camped in this area and heard the elk bugling at night. We visited at the right time of year for this, which was mid-September and during mating season.

One of the popular trails here was closed due to an aggressive grizzly. There are a few in this area so be careful.

Also in this region is the west thumb geyser basin, one of the only places in Yellowstone we did not visit.

28. Do the Storm Point Walk

Unlike most national parks we visited on our US road trip, we didn’t do much hiking in Yellowstone. We were far too busy gawking at the sites.

Hiking will be at the top of our list when we return (Don’t forget your bear spray)

One trail we did do was the short and easy Storm Point Walk along Yellowstone Lake, which again offered another perspective of the park.

The 2.3 mile loop trail passed through open meadows thorough the forest and out to the scenic Storm Point.

Look around the rocks here as you will most likely spot some marmots. The trail follows the shore of a bit before looping back through the forest.

A solitary bison was loafing in the meadows as we walked past.

It was an easy walk for all of us, and I would add this to your list of things to do in Yellowstone with kids.

29. Eat at Yellowstone Hotel

One of our favorite things to do in Yellowstone was to eat at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel dining room AND enjoy a cocktail in the lounge listening to the piano music with lake views.

The food in the restaurant was also delicious – every course. We splurged on three as it was Craig’s birthday.

30. Visit the Visitor Centers and Junior Ranger Programs

You will find Visitor Centers at all the major villages and areas in Yellowstone NP.

They are a Yellowstone attraction in their own right.

Spend time in the visitor centers and watch a film and check out the interactive displays. Each center will have park ranger talks and guided walks. They are a wealth of information.

It’s great to get up to date information on geyser eruption times, closures, hiking tips, safety, wildlife spotting tips, sunrise and sunsets and bear safety etc.

Trails are often closed due to the volatility of this land and wildlife threats.

The Junior Rangers Program is a must for all those visiting Yellowstone National Park with kids.

The book is packed full of activities that will help the kids learn more about the importance of Yellowstone and the crazy environment they will be walking amongst.

They will love earning their Junior Ranger badge from Yellowstone, the world’s first national park.

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park

Choosing where to stay in Yellowstone is as difficult as deciding what to do. You have so many options and it depends on how much time you have and what you want to do.

As driving times can be long, choose accommodation that is close to the area you will be exploring the most.

As we stayed for five days, we knew long drives were inevitable as we explored most of the park.

We based ourselves near Yellowstone Lake, which we felt was a great location to access everything.

If you are staying longer than three days, you want want to consider staying in two locations. Reservations book out far in advance so be prepared.

There are places to stay just outside Yellowstone at various towns near the entrance gates. It will not impact your stay!

Camping in Yellowstone

Yellowstone offers 12 campgrounds with over 2,000 sites. Yellowstone National Park Lodges takes reservations for five of these campgrounds.

• Bridge Bay Campground
• Canyon Campground
• Fishing Bridge RV Park
• Grant Village Campground
• Madison Campground

The National Park Service manages the other seven campgrounds. Reservations for three of the campgrounds managed by the National Park Service can be done through Recreation.gov.

• Mammoth Campground (Reservable)
• Norris Campground
• Slough Creek Campground (Reservable)
• Pebble Creek Campground (Sites 1-16 Reservable)
• Tower Fall Campground
• Indian Creek Campground
• Lewis Lake Campground

Lodges in Yellowstone

There are nine lodges inside Yellowstone National Park. They book out in advance and will be more expensive than staying outside the park, for obvious reasons.

You’ll find the Yellowstone lodges in the following areas:

• Canyon Village
• Yellowstone Lake
• Grant Village
• Old Faithful
• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Tower Falls

Canyon Lodge is probably the most accessible region for most attractions. You can find more at the official website.

Where to Stay Outside Of Yellowstone

Outside of Yellowstone National Park you’ll find more affordable accommodation – a wider variety of it – plus access to restaurants, stores and plenty of amenities.

Gates are open 24 hours so access into the park should not be a problem. It will add extra time to your day so plan accordingly.

The two best areas will be

• West Yellowstone in Montana (northeast corner) will have the shortest drive time to the main attractions.
• Gardiner in Montana is near the Mammoth Hot Springs region in the north.

I think anywhere else will make it too far to drive into the park. But, if you’re struggling it may be your only option.

How Much Time Do You Need in Yellowstone?

We recommend longer than one day, and at least five days to see everthing on this list. That’s what we did it in.

If you can’t do that, then I think three days would be a great amount of time to see the top attractions in Yellowstone and all the diverse areas of the park.

Yellowstone is much bigger than you realize and can take a couple of hours to drive from one section to another, espcially with all the wildlife gawkers.

Be strategic with your planning and get up early to beat the crowds!

The Grand Loop Road is a 142 mile highway that covers the most popular Yellowstone attractions, which would take 4 to 8 hours to drive the entire route without many stops!

Getting Around Yellowstone National Park

Unless you join a tour, you will need your own vehicle to explore this gigantic park. We recommend it. Find your ideal car rental here:

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone

The most popular time to visit Yellowstone National Park is summer, mostly July and August. It’s when you’ll get the most predictable weather – warm days. Except nights to still be cool.

We visited in September and while cool, it was manageable. It also meant it was less busy, so it was a great time to visit.

Things will start closing in the park once the snow arrives usually around October. Although there are some winter activities in Yellowstone available which I’d love to do!

May is busy bear season so could be great for that, although many trails could be closed. We had one trail we wanted to do closed when we visited due to bear activity.

Top Yellowstone National Park Tours

If you want to visit Yellowstone but don’t want to go alone, consider a group tour! The following tours with G Adventures visit Yellowstone National Park:

• National Parks Family Journey: Yellowstone and Grand Teton
• Los Angeles to Seattle (incorporates many phenomenal national parks)
• National Parks of the Northwest US

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of the coolest places in North America. Actually, I think it could be added to the coolest places in the world list.

I don’t think there is another place quite like it.

Now we can see why it was the United States first park in the national park system.

Thank you Teddy Roosevelt for having the vision to protect these unique places of natural and culture beauty for years to come.

FUN FACT: Yellowstone National Park is actually in three states: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Most of the park is in Wyoming.

By now you’ve probably realised that there are so many attractions and things to do in Yellowstone NP. I hope this guide helped you map out your itinerary and gave you some inspiration for sights to see.

Places Near Yellowstone National Park

If you’re planning to visit other places near Yellowstone, then the following guides may be useful to you…

• Idaho: 20 Amazing Things to Do In Idaho For First Time Visitors!
• Montana: 15 Unforgettable Things to Do in Glacier National Park
• Wyoming: How to spend one day in the Grand Teton National Park

More USA National Parks Tips

If you want to read about more national parks in USA, then check out these other guides…

• Yosemite: 18 amazing things to do in Yosemite National Park
• Grand Canyon: 8 tips for planning a trip to the Grand Canyon
• Zion: 14 best things to do in Zion National Park
• Monument Valley: 15 amazing things to do in Monument Valley
• Arches: 11 best things to do in Arches National Park

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I have just the place! The Tenaya Lodge Yosemite Valley was one of the best accommodation choices we made during our road trip across America.

It had close proximity to Yosemite but without the extortionate prices of actually staying in the park, plus the amenities were family-friendly and a welcome site after we came back from a day of exploring.

With so many Yosemite National Park accommodation lodging options to choose from, and considering how popular Yosemite is, I know that it can be difficult to know where to stay when planning to visit Yosemite NP.

Which is why I wrote this review of Tenaya at Yosemite so you can understand a bit more about what to expect from a stay here.

About Tenaya at Yosemite

If you haven’t heard of Tenaya at Yosemite before, allow me to briefly introduce them. Tenaya is a full-service resort that’s located just 2 miles outside Yosemite National Park in the serene backdrop of the Sierra National Forest.

It’s location is ideal for nature lovers, who are not only looking to visit Yosemite but other national parks and forests in the region as well.

Located nearby is the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Speckerman Mountain, Hogan Mountain, Wawona Point and Bass Lake.

The hotel offers several types of accommodation from hotel rooms to lodges and cottages and spacious suites, as well as a whole host of resort amenities.

Our Experience Staying at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite

I loved our four night stay at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite during our 5 day trip to Yosemite in May.

I also went back and stayed another 3 nights on a separate 3 day trip to Yosemite with Globus Journeys.

In fact, it has been one of my favorite resorts stays in the USA so far and is perfect for those looking for an ultimate Yosemite family vacation.

Tenaya Lodge was a warm, comfortable and friendly experience that was a perfect match for the outstanding beauty and outdoor adventure in the Yosemite area.

I loved coming home to the lodge after a day on the Yosemite hiking trails to a hot tub, a glass of wine by the fire, a delicious meal and conversations with other travelers around the world.

When traveling we typically spend most of our time interacting with other Americans in campgrounds, and usually in hotels we stay at. Most hotels are super busy and everyone is coming and going on their own agendas!

But in the Tenaya Lodge it felt like more of a global gathering place and I realized how much I missed that and how isolated we are from it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Americans and am always happy to chat with them.

But I do miss interacting with people from other countries, and Tenaya was like the old hostel environment for me – long before smart phones took our attention away.

The diversity of guests at Tenaya Lodge was awesome – young, old, couples, families, and groups of friends!

We had conversations in the hot tub, lobby, dinner table and around the s’mores campfire at night with people from England, Ireland, Australia and America. I also heard accents from Germany, France and Italy.

Oh this is the goodness of travel all right.

No one was too caught up in their phones to ignore each other.

This place was about sharing your memories of the day exploring Yosemite National Park California and tips and tidbits for future travel. Just like the good ole days!

Tenaya Lodge Yosemite had a staff that matched this jovial, friendly atmosphere.

I don’t think I have encountered more genuinely friendly and warm staff before. They must all be treated well as you could tell they liked their job and they liked people.

And did I mention kid-friendly? They even have a kids check-in section at the lobby.

I paid close attention to their interactions with other guests as well just to be sure. And I noticed the same attention and warmth to everyone. I was so very impressed.

Here are more reasons why staying at Tenaya Lodge is a fantastic option for your Yosemite vacation.

Activities at Tenaya Lodge

There are plenty of things to do at Tenaya Lodge, for young and old.

While I loved the inclusion of these activities, I loved how they weren’t the focus of your stay as other family resorts are. They’re additions to the main event – visiting Yosemite National Park.

We planned our Tenaya Lodge activities for our down day we had at the lodge, which is something I recommend you do when you visit Yosemite.

There are so many amazing things to do in Yosemite with kids (or even as a couple) that everyone can get tired pretty quickly. It’s a good idea to soak up the warmth and relaxation of Tenaya for a full day!

Sadly our day of rest (although well timed) was when it rained all day. And even hailed!

Our kids (aged 11 and 7) decided they wanted to go outside and do the activities anyway. What’s a little rain for these fearless adventurers?

Although at the end of archery they did ask to cancel rock climbing as their limbs were freezing and they thought it might be a little too slippery.

Kids Adventure Course

Our daughters, Kalyra and Savannah, really enjoyed the kids adventure course!

It is kid sized and they typically do much higher and more challenging adventure courses.

But even though this one was much easier, they used it as an opportunity to practice some complex skills like walking backward, doing it with eyes closed and no hands, and timing how fast they could zip around.

They did all of this in the rain too with smiles on their faces.

Archery Lessons

The other activity they loved was archery.

They were both very good at it, landing only millimeters from the bulls eye, and they played pretend bow and arrow hunting games through the lodge halls for the remainder of the afternoon.

Guided Flashlight Hike

On our first evening we joined an hour long guided flashlight hike, which was a cool addition to our Yosemite trip.

Everything is so different when viewed in the dark under the light of a flashlight. Savannah stayed pretty close to my side, especially when learning about the resident black Bear, Booboo.

We learned a lot about the forest – the flora and fauna of this area. It was so interesting and made me fall in love with trees all over again.

We even had the opportunity to snack on a few ants, although passed.

Our guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the area and the forest. He was a rare native of the local town, Fish Camp, the very small town where Tenaya Lodge is located.

You can organize these activities (for a fee) with the hotel concierge, which I found incredibly helpful. Once again, I really liked the staff at Tenaya.

Campfire S’mores

What’s a Yosemite National Park lodging experience without s’mores?

We were so grateful on our last night for the rain and snow to stop so we could go outside to the firepit and roast s’mores. It doesn’t matter how often we do this, the girls never get tired of it.

It’s a very common thing for them to experience on our 1 year USA road trip!

You can purchase kits from the lodge and they have a specific fire pit for s’mores. If you want to skip the s’mores and have serenity by the fire, outside the main restaurant is a huge fire pit to sit around with a glass of wine, or beer.

Again, both fire pits were buzzing with conversation. The Tenaya Lodge is very social.

Nearby Waterfall Hike

It’s not just Yosemite National Park California that you can explore whilst staying at the lodge. There are hiking trails from the lodge into the Sierra forest surrounding Tenaya. 

We took the 5.5 mile return hike to a nearby waterfall and swimming hole. I think the water was running too furiously to enjoy swimming in this area, and too cold, but apparently it’s a local hidden gem.

It was an easy flat walk through the forest and was so peaceful and quiet with only us on the trail. We saw deer along the way as well!

I loved the last mile of the hike that took you along a narrow tree lined path beside the creek. It was pretty and offered a different experience to other Yosemite National Park trails.

The lodge also offers guided hikes to this waterfall on Saturdays.

List of Tenaya Lodge activities on offer:

• Mountain biking in the Sierra National Forest
• Wine and paint night
• Archery lessons
• Daily morning guided hikes
• Guided flashlight hikes
• Nightly outdoor s’mores
• Ranger talks
• Climbing wall
• Kids adventure course
• Horse back riding
• Kids camp
• Fishing pole rentals

Amenities at Tenaya Lodge

Indoor and /Outdoor Pools and Hot Tubs

I think I mentioned the word hot tub a few times!

