With Yellowstone National Park celebrating its 150th birthday this year, visitation is expected to be at an all time high. And although crowds can detract from the pristine natural beauty of Mother Nature, there are a few ways to dodge the crowds in Yellowstone. Get an alpine start and enjoy a pre-dawn visit, or plan a trip in the shoulder season for a less crowded experience. And although Old Faithful is a must-see, check out some of these less touristed spots in the park to avoid the masses. And the good news is, all of these sites are good choices for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.

Firehole Lake Drive

A scenic ride along Firehole Lake Drive tops the list of ways to dodge the crowds in Yellowstone. This one-way loop drive begins about a mile south of Fountain Paint Pot, along the road to Old Faithful. You can drive the route straight through, as many of the geysers and hot springs are visible from the road; or opt to stop at the pullouts along the way and get a closer look at the thermal features.

As an added bonus, it’s not unusual to spot bison along the first section of the drive; and there’s nothing quit like hearing their eerie grunts and groans from the boardwalks of the nearby geysers. Even better — the route is pleasantly devoid of the bus loads of tourists that frequent the other area attractions, as larger vehicles are not allowed on this road. And finally, most visitors completely pass it by in their rush to get to Old Faithful.

Gull Point Road Unnamed Picnic Area

Eating alfresco in a national park is a great experience, but unfortunately some of the more popular picnic areas in Yellowstone are packed to the brim. That said, this little gem — that unfortunately lacks a name — usually makes for a pleasant lunch stop. It’s located near the Bridge Bay (north) end of Gull Point Road, about a half-mile north of the turnoff to the Gull Point Picnic Area.

There are just two tables there, but they are located on a level pad and they offer a great view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Parallel parking is available on a level asphalt area, just steps from the tables, so this spot is especially good for folks who can’t do distances. And even though the tables lack extensions, there’s still room on the end for a wheelchair. There are no restrooms at this picnic area, but don’t let that deter you, as you can always use the ones down the road at the Bridge Bay Marina.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Next up on the list of ways to dodge the crowds in Yellowstone is a visit to West Thumb Geyser Basin. Located just north of Grant Village, this geothermal area offers a short accessible boardwalk for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. The half-mile trail begins near the accessible parking area, and leads around the inner loop. Along the way it passes by the thumb paint pots and offers a good view of the central basin with the mountains in the background. There are benches to sit and rest along this fairly level boardwalk trail, and accessible vault toilets are located in the parking lot.
The longer outer loop in this geothermal area is not accessible because of a steep grade, and it may be dangerous for wheelchair-users. Still the inner loop offers a good look at the unusual geothermal features. Although West Thumb Geyser Basin isn’t devoid of visitors, it not nearly as crowded as the geothermal areas near Old Faithful.

North Rim Trail

A portion of the North Rim Trail located near the Brink of the Upper Falls is wheelchair-accessible, and most people opt for the brink instead of this trail. To find the trail, take the turnoff to the Brink of the Upper Falls, which is located midway between North Rim Drive and South Rim Drive along the road to Lake Village. From the parking lot follow the sign to the brink, but instead of bearing left and heading downhill, continue straight ahead at the fork.

The path to the right is the North Rim Trail, which offers an equally impressive falls view. The paved trail leads through the woods for a half-mile, before it crosses over the historic Canyon Bridge and offers a great view of Chittenden Bridge in the distance. This trail loses its access because of a steep grade just before Chittenden Bridge, but it still makes for a lovely 1.6-mile out-and-back-hike.

Frying Pan Spring

This small hot spring is located north of Norris Campground on the west side of the road to Mammoth. It’s easy to drive right by it, and many folks do exactly that. There’s no striped parking in the pullout, but there’s usually enough room to parallel park an accessible van in the small paved area.

A .08-mile level boardwalk leads from the parking area over to this unusual spring, that’s roughly shaped like a frying pan. There’s also a bench at the end of the boardwalk, if you’d like to sit and admire the view. You’ll most likely have this site to yourself too, as it’s not included on any of the park maps, and it really doesn’t look like much from the road.

Forces of the Northern Range

Last but certainly not least on the list of ways to dodge the crowds in Yellowstone, is to check out the Forces of the Northern Range boardwalk. Tucked away along the road between Tower Junction and Mammoth Hot Springs, the trail is only marked by a small brown “self-guided trail” roadside sign. And most folks just zip right on by it.

The half-mile accessible boardwalk winds through the sagebrush and shrub-lined landscape and features scenic views of Yellowstone’s Northern Range in the distance. Interpretive plaques that detail the flora, fauna and geology of the area are dotted along the boardwalk, and several short spurs lead out to secluded areas that are lined with benches, so folks can sit back and admire the scenery. And even though it’s a short trail, because of the spurs and vegetation, it doesn’t feel crowded, even when there are a lot of people out there. It’s a very well designed trail, with magnificent views of the surrounding landscape.

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