Yellowstone Sunset Guide
- Eric Beuning
- Mar 13
- 8 min read
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the most pristine wildernesses on the North American continent. Every year millions of people stay in or around Yellowstone National Park hoping to take in the scenery. Not the least of which is some of the most unspoiled sunset views in the lower 48.
With so many amazing things to see, you can feel spoiled for choice when it comes to finding the best places in or around Yellowstone to watch the sunset. The following are just some of my favorites, along with the nuts-and-bolts information you need to pull them off.
Especially since Yellowstone isn’t the sort of place you want to drive around in the dark of night.
Artist Point at Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
I always recommend visiting Yellowstone Canyon on the first day of any Yellowstone trip as it’s the best place to feel the grandiose majesty of the place. While there are a lot of observation points to watch sunset around Yellowstone Canyon, my top pick is Artist’s Point on the south rim of the canyon.
It gives you the longest view of the canyon and the falls to the west, without feeling like the sun is setting over your shoulder. It also tends to draw fewer visitors, and if you’re lucky, you might get to be alone with the canyon and the setting sun.
Artist Point Sunset Tips
Ideally, you want to be staying somewhere in Yellowstone’s Canyon Village area. Driving back from the south rim can take up to a half hour depending on traffic. It’s also a wilder part of the park so you don’t want to be caught out too late after dark.
Lamar Valley
I admit that I’m a Lamar Valley kind of guy. I adore this peaceful, wide-open valley and all the incredible wildlife viewing opportunities that come with it. At dusk the fading light over the rolling hills creates a magical atmosphere. If you’re lucky, a passing stray cloud will give you a sunset streaming effect that looks like it’s straight out of a movie.
It’s a big valley and can get crowded with tourists who are all fighting you for the same photo. The farther east you go on this list, the less likely you are to run into people. However, you’ll also end up with more traffic and potential animal jams in front of you if you’re staying deeper in the park like Canyon Village.
Specimen Ridge Pullout
It has a high vantage point with panoramic views of Lamar Valley’s vast landscape. The fading light creates dramatic shadows over the rolling terrain. It’s also the easiest point to back to camp or your room in Canyon Village. At sunset, you can expect it to be a little crowded.
Slough Creek Road & Overlook
A quiet spot away from the main road with elevated views of the valley. This is sort of the sweet spot for getting away from the other tourists at sunset, yet still reasonably close to popular in-the-park lodging. You can often get the bonus effect of seeing the sunset reflect off the Lamar River.
Hitching Post Pullout
A popular wildlife-watching area with open views of the valley. It’s always crowded with tourists. However, the soft golden light creates a dreamy landscape perfect for photography.
Lamar River Overlook
Offers sweeping views of the valley and river as the sun sets behind the hills. It’s also a prime location for spotting bison, elk, and even wolves at dusk. So, you can get a two-for-one viewing experience. Just don’t forget to pack the bear spray!
Soda Butte Creek Area
Stunning reflections of the sunset on the creek’s surface. Less crowded, offering a peaceful setting with chances to see moose or bears. If you’re staying near Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance near Silver gate or camping closer to the Beartooth Pass, you can slip away after sunset without having to deal with traffic. If you’re staying to the west, you won’t get back to camp until it’s painfully dark.
Hayden Valley
Hayden Valley is also a very popular area for wildlife and sunset viewing. However, it’s only really ideal for sunset viewing if you’re staying in the Fishing Bridge area, or you’re comfortable driving back to the Canyon Village in the dark of night. Anything beyond that and you’re going to be driving in the pitch black on wolf, bear, moose, and bison-infested roads.
Hayden Valley Overlook or Grizzly Overlook
One of the most iconic drives in Yellowstone, this stretch is festooned with sweeping views. It’s the sort of place where you can take a sunset photo while driving to Canyon Village or the Fishing Bridge Area.
Mary Mountain Trailhead
A peaceful location away from the main road, with an open view of the valley. The fading light enhances the rolling hills and grasslands. This is the place to go in the Hayden Valley if you’re looking for a quieter, more immersive experience.
Swan Lake Flats
If you can get near Alum Creek, you’ll be treated to stunning reflections of the sunset on the water. If you’re lucky there’s usually abundant wildlife, including trumpeter swans and other waterfowl to add to the scenery.
Sulphur Cauldron Pullout
While mainly known for its geothermal activity, the nearby pullouts offer a unique view of the sunset. The rising steam and colorful mineral deposits create an otherworldly effect in the evening light. If you get in the right spot, you’ll be treated to shimmering steam effects. Though it’s not the ideal place to bring a kid as you’ll likely draw a lot of complaints about the smell!
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
In broad daylight the white limestone terraces of Mammoth hot springs is otherworldly, yet they take on a stunning glow in the early evening light. There are a lot of different places to consider in this small geological region.
If you want to get the visual stunning feel of the terraces, I would try to hunker down around sunset by the Liberty Cap or the Minerva Terrace. Being down low like this, will give you the most color in the western sky, while also giving you an immersive experience being surrounded by the hot spring terraces.