You have your pick of two indoor hot tubs (one is adults only) and an outdoor hot tub. While some people were spotted braving the cool temperatures in the outdoor hot tub, we stuck to easing our tired muscles in the indoor one.

The girls enjoyed swimming in the indoor pool while we watched from the hot tub.

The outdoor pool is in a beautiful setting surrounded by the forest and has a couple of different pools and hot tubs. There is also an outside bar – Barefoot bar, opened during warmer times.

On some evenings they have a dive-in poolside movies – which is a movie playing above the Tenaya lodge pool. You can float and swim while watching it.

We didn’t get time to do that.

Arcade Games Room

The girls loved the Arcade Room, which was another place people gathered to shoot pool or play backgammon, checkers and chess.

There was two gaming stations, which is what the girls spent a lot of their time doing.

Since I watched a special on the negative effects of the game Fortnight on a child’s brain while working out in the fitness center that morning, I ensured I limited their time playing that game!!

Ascent Spa

What would make the ultimate Yosemite vacation?

Amongst the physically demanding hikes you can balance it out with a deep tissue massage.

That may not be everyone’s idea of relaxation, but you’ll find other massage options to suit your mood. Or perhaps a facial instead, or go full out and do them all.

After months of hiking in the Southwest, my body was begging for a deep tissue massage. It was awesome and gave some relief to a persistent shoulder issue I have.

It’s important for parents to have their time out moments on a family vacation, and the Ascent Spa Tenaya Lodge is the best place for you to find it.

You can get everything you need at the on-site Spa. Be sure to finish your massage with a steam bath to help those muscles even more!

The Ascent Spa was a beautiful relaxing space and all guests have access to the steam room and sauna and powerful showers. Craig and I liked ducking down there to have a steam room after a day of hiking in Yosemite.

Next door to the spa is also a fitness center/gym. It’s a little on the small side, but has plenty of equipment to give you that workout you need.

Restaurants at Tenaya Lodge

Tenaya Lodge has three restaurants: Jackalopes Bar & Grill, Embers and Timberloft Pizzeria. We wanted to try the pizza at Timberloft but it only opens during the high season.

We didn’t eat at the fancier of the two, Embers. It is said to be family-friendly with great food, although the ambiance felt more intimate and quiet so we  decided to stay away with our younger kids.

Jackalope’s Bar & Grill

We loved Jackalope’s Bar & Grill though, and ate there for breakfast and dinner each day!

Jackalope’s was buzzing with happy conversation over good food and drinks. Our pick was the curried cauliflower and chickpea stew, the caramelized brussel sprouts, and the burgers.

Our kids enjoyed their mac & cheese and strawberry shortcake dessert.

Tenaya Lodge Breakfast

For breakfast, you can choose from the ala carte menu, or dive into the buffet. The girls loved the buffet, whereas the ala carte worked better for Craig and I with our dietary restrictions.

Although we did have the buffet the first morning, and the quality of the food options was high compared to other resorts we have stayed at.

There is also the Harvest & Grounds Deli (like a small general store/parkside deli) which offers snacks, picnic lunch, and surprisingly good coffee.

In the summer, they have Timberloft Pizzeria and outdoor Summerdale BBQ with live entertainment.

Rooms at Tenaya Lodge

The accommodation at Tenaya Lodge suits all types of travelers, which is another reason I loved it. All lodge rooms were renovated in 2019 and have a High Sierra design touch.

Lodge Rooms

For solo travelers, couples, and small families, you’ll be happy with the Tenaya Lodge rooms ranging from:

• Premium Room
  • Two queen beds or one king bed
  • 350 square feet
  • Individual room climate control
  • Work desk with computer data port
• Extended Two Queen

Perfect for families and what we slept in.

We found this room to be spacious and comfortable and loved the sitting area which came in handy for working at the desk and playing Clue on the coffee table.

And the girls were very excited by the game options you could check out from the front desk.

• Two queen beds
• 450 square feet
• Sitting area with pull-out sofa bed
• Private balcony or patio
• Work desk with computer data port

For those who want a little more luxury and romance, opt for the Spa Room.

• Spa Room (spacious bathroom making it perfect for romantic getaways)

• 550 square feet
• One King bed
• Sitting area with pull-out sofa bed
• Soaking tub
• Separate shower
• Private balcony
• Wet bar

The Deluxe Suite offers a separate bedroom and living space area. And the Luxury Suite offers the same but at a bigger level and mountain lodge décor.

• Deluxe Suite
  • 650 square feet
  • King bed in bedroom
  • Pull-out queen-size sofa bed in living room
  • Two armoires each with cable flat-screen TV (one in bedroom, one in living room)
  • Coffee table, wet bar and refrigerator
  • Work desk with computer data port
• Luxury Suite
  • 800 square feet
  • King bed in bedroom
  • Pull-out queen-size sofa bed
  • Two armoires each with cable flat-screen TV
  • Coffee table, wet bar and refrigerator

Cottages

For large groups traveling together, like multiple families or multi generational families, you’ll love the Tenaya Lodge Cottages.

They are part of a duplex or triplex cottage building nestled into the Sugar Pine and Incense Cedar forest offering a more secluded mountain getaway, but just a short walk from the main lodge.

It feels like a cozy neighborhood, and you still have access to all the lodge amenities.

The duplex (cottage room) or triplex (cottage suits) offer you your own space within a group travel experience.

Your group could rent out the entire cottage, but still have two or three separate sleeping areas. It’s a clever accommodation offering from Tenaya Lodge.

Explorer Cabins

For self-sufficient travelers you will love the two-bedroom explorer cabins, which come with a spacious living and dining area, a fireplace, and a kitchen area with full-sized fridge and coffee makers.

There are communal Explorer Clubhouses and s’more fire pits.

You can also access everything in the main lodge. They come with a refrigerator and a microwave and a covered porch.

Other Things to Love about Tenaya Lodge Yosemite

Stylish décor with warm, calm ambiance

There was a warm calm ambiance throughout the lodge.

I’ve stayed at many places like this before where the energy has been quite frantic and loud. You didn’t experience that here.

It had a lovely, almost meditative energy.

You almost thought there was no one around, but then at night and in the morning the dining areas were packed and a buzz appeared but it wasn’t too much to annoy you. It was just the perfect amount of happy energy.

You could tell this was a place where special memories were created.

With Yosemite National Park on your doorstep, you had much to talk about over a glass of wine and a delicious meal.

Tours of Yosemite National Park

If you don’t want to explore Yosemite by yourself, and would feel more comfortable in a small group tour with an expert local guide, Tenaya Lodge offers full-day or half-day Yosemite tours.

There is also a Glacier Point sunset and starry skies tour (seasonally).

If you have only one day, a tour can be an excellent way to make sure you see the highlights.

And you’ll be exploring Yosemite in the comfort of a luxury tour bus with a roll-back roof.

Free laundry

This may not be of interest to some travelers, but it definitely was to us.

Finding places to do our laundry on a long road trip is a weekly task for us.

Having access to the washer and dryers in Tenaya, and for free, was so helpful. And if you’re out doing lots of Yosemite activities, you’d probably need your closed washed at some stage too!

On the day we checked out we were able to do our laundry so we were ready for San Francisco.

Things to Keep In Mind

We know no accommodation is perfect, and we like to include any negatives or challenges we experienced at places we stay.

There really wasn’t much at all. We had a lovely stay and look forward to going back again.

Limited dining options nearby

I didn’t like how there wasn’t many dining options nearby to the resort. The nearest town was a 20-minute drive away.

The food at Jackalope was delicious, but I do however like variety and trying different places to eat while on vacation.

Given it was a resort, the food was a little pricier so eating out would be easier on your wallet. You could eat out while in the Yosemite National Park, or have a picnic, and just eat at the resort once, or on your down days.

The drive into Yosemite

Tenaya Lodge is about an hours drive from Yosemite Valley, but it’s only two miles from the south entrance to the park, and then a few minutes to the Mariposa Grove section of Yosemite.

You can read more about that in our Yosemite travel guide. You definitely don’t want to miss it. It’s also not too far from Wawona which is another village area in Yosemite.

To be clear, I didn’t mind it being that far away from the valley. The drive in and out was beautiful, especially the higher sections covered in now and the spectacular Tunnel View we got toe experience each time we drove back to Tenaya Lodge.

Plus, I use travel time to get work done in the car, so it was super handy for me to get those two hours each day.

After seeing Yosemite Lodge in the Valley (another Yosemite accommodation option we were considering) I was so glad we decided to stay an extra two nights at Tenaya, despite the commute in.

Yosemite Lodge has the location in Yosemite Valley, but the rooms didn’t look that great (this is after only seeing the outside and small glimpses through the opened doors).

They were motel style buildings so had no central inside space.

What I didn’t like about the idea of staying in the Valley was it was way too busy.

People were everywhere and there wasn’t that warm relaxed, communal gathering feel that I loved so much about Tenaya.

Noise in room

There was this strange tapping/knocking noise in our room, near the bathroom walls, which was quite noticeable during the still of the night, which we reported to the front desk.

We don’t know if it was because there was so much rain and something was continually dripping, or it was a pipe vibrating, or what?

I’m a pretty heavy sleeper so it didn’t bother me too much, but it annoyed Craig and Kalyra. I’m sure we just had a bad pipe or something.

FAQs About Tenaya Lodge

Here’s what people usually ask us about staying at Tenaya Lodge…

How to Get To Tenaya Lodge

Tenaya Lodge is located in the town of Fish Camp, which is 2 miles (4km) from the Mariposa Grove entrance (South Gate) to Yosemite National Park.

If you are driving from San Francisco Airport to Tenaya Lodge, it will take you approx 4.5 hours at a distance of 208 miles. From Los Angeles to Tenaya Lodge, it will take roughly 5 hours to drive and 277 miles.

Even further afield, Las Vegas to Tenaya Lodge (via Bakersfiled) is 455 miles and takes approx 8.5 hours.

Directions to Tenaya Lodge

Above is a map of Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Fish Camp CA. You can use this map to find directions from your current destination. Or you can input the address into your GPS.

The address is: 1122 CA-41, Fish Camp, CA 93623

Final Thoughts on Staying at Tenaya

I hope you found this Tenaya Lodge review helpful and insightful. We had a wonderful stay here and I do think Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite can give you a better, more memorable Yosemite family vacation experience.

Staying in Yosemite Valley would be purely for the location.

But staying at Tenaya Lodge Fish Camp was a highlight of our Yosemite trip.

Video Review of Tenaya at Yosemite

Things to do in Yosemite National Park with kids video:

Need more inspiration for Yosemite National Park? Watch our video of our experience here…

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Despite its name and reputation, Death Valley is absolutely worth visiting. Its landscape is so varied and unique, with desert on one side and mountains on the other.

It also has a salt basin and a volcanic crater, as well as a strange natural phenomenon that causes the rocks to move with no gravitational cause – spooky!

If you’re thinking of visiting Death Valley, but you’re not sure what to do, don’t fret. In this guide, we’ve listed all the top things to do in Death Valley, as well as shared some valuable tips and advice to make sure you get the most out of your visit.

Our Experience of Death Valley National Park

We didn’t know there were so many incredible things to do in Death Valley National Park until after our two-day visit. Now we know this is not just a place you drive through on your way to other California destinations!

After five months of desert travel and daily hikes, I was dragging my feet about visiting Death Valley National Park California.

The pool around our Las Vegas RV Park was way more enticing.

I had just spent two days cleaning our travel trailer and removing all the red mud and dust Utah covered her in. I was not excited about adding a fresh new layer of dust, this time white and yellow.

We attempted to visit Death Valley NP a couple of months earlier in the winter, but the RV parks were full and we had no boondocking capabilities (solar power) then so we skipped it.

Now that we can dry camp, we have more options!

We were looking for a few days to fill in before visiting Yosemite National Park and when we checked the weather report we saw the perfect opportunity to explore all the top things to do in Death Valley National Park.

It was pretty much on the way to Yosemite from Las Vegas, AND for the two days, we were looking at going, the weather dropped from the low 100s to the low 80s.

There wouldn’t be another perfect opportunity. So we took it, still with feet dragging.

Boy did they perk up once I kicked my shoes off and walked onto the salt flats of Badwater Basin in Death Valley.

What is Special About Death Valley National Park?

And what is Death Valley National Park known for? Death Valley is the hottest, driest, and lowest National Park in the USA.

High on the cliff face (282 ft. high) at Badwater Basin was a white plaque with huge capitals denoting SEA LEVEL. We were standing in the lowest part of North America.

That’s right the Death Valley elevation at Badwater Basin is 282 feet below sea level – just one of the cool Death Valley facts!

It was a thrill level I was not anticipating. How could we have almost passed up that opportunity?

And Death Valley California has the highest temperature ever recorded 134 degree Fahrenheit (57 degree Celsius) on July 10, 1913.

I’m surprised we haven’t seen higher recorded since then, but, 2016 and 2017 have claimed the hottest average temperatures in Death Valley Park history. In July of 2021, the highest recorded temperature was 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4°C).

We certainly know the earth is heating up.

The death of this valley is sandwiched – by two mountain ranges – and you are heading deep into a bowl here.

Any upcoming earthquake has the potential to make this valley a little lower and a little hotter.

I don’t know why we think nature has finished her creation. It’s always moving and changing, so subtly as it has for millions of years. We barely notice the progress to more exquisite beauty but it’s there.

It was not that hot when we visited, but possibly the windiest. It did a good job of nearly knocking us off our feet, but at least it cooled things down a little.

The hottest, driest, and lowest part of the continent didn’t stop wowing and surprising us for the remainder of our stay.

It was definitely the perfect way to finish five months in the desert and transition into the green forest world of Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.

Things to Do in Death Valley National Park

If you don’t know what to do in Death Valley, it is a place where you don’t need to do too much for it to quickly become one of your favorite USA national parks.

There are no crazy hiking adventures like Angels Landing in Zion National Park. Really all that is required of you is to open your eyes and admire the views.

Its beauty is startling.

