Searching for info on Yellowstone National Park

[kentucky yeti]

I took my wife and daughter there back around 2009. But it seems, from hearing others talk about their trips there, that we missed lots of cool things there. We came up through Cody Wyoming through the eastern entrance, and we stayed at night in a motel in West Yellowstone, Montana at the western entrance. Evidently, there is another loop road to the north that we missed completely in the park. My wife and I want to go back while we are still able and take more time there to take it in. We only had three days when we went before. I am looking for places to look up while there, and also any nice places inside the park to stay at (at least for a couple days). We are looking at info and maps online, but I'd like some perspective from those who have gone before. Thanks, Mike

 

[Cholo]

A loop road in the north I like is the 7 mile Blacktail Plateau Drive. In '73 when I did the road on my bike a sign said to look out for Grizzly's. In '19 I didn't see those signs anywhere in the Park, though there are still plenty of bears that might eat you. It's just a leisurely drive thru the meadows. There is a sign that says rough road, and they mean it. IOW: You don't want to take your Trans Am LOL

Figure the Park is one big circle. There's a road that cuts right thru the middle that makes it a figure eight, but it's just an unremarkable road in a Park full of remarkable sights. Go with the big circle and you'll see just about everything there is to see. Between 3:00 and 6:00 there are beautiful waterfalls and raging rivers. I don't know what you call them so I'll call them steam spouts, not geysers. They're all over the place and some make this loud eerie sound. Very cool, and not a tourist hot spot.

Old Faithful was faithful when I went in '73 and '83, not so much now. If you've seen it in '09 I'd skip it or you can waste over 2 hours there when there's so much more to see.

I'd highly recommend going before/after the summer crowds. They can be insane, and it's the reason I didn't really care for the Grand Canyon. I'd been to other gorgeous canyons without the crowds so...

Pick up a map at the entrance station where you pay to get in. It will show you all you need to know.

If there's anything you want a pic of let me know and I can post it here. Ask if you have any questions. If you havn't been, Grand Teton National Park just to the south of Yellowstone is incredible in a completely different way. There are tons of breathtaking hiking trails there, and it's hardly changed a bit in the last 50 years other than, yup--crowds.

Be sure to check that you don't need to register to get in, and they give you a specific time. After the '20 Covid bull**** people started getting out again in '21/'22 and the more popular NP's couldn't handle the crowds, hence the registration.

Did I mention to go before or after tourist season?

PS: I've stayed in West Yellowstone and Livingston, MT as well as Cody, WY. In '73 I camped I camped in the Park. West Yellowstone will be the closest for you. I've never stayed in a hotel in a NP. West Yellowstone is only about 15 minutes from the main Park road so there's no reason to get hosed more that you will staying outside of the Park.

PSS: When you decide when you're going, make hotel reservations before you plan on being there. They fill up in advance near a NP.

 

[Kevin]

Back in college I worked in the park for a summer. What a great time. I worked in the “Canyon” Lodge location. I just worked at the hotel’s front desk, nothing special.

But on my days off I drove up to the Mammoth Hot Springs to help with a horse pack trip for tourists. We took a horse team with a trailer out to cook a steak dinner for the guests. They rode horses out separately, ate and rode back. Tons of fun and great food.

But there was lots of free time to go over to West Yellowstone for pizza or over to Old Faithful to see the geyser. And of course the lodge.

I would recommend those two locations Mammoth and Old Faithful.

I agree with Cholo, avoid peak season. Too many tourists. But then you have to drive down to Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole WY.

When I lived in Boise we drove over a couple times, but the park was closed both times because of fires. So we just camped in The Tetons and bummed around Jackson Hole. Which has a bunch of great touristy things to do on its own.

 

[turd]

Jackson Hole is worth seeing/experiencing, and Grand Teton NP is, I think, more picturesque than Yellowstone. The last time I was in Yellowstone (a LONG time ago), I was on my bike, and after nearly being run over twice by huge motor homes, I quickly left. Cody is worth a visit as well.

 

[Bob Wright]

If you are 62 or older, get a Golden Age Passport. Its free and get you in free not only to National Parks, but many other Government recreational areas. Not only you, but all who are in your vehicle, unless you are part of a bus tour. And at the Grand Canyon it allowed me to enter with my own vehicle. It has saved me well over $200 over the years. Its good for your lifetime.

Bob Wright

 

[Cal30 1906]

Jackson Hole is worth seeing/experiencing, and Grand Teton NP is, I think, more picturesque than Yellowstone. The last time I was in Yellowstone (a LONG time ago), I was on my bike, and after nearly being run over twice by huge motor homes, I quickly left. Cody is worth a visit as well.

I haven't been there since the fire in 1989???
We camped wherever we felt like back then but I hear it has turned into something that I doubt I would want to see now, and I hear it is terrible expensive these days.

 

[turd]

You may want to check the Yellowstone NP site. The north entrance was closed after the flooding this summer and there were some other areas that were not accessible. My nephew lives in Billings, and I guess there was some real damage on the north side of the Park. I don't know how you would go, but if you get a chance, go through Sheridan and then through the Gros Ventre Mountains to the east entrance, beautiful country.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

You might want to spend some time here. It is not only the history of guns but also Western Art. An outstanding museum located in Cody WY.
We have been to and camped at the Park twice both times before the Big Fire. To me it is the most fantastic place on earth and I have been to a few.

cody museum of the west - Yahoo Video Search Results

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[blume357]

One of the hidden gems my wife and I discovered is not actually in Yellowstone... the NorthEast entrance just above is a small town called Cook City and there is a 'Roadside Attraction' store on the left side with all that tourist stuff... if you buy enough, not a lot, you get free entrance to their stuffed animal display in the back... I know it all sounds hokey, but it is an amazing display....

