What to do in Yellowstone while house and pet sitting

Outdoorsy people will find plenty of things to do in Yellowstone National Park. This famous landscape sprawls across three states – Wyoming, Montana and Idaho – and is home to a wide range of large wildlife. With lakes, canyons, rivers and mountain ranges all within its borders, it would be impossible to explore it all during one trip. 

If you're lucky enough to land a house and pet sit nearby, these Yellowstone must-see attractions should be on your to-do list.

Yellowstone attractions

Wildlife and geothermal features are the top attractions of Yellowstone. If you're not sure where to begin, these three must-see places will help you get the full experience.

1. Hayden Valley: The vast, open grassland of Hayden Valley is one of the best places to see Yellowstone's famous wildlife. Hop in your car and enjoy a North American safari with herds of bison and elk wandering past. You might even be lucky enough to see grizzly bears enjoying a drink from the slow-moving river, as wild Canada geese honk high overhead.

2. Mammoth Hot Springs: With their rugged, chalky terraces and steaming waters, the Mammoth Hot Springs are unlike any other Yellowstone attraction. While you can't swim in them, you can get up close and personal with the weird and wonderful formations. Look out for distinctive shapes like the massive 37 foot Liberty Cap during a stroll along the lower and upper terrace boardwalks.

3. Upper Geyser Basin: Home to the largest concentration of geysers in the world – including some of the world's largest – this basin is a definite must-see if you're spending time in Yellowstone. The Park Rangers predict eruption times for five of the biggest geysers (Castle, Daisy, Grand, Old Faithful and Riverside) so you can base your exploration of the area around that. Remember to stay on the boardwalks to safely watch the superheated water shoot from the ground.

Free things to do in Yellowstone

Once you've paid for a pass to enter the park, you'll be glad to hear that most things to do in Yellowstone National Park are completely free. That includes these world-famous attractions. 

1. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Yellowstone's very own Grand Canyon is one of the park's most incredible sights. It stretches for 20 miles, painted in a range of soft pink and yellow hues. These pretty colours are all natural – caused by steam venting from holes in the rock. Once a geyser basin, it's now home to a river fed by roaring waterfalls. Take in the view from the South Rim Trail and enjoy the view from the recently refurbished Inspiration Point.

2. Old Faithful: Part of the Upper Geyser Basin, Old Faithful is the quintessential Yellowstone must see. This famous geyser was the first one in the park to be named – and is also its most predictable. For the past 20 years it's erupted once every 44–120 minutes, throwing a massive column of boiling water up to 185 feet in the air. 

3. Grand Prismatic Spring: The vibrant colours of the USA's largest hot spring have to be seen to be believed. Bands of red, orange, yellow and green surround the deep blue of the water, creating a rainbow effect. These prismatic colours are all down to bacteria who call the waters home, releasing different pigments depending on temperature. This is why the colours are at their most vivid during summer. 

Fun things to do in Yellowstone

Once you've enjoyed some of the most breathtaking things to see in Yellowstone, it's time to have some fun. Make the most of the park's unique natural features with these outdoor activities.  

1. Yellowstone Lake: Yellowstone National Park's largest body of water is a playground for kayakers, canoeists and stand-up paddleboarders. There are lots of companies offering tours, as well as equipment hire. Glide along the freshwater lake's gently rolling surface and look out for geysers erupting in the distance, eagles soaring overhead and large animals coming to the shore for a drink. 

2. Norris Geyser Basin: While you're less likely to see an eruption here compared with the Upper Basin, the Norris Geyser Basin is definitely more exciting. This volatile area is famous for its otherworldly landscape, which changes every day due to seismic activity and water fluctuations. If you're lucky, you might get to see Steamboat Geyser – the tallest active geyser in the world – in action. It shoots boiling water 400 feet in the air, more than twice the height of Old Faithful. 

3. Mystic Falls Trail: This 2.4-mile long hike takes you through mixed conifer forest to Mystic Falls – a 70-foot high waterfall, where the Little Firehole River pours down from the Madison Plateau. The well-maintained trails and boardwalks pass lots of thermal features, including the bright blue Sapphire Pool and Jewel Geyser. If you still have plenty of energy after reaching the falls, you can extend your hike by following the switchbacks for another 1.5 miles. This gives you an incredible view across the Upper Geyser Basin before looping back to the main trail. 

What to do in Yellowstone with pets

Pets are welcome at Yellowstone National Park, but because of the natural dangers – such as the hot pools and large wildlife – it's important to keep them close. The park rules ask owners to keep pets in the car, in a crate or on a leash shorter than six feet. All pets need to be kept within 100 feet of paved roads and parking areas. So, with the rules out of the way, here are some dog-friendly activities in and around the park.

1. Sheffield Creek Trail: If you and your pooch pal are in the mood for a challenging hike, head south of Yellowstone National Park and look for the Sheffield Creek Trail. As it's not within the park itself, dogs are welcome – you don't need to keep them leashed. The uphill trek will take you to the summit of Huckleberry Mountain, where you can get incredible views of Yellowstone National Park to the north and Grand Teton National Park to the south. At the top there's also a 1930's log lookout tower which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

2. Cody Trolley Tours: Get a taste of the Wild West in Cody, a small pet-friendly town just to the east of Yellowstone National Park. The hour-long vintage trolley tour is a must-do, and well-behaved dogs are allowed to join too. Just remember to keep them on their leash. Sit back and watch the rugged scenery pass by as two costumed guides tell tales about the myths and legends surrounding the historic town – founded by Buffalo Bill himself.

3. Take a scenic drive: If you're not too fussed about seeing Yellowstone on foot, pop your pet in the car and take them on one of the national park's many scenic drives. You can see geysers erupt from the safety of your motor on the Firehole Lake Drive, and spot wildlife in Lamar Valley as part of the Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City route. If you prefer tranquil views, try West Thumb to Fishing Bridge for stunning vistas of Yellowstone Lake.

Best restaurants in Yellowstone

There are plenty of well-maintained picnic areas throughout Yellowstone National Park if you want to pack your own food. But, if you're in the mood for a cooked lunch or dinner, these restaurants are some of the best places to grab a bite. 

1. Wonderland Café & Lodge: You'll find this all-day restaurant in Gardiner, Montana – just beside Yellowstone National Park's north entrance. The menu is heavy on hearty fare crafted from locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. Popular dishes include elk chilli with jalapeno cornbread and maple mascarpone, pan-seared trout from nearby Flathead Lake and fried Wisconsin cheddar curds – perfect for dunking in the house-made chipotle aioli. If you're not driving, take the opportunity to sip through the selection of locally brewed beer as you and your pet pal relax on the dog-friendly patio.

2. Firehole BBQ: If you're visiting during summer, it's well worth diverting into the town of West Yellowstone to try this excellent barbecue joint. They're open until sell-out, so try to arrive early. You can order house-smoked meats like brisket, pork and turkey by the pound – served with soft white bread, pickles, onions and BBQ sauce. If that's not enough, you can add sides like smoky pinto beans and creamy white cheddar mac 'n' cheese. Best of all, the outdoor seating area is pet-friendly.

3. Persephone Bakery: Set yourself up for the day with a hearty breakfast from Jackson Hole's best brunch spot – Persephone Bakery. This highly Instagrammable café offers a selection of carefully crafted pastries. Their breakfast menu also includes healthy but hearty dishes like seeded avocado bowls, shakshuka, and croissant bread pudding.  

House and pet sitting in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is full of natural wonders – from piping hot geysers to majestic wildlife. It really requires a good few days to see properly. Find house and pet sits in Wyoming and you'll have a chance to discover it for yourself.