I love how it’s an easy national park to explore, doesn’t have hordes of people, and doesn’t require much other than a few footsteps from your car to the viewpoint.

You can even wear flip-flops for most of the journey. Given that we’d just spent weeks of hiking, it was a welcome experience for us.

Death Valley trails are there if you want them, but you want to be extra cautious if you are visiting in the hot summer months. It is not wise to hike after 10am and many signs around the park will remind you of this.

1. Zabriskie Point

If you only stop to see Zabriskie Point on your visit, then driving through Death Valley is worthwhile. It is one of the most surreal landscapes I have ever seen.

Ripples of white, yellow, mauve, pink, and chocolate sand dunes frozen in time stretch out in front of you with a purple sandy river running through it and the snow-capped Panamint Mountain ranges in the background.

You can even see the salt flats down in the valley below.

The colors, shapes, and textures are simply breathtaking and mind-blowing. Perhaps we’ll invent a new word to express that. Let’s call it The Zabriskie.

The ranger told us it was best at sunrise. Lonely Planet had a photo that showed a Death Valley sunset from here so we followed the travel bible – it was extraordinary at sunset.

I do think sunrise at Zabriskie Point would be worth doing as well. We visited about two hours after sunrise the next day and it gave us another beautiful perspective. This time we could see the mountains and salt flats as the sun was shining on them.

Sunrise was just a little too early for us to get there with the kids (5:30am).

Either way, put this on your list of the best things to do in Death Valley National Park.

2. Badwater Basin

As mentioned, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America, and a Death Valley must-see on your first visit!

This is where you can walk out on the salt flats and see the hexagonal honeycomb shapes. I don’t think we visited at the right time, or walked out far enough to see those, but it was still an incredible place to explore and walk bare feet on – although by far the windiest place we visited in Death Valley!

But we did witness devils golf course – an immense area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into jagged spires!

Badwater Death Valley consists of a small natural pool of undrinkable water next to the gravel road in a sink, and the accumulated salt crystals of the surrounding basin make it undrinkable, thus giving it the name.

Adjacent to the pool, where water is not always present at the surface, repeated freeze–thaw and evaporation cycles gradually push the thin salt crust into hexagonal honeycomb shapes.

As this area gets less than two inches of rain annually and no water can flow out of the basin, the water evaporates leaving behind mineral deposits that cover the basin like a salty dusting of snow.

Badwater Basin is centrally located in the National Park and very popular, and the parking lot fills quickly.

Be sure to follow the warnings about hiking during the extreme temperatures of summer, so go early morning and bring lots of water!

But definitely add this to your list of top things to see in Death Valley National Park!

3. Dante’s View

Dante’s View is a little off the path, but totally worth it.

It’s a paved road the entire way although the last section contains steep switchbacks and is not fit for long RVs. There are parking bays to unhook and leave your trailers if needed.

As the road climbed the mountain, the stark desert landscape turned a little lush.

Dante’s View will give you the BEST bird’s eye view of Death Valley. You really don’t want to miss it. You’ll get the swirling whites and muted browns of the salt basin deep in the valley that stretches for miles.

It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before, and is a Death Valley must see!

It is way cooler up at Dante’s Viewpoint too – we had to burst out the jacket from under the car seat. It was a welcome relief from the desert heat.

If you visit Death Valley National Park in the winter, be sure to pack your scarves and beanies.

4. Artists Drive

Artists Drive Death Valley is one of the most unique scenic drives I’ve ever experienced.

I felt like it’s where they got the inspiration for the Cars Ride at Disneyland.

At one point we were on a narrow section of the Death Valley dirt road driving around the foothills of the mountains. The mountains rose steeply up on another side of us, dwarfing even our F250.

This one-way paved road is called the Artist Drive for a reason, the mountain faces look like someone had thrown splashes of paint all over them, prompting the naming of one section to be the artist’s palette.

Now we’d seen enough color in Southern Utah to question the validity of the name of this drive before we went on it, but we can definitely verify that it has earned that title.

We saw most colors in Utah, but rarely so many shades of blue on the rocks.

There are two sections on this 9-mile Death Valley National Park scenic drive you can jump out at to look more closely at the palettes of color.

We were SO lucky to have arrived the day after they opened this drive. Apparently, it had been closed for years!! As it was all new, the road was pristine dark black which just made the landscape pop even more.

I was so grateful that our trip to Death Valley had been delayed for a couple of months, otherwise, we would have missed this.

What is the saying, God’s delays are not God’s denials? Trust in what the delays will bring you.

5. Golden Canyon Hike

We had a stuff up when it came to hiking the Golden Canyon.

We’ve been great at training the girls since they were born to be responsible travelers – that is pack their own bags, dress, pack snacks, etc. If they forget then they manage boredom or hunger and won’t forget the next time.

Usually, we’re good at checking them though.

We didn’t when we jumped in the car for our afternoon of exploring Death Valley NP.

Savannah somehow thought it was good to explore the hottest place in the world with no shoes!!! It worked fine at the salt flats – even better to walk barefoot – and we weren’t expecting to hike anywhere.

Then we stumbled upon Golden Canyon, and with time on our side decided to check it out. A 3-mile return rocky path was no match for bare feet.

We found a pair of Kalyra’s muddy boots in the car and put them on her feet. They kept falling off until we thought of rolling down the tops of the boots. It helped them stay on her feet but it wasn’t so comfortable for her.

We plowed through the walk, but only a short way in before turning around and ending her torture.

The Golden Canyon is BEAUTIFUL and one of the best hikes in Death Valley! You can also combine it with the Gower Gulch and Badlands Loop

I loved the silence and stillness here and the changing colors and shapes of the rock. It was so quiet you could hear the swooshing of the raven’s wings as it flew down the canyon quite high above our heads.

The 1.5 miles in leads to the red cathedral, which is where we were hoping to go.

You can go further and hike 2.5 miles all the way to Zabriskie’s Point, which is on my bucket list of top things to do in Death Valley National Park for when we come back!

I couldn’t imagine how beautiful that walk would be and if you could time it at sunset it would be incredible.

You’d need someone to meet you there or be willing to hike it back. But definitely put this on your Death Valley National Park hiking list!

6. Salt Creek Trailhead

I read that the Salt Creek Trailhead is one of the good places to go in Death Valley National Park for families, so decided to check it out but wasn’t expecting too much.

We are quite adventurous and go on many challenging hikes, boardwalks usually feel quite sedate to me, but once again Death Valley wowed me.

The Salt Creek Trailhead is a special part of Death Valley NP not to miss. It is only a mile off the main road and offers proof that the desert is full of life.

A creek runs through this valley and either side of it is filled with a green brush.

In the background are white and pastel yellow cliffs making it so striking.

As far as Death Valley National Park hikes go, the boardwalk is only 1/2 mile in total and is flat and wheelchair accessible.

The kids will love looking at the rare pupfish darting around in the water. They look like tadpoles. Their frenetic rush is their need to feed and breed before their one-year lifespan is up.

7. Mesquite Sand Dunes

This is one of the most popular things to do in Death Valley National Park.

We arrived at the wrong time to experience the Mesquite Sand dunes – we couldn’t time everything perfectly.

We visited on the way out of the western entrance to the national park and arrived at the same time as hundreds of French tourists on buses. No offense to them as we’re tourists as well wanting the same things they are, but it did mean a lot of people making tracks in the sand. At least you had a nice language to listen to in the background!

It was also the middle of the day so pretty hot and sunlight was harsh for photos and the dunes were well trampled.

You can walk out to the highest sand dune which is a mile away in the distance. A mile is an easy walk on the flat but up and over sand dunes makes it a different kind of trail, especially in the HEAT.

Considering the Death Valley National Park sand dunes were the very last thing we were going to do after 5 months in the desert, we were happy to just stand and watch.

Your kids will love playing in the sand dunes here. The girls were, even more, desert tired than me and were in no mood for sand dune play.

Come early in the morning or evening. Sunset is meant to be wonderful here. I’d time it for then if you can.

It’s a fair way from the other Death Valley attractions near the Furnace Creek area so that may impact your timing.

8. Wildlife Spotting in Death Valley

Just because the word DEATH is in the title, doesn’t mean there ain’t no life in this valley.

Look closely and you’ll find Death Valley animals.

We had a coyote running across the main road (and causing a few traffic delays) just outside our campsite in Furnace Creek.

And we also saw a cute and unique chuckwalla lizard at Mesquite sand dunes.

We especially loved seeing this one after learning about it from the ranger when the girls did their Junior Ranger pledge. It gets in between two rocks and puffs up so its predators can’t snatch it away.

I LOVE nature! We loved watching it do little push-ups.

One of my favorite things to see in Death Valley National Park was when a raven came flying above us down the canyon. You will see and hear a lot of ravens swooshing their wings. That is a silence to appreciate.

We also enjoyed seeing the pupfish in Salt Creek. You have to admire something that can survive in all that salty water.

Enjoy these little reminders that the desert – even the hottest ones in the world – hold life.

In addition to those desert animals we saw, Death Valley NP also has scorpions, road runners, kit foxes, rattlesnakes, kangaroo rats, and bats.

9. Become a Junior Ranger

You probably already know that we love the >Junior Ranger program created by the National Park service.

It does make a difference to your child’s appreciation of the environment they are interacting in. Not to mention how much they’ll learn.

Head to the >Death Valley National Park Visitor Center at Furnace Creek to pick up your booklets and return when finished to say your pledge and get your badges.

As my girls learned more about the desert with the ranger and said their pledge, I felt so grateful a program like this exists to teach our kids to protect Mother Nature.

I have hope for the generation we are raising. They are privy to so much more information, experiences, and people working hard to make changes happen.

They grow up knowing that taking care of the planet is just something we do.

10. Ubehebe Crater

Ubehebe Crater is an incredible sight to see in Death Valley National Park. The crater is over 700 feet deep and almost 0.5 miles in diameter, making it one of the largest in the world. It’s also one of the youngest craters, as it’s estimated to only be 2,100 years old.

Though it’s technically an active volcano, the risk of it erupting is very low.

The hike around the crater is fairly easy, making it accessible for most hikers. You can view the crater from the parking lot, but you can walk around the entire rim of the crater, where you’ll find some great spots for photos.

If you’re looking for an amazing day trip in Death Valley National Park, be sure to visit Ubehebe Crater. The sights are incredible, and it’s a great way to explore one of the most stunning areas in the country.

11. Racetrack Playa

Racetrack Playa is a dry lake bed that is flat and featureless, making it perfect for testing the theory that stones can move across the surface on their own.

The rocks have been observed moving for years, but no one knows how they do it. Some people believe that the wind is responsible, while others think that the rocks are moved by ice particles or water. No one has been able to provide a definitive answer, but it’s still an interesting place to visit.

Though it’s named a racetrack, driving off-road is strictly prohibited. We also don’t recommend driving along here if you have a high clearance vehicle as the road is a bit challenging to drive on.

12. Mosaic Canyon

Mosaic Canyon is one of the most beautiful and unique places in Death Valley National Park. The canyon is lined with colorful, vitreous rocks that have been eroded by wind and water over time, creating a spectacular mosaic-like effect.

It’s a great place to explore on foot, as there is a 4 mi (6.4km) out-and-back hiking trail that runs through the middle of the canyon. There are plenty of informative signs along the way to help you learn about the canyon’s history and geology.

The hike is labeled moderate to difficult because after about 2km a big boulder disrupts the path, and only adventurous hikers squeeze between the gaps to get around it.

If you’re visiting Death Valley National Park, be sure to put Mosaic Canyon on your list of must-see destinations. You won’t be disappointed!

13. Twenty Mule Team Canyon

Twenty Mule Team Canyon is a beautiful and serene place, named for the twenty mule teams that used to transport borax out of the area.

The canyon is a great place to drive through on your way to Zabriskie Point.

The canyon, also referred to as the badlands, is known for its colorful and unique rock formations. They have been the setting for many blockbuster movies such as Star Wars Episode VI.

If you’re a fan of Star Wars movies, this is a great place to drive through and stop to take photos of you pretending to be a Jedi!

14. Scotty’s Castle

Scotty’s Castle is a must-see attraction in Death Valley National Park. This Spanish colonial villa was named after gold prospector Walter E. Scott, though he never lived there. Nor is the building actually a castle, more of a mansion with some castle-like features.

It was built in the 1920s by Chicago millionaire Albert Mussey Johnson who was conned into investing in Scott’s gold mine in the Death Valley area. Though the mine turned out to be fraudulent, Johnson and Scott became good friends and so the building was named after him.

The building was built as the vacation home for Johnson and his wife, and they visited several times. But sadly they died without heirs, so the villa was taken over by the National Park Service in 1970.

The castle is a beautiful example of Spanish architecture and is full of intricate details. The grounds are also worth exploring, with gardens, and ponds.

If you’re visiting Death Valley National Park, be sure to add Scotty’s Castle to your list of things to see. It’s amazing to see how someone would want to build such a lavish mansion in this arid landscape.

15. Darwin Falls Hike

The Darwin Falls hike in Death Valley National Park is a great hike for hikers of all levels. The hike is around 2 miles round trip and is relatively easy, making it a perfect hike for families or beginner hikers.

The trail follows a beautiful stream and shrubbery that leads to the spectacular Darwin Falls. As you hike, you have to cross many streams (yes, that’s right, in the desert there are streams) and pass through plenty of shade.

In the Spring, you’ll see wildflowers bloom along the trail, which is certainly the best time to visit.

The waterfall is a great place to take a break and enjoy the beauty of nature. You cannot swim in the falls as they are a source of drinking water in the area. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no services along the way.

16. Hike to Telescope Peak

For those serious hikers, Telescope Peak is a must-hike in Death Valey. It’s the highest point in the National Park and is even known to have snow at the top!

Telescope Peak is a strenuous hike but offers stunning views of the park’s salt flats, canyons, and mountains. At 11,043ft, this is one of the best places to visit in the park for sunrise since it offers views over most of the park (hence the name, Telescope Peak). You can see as far as Joshua Tree Forest on a clear day.

