Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) is the first national park in the U.S. and is renowned for its unique hydrothermal and geothermal wonders. Most parts of Yellowstone National Park is in the state Wyoming, but it also spreads to neighboring states Montana and Idaho. The park is a volcanic hot spot and offers tremendous geothermal geysers and hot springs. Waiting and watching the famous Old Faithful gushing geyser to erupt has become a park tradition now. The Park also features a diverse landscape with dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, waterfalls, the Yellowstone Lake, and wildlife including bison, elks, antelopes, bears, wolves, and foxes.
Captured during our delightful two-day Yellowstone adventure in late August 2012, these photos transport you to their picturesque beauty.
Quick Facts and Tips
- Best Time to Visit: April to October
- Less crowd and cooler weather: April to May and September to October
- Busiest months and warm weather: June to August
- Airports
- Closest, but expensive: Yellowstone Airport, Jackson Hole Airport, and Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. These airports give you good access to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks
- Yellowstone Airport is a small airport but is only 10 minutes from the park’s west entrance
- Jackson Hole Airport which is about an hour and half drive to Yellowstone’s south entrance
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport: About an hour and a half from Yellowstone’s north entrance. There are more frequent flights from West-Coast cities of US and more Expensive and fewer flights from East-Coast cities of US
- Good Deals: Salt Lake City International Airport, 6 hour drive to Yellowstone National Park South entrance. This airport is convenient to visit both Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks
- Closest, but expensive: Yellowstone Airport, Jackson Hole Airport, and Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. These airports give you good access to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks
- Clothing
- Summer is warm and hot, so pack lightweight casual short-sleeved t-shirts, shorts, tank tops, capri, hats, sunscreen, rain gears and comfortable walking shoes. Bring warm jackets for cooler mornings and nights, even in the summer temperatures can drop to below freezing overnight
- Spring and fall are cooler, so pack long sleeved t-shirts, comfortable jeans, fleece jacket, warm jacket, gloves, rain gears and comfortable walking shoes
- How many days: At least two full days
- Accommodation is limited inside the park. Book your accommodation in advance during peak season
- What to Expect
- Tremendous geothermal geysers, Hot springs, Gushing geysers, Lush forests, Waterfalls, The Yellowstone Lake, Dramatic Canyons, Alpine rivers, Wildlife including bison, elk, fox, antelope, bears, wolves
- Be sure to check the Park official website for the current trail conditions and road closures before heading out
- It could be required to make a reservation before visiting National Park this summer. Check with Park.
- Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle or from $20 to $30 per person/ motorcycle. The pass is good for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and good for seven days
- Start early in the morning during busiest seasons (summer and fall) for best lighting, more elbow room, and most wildlife
- Take caution and follow the posted signs while driving through the park for pullovers to take photos or to view wildlife
- Keep some extra time for stopping for photos, sights, unexpected wildlife encounters, erupting geysers, detours and for unplanned delays
- Be aware of wildlife on the road or near the road. Viewing wildlife from inside the car is the the best and safest way
- Weather changes rapidly, so carry rain gear and extra clothing
- During summer the parking lot fills up very quickly and it is recommended to follow the park rangers instructions to use overflow parking lots if necessary
- Stay on boardwalks and marked trails in thermal areas. Use only open and designated trails and roads
- Avoid going close to hot springs, steam vents, cracks in thermal areas. These hydrothermal water can severely burn people
- Take food and water so you can spend the day touring by covering as many as attraction vista points
- Weak/no cell phone signals, highly recommend to have maps downloaded or printed
- There is a lot to capture, so keep your camera ready. Make sure that camera is fully charged and also keep backup battery and memory cards
- Places to Visit
- Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool, Grand Prismatic Geyser, Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Spring, Tower Fall
- Best things to do
- Old Faithful and Upper geyser Basin – National Park Service
- Morning Glory Pool – National Park Service
- Norris Geyser Basin – National Park Service
- West Thumb Basin and the South – National Park Service
- Midway Geyser Basin – National Park Service
- Monmouth Hot Spring and the North – National Park Service
- Canyon Village and Grand Canyon – National Park Service
- Popular Hikes
- Nearby Attraction: Grand Teton National Park – National Park Service, Wyoming, just 70 miles away
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