Things to do in Yellowstone National Park Reviews (Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming)

Fascinating

Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

November 6, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo Our second day at Yellowstone, it took us a long time to get into the park as traffic was badly backed yp due to buffalo on the road - but we did get up close to them I suppose as we drove past. Our first stop for the day was the Grand Canyon of ...Read more Our second day at Yellowstone, it took us a long time to get into the park as traffic was badly backed yp due to buffalo on the road - but we did get up close to them I suppose as we drove past. Our first stop for the day was the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, first driving up to Inspiration Point for the view, and then across to Uncle Toms Cabin, from where we walked to Artists Point. There is a path, or should I say steps down to the falls but I skipped these and headed on as I had fallen and hurt my ankle badly and we were planning to hike Mount Washburn the next day so I didn't want to overtax it today with steps. The path was nice and we reached Artists Point for a few photos of the falls before eating our picnic. The falls are nice, and worth a visit. The path also meant we got away from most of the crowds who drive from one outlook to another.

We then headed down to see Old Faithful. We parked, and went to get a map and check the times of Old Faithful. I decided that I'd wait for the next time Old Faithful was due to go off, and so went off to the cafe and bought a take away coffee and found a bench to sit and watch. It was interesting that most of the crowd was at the visitors side of the semi-circular viewing area, and fewer at the far end were I was. Old Faithful may not me as faithful as once but it is still reasonable regular, though it was 10 minutes later when I was there than the Park Service's calculation. It kept bubbling and steaming and I was on tenderhooks at several points but then it would calm down again. It finally went off it was quite spectular as water shot up, and the noise it made was unexpected.

After it went off, most visitors headed back into the visitors centre, few ventured out up Geyser Hill to see the other features of the valley, with bubbling waters, steam rising, sulphur spewing, coloured pools. The range were quite amazing of the differences. Some geysers are frequent, others infrequent, some regular others sporadic. Castle Geyser was steaming away, while Grotto Geyser was gurgling and steaming. Some of the smaller features are interesting as well. Then I loved Beauty and Chromatic Pools, the colours caused by thermophiles were beautiful, but while Morning Glory is often lauded I thought the other two more stunning. Then Sawmill Geyser was gushing water out some of it onto the boardwalk going past it, so you had to time your walk by it so not to get soaked. It was well worth the walk to see all these features, and it seems few visitors venture out to see them. They see Old Faithful and then spend time in the visitors centre and shops (which were busy). We headed back to the Visitors Centre and explored the exhibit there which was colourful and bright. And then a short wander around the shops before heading back to camp for dinner.

The next day we planned an early start, we planned to hike Mount Washburn. On driving up to the pass, we saw a bear in one of the meadows below the road. Now the altitude made this hike tough, but the views over the park were incredible. Most people who stop in the car park walk a little up the hill to get to a view point...but this is a rough path and a fair amount of a climb. Most of the path in June was clear of snow though we did hit one tricky snow bank (I slipped on it coming back and decided as my bum was already wet and cold it was as easy to slide along some it). My ankle started to give grief about 3/4 of the way up, so while the rest went on, one took pity on me and turned back with me and I hobbled my walk back. We reached the car park and found a spot in the sun (as it was cool at this altitude) to enjoy some food. There were some amazing views even as far as I went, but you need to be prepared for a hike...it is steep and a rough track, and you'll need to bring lots of water too...but worth it!

We headed down to Canyon Village, and wathced the film in the Visitors centre, and a wander around the exhibits - and this place was really good. Lots of information about the geology, that Yellowstone is really a supervolcano, with the park situated in a caldera formed by a previous explosion. It explained that volcanic activity below created geothermic features here as the magma was closer to the surface here than in most other places. Well worth a stop!

We headed onto Norris Geyser Basin. It is home to the world's tallest geyser - Steamboat...but with my ankle being sore I walked around the Porcelian Basin, so coloured due to its white colour. Norris has a high water temperature so there are more steam features here. The white colour makes this place look very alien, combined with hissing steam and coloured water running off. Black Growler Steam Vent is the first feature you'll hear and see on walking down in to the basin it was so loud in its roars. It is an active valley, you can see even small features forming with just a few bubbles.