The peak can be reached by way of two trails: the shorter but more difficult Mosaic Canyon Trail or the longer but less steep Saline Valley Route. No matter which route you choose, make sure to allow plenty of time to reach the summit, as it can take several hours even for experienced hikers.

Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of this unique and beautiful park.

Important Things to Know Before You Go to Death Valley

Before you visit Death Valley, here are some important words of advice and things you need to know.

1. Fill up your gas tank before you get there. This is NOT one of the things to do in Death Valley as the gas prices are RIDICULOUSLY expensive. It’s verging on price gouging. At Furnace Creek, it was $6.20 per gallon of diesel fuel. Note that gas in California is way more expensive than anywhere else but really $6.20?? Apparently, the gas at Stovepipe Wells Village is cheaper but they don’t have diesel. We found cheaper diesel at Trona ($3.79 a gallon) when we made it there with 30 miles left in the tank and filled her up. We only put $30 in at the rip-off gas station just to get us out of the park!,
2. Death Valley NP gets very HOT. Be sure to drink plenty of water, carry salty snacks, and explore in the cooler morning and evening hours.
3. Plan your Death Valley itinerary carefully to avoid excess mileage – see point 1.
4. Many of the Death Valley National Park campgrounds close during the summer months!
5. Many of the roads to attractions will often be closed due to weather damage. Almost all roads off the main one were closed when we visited, which reduced our off-the-beaten-path adventures but also see point 1.
6. In the summer, you can head to the surrounding mountains for a cooler experience. Always check with the rangers to see what is opened and closed.
7. Death Valley is a Gold Rated International Dark Sky Park. It was a full moon when we visited so not ideal for star gazing. The best places for stargazing are said to be: Badwater Basin, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Harmony Borax Works. Just make sure to check whether it will be a clear night sky before visiting.
8. We didn’t see any rattlesnakes, but we met someone in Sedona who said they had never seen so many rattlesnakes as in Death Valley. Watch where you put your hands and feet.
9. Cell phone service is unreliable. We had limited Wi-Fi throughout the park with Verizon.
10. Entrance fees are $30 for 7 days per vehicle. If you plan to visit several national parks in the USA, an annual National Parks Pass is a MUST. It will cost you $80 for the year saving you hundreds of dollars with unlimited access to federal lands without having to pay individual park entrance fees.

Planning a Trip to Death Valley

Below you will find some helpful tips and advice for planning your trip to Death Valley, from how to get there, how to organize your trip, and finding places to stay.

Where is Death Valley National Park?

What state is Death Valley in? It is mostly in southwestern California, east of the Sierra Nevada, although a small portion extends into Nevada’s Bullfrog Hills.

How to Get to Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is easily accessible from Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

The main road transecting Death Valley National Park from east to west is California Highway 190.

• Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park: 123 miles (approx 2 hrs)
• Los Angeles to Death Valley: 215 miles (approx 3.45 hrs)
• San Diego to Death Valley National Park: 283 miles (approx 4.45 hrs)
• Yosemite to Death Valley National Park: 245 miles (approx 4 hrs)
• Sequoia National Park to Death Valley: 268 miles (approx 4.45 hrs)
• Bakersfield to Death Valley National Park: 174 miles (approx 3 hrs)

How Long Do You Need at Death Valley?

If you’re coming in for the day, then we recommend an early start and late finish and staying overnight. That way you’ll have ample time to do everything at the right times.

To see all the Death Valley attractions, I think we planned almost the perfect itinerary. So I’ll share that with you.

Your timing will change depending on the sunset time when you visit, and the direction from where you enter and leave the park from.

We arrived from Las Vegas via Hwy 95 in the afternoon and then exited towards Bakersfield via Hwy 190 the next day after lunch.

Death Valley Itinerary

Assuming you arrive mid-afternoon on the first day, these are the attractions we suggest you see for a full day at Death Valley.

Day 1:

• Badwater Basin
• Artists Drive
• Golden Canyon
• Sunset at Zabriskie’s point

Day 2:

• Sunrise at Zabriskie’s Point
• Dante’s View
• Sand Trail Interpretive Walk
• Mesquite Sand Dunes

Can You Visit Death Valley as a Day Trip from Las Vegas?

You could, but it would be a very long day and quite rushed. I’d recommend doing it like we did. Arrive in the afternoon, stay the night and leave the next day after lunch.

If you don’t have your own vehicle, RentalCars.com is the world’s biggest rental car booking service that compares all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Alamo, and Europcar.

For RV Rentals, check RVShare if you want to rent a unique campervan or RV and explore further afield.

You can easily combine Death Valley with other California national parks and incredible places to visit in California.

Where to Stay in Death Valley

We recommend staying in Furnace Creek, especially if you are short on time.

It’s closer to the main attractions in Death Valley as I’ve listed above. And it’s situated in a somewhat shady and pretty oasis area. You will get more relief from the heat here.

Stovepipe Wells Village will offer you a more secluded experience and is right near the sand dunes, however, it is pretty much out in the open heat of the desert. In winter it won’t matter too much.

Camping in Death Valley

From my research, you’ll typically be able to find Death Valley National Park camping spots available.

However, if you’re on a Southwest Road trip and require RV hookups you’ll want to reserve in advance as they are few and far between.

The National Park has a few campgrounds. Prices are $14-$16 and $36 for hookups. And all except Furnace Creek are first come first served.

Furnace Creek Campground – open year-round, but was closed when we visited for some reason. First come first served during summer (mid-April to mid-Oct) Reservations are strongly recommended over winter months. Has a few hookup sites.

• Sunset: Closed in summer. Back in sites.
• Texas Springs: Closed summer. First come, first served.
• There is one in Stovepipe Wells: Closed summer.
• Mesquite Spring: open year round.
• Emigrant: tent camping only. Open year-round
• Wildrose: open year round. 25gft limit
• Thorndike: Open March – Nov. 25 ft limit
• Mahogany Flat: open March- Nov. 25 ft length

Private Campgrounds

• Fiddler’s Campground ($24). Open year round. Fiddlers gives you access to the Oasis at Death Valley swimming pool and showers. You can also use their restaurant facilities. It’s adjacent to the Oasis and the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
• Stovepipe Wells RV Park – Open all year round. Hookups available ($34)
• Panamint Springs – Open all year. Hookups available ($35) $20 dry camping. It’s at higher elevation so will be cooler. We had friends stay here and recommended it.

There are boondocking spots outside of Death Valley plus a few other RV parks if you get stuck.

There is also a cool spot we found on Harvest Host just outside the park. You have to be a Harvest Host member to get access to that though (perfect for long-term RVers and boondockers).

Hotels in Death Valley

The Oasis at Death Valley is one resort with two distinct Death Valley National Park hotels.

The historic, serene, and peaceful Four Diamond Inn at Death Valley. And the family-friendly, adventure-focused Ranch at Death Valley

If I was to stay at hotels in Death Valley, it would be here. I loved its setting on the hill surrounded by desert palms and overlooking the salt flats and furnace creek.

Before You Go

So there you have it, those are the best things to do in Death Valley National Park, and as you can see, there’s a lot to explore here.

Before you go, be sure to take lots and lots of water and sun protection with you. As the hottest place on Earth, you’re going to need it!

Tours of Death Valley

If you can’t get yourself to Death Valley, consider doing a Death Valley tour from Las Vegas. Below are tour options:

Places to Visit near Death Valley

Looking for more places to visit in the USA near Death Valley? Start with these posts:

• Las Vegas on a budget
• 18 amazing things to do in Yosemite National Park
• Ultimate Guide to Zion National Park
• 8 awesome things to do in Joshua Tree National Park
• 14 Fun things to do in Las Vegas with kids

Tips on More National Parks in the USA

Are you planning to visit more national parks in the USA? Then you might find these guides useful!

• Yosemite: 18 amazing things to do in Yosemite National Park
• Grand Canyon: 8 tips for planning a trip to the Grand Canyon with kids (or without)
• Zion: 14 things to do in Zion National Park
• Yellowstone: 8 tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park
• Arches: 11 amazing things to do in Arches National Park
• Glacier: 15 unforgettable things to do in Glacier National Park
• Joshua Tree: 8 awesome things to do in Joshua Tree National Park
• Olympic: 16 incredible things to do in Olympic National Park

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You might be thinking the park is all about hiking and wildlife, but there are actually some really incredible things to do in Olympic National Park – whether you’re someone looking for an action-packed adventure or a place to find solace and silence.

You’ll be surrounded by the call of the rushing rivers, shimmering lakes, cascading waterfalls, rolling surf of the Pacific Ocean, and old-growth forests that whisper their secrets.

But if you’re not sure what attractions in Olympic National Park to add to your itinerary, don’t fret. As this guide will tell you everything you need to know!

Why Visit Olympic National Park?

Like all wilderness areas, Olympic National Park is a treasure you will take home in your heart – something you can draw upon in the years to come when the pace and noise of the urban setting get too overwhelming.

The solace and stillness of the wilderness can be found here.

Welcome to Olympic National Park, Washington, is a pristine region of ancient cedar spruce trees, glacial lakes, sub-alpine meadows, mountain ranges and verdant rainforests.

And Mount Olympus, at 7,980 feet, is the tallest and most prominent mountain on the Olympic Peninsula.

The Olympics were protected as a national park in 1938 and it is internationally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, evidence of its diversity and rich resources. It’s one of the best national parks in the United States.

There are several different areas and places to visit in Olympic National Park found in different areas within the park boundaries. You’ll find everything from mountains, coasts, temperate rainforests, and lakes.

How to Visit Olympic National Park

You’ll need a National Park Permit to visit the different areas. You can purchase an America The Beautiful annual pass online, or a day passes at a local ranger station.

We were fortunate to have a local, Rob Taylor from 2 Travel Dads spent a day with us sharing his hidden secrets for the Olympic Peninsula or (OP) as they call it.

Rob’s local tips are mentioned throughout this guide, and in our Olympic National Park video down below.

You will need a car to visit Olympic National Park. If you don’t have your own vehicle, be sure to check out RentalCars.com to compare the prices of hire vehicles. You can also step your trip up a notch and rent an RV for a full camping experience using RVShare.

There are no through roads in the park due to the Olympic Mountains so it presents the challenge of driving in and out of the different sections.

Careful planning and a map are needed to ensure you visit the regions you most want to see. Highway 101 encircles the park and several spur roads lead to mountains, forest, and coast.

Getting to and around Olympic National Park

If you are flying in from out of state, most people will start their visit in Seattle.

By Car

Seattle to Olympic National Park is approximately 3 hour’s drive.

You can drive to Olympic National Park via the I-5 corridor or by one of the quieter state roadways.

Once you get to the Olympic Peninsula, connect to Hwy 101 to reach the visitor center at Port Angeles or any destinations in and around the park.

• From Olympia Take I-5 to Hwy 101
• From Tacoma Take State Route 16 to Bremerton; take State Route 3 north from Bremerton to State Route 104; be aware that State Route 104 crosses the Hood Canal Bridge Which Closes periodically for boat traffic.
• From Washington/Oregon Coast connect to Hwy 101 in Aberdeen.

By Ferry

You can catch the ferry (vehicles allowed) from Seattle over to the Olympic Peninsula and drive in from there.

Washington State Ferries has a number of routes that access the Olympic Peninsula via Puget Sound.

There are several port destinations that will get you across the sound and onto the peninsula and on your way to Olympic National Park.

• Arriving Port Townsend access Hwy 101 from State Route 20.
• Arriving Kingston access Hwy 101 from State Route 104.
• Arriving Bainbridge Island access Hwy 101 from State Routes 305, 7, and 104. Be aware that State Route 104 crosses the Hood Canal Bridge which closes periodically for boat traffic

Things to Do in Olympic National Park

Now you know why and how to visit Olympic NP, it’s time to take a look at the top Olympic National Park attractions.

We recommend at least three days exploring all the unique and best things to do in Olympic National Park, one of the coolest places to visit in Washington State.

Here are some suggestions for things to add to your itinerary!

1. Hike the Hurricane Ridge

Time to strap on the pack and put on your hiking shoes for some seriously stunning Olympic National Park hikes!

Here is where you’ll find glacier-chiseled U-shaped valleys and sub-alpine meadows filled with singing marmots, friendly black-tailed deer, and vibrant wildflowers.

Hurricane Ridge is the most accessible Olympic mountain range in the park, located only 17 miles from Port Angeles, the largest town near Olympic NP.

There are multiple hiking trails you can take to enjoy those mountain views and Alp-like atmosphere.

2. Klahhane Ridge Trail

Rob recommended the Klahhane Ridge Trail as one of his favorite Olympic National Park things to do.

The full loop trail was going to be 5 miles round trip and steep for the last section of it, so we decided to walk as far as we could and then turn around.

I stupidly had done a tough barre workout class two days before, so my legs were a mess.

I can’t say for sure whether this was the reason I found this quite a difficult trail. Knowing my hiking skill level, this shouldn’t have made me feel as bad as it did.

The ranger at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center told us that it was an A+ leisurely walk through the Sound of Music scenery. He was spot on about the A+ Sound of Music scenery, but I’m not too sold on the leisurely walk thing.

But again, it could have just been my legs.

It wasn’t as flat as we were expecting, most of it was a gentle elevation gain, with a few more steep up-and-down sections.

The kids thought it was hard too but they were in more of a complaining mode than usual, which was also one of the decisions we decided to skip the last very steep switch-back climb up to Klahhane Ridge and turned around.

It was a hard walk out for me as my legs progressively got sorer and slower.

Usually, I am the one miles ahead of anyone else in the group, it was an unusual feeling to not be able to walk fast and fall behind no matter how hard I tried.

Would I still recommend the Klahhane Ridge Trail in Olympic National Park? Absolutely. Just don’t do any barre classes before it.

I mean, look at the views – simply stunning.

And we saw plenty of deer and heard the high-pitched whistle of an Olympic marmot at the end and then saw one sunning himself on the side of the road.