Going on google street view, I think it is called the Yellowstone Trading Post.

 

[trebor44]

Recall the "Soda Butte CG Grizzly bear attacks" just outside Cooked City (yep it was cooked). Bear aware is warranted. The 'fires' opened up a lot of views, both outside and inside the park.
The 'floods' did have an impact on the northern perimeter and entrances to the park, so check the web site for more up to date information.

 

[krw]

On that big ranch that borders the Park, hear Dutton’s are nice enough people, just don’t mess with em!! 😂🤣

 

[Bob Wright]

And, while you are in the vicinity, be sure to travel Beartooth Pass. One of the most fantastic drives in the United States! Enter from Red Lodge, MT. Puts you right at 12,000 ft. elevation.

Bob Wright

 

[4896worker]

Been to Yellowstone several times always amazing . Last time Winter 2022 did the snow coach/ snow machine tour. Was great highly recommend

 

[The Norseman]

One thing I would suggest is take a look at
Yellowstone National Park facebook. I’m not
a member of facebook, but still can view
the YNP site.

For me the site is interesting and gives updates
to the Park. We were lucky, we had left two
days before the Flood.

The Best to you and your Endeavors

 

[Hankus]

If you are 62 or older, get a Golden Age Passport. Its free and get you in free not only to National Parks, but many other Government recreational areas. Not only you, but all who are in your vehicle, unless you are part of a bus tour. And at the Grand Canyon it allowed me to enter with my own vehicle. It has saved me well over $200 over the years. Its good for your lifetime.

Bob Wright

If you’re a veteran you can get free passes regardless of age too!

 

[NukeRef]

If you are 62 or older, get a Golden Age Passport. Its free ...

There are free passes for some, like Veterans or active military. The Golden Age Passport for ordinary citizens over the age of 62 is $20 Annual or $80 Lifetime. (NPS website)

When I got my "America the Beautiful" Senior Pass at age 62 it cost me $10, good for my lifetime. Prices changed in 2017. Even so, the pass is still worth the money.

 

[hfcable]

northern entrance , through Gardiner, is open now, with a new road [ actually an older road was upgraded and reopened ]

been there several times in the last 6 weeks [ we are about 1.5 hours away, at our home in bozeman MT ] the northern route, in the warm weather, is beautiful and there are tremendous numbers of bison in Lamar valley and lots of other wild life as well.

 

[woodsy]

As I just commented on another thread, my wife and I spent two weeks camped in Yellowstone. And that wasn't long enough to see everything. I could fill several pages with the sights we saw and the encounters we had. Would go back in a heartbeat if it wasn't so far away. Simply stunning. Anyone who worships "nature" deserves to go.

 

[wolfsong]

The only info/advice I can share is don't feed the animals - ESPECIALLY the bears!

 

[BearBiologist]

Been there a dozen times. Feel free to PM me.

First: Consider the park to be a giant figure "8".

Lodging: We try to stay at the Yellowstone Lodge. It's pricey but worth it. It is the largest log building in the world. Six stories tall (although only 3 are accessible). We have stayed in the "old section" with shared baths and the "new" section (1920s?). Both have their charm. BOOK NOW!!!!! Last trip we were there and got hit by an early snowstorm. They had stranded tour busses and people sleeping in the lobby. Our favorite time to go is after Labor Day and before they close for the season. Some places are closed down but the elk are bugling and geese migrating. Once you get there, make your dinner reservations immediately! Food in the Lodge is pricey but good. If you do not make reservations right away, you'll likely be eating at 10 PM! Outside is Geyser Basin full of hot pools and geysers. Old Faithfull is about 200 yards away. Best viewpoint is from the roof of the entrance (second floor, I think). There's a small bar with mixed drinks, soft drinks and coffee/hot chocolate. Nice to sit up there and have a warm drink on a brisk fall day. Geyser Basin has lots of bison=DO NOT APPROACH! As a retired Wildlife Biologist, you do not want to mess with them without a very large rifle present! There should be elk, also! We videoed a coyote catching mice their and an osprey catching a trout.

We haven't stayed there but the Lake Yellowstone Lodge is nice with a "Great Gatsby". We've been there and had a nice lunch. Grant Village has places to stay but we haven't stayed there. It has lots of conveniences.

What to see:

Bears can be seen anywhere, as can moose. Lamarr Valley at the north is a good spot to see wolves and moose in the early morning. We've seen a couple on the north shore of Yellowstone Lake. We've seen grizzlies near the 'petrified forest" and near the east exit. Gibbon's Meadows is a good place to see really big moose, especially in fall. The primary bull there was truly big but he was poached a few years ago. The valley north of the fishing bridge holds elk and bison. Last trip, we watched a grizzly try to catch some bison and then started searching the sage for elk calves. Only time I've heard a cow elk bugle! She was trying to distract the bear.

Time of year:

We are obviously a little prejudiced towards visiting in the fall, after school starts. During the summer/vacation/tourist months of summer, you may have to park as much as a mile or so away and walk back to see the animals. These are referred to "Bear Jams" or "Bison Jams", etc. But be prepared for the possibility of snow any time of year! One employee told us that it was her last year working in one of the shops as she had graduated college and had a full-time job waiting. She said it was her favorite time of year because it was less crowded and the people who were there were there to see the park and not checking something off on a road trip.

As I said, PM me with any ???????