We saw a fair amount of Yellowstone in 2 1/2 days. It was well worth the visit. Some how in my head I was expecting more spectular scenery but the geothermal features more than made up for that, because they were more stunning and interesting than I had anticipated. It was also quite an educational experience as well. But when you stood and looked out at the scenery- the blue Lake Yellowstone, the roar Falls, the bison and bears in the meadows, the dancing flowers spreading colour - it is easy to forget that all these geothermal features are due to the fact of supervolcano beneath you feet.
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From journal Yellowstone Adventures

One of America's Finest National Parks

by MilwVon

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

July 23, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo Yellowstone National Park was created as our first US National Park by Ulysses S. Grant in 1872. Today it receives more than two million visitors annually, with July being the busiest month. Like many other National Park Service (NPS) designated ...Read more Yellowstone National Park was created as our first US National Park by Ulysses S. Grant in 1872. Today it receives more than two million visitors annually, with July being the busiest month. Like many other National Park Service (NPS) designated parks, Yellowstone offers a plethora of tourist convenience services including hotels, campgrounds, restaurants and lots tour activities. With five entrances into the park and nine visitor center throughout, there are a lot of opportunities to meet with rangers and learn about the park's diverse features and attractions.

Perhaps most famous are the geothermal areas that include geysers, boiling pots and hot springs. Old Faithful is the most well known of these, particularly because of the predictive nature of its eruptions. There are several other lesser known predicted geysers, to include the largest and most spectacular Great Fountain Geyser.

Some of the geysers go off very frequently (I saw the White Cone erupt several times over the course of a couple of hours) while others are rare and haven't been seen in years. Although Steamboat Geyser hasn't had a true eruption skyward in years, a brief visit to it will provide an opportunity to watch it spurt and gurgle continuously.

Several of the hot springs and boiling pots have a high sulfur content, so if you are susceptible to the fumes as I am, you are best advised to avoid them or make sure you visit is very limited in areas where your breathing may be adversely affected.

Many people travel to Yellowstone due to the diversity in fauna and flora. The wildlife and beautiful flowers are worth the time to observe and photograph. It has been said that Yellowstone is the Serengeti of the United States. If we were to have a designated "big five" I would guess it would be 1) bison, 2) elk, 3) bears (black and/or brown/grizzly, 4) pronghorn and 5) wolves. I was fortunate to see all but the wolves. I heard about sightings during my time in the park; I just wasn't in the right place at the right time in spite of my best efforts.

Perhaps the moose and coyote are in the big five? I did read that the bighorn sheep are in the "winter big five" so I guess I really don't know if there is an official list or not. I was fortunate to see many of the species known to reside in the park, I was very happy with the photos I was able to capture.

As for the flora, the wildflowers were in bloom throughout the park providing a beautiful splash of color throughout. One area where I saw the most diversity was up along the Blacktail Plateau loop road between Roosevelt & Mammoth. I've included several photos from that drive with this review.

One cannot visit the park and not notice the affects of wildfires in the park. Being a particularly hot and dry summer already, the park and surrounding areas were on high danger alert for fire. Restrictions were in place as they pertained to the use of campfires. Some fires, are however started by nature in the form of lightning strikes. When that occurs, the fires are permitted to burn their own natural course, as long as people and property (like the villages and lodges) are not at risk.

The cycle of fire is a natural occurrence and through it new forest and trees are seeded. The worst fire in park history was in 1988 when several fires burned for nearly a month, destroying nearly 800,000 acres (approximately 1,300 square miles) within the park. While there is always concern for the loss of wildlife during fire, it was reported that in 1988 very few animals died. Today's fire management practices are largely based on what was learned during the fires of 1988.

Visitors to Yellowstone National Park have a wealth of recreational opportunities. Fishing and horseback riding are very popular, as are rafting, kayaking and boating. Hiking is probably the number one activity, with trails and back country options found throughout the park.

There are tours available through the park's official concessionaire Xanterra as well as other outside operators. I passed by the large yellow buses several times during my visit. I also saw the horse drawn wagons taking guests out for a real western cookout near Roosevelt Lodge.

I had a great time during my five days inside the park and got to see and experience a lot of what is available to visitors. That said, it is impossible to see everything, so I am already looking forward to my next trip to Yellowstone National Park! Close

From journals America's First National Park - Yellowstone, Wild & Wonderful Wyoming

Day 3: Yellowstone

by two cruisers

Ames, Iowa

March 24, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo This, our last day in Yellowstone was abbreviated. We were driving from West Yellowstone to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The drive in was enjoyable, there is still a thrill the first time you see steam rising our of the thremal grounds. We stopped for ...Read more