He was owning the joint!

The Olympic marmot can only be found on the Olympic Peninsula and are so cool I hope you see one.

3. Visit the Lakes in Olympic National Park

If you want to experience the serenity and calm water activities in the Olympic Park Washington, then escape to its striking alpine and sub-alpine lakes of all shapes, sizes, and colors.

From Lake Crescent to Lake Quinault, from Hoh Lake to Heart Lake, the Olympic Peninsula has no shortage of beautiful bodies of water.

There are over 650 lakes and wetlands in the park.

300 of them are high mountain lakes and only accessible only in summer and early fall for those with an adventurous spirit, a love for steep climbs, and primitive wilderness experiences.

Lake Crescent

A 624 ft. deep shimmering glacier-carved jewel, Lake Crescent is the second largest of the lakes in Olympic National Park.

It lies in the northern part of the park, 18 miles west of Port Angeles.

This 12-mile-long sapphire-colored lake sparkles, and it was here, at Lake Crescent Lodge (formerly Singer’s Tavern) that President Franklin Roosevelt decided to authorize the surrounding wilderness as a national park.

I can understand why!

Lake Crescent Lodge is seriously charming. If you do nothing else, be sure to grab a local drink and head out to sit on one of the Adirondack-style beach chairs to enjoy the view.

It’s a fantastic way to end your time visiting Olympic National Park.

There are several hiking trails in the surrounding mountains, including the Mount Storm King hike which gives you incredible views of the lake, as well as lowland forest (see Marymere Falls in the Forest section below).

Not up for a hike?

You can hire boats and kayaks from Lake Crescent Lodge to enjoy water activities – serene swimming can be one of those!

There are plenty of picnic spots in the region as well.

Lake Quinault

On the southwest edge of the park lies the deep blue glacial waters of Lake Quinault.

You can come here for lakeside summer fun including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and miles of trails through lush rainforest groves and 6 champion conifer trees!

These trees are recognized by the National Forestry Association as the largest living specimens of their species.

It’s a great base to explore the rainforest and coastal regions of the Olympic National Park and offers a relaxing family vacation.

Lake Quinault Lodge is a stunning historic lodge on the lakefront. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a chardonnay with a view while the kids play on the expansive grass out front.

We camped down the road but popped in here after our hike through the rainforest.

One other worthy stop while at Lake Quinault is the Salmon House Restaurant. As the name suggests, you’ll find plenty of local salmon choices.

It was perfectly cooked melt-in-your-mouth salmon. I went for the house special – Dill Salmon.

Lake Quinault’s north shore is in Olympic National Park while the south shore is managed by the forest service.

If you have an Annual pass you’ll be covered for fees to the South Shore area. Your fee for the National Park does not extend to this region.

4. Explore the Lowland Old Growth Forests

You will not be crazy for thinking that the following trails are rainforest trails. They are in fact lowland forests.

It took me some research to figure out what the difference was because I felt for sure I was walking through a temperate rainforest on the Marymere Falls, and especially the Soleduck Falls trail.

It’s indicative of the rain that falls in this region, as these trails were still incredibly moist and filled with cedar and Sitka trees.

However, the biggest distinction between old-growth lowland forests and temperate rainforests is lower rainfall. As the Sul Doc Valley is further away from the coast this makes sense.

The lowland old-growth forests have Douglas fir and western hemlock forests with trees that exceed 200 years old, and have a multi-layered canopy with abundant downed wood and standing dead trees.

Marymere Falls Trail

Enter a world of giant evergreens in a moss-laden forest.

This scenic 1.8-mile loop walk is one of the best hikes in Olympic National Park and will take you across two creeks and to two viewpoints of the beautiful 90 ft. high Marymere Falls.

The lower viewpoint will give you a closer experience to the falls directly opposite it.

This trail is one of the best things to do in Olympic National park with kids because of the waterfall, the creek to play in and the gorgeous tree at the beginning of the trail for playing on.

On the way back take the path that follows Barnes Creek downstream to the Lake Crescent Lodge.

This route passes through more old-growth forests and links into the family-friendly 0.5-mile Moments in Time Trail, which begins near the Storm King Ranger Station.

We took the path from here to the lodge after finishing Marymere, not realizing we could have taken a shortcut.

The Moments in Time Trail follows the shores of Lake Crescent through the ethereal woods and offers panels with more information on the region.

Sol Duc Falls Trail

Sol Duc Falls is one of the most beautiful hikes and Olympic National Park waterfalls in the park!

The 1.6 mile return hike takes you along the Soleduck River and through a lush old-growth forest. It’s a mostly level trail with boardwalks making it a great trail for people of all ages and abilities.

The Sol Duc Falls is beautiful.

They are not the tallest or most powerful waterfalls, but the way they plummet 40 ft. into a narrow gorge via three separate parallel streams with dense green forest surrounding it is mesmerizing.

The separate streams regather in the canyon covered with moss and ferns and then roll on back downstream the rover under a rustic log bridge and through the forest.

Sol Doc Falls live up to their name, which is a Quillayute name that roughly translates into ‘sparkling waters.’

You can enjoy a front-row view of the mighty Soleduck Falls from multiple viewpoints above, below, and on level!

We took the short hike option this time, but the next time we visit Olympic National Park I want to take the 6-mile return from the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort along Lovers Lane.

Land of the Ancients

This is a great short trail along a boardwalk for some of the ways through a land of mosses, ferns, liverworts, and decaying matter.

The understory is abundant with huckleberries, elderberries, and a soft green carpet.

It’s magical and a hidden secret of the Olympic NP, shared with us by Rob!

It’s on the right-hand side as you drive to the Sol Duc Rainforest so keep an eye out for it on the right-hand side of the road. It’s just over nine miles from Highway 101.

5. Visit the Temperate Rainforests

Run to the Olympic rainforest with its massive trees, lush vegetation, and Roosevelt elk.

Temperate rainforests grow along the coast, and in ocean-facing valleys so the west side of the park is where you’ll find one of the best places in the world to see a temperate rainforest.

Due to its 12-14 feet of rain per year and temperatures that stay between freezing and 80 the perfect mossy, lush ecosystem can grow here.

Several trees in Olympic National Park hold records for their size.

Hoh and Quinault are the most well-known Olympic forests. Bogachiel and Queets are two more.

Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest offers a different experience with trails taking you through the Virginia temperate rainforest.

It’s misty and ethereal and could be the setting of a hobbit tale.

Hoh Rainforest is a wonderland to explore with giant moss and ferns carpeting the floor and western hemlock, Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce trees, and moss-draped big leaf maples creating a canopy above.

It’s magical and timeless.

Roosevelt elk can often be seen lingering on riverbanks of the Hoh river trail at dawn and dusk. We did not see them but another deer beside us on the trail poking its head out of the bushes and scaring us.

Another popular trail in the rainforest is the Hall of Mosses trail, which is a lush, moss-covered trail that loops for 800 meters around the Hoh rainforest.

One thing I loved discovering in the Hoh Rainforest was the nurse logs, a characteristic of temperate rainforest. They are trees that have fallen down that now have a row of trees growing up on them in a row.

It was incredible.

There are two of the easiest Olympic National Park hikes located in the Hoh Rainforest:

• the 1 mile Hall of Mosses
• and the 1.2 miles of Spruce Nature Trail

The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the finest remaining examples of temperate rainforests in the United States and is one of the park’s most popular things to do in Olympic National Park so be prepared for crowds and time your visit right.

Stop in at the Hoh rain forest Visitor Center for more tips.

Quinault Rain forest

Further south of the Hoh Rainforest, on the shores of Lake Quinault, is the Quinault Rainforest.

Quinault Rain Forest is home to the world’s largest Sitka spruce tree which is more than 1,000 years old. It’s 191-feet-high with a 96-foot spread. The Big Spruce Trailhead is where you’ll find that.

The Quinault Big Cedar trail is 0.2 miles long with 80 feet gain in elevation.

Or stop at the Graves Creek trailhead and take the flat 1-mile Cascading Terraces loop through the forest along East Fork Quinault River at Graves Creek.

You’ll also find a few small waterfalls on some of the trails.

There are plenty of trails to choose from on the south side.

We jumped on a trail that started just behind our campsite at Rain Forest Resort Village and it looped around to bring us out near the Lake Lodge.

On that walk, we saw a couple of small waterfalls, but the kids were disappointed we took them on a hike to see such small waterfalls- kids who travel too much.

Falls Creek Loop is for those who like rushing streams and waterfalls. Trail of the Giants will show you plenty of giant Douglas fir trees.

6. Check out the Wilderness Coast

If you get tired of the shimmering lakes and old-growth forests, you can get a little wilder out on the Olympic National Park coastline.

I didn’t even know this area was part of the national park until we arrived and I saw the sign. I was even more impressed with the diversity the Olympic Peninsula offers.

From tide pools filled with colorful and intriguing creatures to arches and sea stacks or oodles of driftwood to play with on the beach, you’ll be entertained and in awe on the Olympic Peninsula coastline.

Olympic National Park protects over 73 miles of some of the most primitive natural coastline in the 48 contiguous United States.

Most of it can only be accessed on foot so prepare for some fun adventures on the Pacific Coastline.

7. Check out The Olympic Beaches

But whilst beautiful, the wilderness coast can be treacherous.

I wouldn’t go swimming here. The water is cold and the surf treacherous. And when you see all those logs piled on the beaches, you can see just how powerful the ocean is here.

Many of these logs may remain underwater which adds to the dangers. You can also get stuck with tidal movements so be aware of these before playing on the beach.

Below are the three regions we visited that can be accessed by vehicle to take in some of the best beaches in Olympic National Park.

We explored this region while staying at the nearby Hoh Rainforest.

Kalaloch Beach

Kalaloch Beach is at the southern end of the Olympic Wilderness Coast and offers an expansive sandy beach and the popular Tree of Life.

I was a bit worried this Tree of Life may be a little let-down and not worth the 15-minute walk along the sandy beach.

The tree of life is a Sitka spruce tree that clings to the coastal bluff by winding thick roots, spanning the roof of a small cave.

Although erosion has taken away the life supply of the tree, it continues to thrive (even through wild storms) and provide an incredible site for people passing by.

Go for the walk, it is worth it.

Someone had created a giant maze on the sand which we all enjoyed walking our way through.

We had lunch at the Kalaloch Lodge which has wonderful views over the coastline.

This is meant to be one of the best beaches on the Washington Coast for storm watching. I could really see that with the intensity of those waves rolling in.

Ruby Beach

Out of the three beaches we explored on the Washington Coast, Ruby Beach was our favorite Olympic National park beach.

With stunning sea stacks, incredible coastal views, tide pools, eagles, otters and more, Ruby Beach is worth a visit.

If you can time it right, Ruby Beach has tide pools to explore as does Beach 4.

Pause for a moment on the way down to Ruby Beach as the views from the staircase are beautiful.

The entry over a pile of driftwood is a fun way to arrive and for the kids to build their fortresses. You can stay right there and play, or walk a little further north past the sea stacks for a quieter area to play.

We found seesaws and swings made from driftwood here. It was truly a kid’s paradise and it was hard to pull them away.

It is meant to have a spectacular sunset, so add this to your list of things to do in Olympic National Park.

Rialto Beach

We were greeted with what I felt was a typical Washington coastal scene: a fog bank rolling in and shrouding the surrounding sea stacks.

A classic beach hike in Olympic Park, the 1.5-mile trek down Rialto Beach to Hole in the Wall.

Although it’s flat, I wouldn’t say it’s an easy walk as you’ll be walking on soft sand and large pebbles. With its sea stacks and rugged scenery, it’s beautiful and interesting.

Hole-in-the-wall is a sea-carved arch that provides a window to the rugged Washington sea stack-filled coastal scenery.

To get the perspective of the sea stack directly in the middle of the “hole”, cross through the hole (during low tide, of course) and walk about 100 yards away to find the right perspective for you.

Be sure that you are aware of the tide times as you will not be able ta access the hole in the wall when the tide is in.

Raito Beach is the jumping-off point for wilderness hikes going north.

You will pass through Forks as you drive into Rialto Beach.

In case you haven’t heard, Forks is the setting for the Twilight series and so a popular place for vampire lovers.

Watch our Video of the Olympic National Park

Where to Stay in Olympic National Park

Now you know what to do in Olympic National Park, it’s time to start planning where to stay in Olympic NP. Here are some suggestions for some great accommodation.

Lake Crescent Lodge

This historic lodge on the shores of Lake Crescent was built in 1915 and is one of the best places to stay in Olympic National Park for exploring the northern section of the park.

Its setting among the giant fir and hemlock trees is beautiful and the area exudes timeless elegance.

The lobby with its stone fireplace and sun porch is warm and inviting. There’s a wide range of rooms. My pick would be one of the National Register of Historic Places-listed fireplace cabins.

Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge would be an ideal base to explore the rainforest and coastal areas of the Olympic National Park.

It would offer respite and serenity after a day of hiking and exploring.

They offer accommodation within the lodge as well as several cabins and buildings on the main ground that range in amenities from fireplaces to lakeside views.

There’s also a restaurant, indoor heated pool and sauna, and recreation room.

The Lake Quinault Lodge is open year-round and offers guided boat tours, boat, and paddle boat rentals, and guided driving tours of the Quinault Rainforest.

Hotels near Olympic National Park

We always start any hotel search with Booking.com.

We like using them because you can book a variety of accommodation types on one website – hotels, apartments, hostels, even holiday homes – and their website is easy to use!

The best thing about booking via Booking.com is the free cancellation on most rooms and a best-price guarantee.

You can book knowing you are getting a low rate, and have the freedom to cancel if your plans change.

Camping in Olympic National Park

There are various campsites throughout Olympic National Park.

Kalaloch and Sol Duc are the only campgrounds that accept reservations in the summer. All other campgrounds are first-come, first-served.

Most campgrounds have RV spaces limited to 21 feet or shorter. Some campgrounds have lengths up to 35 feet. We just squeezed in at the Heart O’ the Hills campground.

