Yellowstone River
Yellowstone River
5
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Best nearby
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49 within 5 kms
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8 within 10 kms
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
734 reviews
Excellent
637
Very good
86
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Paul T
Oshkosh, WI10 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
You can’t do much better for scenery than to drive along the Yellowstone River. Many areas of rapids; backdrop ranges from mountains to meadows. Then, of course, there is the big waterfall into the Gran Canyon of Yellowstone and it’s various viewpoints. We stopped at every one of them. Great hikes at each of the viewpoints. Parking was not an issue on this trip at the time we visited, although overall parking spaces are limited and no room for expansion. So, keep that in mind and be patient if there is a high volume of visitors to Yellowstone. A “must stop, can’t miss” viewpoint is Artists Point. Today, there was an actual artist painting a picture of the gorge and lower falls.
Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rehoboth5
Helena, MT518 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
I'm a Montanan, and I have to correct the title of this feature. The Yellowstone River is NOT found at West Yellowstone, Montana. The river begins within Yellowstone Park and flows instead north past Gardiner, Montana, through the Paradise Valley and then East across Montana almost to North Dakota. For the first couple hundred miles it is clear and fast. Then it transitions into a slow, silty prairie river. It's a national treasure. Lots of excellent fishing and floating. Early on, quite a bit of whitewater. Very little of the river is within Yellowstone park. No floating is allowed within park boundaries.
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith B
Alamogordo, NM226 contributions
Oct 2022
The Yellowstone river is very pretty at most points. Of course the upper and lower falls are highlights. Inspiration point is very nice spot to see the falls.
Written 25 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LAW64
Tonbridge, UK1,693 contributions
Sep 2022
Beautiful drive alongside the Yellowstone River as you go through the park - there are also routes that take you much closer to the river. We missed the river when driving around other parts of the US as it makes for such a lovely view. We also saw deer crossing the river which was great.
Written 29 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SunBirdNC
Richmond, VA17 contributions
Sep 2022
There are lots of viewing points and hiking trails to see the river and its many drops and falls. The parking lots can be crowded - best to go early in the day.
Written 27 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronnie
Ennis, MT14 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
I was prepared to see the grandest of grand. It was opportunity to see a good view, but not grand view.
Written 9 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loretta B
Cabool, MO510 contributions
Jul 2022
I have been to all 50 US States, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of my favorite places. It is incredibly beautiful.
Written 21 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca M
220 contributions
Aug 2022
Such a beautiful viewpoint. The river and landscape are breathtaking. It was one of our favorite stops.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patelviren1
2 contributions
Aug 2022
amazing place to be at ! a great memorable experience. if visiting Yellowstone must not miss it to visit. bring binoculars and a good camera if you can but also take time enjoy yourself being there
Written 9 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iwanttoconquer
Princeton, NJ83 contributions
May 2021
the entire trip was mesmerizing... and the river winds down through the park makin the canyon look so lively. a must do when you visit yellow stone. spend sometime on the banks of the river.
Written 11 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kheimer14
Rochester, MN2 contributions
Hello! We will be giving the half day rafting tour that starts in Gardiner a try on July 6th this year! At the end of the rafting trip do you provide transportation back to the starting point? Also, does the 3 hours include the driving time back, or what is the total amount of time from the start at 10am to finish when we arrive back at our vehicles, thank you!
kheimer14
Rochester, MN2 contributions
I figured it out
Jere T
Macon, GA21 contributions
what is the earliest the park mightopeneach year?
Rp R
11 contributions
The road between the north and northeast entrances is open to automobiles year-round. This road provides access to Mammoth Hot Springs, the park's wildlife-rich northern range (including Lamar Valley), and activities like cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife-watching. Other park roads are open during summer, but have closures and travel restrictions during the shoulder seasons and winter.
JLynn M
4 contributions
There will be 6 in our family-4 adults two children 12 and 10...we would like float a river or mild rapids. We will be in Teton area first then north Yellowstone then east...any ideas?
Steve S
Sarasota, FL54 contributions
There are several rafting companies along the Snake River. Frankly I can't recall the name of the one we took, but all seemed to be pretty similar as we passed them along the way. Bundle up though it's pretty chilly out on the river but its beautiful and well worth it.
We are visiting Yellowstone in mid April, is it going to be worth our while? And what part of the park would be best to visit with open roads?
Jacco S
Wormer, The Netherlands859 contributions
We visited this park in september. It was a big disappointment. Everywhere it's very crowded. Some placers it's even impossible to park your car. The roads are very small so if someone far in front of sees some wild life than you stand still for a long time. It's very touristic and popular for all Americans. I have seen it and I never go back again. There are a lot of beautiful parks where it's not so crowded.
Erica C
Oberlin, LA147 contributions
We will be spending 3 days in Cody, Wyoming and 2 days in West Yellowstone, Montana. I'm looking for suggestions as to how we should tour yellowstone. We will be in our own vehicle and want to go at our own pace. We are not looking for guided tours. Any suggestions would be helpful...Like the best places to visit in the park, where not to go, etc. We have such limited time that we want to make the best use of our days there.
Tommy A
Auburn, AL290 contributions
Another tip:
Be prepared to picnic at lunch time each day in the park. Then you can stop at any picnic table or pull-off and not be required to locate a snack bar or restaurant. You'll save time, have fun and go out at night for a local restaurant meal. Food in the park is hard to find, expensive and not particularly good.
Mary C
Houston, TX
We are coming in on Friday. Where do I go to hike around and see the river and meadow? Do I sign up for a tour, or will people point us in the direction to go? Thanks
Sam M
Montana333 contributions
I don't know what part of the river your going to visit, but if you ask folks, they will help! You may want to check out the Montana Fish Wildlife&Parks website. It should list fishing access sites as well allowing you to get to the waters edge in places you may not normally be able to! Have a safe trip!
Mary C
Houston, TX
We are coming in on Friday. Where do I go to hike around and see the river and meadow? Do I sign up for a tour, or will people point us in the direction to go? Thanks
dan w
Jerusalem, Israel60 contributions
if you have a car you just go to the river overlooks and the hikes and short walks are listed on signs.there are many overlooks
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Frequently Asked Questions about Yellowstone River
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