If you want to get away from the crowds, and get more of the colors of the sky, I would hunker down for sunset near Highland Spring. This will give you some of the calcite glow of sunset, and more western sky exposure. Without a hundred other people crawling in your armpit.
Mammoth Sunset Tips
If you’re staying in the Mammoth area, Gardiner or even in the Paradise Valley south of Chico, Mammoth Hot Springs is a great place to catch sunset. There will be a few minutes of wading through the crowds, but the other worldly experience is worth it.
If you’re staying in West Yellowstone, Mammoth might be a little too far to drive back. Be prepared to creep back watching for wildlife, which are increasingly common in the peak of summer in this stretch of the park.
In the winter the Mammoth Hot Springs is impressively dramatic for sunset photos, as the fading light is captured in stunning hues with the steam rising off the terraces.
Yellowstone Lake Butte Overlook
If you’re staying in the Fishing Bridge area, and you want a great sunset experience without a lot of driving or exhaustive hiking, then the Yellowstone Lake Butte Overlook might be the perfect spot. A panoramic overlook above the lake with jaw-dropping colors. It’s especially nice on a calm day when the lake is placid to reflect the sunset light.
Yellowstone Lake Butte Sunset Tips
Depending on traffic, you can get to the overlook in 12 to 15 minutes. This is a less touristy part of the park, so you don’t have to worry about getting caught out too late after dark. You probably won’t be the only people on the Yellowstone Lake Butte at sunset, but there’s a big parking lot and the vault toilets get less traffic than other parts of the park.
Old Faithful Geyser Area
Sunset is the ultimate time to catch the Old Faithful Geyser. I would argue that if you’re going to shell out the money to stay at the iconic Old Faithful Inn, that you’re financially obliged to plan to be at the geyser near sunset.
It does take a bit of luck to time it right, as the geyser doesn’t necessarily erupt on schedule with the sun. Yet when it does, seeing the amber rays caught in the plumes of mist is one of those memories you and your kids will take with you for life!
Old Faithful Sunset Tip
The timing intervals between eruptions at Old Faithful range from 35 to 120 minutes, though the average is 92 minutes. While there are all kinds of prediction apps out there, they won’t give you a precision edge on timing the eruption at sunset.
The easiest move is to stay glued to the National Park Service’s Old Faithful Live Webcam for an hour before sunset. Then plan to be at the geyser at sunset. If you see it go off within the hour before sunset, you likely won’t see it go off as the sun is actually going down.
Yet even if the timing is completely off, the wide-open sky to the west still makes for a spectacular view of sunset.
Mount Washburn
Do you want a commanding view of sunset at 8,743 feet above sea level? Are you physically fit and willing to sweat for a sunset experience? Do you own a mountain bike or a comfortable pair of hiking boots? Do you hate the suspension system in your vehicle? Are you willing to drive back slowly down a mountain in the pitch black of night with wild animals lurking in the underbrush?
If you answered a resounding “Hell Yeah!” to all those questions, then the peak of Mount Washburn will give you one of the best sunset viewing experiences in Yellowstone. The road up can be very rough. There’s a modest parking area, and then you have to hike or ride a very sturdy mountain bike almost 3 miles to get to the peak.
You’ll likely be completely alone at sunset on the peak of the mountain, as you bask in the grand majesty of sunset with a 360-degree view of Yellowstone National Park. You’ll literally be able to watch the long shadows of sunset stretching across the park, as thermal clouds, fog and steam meander throughout the geological features.
Mount Washburn Sunset Tips
Watching sunset from the top of Mount Washburn is not for the faint of heart. It’s the sort of thing you should only do if you’re physically fit. I would also strongly recommend a four-wheel drive vehicle to get you to and from the parking area.
You don’t necessarily need the four-wheel drive traction, but you want the best possible control over the vehicle on the way down the mountain. Slip and hit a berm, slide off the sometimes-narrow track or get something stuck in the undercarriage, and no one is going to find you until morning at best. And there are a lot of animals lurking in the relatively undisturbed forest surrounding the mountain.
Paradise Valley Sunset
While it isn’t technically inside the park, the Paradise Valley is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and it’s my place to stay for brilliant sunrises and sunsets. With mountains on both sides, the sun paints the sky with astounding colors. Especially when light rain clouds are drifting through the area.
When I come to Yellowstone, I usually have business in Livingston. So, I like to stay at a vacation rental in the Paradise Valley. It’s great for a stunning sunrise to start my day sipping coffee on the patio, and a gentle sunset when my feet are sore, and I just want to lounge around the cabin.
Paradise Valley Sunset Tip
If you can’t find lodging in the park, and you don’t want to get stuck in the throngs of tourists in West Yellowstone, I think the Paradise Valley is your best option. You’ll be treated to stunning views, without having to leave your campsite or rental cabin.
The trick is to make your reservation 9 to 12 months in advance. The good cabins with the best rates tend to go fast. If you wait to make your reservations a month or three in advance, you’ll pay top dollar for a modest vacation rental or you’ll need to stay at one of the valley’s campgrounds or RV parks.
To learn more about how to make the most out of your next Yellowstone trip and other outdoor adventures, follow Eric Beuning's Author Page.