Where we camped (with our 37 ft travel trailer):

• Hard Rain Cafe, Hoh Rainforest: This small café is just outside the entrance to Hoh Rainforest and has a small RV park attached. Water and electric included. They also have cheap burgers and breakfast options.
• Rainforest Resort Village, Lake Quinault: A pretty campsite on the shores of Lake Quinault, close to trails and Lake Quinault lodge. Easy walk to Salmon House Restaurant.
• Heart O’ the Hills Campground: This was a beautiful campground Surrounded by old growth forest in the northern section of the park as you enter the Hurricane Ridge area. It was only 10 minutes from downtown Port Angeles.

Learn more about the best campgrounds in Olympic National Park here.

You can also search for campgrounds using these free apps:

• Campendium – has thousands of places to camp, from swanky RV parks to free remote destinations. created by campers for campers.
• iOverlander – a database of places for overlanders and travelers. It includes camping, hotels, restaurants, mechanics, water, propane filling, and many other features.

Before You Go

So there you have it, those are the top things to do in Olympic National Park and how to plan your visit. As you can see, there is so much to see and explore, it’s going to be a true highlight of your trip.

Before you go, don’t forget to take out travel insurance. Not having travel insurance on any trip is not worth the risk. Anything can, will, and sometimes goes wrong.

What happens if:

• You need to cancel your trip unexpectedly
• You get sick or injured on your trip
• There is a natural disaster
• You lose important documents

Travel insurance is designed to cover unexpected medical emergencies and events such as trip cancellation, your personal effects, and other related losses incurred while traveling.

We at yTravel Blog are ambassadors of Allianz travel, who want you to travel happy!

More Washington State Travel Tips

Are you planning on visiting other parts of Washington? Then perhaps you might like these additional resources:

• North Cascades National Park – 12 best things to do!
• Cool kids guide for things to do in Seattle

Tips on More National Parks in the USA

Are you planning to visit other national parks in the states? Check out our helpful guides below.

• Glacier: 15 unforgettable things to do in Glacier National Park
• Yosemite: 18 amazing things to do in Yosemite National Park
• Grand Canyon: 8 tips for planning a trip to the Grand Canyon
• Zion: 14 things to do in Zion National Park
• Yellowstone: 23 best things to do in Yellowstone NP
• Arches: 11 amazing things to do in Arches National Park
• Joshua Tree: 8 awesome things to do in Joshua Tree National Park
• Death Valley: 9 incredible things to do in Death Valley National Park

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This gorge-ous canyon is awe-inspiring all year round, including when it’s sprinkled in white powdery snow in the winter.

This is something we discovered for ourselves on our RV road trip across the USA, and the snowy landscape really made for a unique and extraordinary experience.

However, winter at the Grand Canyon National Park is not as simple to visit as simply rocking up. There are a lot of things you need to consider, such as dangerous roads and slippery hiking trails. There are also some special sites and hidden gems that really come into their own in winter.

To make sure you get the most out of your Grand Canyon winter trip, this guide will tell you everything you need to know.

Is the Grand Canyon Worth Visiting in Winter?

There are some pros and cons to visiting the Grand Canyon in the winter, especially with kids, which we’ll outline below.

Overall, I think it’s fantastic to visit at any time of the year, including winter. It’s one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and possibly the most famous National Park in the world.

It’s 277 miles long, one mile deep, and 18 miles wide and shaped by the master chisel, the Colorado River. I could just stare at it all day long and never be bored or blasé about it.

It really is a sight to behold and Grand Canyon snow can add a little more drama to your eyes and adventures.

And the beauty of it is the majority of the park is inaccessible by humans and so it maintains its pristine state. Victory for Mother Earth!

Pros and Cons of Visiting the Grand Canyon in Winter

If you’re not sure whether you want to visit the Grand Canyon in winter, then here are some pros and cons to help you decide if it’s right for you. First, let’s start with the pros…

Pro: Less People

There were quite a few times when we were the only people gazing at the wonders of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It felt like we had the entire Desert View Drive to ourselves.

We only saw a handful of people and most of them were at the end at the popular Desert View Watchtower.

I can’t imagine how busy the popular viewpoints like Mathers Point and Hopi Point at sunset would get during peak season as it felt too busy when we were there with hundreds fewer people visiting the Grand Canyon.

Remember this is a National Park that gets 5+ million visitors a year.

When do you think most of them are visiting?

This also means restaurants within the park won’t be busy and you can pretty much walk straight into a table.

And traffic won’t be an issue, nor will you need to worry about lining up for the free shuttle buses etc.

Pro: Easier to Find Accommodation (and Cheaper)

The accommodation within Grand Canyon National Park can be booked out for the warmer seasons 12 months in advance.

Craig’s sister booked her stay at Kachina Lodge almost a year before visiting the Grand Canyon in September with Craig and the girls.

He was a late booker and had to stay in the nearby town of Tusayan at the Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel, 15 minutes outside the park.

In January, we were hosted at the Yavapai Lodge for three nights and there was plenty of availability. I enjoyed staying right near the rim of the Grand Canyon. More on that below.

Low season means you may be in a better position to snag some accommodation deals.

Pros: Hermits Rest Scenic Drive is Open

During the months of November to March, the Hermits Rest Scenic Drive is open to the public.

This is fantastic as the only other way you can visit all the scenic Grand Canyon viewpoints and walks along the west side of the South Rim is to catch the shuttle, walk, or ride your bike.

Hermit’s Rest Drive is 7 miles one way.

I loved being able to take my time in my own vehicle on my own schedule at each of the stop-offs to appreciate the Grand Canyon.

Pro: Pretty and Unique Perspective

Pink, red, and orange rugged cliffs covered in a dusting of snow – could a natural wonder get more beautiful?

I loved seeing the unique perspective of the Grand Canyon covered in snow.

On the day we left a three-day snow storm had started. Sadly we didn’t get to see more of the canyon covered in snow during the snowstorm as visibility was poor, but there was enough during our previous three days there to appreciate and make the trip worthwhile.

What kid doesn’t love playing in the snow?

The girls had a blast throwing snowballs at each other along the Rim Trail and Savannah was thrilled to throw snowballs into the canyon.

And in the Grand Canyon during winter you can still see wildlife. You may see mule deer, elk, ravens, rock squirrels, and other creatures foraging among the ponderosa pine forests and soaring overhead on the rim.

We also loved seeing herds of mule deer grazing and chilling in the snow. They seemed to love the snowstorm as they were out everywhere when the storm came down.

We didn’t see them nearly as much when it wasn’t snowing.

Visiting in the winter was a memorable experience, and I don’t regret it.

Pros: Late Sunrises and Early Sunsets

The late risers will especially love this aspect of visiting the Grand Canyon in winter. I’m an early riser so not bothered by the earlier summer sunrises, but I know my girls were last year!

As I am an early morning person, I loved that the Grand Canyon sunset time was earlier during the winter.

I hate waiting around for a late sunset. I’m just too tired and I’m ready to relax and wind down by 7pm dinner. For these reasons, I’m one of those people that hates daylight savings!

Give me the extra light in the morning any time.

Con: It’s Cold

Okay, let’s state the obvious. It’s freezing during winter in the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon South Rim has an elevation of around 6,800 feet (2,072 meters) so be prepared for the winter chill. If you head down into the canyon it is actually going to get warmer!

If you’re dressed warmly enough, the cold won’t be too much of a bother.

Besides, it’s a great excuse for a hot chocolate or hot toddy by the fire. Because of the frequent snowstorms, it may interrupt your views or take away the opportunity for glorious sunsets and sunrise.

Given that most people visit during the extreme heat of the summer and many get into trouble hiking in the heat, perhaps, if you’re well prepared, hiking into the Grand Canyon is a great idea in the winter months.

But be sure to see my next point though!

Cons: All hikes into the canyon will be covered in snow and ice

The only real challenge for me visiting the Grand Canyon in January was that all of the hikes going into the canyon were covered in snow and ice.

The beginning of these trails doesn’t receive much sunlight due to the lower sun. So the snow won’t melt and it just refreezes overnight.

No one is going to be out plowing the trails either.

The problem is the beginning part of these treks (and what will be the end when you’re coming back out) is the steepest part with sheer drop-offs so it can be a potentially dangerous challenge.

If doing several winter hikes deep into the canyon is high on your bucket list, winter may not be the best time for you to visit. The snow is expected to stay in the park from November until April, so May until October is the best hiking season.

UNLESS you get yourself a good pair of hiking poles and shoe chains to go over your shoes to give you the traction you need on the ice and snow.

We saw LOADS of people on the Bright Angel Trail, still hiking to Plateau Point and some even going all the way to the river to stay at Phantom Ranch.

We even saw one local guide walking back out in flip-flops and board shorts!! That was quite the eye-opener.

If you intend to do this I highly recommend purchasing your shoe chains and hiking poles before arriving at the Grand Canyon.

We were not prepared and attempted to buy some, but they were all out of our sizes and didn’t have children’s sizes.

See below for the small part of the Bright Angel Trail we did do in the snow.

Con: North Rim is Closed

Craig and I visited the North Rim in 2006. I may have loved it more than the South Rim. There’s way less people and it felt more rugged and raw.

Sadly, most people don’t even visit the North Rim! Sadly, most people only spend on average 17 minutes looking at the Grand Canyon. NOOOOO!

There’s so much more to do.

The North Rim is much higher in elevation so the snowfall is heavier and the roads harder to maintain. So as mentioned, the North Rim is only open from mid-May through mid-October.

Con: The weather may block sunrise and sunset

In contrast to our sunrise and sunset advantage to visiting the Grand Canyon in the winter, as you get more frequent rain and snow storms during the winter months, it may get in the way of your sunrise and sunset worshipping.

We did not experience a sunrise because of it.

The skies were overcast every morning. We did get to experience one sunset at Hopi Point which was spectacular.

Things to Do in the Grand Canyon During Winter

Now you may be wondering what there is to actually do in the winter in the Grand Canyon National Park. We mentioned earlier the dangers of the hiking trails in winter, but don’t worry, there are still plenty of things to do.

Here are some of the best winter attractions in Grand Canyon National Park.

1. Hike the Rim Trail: Visitor Center to the Village

The 2.5 mile section of the Grand Canyon Rim Trail between the Visitor Center and the Village is worth doing, especially if you visit the Grand Canyon with kids.

It’s mostly flat the entire way, follows the rim of the canyon, and gives you exquisite views. In the winter, it’s a chance to throw snowballs at each other as well.

Take your time to stroll, enjoy the views and learn along the way with the interpretative trails, museums, and ranger talks.

If you don’t want to go too far, Yavapai Point is an easy walk west of Mather Point and has some of the best Grand Canyon views.

2. Watch the Visitor Center’s 22-Minute Film

When you want to escape the cold, pop into the Grand Canyon Visitor Center at Mather Point to see the 22 minute park film, Grand Canyon – a Journey of Wonder.

It’s a great introduction to the canyon, especially for kids.

I loved the 8-minute Science on a Sphere production which projects the changing Earth through time on a large globe. It really helps you to see how the canyon was formed. My girls were fascinated.

We found the coffee at the Coffee Shop & Grab n’ Go Restaurant to be pretty good.

Get educated with the Junior Ranger Program and more.

My girls were excited to do the Junior Ranger program again! They now have two badges from the Grand Canyon.

While there, I also purchased another Grand Canyon activity book and two novels centered on the Canyon. I think it’s super important to make education relevant for kids.

How much more relevant can you get?

They LOVED these activity books and the Junior ranger one. They took them with us everywhere and sat quietly every time we ate out to work on them together.

They learned so much and it was the best decision I made.

I loved how connected they feel to Mother Nature and the role they are taking on to protect and care for her.

They were so well-behaved and joyful during our time at the Grand Canyon. I just know this is the natural effect of being around such extraordinary beauty.

It commands your attention, respect, and awe.

Be sure to spend time on the Rim Trail. The girls loved watching the years count up and move from one year old to a billion.

It’s a great way to get some sort of perspective on just how old the Grand Canyon is but still I don’t think our minds can ever comprehend something so old that has been created so slowly.

For the girls (even myself) to have the opportunity to sit and gaze at the canyon and visualize how the Colorado River has shaped the land is incredible.

It’s something I’ve never forgotten since my first trip 12 years ago, and I don’t think the girls ever will.

3. Walk the Bright Angel Trail

As mentioned above, this trail was covered in snow and ice. We strapped on our Merrell hiking boots though to experience a bit of it.

We started by going just 10 steps for a look and a photo, sticking close to the canyon wall. Then we walked 10 more steps, then 10 more feelings confident with each steady move forward with the canyon wall at our side.

But we knew if we slid and fell it would be just against the wall. We felt safe in our decision and remained upright for the entire walk.

We ended up getting down onto Heartbreak Hill at about the same place where the girls made in the Fall last year. We could have possibly gone further but we didn’t want to risk it too much.

The Bright Angel Trail is the most popular trail into the Grand Canyon. You can go down as far as you like, noting that it will take you longer to come back out as it can get fairly steep.

Many people make the mile trek to Plateau Point where you can look out over the Colorado River. You feel so close to it down there.

Craig and I hiked there in 2006 during our 4 day Grand Canyon vacation in the brutal heat of summer –  it was tough, even with a 4am start.

Experiencing the snow and icy Bright Angel Trail with my girls was an adventure I’ll always remember of our visit to the Grand Canyon in the winter.

It will possibly be the highlight of our entire one year America Unplugged road trip. The girls blew me away with their confidence, responsibility, and fearlessness to keep taking a step forward and stretch their comfort zone a little.

We will also never forget the local Arizona guide who was walking back out of the canyon with a couple wearing board shorts and flip-flops!!

I guess he’s done this before.

They had come from Phantom Ranch which is an overnight point on the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon. One for the bucket list.

Made me feel a little silly for clutching the canyon wall with trepidation wearing my super grippy, warm and comfortable Merrill hiking shoes.