From journal Yellowstone Park and the Neighboring West Yellowstone

Day 2: Yellowstone

by two cruisers

Ames, Iowa

March 22, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo Road construction again this morning with no elk to excite us. A Park Ranger was stationed alongside the road. Rumor had it that a moose and mooseling were in the vacinity, but we didn't see them. The Ranger was packing heat, don't know if that was ...Read more Road construction again this morning with no elk to excite us. A Park Ranger was stationed alongside the road. Rumor had it that a moose and mooseling were in the vacinity, but we didn't see them. The Ranger was packing heat, don't know if that was to protect the public from moose stompings or to protect the moose from the tourist. We are entertaining the thought of staying inside the park next time. At Madison we turned north. The main attraction between here and Mammoth Hot Springs are thermal grounds. Some of my photos look like the aftermath of a forest fire, but actually it is steam venting through the ground and giving a very spooky look to the forest. The grasses aound the boiling stream had a pinkish cast. I think they must be colored by a similiar bacteria to what we saw at the geysers, yesterday. The place we stopped had a very long walk up a slope and then up a hill to a boiling stream. This is truly worth the walk. But at that point Bill returned to the car. I started up the hill, but soon turned back. This altitude business is rough on low landers.
Another stop we made was at the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces. They do not have the beauty of other thermal ground areas. Perhaps it is because they are so large, there isn't contrast with normal grassy covered land. Glad we drove the loop, but doing the walks seemed like a lot of walking for little change in scenery.
Lunch stop in Mammoth Hot Springs provided the rest and hydration we needed. We found a fast food economical place the Terrace Grille. It was very popular and very crowded. Be patient, you don't have many other choices and it tasted good. Next door was a gift shop that also sold some food treats. We walked down to the Hotel shop about a block away. Shopping was limited, but we got to inspect one of those yellow Yellowstone Tour Buses up close. Sure looks like fun. All and all, Mammoth Hot Springs isn't hopping with activity like Old Faithful. I doubt if we would come this way again...except...its how you get to the Lamar Valley.
We had been told Lamar Valley was where the bears and bison hang out. We needed to be there early in the day for the bears, but boy-o-boy did we see bison! At our first sighting we bailed out of the car practically before it stopped running, camera in hand I took position and shot off a series of pictures. Reviewing them it looked like a small fleck of brown in the open field. We had been warned not to get close, but this was way to far away, Back to the car, we went just a few miles down the road and traffic was stopped on the roadway. Bison were everywhere. It was almost as if the head bison was a conductor on a train moving from car to car to punch our tickets. (Conductors did that when I rode trains in my youth, don't suppose that happens now!). It was an exciting afternoon. Bison frolicked, sauntered, played statues, and even wallowed in the dust for our entertainment.
Still searching for the paintpots that I was so impressed with in my 1958 trip, we drove toward Canyon Village and beyond. Took a waterfall break at Tower Falls. That was so pretty. We had considered going to the more popular falls up the road, but the parking lot was dangerously full. The highway we were on took us over the highest point in the park. It was very interesting to see how the change between forested areas and above the tree line. We did find the Mud Volcano and Sulfur Caldron. They were interesting but not as pretty as what I remembered. Someone suggested they may have been transformed by the Big Earthquake or disappeared. I looked for a Ranger to tell me but apparently they are all out on moose protection duty.
We didn't walk as much today, but we covered lots of territory and gratefully returned to West Yellowstone and a good nights rest.

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From journal Yellowstone Park and the Neighboring West Yellowstone

