It's hard to skip America's first national park. So how do you tackle 2.2 million acres and half of the world's geothermal features in one of the finest samples of Mother Nature's creation in the entire world?
Well, logging a lot of miles in the car, to be honest 🤣. The thing is, you won't even be mad about it. There will be Buffalo traffic jams, rubbernecks for wildlife sightings, potentially geysers erupting that you can see for miles, steaming mountains, gorgeous rivers, a massive lake, and a few grand waterfalls.
Let me back up, if you've been reading my posts then you know time of year is important. Yellowstone has an average elevation of 8,000 feet. This means in the winter it experiences abundant snowfall and closed roads. It also means the weather is constantly unpredictable. The park is traversed by the Grand Loop Road which includes an Upper and Lower Loop with four entrances from the north, south, east, and west. The ONLY entrance open year-round is that from the north in Gardiner. The West entrance in West Yellowstone typically opens next around mid-April, followed by the east in Cody by early May, and the south coming from Grand Teton by mid-May. The roads close for the season near the end of October. For more data, visit the NPS site.
I have visited in mid-April and had a fabulous time, but I didn't do much long distance hiking due to snow still being present on trails and colder weather, including a snow dusting.
Now, where should you fly into? There are several options. My top recommendation would probably be Bozeman at an hour and fifteen minutes from the park entrance. I often see flights for under $300 into this vibrant, exploding city. The airport view is insane all by itself and it's got some great restaurants downtown for a nice last night before a morning flight out. If you're willing to spend over $400, I loved flying into Cody. Its two gate airport is extremely easy to navigate and it's only an hour from the park entrance with fantastic scenery. If you don't mind driving (8hrs round trip) and want the most budget friendly option, check out Salt Lake City for under $200 flights. This is the hub we use for student groups when planning trips for NationsClassroom and they stay in West Yellowstone only 4 minutes from the park entrance. A pricey option is Jackson Hole. Personally, I shy away from this location because I don't want to be settled in a touristy spot. Jackson is a ski town and no longer a hidden gem. It comes with high prices and lots of people, which does equate to bars and restaurants being open later. Jackson to Yellowstone is an hour and fifteen minutes, all through Grand Teton National Park.
Picking your airport will also be dependent on where you want to stay. West Yellowstone, ID is by far the closest to an entrance gate and comes with a summer rodeo, the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, and an IMAX theatre. Ironically, this is the only gateway town I've never stayed in! Gardiner, MT is a sleepy and quaint little town that suffered during the extreme flooding a few summers ago. It's home to the famous entrance arch and spits you out right next to Mammoth Hot Springs and the wildlife mecca that is Lamar Valley. Just north of Gardiner is Yellowstone Hot Springs if you're looking to relax in spring-fed pools. Cody, WY is a quiet old western themed town. It's home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (a Smithsonian level museum), the recreated Old Trail Town, is the gateway to National Scenic Byway Chief Joseph Hwy, and if you're into history, Heart Mountain Interpretation Center highlighting the internment camp where Asian Americans were held during WWII.
How long should you stay to experience Yellowstone? I truly think no less than 4 days. It is so vast that it probably deserves 5-7, and if you really want to soak in as much as you can of the region 8-10 days. If you stay that long, I'd anticipate staying in multiple gateway towns.
I should mention that Yellowstone does offer lodging inside the park, it's just hard to get as it sells out a year in advance. As a child my parents put us up for a night or two in the Old Faithful Inn. It doesn't have AC or TVs, but the architecture is amazing and the location exceptional. Other in the park accommodations are Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Grant Village, Canyon Lodge, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. These start at rates of $124 up to $600 a night.
You will definitely want a comfortable vehicle to navigate the park. It would probably be worth the splurge for an oversized sunroof for wildlife sightings and views. I like to support the locals by renting through TURO.
What are the must-sees you ask? Here's a list, including a few Grand Teton sites because if the roads are fully open during your visit, you can't skip it. Another thing I'd like to note is that Yellowstone is one of the most accessible parks you can visit. Much of it is boardwalks and short walks that grandparents or those with limited mobility can make comfortably.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - drive up and take short walks to numerous overlooks. Artists Point is an iconic view.
Old Faithful Geyser - check the ranger station and the signs out front for predicted eruption times. There are hundreds of church pews to sit on (I mean benches 🤣).
The Grand Prismatic - hike up to see it from the top, when I was there the trail was closed for bear activity.
Mammoth Hot Springs - easy boardwalk to see the terraces up close.
Lamar Valley - more bison than you've ever seen. Plus wolves, foxes, moose, bear, bighorn sheep...fantastic scenery.
Lake Yellowstone - massive body of water. I'd be sure and kayak it.
West Thumb Geyser Basin - right next to Lake Yellowstone see the bubbling geothermal features on a short boardwalk trail. Gorgeous at golden hour.
Fountain Paint Pots - more geysers!
Norris Geyser Basin - home to Steamboat Geyser and more. If you're lucky this is where some of the most powerful eruptions happen. Another easy to navigate boardwalk situation.
Jenny Lake - I'd take the boat across and hike to Inspiration Point.
Snake River - I'd float or whitewater raft this through Grand Teton.
Just in case you're interested, the greater Yellowstone area has more to offer. I would absolutely recommend Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, the Wind River Range to the southeast, or Big Sky to the northwest if you have more time.
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