4. Hermits Rest Scenic Drive

The 14-mile round trip Hermit Road takes you to Hopi, Maricopa and Pima view points.

Once you get out to Hopi Point, the Colorado River comes into view, and on a quiet day at Pima Point, you can hear the roar of the Colorado River as it crashes through Granite Rapid.

Hermits Rest Scenic Drive Viewpoints

• Trail View Overlook – I LOVED getting a close-up look at the Bright Angel Trail here. It gives you a fabulous insight into just how steep and narrow this canyon vein switchbacks down the cliff face onto the plateau. You can also see the lush Indian Gardens from here – yet another side of the Grand Canyon to appreciate. You also get views of the Grand Canyon Village perched on the canyon rim.

• Powell Point had spectacular wide vistas and you feel really close to the canyon floor. The Powell Memorial at this viewpoint commemorates the 1869 and 1871-72 exploratory trips down the Colorado River by Major John Wesley Powell and expedition crews
• Mohave Point – More great views and you can see the Colorado River from here
• Pima Point – is one of the best places on the rim to see and sometimes hear the river.
• The Abyss – Those afraid of heights may want to slip into the Abyss where you get a great look at the almost vertical view into the canyon.
• Hermits Rest – the end of the trail. Mary Colter, one of Grand Canyon’s most famous architects, built Hermits Rest in 1914 to look like an old miner’s cabin, complete with a giant fireplace and front porch It was blowing a wintery gale when we arrived here so didn’t stay too long for the views. There is a gift shop and small snack bar here and near the start of the Hermit Trail.

5. Hopi Point Sunset

Don’t miss the sunset at Hopi Point. It does get busy (and will be cold) but if you grab a spot in the parking lot you can jump in and out of the car to warm up.

The girls sat in the car while we roamed around and admired the views. The girls had good views out the window and The Beast was happy!

Don’t forget to turn around so you can see the canyon light up in pretty pastel pinks once the sun goes down.

Sunrise is also meant to be popular here.

 

 

 

 

 

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Happy 100th Birthday to the Grand Canyon as a National Park!⁣ ⁣ I hope you all get the opportunity to visit and appreciate its magnificence at least once in your life.⁣ ⁣ I’ve been twice and would visit again and again. ⁣ ⁣ My dream is to raft the Colorado River and hike rim to rim. ⁣ ⁣ What’s your dream or favorite experience?⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #grandcanyonnationalpark #visitarizona #arizonahiking #findyourpark #arizona #grandcanyon #southrim #nationalparks #grandcanyonsnow #grandcanyonnps #grandcanyonsoutrim #grandcanyontrip #grandcanyonsusnet #thegrandcanyon ⁣ #sunsetsofinstagram #sunsetting #sunsetchaser #chasingsunsets #sunsetsaremyfavorite #sunsetshot #tonightsunset #sunsetskies #addictedtosunsets #sunset_hub #sunset_captures #viewmysunset⁣ ⁣ #sunsets_oftheworld #sunset_vision #instasunsets #ilovesunsets ⁣

A post shared by Caroline Makepeace (@carolinemakepeace) on Feb 26, 2019 at 3:05am PST

6. Desert View Drive

This 50-mile round trip scenic drive to Desert View and the East Entrance offers some of the best views in the Grand Canyon National Park.

Sadly, most visitors don’t do this drive and miss one of the greatest experiences of the Grand Canyon South Rim.

Desert View Drive Views not to miss:

• Yaki Point – We did not make it out here as you can’t drive down here. It can only be reached on the free shuttle or on bikes or walking.
• Duck on a Rock – See if you can work out what the unmarked rock formation is located just east of Yaki Point.

• Grandview Trail – offers panoramic views of the Grand Canyon from east to west, including several bends of the Colorado River to the east. It’s also where the steep Grandview Trail begins. Only for those who know what they are doing at any time of the year.
• Moran Point – for those who want a good look at the three main rock groups that make up the canyon. Brilliant colors here!
• Lipan Point – is the place for sunset on Desert View Drive. It also offers great views of the rapids on the Colorado River
• Navajo Point – will give you a good view of the desert View Watchtower which is your final viewpoint on Desert View Drive. Don’t miss it. Navajo Point is the highest overlook on the South Rim (unless you go to the top of the watchtower)

7. Desert View Watch Tower

I loved getting a great view of the Colorado River snaking through the valley, watched over by the jagged cliffs of the rim.

It was dramatic and bright and colorful, made all the better with a rainbow bursting out of the clouds and over the river.

This is the place where the Vermillion Cliffs, San Francisco Peaks, Painted Desert, and Colorado River come into view.

Be sure to climb the watchtower which is the highest point on the South  Rim. I loved the design of this building which resembles an ancient Puebloan Ian watchtower.

It was designed by Mary Elizabeth Coulter who designed many of the buildings within the park.

8. Tusayan Museum and Ruin

Bring a little culture and history into your Grand Canyon vacation at the Tusayan Museum and Ruins

You can walk the trail around an ancestral Puebloan village to learn more about the canyons’ cultural history. There is a museum showcasing different relicts.

Don’t miss the 4,000-year-old twig animal figures.

9. Walk The Grand Canyon Skywalk

The Grand Canyon’s Skywalk which is located at Grand Canyon West is still open during the winter (weather permitting).

This clear glass walkway is set 4,000 feet above the canyon and is not for the faint-hearted. As you walk across the skywalk, you have a birds-eye view of the ground (or lack thereof) and the river below.

If you’re worried about walking on the glass Skywalk, don’t worry, apparently it’s able to hold the weight of seventy full 747 airplanes… though I don’t know how they came up with this figure.

10. Catch the Polar Express

If you’re visiting the Grand Canyon in winter with kids, you simply must take them on a ride of the Polar Express.

This unique and seasonal activity takes place in December and travels from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Just like in the movies, Children can wear their pajamas, drink hot chocolate and meet Santa! There’s also a bonus of cookies waiting at the end destination.

Video: Grand Canyon in the Winter

Tips for Visiting Grand Canyon in Winter

• You can be pretty flexible when planning a trip to the Grand Canyon in winter. If you can be spontaneous keep an eye on the Grand Canyon weather and visit when there won’t be any inclement weather or winter storms!
• The ranger told us most road accidents happen on scenic drives as a result of inexperienced drivers with the snow and in rental cars. If you don’t think you can handle a car in the snow, don’t drive. Wait until the snow passes.
• Do a crash course in road safety if you’re not confident – even a quick google search for a few tips. Get your rental car here.

• Be sure to have travel insurance. With all travel, a lot can go wrong. We hope it doesn’t, and we don’t think it will if you’re sensible. But some things can be out of your hands, like travel delays or cancellations, or lost luggage. So you do want to protect your investment in your dream vacation. Some travel insurance policies will cover rental car excess as well which can sometimes cover the daily cost of car rental. As ambassadors for Allianz Travel Insurance, we recommend them as an excellent choice for travel insurance.
• Your life is worth more than the photo. We also saw far too many people getting really close to the edge for those coveted Instagram-worthy photos. Risky on a normal day, even more so when snow and ice are around. Not sure if travel insurance will help if you actually tumble to your death.
• Be sure to check with the visitor center for the conditions of hiking trails and roads.

What to Pack for the Grand Canyon in Winter

You’ve learned by now that it’s really cold in the Grand Canyon from December to February. As it is 7000+ feet above sea level, it’s so much colder than lower-elevation spots in northern Arizona.

So be sure to pack:

• Warm layers
  • base layer (thermals) worn directly on skin that is breathable and moisture-wicking
  • a middle layer that insulates and heats
  • outer layer (jacket/coat) that protects against the wind and rain
• Winter hat, gloves, scarf (thermal is better)
• If hiking, poles and snow chains (crampons), and good hiking boots (waterproof)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen – if the sun is out, you could burn with the higher elevations (even though it’s cold)
• Day pack
• Spare pare of socks (thank me later)
• Waterproof pants (trousers for the Brits)
• Water bottle – stay hydrated!

Where to Stay in the Grand Canyon in Winter

Because it’s not common to visit the Grand Canyon in winter, not all accommodation options are open. Here are some places you can stay at that are open in the winter.

Yavapai Lodge

We jumped out of our RV for three nights to experience Yavapai Lodge. We wanted to see if it was a good option for you when you visit the Grand Canyon! Guess what? It is.

Yavapai Lodge is a basic hotel room but the rooms were clean and comfortable – you won’t be in them much – and the service was excellent.

We enjoyed the Yavapai Tavern in the main lobby area and ate there for two nights, and watched the Super Bowl. You can sit by the fire and use their lobby Wi-Fi.

Yavapai Lodge is centrally located between the Village and the Visitor Center. You can do the short drive (or even bike) to either but there is a shuttle stop here too.

It’s also right next to the biggest general store in the park.

Kachina Lodge

Craig’s parents and sister have stayed at Kachina Lodge and were happy with it.

They choose Kachina Lodge due to its prime location on the Rim Trail, and relatively affordable price compared to others nearby.

They had a canyon view from their room. Whilst the building is nothing special from the outside, and their room wasn’t big or flashy, it was comfortable – it’s all about location here!

Bright Angel Lodge

The iconic Bright Angel Lodge has the natural rustic character you’d expect from a Registered National Historic Landmark, and is located in the heart of Grand Canyon Village.

It has gone through many transformations over the years – it was originally a hotel, then a camp, and finally a lodge!

Inside is the family-friendly Harvey House Café where we ate breakfast each morning.

Thunderbird Lodge + Maswik Lodge

Thunderbird Lodge is situated between Bright Angel and Kachina Lodge. It’s located directly on the canyon rim and many of the rooms offer partial views of the canyon

Maswik Lodge is a 280-room lodge surrounded by forest, a quarter-mile walk from the Rim

The Historic El Tovar Hotel

For premier Grand Canyon lodging, El Tovar is the ultimate National Park lodge located directly on the rim.

In 1987 this Hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark, and has hosted such luminaries as President Bill Clinton, Sir Paul McCartney, Theodore Roosevelt, and Oprah Winfrey.

Trailer Village RV Park

We were booked in to stay at the Trailer Village campground, but had to leave because of the winter weather and snowstorm. We just weren’t sure how our travel trailer would cope in the low teens – it was going to get to 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

We know she can handle the mid-twenties, but we think lower than that may be too much of a strain on the pipes. We parked our trailer in the Yavapai Lodge car park during our stay.

We certainly didn’t want to run the risk of pipes freezing and bursting and then be without our home on wheels!

Accommodation Near the Grand Canyon

For more affordable Grand Canyon accommodation outside the park (and more options), the following hotels are open in the winter and you don’t have to book as far in advance.

Places to consider staying are the town of Tusayan, where Craig stayed with our kids in September.

They stayed at the Grand Canyon Plaza Hotel.

This hotel had everything they needed, it was clean, the room was large, and it was an easy 15-minute drive into Grand Canyon Village.

Important Facts about Grand Canyon National Park in Winter

• The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle and $25 for motorcyclists. We use our America the Beautiful Annual National Parks Pass which gives us unlimited visits to federal lands with no entrance fees for 12 months for $80.
• Check with the visitor center for any backcountry permits you may need if going off the beaten path.
• Free shuttle buses run every 15- 20 minutes and take you to most areas in the park except Desert View.
• Don’t forget, the North Rim is closed from Nov – May!

Tours of the Grand Canyon

Looking to visit the Grand Canyon in winter but don’t have your own car? Doing a Grand Canyon day trip from Las Vegas is a great option for those with a limited amount of time to spend or who don’t have private vehicles.

Our partners, Get Your Guide, offer a Grand Canyon South Rim day tour. 

Get picked up from your Vegas hotel then experience one of the best Grand Canyon tours with a professional guide.

Before You Go

So there you have it, that’s everything you need to know about visiting the Grand Canyon in winter. I hope you found this guide useful and helped you plan your trip.

Before you go, remember to take extra precautions with you. Pack snow chains for your tires, make sure you tell people you’re visiting (in case of emergencies), and don’t take unnecessary risks.

Visiting the Grand Canyon is not dangerous if you take care. Remember the tops we mentioned in this guide, and you’re in for an incredible time!

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Do you have any tips or questions about visiting the Grand Canyon during winter? Leave them in the comments below!

Firstly, visiting Joshua Tree National Park is special. Due to there being no cell service in the park, you can really be at one with nature and listen to your inner voice.

It helped me keep in the forefront of my mind as we explored this National Park the dangers that can come when humans turn their backs on Mother Nature, thinking they can supersede her.

Never, it’s where we find our sustenance, not just for our bodies, but more importantly our soul.

In Saguaro National Park in Tucson, we fell in love with the saguaro cacti. Here in South East California, we fell in love with the Joshua Tree, which reminded me so much of the truffula trees in the Lorax.

It has a similar playful, unique, and striking presence and aura.

We spent two days exploring the park and have used our experience to present to you the best attractions in Joshua Tree National Park, as well as some tips for visiting and camping information.

Get excited for one of the best national parks in California.

About Joshua Tree National Park

In the 1930s desert lover and community activist, Minerva Hoyt recognized the human threats to the nearby ecosystem and persuaded President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim Joshua Tree a National Monument in 1936.

It was renamed the Joshua Tree National Park in 1994 and now protects 792,510 acres – mostly wilderness – where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts converge.

Thanks to Minerva, we have this national treasure where we can disconnect from the chaos of our busy lives to unwind and relax amongst the stark beauty and unique desert trees.

But what’s special about Joshua Tree?

It’s not just the Joshua Trees to love here but junipers, scrub oaks, Mojave yuccas, and prickly pear cactus, one of our favorites from Big Bend National Park.

One of the interesting Joshua Tree facts is that it isn’t really a tree, but a species of yucca! They can grow over 40 feet tall at the leisurely rate of an inch a year – typical of a desert plant.

In February through April it blooms clusters of cream-colored flowers. We just missed it!

It’s also home to a wide variety of animals such as ground squirrels, bighorn sheep, woodpeckers hawks, ravens and desert tortoises.