Day 1: Yellowstone

by two cruisers

Ames, Iowa

March 21, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo My last trip to Yellowstone National Park was in 1958. I know they have had an major earthquake and a gigantic forest fire since then, but I wasn't prepared for all the changes.The Park is huge and should not be hurried through. Of course bumper to ...Read more My last trip to Yellowstone National Park was in 1958. I know they have had an major earthquake and a gigantic forest fire since then, but I wasn't prepared for all the changes.The Park is huge and should not be hurried through. Of course bumper to bumper road traffic thru construction zone entering the park wasn't what I had in mind for lingering. But lets face it folks, they only have a few months a year to repair roads and it happens to coincide with when tourists want to be on the roads. Be patient, and look for animals while stalled in traffic. Our first day we saw elk in the Madison River Valley. The drive in from West Yellowstone was lovely and we could see the distruction to the forests from both the famous earthquake and the forest fire.
At Madison we turned South and drove to Old Faithful. Even starting out as early as we did it was difficult to find a parking place. At last we parked near some Yurts...very good landmark. We walked from there to the geyeser Old Faithful. We had just missed an eruption, so we wandered over to the Old Faithful Inn. They have a clock in the lobby that predicts the next eruption within 10 minutes. How convienent! We took the wait time to admire this fantastic building. Rugged, spacious, and constructed with flourishes that only nature can contribute. By that I mean the curved limbs from logs forming supports. At the deli we bought coffee and muffins that we took out to the front porch to eat. While waiting there we enjoyed watching the foot traffic and vehicles in the drop-off zone. Bill was particularly interested inthe yellow Yellowstone Tour Bus. Unique to this park, these vehicles take guest on tours of the park. Next trip we're going to do that!
We wandered over to the big guy geyser early to make sure we had a front fow seat. A little prarie dog joined us for awhile. So, cute and so tame. Soon the benches all around us filled and just as the eruption started a group of people came and stood in front of us!!!! Their guide did finally get them to sit down on the curb, but they still were annoying. We did benefit from hearing the running dialogue of the guide in front of us and another off to the side. Old Faithful was faithful. We were given a modest performance, but it was greeted with cheers and lots of camera clicks. Later in the day we saw a more dramatic display.
Lunch time took us back to the Old Faithful Inn were we ate in their dining room. Waiting to be seated we gleaned information about where to find bison and bear from the family standing in line in front of us. Folks are generally very nice and love to talk about what they have seen and done. The restaurant is in a newer but not new addition to the Inn. We had no trouble finding good selections on the menu. The tables were seperated enough to allow easy movement. Servers where courteous and friendly. Yup, we would be coming back here before we left the area.
After lunch I took a brief pass through the Visitors Center. It had good displays to explain the thermal activity and other natural wonders of the area. Leaving we looked for the Yurts and our car. Our afternoon was spent in the Biscuit Basin, Midway Geyeser Basin, and the Grand Prismatic Spring. It was warm out, and there were long walks between geysers, so half way through the afternoon, Bill took to bench sitting. I admitted I had to bench sit occasionally to rest between sections of the boardwalk trails. Altitude is the main culprit. Be prepared for it. Keep hydrated. Wear a hat and sungasses. And make sure that hat doesn't blow off because there are winds up here. The Park Service does a very good job of posting a map of the area at the trailhead. That gave us the opportunity to judge our physical capabilites for the area. The joy of seeing those first startling colorful basins or pools sneaks up on you. I've never heard so many adults exclaiming "Oh, Wow!" The boardwalks are solid and safe. Use caution is some wet areas as they can be slippery for some shoes. I was expecting the beauty of the colorful pools, I was surprised by the beauty of the run-off area of the Grand Prismatic Spring. Its appearance of roof tiles or terraced land under clear water was awesome. I think I kept repeating out loud, "just look at that!".
It was wonderful day. As we drove back to West Yellowstone we watched another work of nature as a dramatic storm approached. Close

From journal Yellowstone Park and the Neighboring West Yellowstone

A must

by hcoole01

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

August 26, 2010

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Yellowstone is an amazing place! There is something new and different around every corner. Don't just go to Old Faithful which is busy and crowded. Experience each unique area. The canyon and Artist Point are breathtakingly beautiful and the buffalo ...Read more

Too Big for One Day

by oldscratch

New York, New York

August 5, 2009

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Despite driving on one of the longest day of the year, we soon realized that there was no way we were going to start the day in Bozeman and see all the Yellowstone attractions and still make it through Grand Teton National Park and to Teton Village ...Read more

From journal Mountain-West Road Trip

Thermals

by Wasatch

heber ctity, Utah

November 20, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo Yellowstone is the product of vast volcanic action, but in recorded history, the only volcanic action is thethermals. The thermals are created by rain and melting snow percolating down into the ground until theyhit hot magma-- rock so hot it has ...Read more

From journal Yellowstone is Much More than Old Faithful

Old Faithful Geyser

by starvingactor

New York, New York

October 28, 2007

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Yellowstone National Park is apparently the home of over 50% of the known geothermal features on this planet. I know a geyser when I see one, but I could not tell you accurately what triggers this natural phenomenon or why they are in such ...Read more

From journal Yellowstone National Park

Yellow Stone National Park

by Binaya

Grand Prairie, Texas

September 24, 2007

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Yellow Stone National Park is the world's first national park. It spreads across Montana to Wyoming. The best time to enter the park is as early as you can in the morning. We entered from the west entrance via Montana staying a night at Livingston. ...Read more

From journal Yellow Stone National Park

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Thermals

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Yellow Stone National Park