We saw a couple of jackrabbits and ground squirrels during our visit.

It’s only in the Mojave Desert section of the park (the northwest section) where you’ll see most of the Joshua trees.

The south is dominated by the flora and fauna of the Colorado Desert which has lower elevations. Here is where you’ll find cholla, creosote, and ocotillo.

You won’t see any more of those beautiful piles of rock boulders either, created as a result of volcanic activity.

There are a few fan–palm oases within the park. Fan palms are so majestic and magnetic. I loved them as much as the Joshua’s.

The oasis will also have cottonwoods and mesquites, more plants of the desert I love.

The longer I live the more I love the desert, and this is one of the best places to visit in California and one of the top California national parks. 

The desert used to bore me as a child and wondered why anyone would want to visit as wasteland. Now I know it as a place full of life and the chance for spiritual awakenings and soul love.

When you’re at the oasis, know you are a top a crack in the earth’s crust!!

But try not to think about the shakes that have to occur along the faultline here!!

Where is Joshua Tree National Park?

The park is situated in San Bernardino County in South East Southern California and within a few hours’ drive of several major cities:

• LA to Joshua Tree is 140 miles
• Palms Springs to Joshua Tree is 49 miles
• 175 miles northeast of San Diego
• 215 miles southwest of Las Vegas
• 222 miles west of Phoenix

Getting to Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is easily accessible from Los Angeles (140 miles).

There is an entrance at Twentynine Palms (North Entrance), Joshua Tree Village (West Entrance), and near Cottonwood Springs (South entrance).

You can rent a car from nearby Los Angeles, or Palm Springs.

Although we recommend traveling to Joshua Tree National Park independently, if that is not possible for you there are Joshua Tree tours you can take.

Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park

Now you know a little about Joshua Tree and how to get there, it’s time to take a look at the top things to do in Joshua Tree National Park!

1. Hidden Valley Nature Trail

Hidden Valley is named after the cattle rustlers who used to hide their stolen cattle in here.

Easy to see why when you walk through a narrow passage in the outcropping or rocks into a huge area bordered in a circle by more rock outcroppings.

You would never know it’s there if you didn’t walk though the rocks.

It’s a very easy 1-mile loop walk around the perimeter of the valley, and one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree with kids. 

The scenery is spectacular with it’s white boulders and Joshua Trees dotting the landscape. Act like Savannah and find a rock to sit on and reflect.

Use your five senses to appreciate the park. Thank goodness for the Junior Ranger program that inspired her to do this.

This area is popular for rock climbers with various climbing routes. Be sure to pack a picnic and enjoy at the Hidden Valley picnic area.

2. Barker Dam

An easy hike for the kids and you!

Another 1-mile loop walk leading you past Barker Dam Joshua Tree which was created as a watering hole for the cattle.

It opens up to a gorgeous expansive vista of the surrounding mountains, rocks and Joshua Trees making it one of the prettiest things to see in Joshua Tree National Park.

Don’t miss the petroglyphs and pictographs on the rocks near the end of the trail. They are very vivid and interesting to look at.

It’s sad reading how some vandals had drawn over several in an area nearby. I just don’t understand why people want to destroy such natural treasures.

3. Ryan Mountain Trail

One of the more exciting Joshua Tree hikes is to the top of Ryan Mountain.

We had many people recommend this to us as one of the top things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.

Of course we decided to take the girls up there on the windiest day in the world, which only added to the adventure.

If you’re kids are used to hiking, they will be fine with this walk and will love the thrill of it.

The Ryan Mountain Trail is 3-miles return and gains an elevation of 1,000ft to the 5,458 foot summit.

One one side of the mountain (the start of the tail) you get beautiful views of the rocky outcroppings in Lost Horse Valley, and on the other side of the trail you get views of Queen and Pleasant Valley.

Other Joshua Tree National Park hiking trails I would have liked to do:

• Fortynine Palms Oasis – a 3 mile walk to a shady beautiful oasis

4. Pinto Basin Drive

If you’re looking for things to do in Joshua Tree besides hike, do this drive. 

We only drove the Pinto Basin road to a little beyond the Cholla Garden.

It’s quite a long drive and time was running short. We’re glad we made the call to turn around as it meant we experienced the extraordinary sunset at Key Views.

The drive is worth doing and if you have time, I recommend going all the way to the Cottonwood Spring Oasis, which was used by the Cahuilla Indian for centuries.

The landscape changes quite dramatically along the way.

You lose the Joshua Trees and rock outcroppings and instead have a wide open expanse with mountains as the background as the Mojave Desert begins to meet the Colorado Desert.

5. Cholla Garden

Remember when Kalyra was attacked by a cactus in the Sonoran desert in Saguaro National Park?

We returned to her foe, the jumping cholla. We hadn’t seen them since Tucson.

Along the Pinto Basin Drive you will come to a field of them. There are thousands. And this part of the park is one of the most popular things to do in Joshua Tree National Park.

There is a boardwalk and path winding through the cholla cactus garden to protect you from them.

Don’t stray off the path. They’re called jumping for a reason, and they do like to embed themselves in your skin.

You are close enough to admire them from the boardwalk. They really are beautiful and with the mountains in the background it makes for a gorgeous setting.

6. Skull Rock

Be ready to line up for your photo with the haunting Skull Rock, the rounded shaped rock with a pair of shallow caves that resemble eye sockets.

It’s just off the side of the road so no hiking is required although there is a 1.7 mile nature trail around here you can take to the Jumbo Rocks should you wish.

7. Keys View Lookout Point

Be sure to end your day with a Joshua Tree sunset at Keys View, the highest point in the park with an elevation gain of 5,185 feet.

It’s just a short walk from the parking lot, and is one of the best spots in Joshua Tree to watch the sun go down! 

You get a stunning 360 views of the a vista over the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, Salton Sea and on a very clear day you can even see a mountain in Mexico.

Even the famous San Andreas Fault, which bounds the south side of the park, can be observed from Keys View.

The sun sets behind Mt San Jacinto. Don’t forget to look behind to see the colors as well.

Keys View Joshua Tree is a sunset to remember for your entire USA road trip.

8. Junior Ranger Program

Don’t forget to stop in at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center with your kids to grab your Junior Ranger program.

This is the best way for children to engage with the National Park experience. We LOVE this workshop, and it’s one of the essential things to do in Joshua Tree National Park with kids. 

The girls take charge of their own learning and are becoming fantastic stewards of the earth as a result.

The activities will help them learn in an effortless and fun way about the flora and fauna of the park and what makes it so special.

It’s a great way for them to reflect on what they have learned and accomplished at the end when they turn their booklet in to receive their badges. A ranger will talk to them about their answers and experiences within the park.

Kane, the ranger on duty was so funny and wonderful in how he interacted with the girls.

We all found it especially funny when Savannah shared the smells she experienced in the park: rosemary and farts!!

The kids say a pledge with the ranger at the end promising to protect the park and then they receive their badges!

We’re doing our best to collect as many as we can on this trip.

We have two Grand Canyon badges and would have had Saguaro National Park and Big Bend National Park, had the government shutdown not gotten in the way.

10. Dine at Pappy & Harriet’s near Pioneertown

Pappy & Harriet’s is a barbecue restaurant that has become famous for being one of the very few consistent music venues in the desert.

It’s located in the middle of nowhere, 15 minutes drive outside Pioneer town, but still managed to book the likes of Paul McCartney, Rufus Wainwright, and Vampire Weekend.

You can grab traditional American food such as burgers or mac & cheese, and watch a show.

11. Visit the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum & Assemblage Sculpture

The Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum is a modern art museum that is most famous for housing an art installation, called 66 Signs of Neon, which was constructed from debris from the Watts Rebellion.

You’ll find many sculptures and installations at the museum, and they are all quirky and interesting.

Noah Purifoy spent most of his life living and working in Joshua Tree and in LA, and constructed the outdoor gallery to display dozens of large and unique pieces of art.

It’s free to enter, but of course donations are welcome.

If you’re looking for free or unique things to do in Joshua Tree National Park that the kids will love, then make a stop by here.

12. Visit Keys Ranch

Keys Ranch is the former homestead and ranch of William F. Keys and is located in one of the few hospitable places in the park.

Keys decided to settle in this area in the 1910s and the property is now part of the National Historic Register. Guided tours of the house, schoolhouse, store and workshop are available by rangers, and this is the only way to see the property.

Tours only operate in the winter and into spring and offer informative insights into how the family was able to survive out here in the desert.

13. Go Biking Along the Back Roads

One of the most exciting things to do in Joshua Tree National Park is to bike along the dirt roads.

Since there are no bike roads, and all cycling must take place on the roads accessible by vehicles, dirt roads are the best roads for cycling as vehicles tend not to go down them.

This is a great way to see all the sites of the park and just admire its natural beauty – as well as get some exercise!

Some of the best areas to bike in the park are:

• Upper Covington Flat Road
• Eureka Peak Road
• Lower Covington Flat Road
• And across the Covington Flats Crossover Road

FAQs About Visiting Joshua Tree National Park

Here’s what people usually ask us about visiting Joshua Tree National Park:

Can You Visit Joshua Tree in a day?

Yes. You can. Joshua Tree NP is small enough to see most of it in one day.

It will involve an early start and late finish however, and you’ll want to take your food and drinks inside the park with you.

However, there is plenty to do to extend it over several days and I always say, why not?

What can you do in Joshua Tree in one day? My recommendations would be:

• Ryan Mountain
• Skull Rock
• Hidden Valley Trail
• Barkers Dam
• Cholla Garden
• Keys View for sunset

What is the best month to visit Joshua Tree?

The best time to visit the park is in the spring and autumn as the weather is just right this time of year. The best months are March – May and October – November.

You can visit the park all year-round but the weather in the summer is extremely hot, and that temperature can vary depending on where you are in the park.

The winter brings in the rainy season from December until March, and while it doesn’t rain all the time, the weather is unpredictable this time of year.

How long does it take to go through Joshua Tree National Park?

This is very much dependent on the traveler, but if you were to drive through the park and only see the sites from the car, you can see everything in four hours. However, you won’t get to experience the magic of the place if you rush it.

We think you should allocate a full 12 hour day, or if possible, spend two days in the park. Spend a night camping in the park and really feel the magic of the place. It’s also way more majestic at sunrise!

Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree National Park With Kids

Before you go, we have just a few words of advice for you about visiting Joshua Tree National Park.

• Watch where you put your hands and feet – rattlesnakes live here!
• Only rock climb if you know what you are doing.
• Be careful of flash flooding, especially if you visit in the winter.
• Off road driving is not permitted in Joshua Tree California
• There is no cell phone coverage in most of the park – yay. Enjoy being present!
• Camping is allowed only in designated areas or with a backcountry permit.
• Joshua Tree Visitor Center, Oasis Visitor Center in Twentynine Palms, and Cottonwood Visitor Center are open daily.
• Blackrock Nature Center is open October through May.

Where to Stay near Joshua Tree National Park

Although you can see Joshua Tree in a day, it’s a good idea to find a place to stay in the Yucca Valley area before you visit so you can spend an entire day exploring. Here’s where we recommend:

Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

There are nine Joshua Tree campgrounds inside the park, plus a handful of campgrounds near Joshua Tree.

Only Black Rock, Indian Cove, Sheep Pass, and Cottonwood Group campgrounds accept reservations from September through May.

The rest are first come first served.

Finding a campsite mid-week is easier than on weekends in peak Joshua Tree camping season (Jan – May, Oct – Dec).

Joshua Tree campgrounds have (basic) toilet facilities. All campsites have picnic areas with tables and fire rings, but you must bring your own firewood!

White Tank Campground, located off Pinto Basin Road in the northern end of the park, is a first-come, first-served campground. Close to here is the popular Arch Rock Trail. There are incredible night skies here as it’s located near the darkest section of the park.

29 Palms Inn at Oasis of Mara

Established in 1928, the 29 Palms Inn offers an eclectic mix of guest accommodations looking out to the mountains of Joshua Tree National Park.

Oasis of Mara is also home to the park headquarters and the Oasis Visitor Center.

American Indians were the first people to live here, followed by prospectors than homesteaders. It’s really beautiful and a serene place to stay here in a cute desert cottage.

We ate here for lunch and had a look around the grounds and learned a little about the organic gardens where they grow a lot of the produce for their kitchen.

Campbell House

Oh this place is divine! What a great way to relax after a long hot day in the desert.

I loved the outdoor sitting area shaded by those gorgeous fan palm trees.

There’s also an outdoor hot tub and swimming pool and you can stay either in a room in the main colonial home or cottages on the property.

Campbell House is a Philadelphia-style Colonial house situated in Twentynine Palm. The original homestead was built in the 1920s by Bill & Elizabeth Campbell and is still present today attached to the main house as the lobby.

Before You Go

So there you have it, those are the top things to do in Joshua Tree National Park and as you can see, there’s a lot to do here! We hope this guide has helped you decide on what to do here and helped you plan your visit.

Before you go, we just want to remind you that cell service is spotty in the park and so you’ll need to download all the information you need before you visit.

I recommend downloading an offline map, such as Maps.me, so you can still have access to navigation from within the park.

Happy exploring!

More California Inspiration

Want more tips for California? Start with these posts:

• 20 fun things to do in Los Angeles with kids 
• 16 top things to do in San Diego
• Your California Bucket List

More National Parks in the USA Inspiration

Are you thinking of visiting more national parks in the USA? Then you’ll enjoy these helpful resources:

• Yosemite: 18 amazing things to do in Yosemite National Park
• Grand Canyon: 8 tips for planning a trip to the Grand Canyon with kids (or without)
• Zion: 14 things to do in Zion National Park
• Yellowstone: 8 tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park
• Arches: 11 amazing things to do in Arches National Park
• Glacier: 15 unforgettable things to do in Glacier National Park
• Death Valley: 9 incredible things to do in Death Valley National Park
• Olympic: 16 incredible things to do in Olympic National Park

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