Yellowstone is a national park located in the southwestern state of Wyoming. It is one of the most important national parks in the world and a favorite destination for adventure seekers. It is famous for its magnificent scenery, pine and fir forests, and unique flora and fauna.

The park is divided into several reserves, the most famous of which is the Mammoth Reserve, home to the popular white smoke columns emanating from the hot springs. You can drive there from Las Vegas (about 12 hours), from San Francisco (about 15 hours) or simply travel on a flight to Salt Lake City and drive to the park about 3.5 hours.

In this post, find out my 10 essential tips to visit the Yellowstone park and organize at best this American road too!

1. The geysers of Yellowstone Park: a must-see!

Yellowstone National Park, also known as the “geyser park”, is the largest national park in the United States. It covers an area of more than 3,000 km², and is located in northwestern Wyoming, on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. It is known for its geysers, some of which are extremely powerful.

It is an incredible place with wilderness and spectacular scenery. The geysers are the most fascinating things to see in the park. Jets of boiling water gush out of the earth, giving this place a unique character!

You can see the Upper Geyser Basin, the Norris Geyser Basin, and the Mammoth Hot Springs. These geysers are steam springs that gush out at heights of up to 20 to 50 meters!

Geyser yellowstone park

(c) Photo : Sébastien Thevenin

2. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Park: the big show

The Grand Canyon is known for its incredible geological diversity and arid landscapes. It is considered the largest canyon in the world, with a length of over 30 km. And from a historical point of view, it is also one of the oldest places on the American continent. Today, the Grand Canyon has existed for more than six million years.

From the 350 m high cliffs, the Grand Canyon offers a spectacular view of the Lower Falls, impressive falls whose silence is almost deafening! I advise you to admire them from the path below, on Uncle Tom’s trail.

3. Take time to enjoy Yellowstone’s wildlife

Yellowstone is located away from major cities, so there is a lot of wildlife. The most famous animals are partridges, squirrels and rabbits. There are also many birds such as blackbirds, peacocks, black crows and ravens.

Yellowstone’s wildlife is very diverse, however, a few have a special place in this unique landscape. One example is the black bear, long hunted for its leather and teeth. Wild fish, such as lobsters and scallops, are also now protected. Finally, you can also find seabirds such as the emperor penguin and the Ross’s petrel.

animals at Yellowstone park

(c) Photo : Sébastien Thevenin

4. Enjoy the natural colors of Yellowstone Park

The area is adorned with a wide variety of colors, ranging from red to blue to green to yellow.

In the fall, all the hills are covered in a carpet of gold and the trees are wrapped in bronze leaves. It is a magnificent sight to see this jewel of nature! While admiring the beauty of the landscape, you will have a breathtaking view of the sunsets. As the sun goes down, the sky turns an intense orange color, which turns bright red as the sun disappears into the distance. This is a rare emotional moment that I recommend you experience to the fullest during your visit to Yellowstone.

5. Yellowstone Lake: the meeting of water and land

Yellowstone Lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Yellowstone National Park. The lake is located about 3 miles north of the park, just off US-191. There are many activities to enjoy here, such as hiking, fishing, etc. In addition, you can rent boats or kayaks in this lake to experience the beauty of the landscape.

The largest and most famous lake in Yellowstone Park is the Great Lake. It is approximately 25 km long and 12 km wide. It’s a great place to take a boat ride!

Yellowstone park tips

(c) Photo : Sébastien Thevenin

6. Yellowstone’s rivers: to be explored from top to bottom

If you plan to visit Yellowstone National Park, you will have to walk through several valleys and rivers: the Snake River, the Gardner River and the Firehole River. But there are also other rivers that flow through Yellowstone, such as the Yellowstone River and the Madison River.

7. The best time to visit Yellowstone Park

There are many things to do and see in Yellowstone Park. So it’s important to choose the right time to visit.

If you’re looking for tranquility and adventure, the perfect time to visit the Yellowstone is in the fall. The glowing leaves make this landscape unique, and you can enjoy the many activities that take place at this time of year.

Yellowstone Park is home to a large number of wildlife. This makes it the perfect place for safari enthusiasts. It is also known for its geysers and active volcanoes. But when is the best time of year to visit Yellowstone Park? If you want to see wildlife such as large mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, you should really go in June, once the snow has completely melted. However, if you’re mainly looking to see geysers and volcanoes in action, you’d better go in October. Fall is when most of Yellowstone’s geysers and volcanoes become active.

8. Lodging: options for sleeping in Yellowstone Park

The first option is camping. Yellowstone National Park is a unique place, where you will be able to camp under the starry sky. It is a beautiful place that offers exceptional opportunities for nature lovers. During your stay at the park, you will be able to see wild bison, even grizzly bears and brown bears, first hand!

If you’ve ever dreamed of camping in Yellowstone Park, the best season is summer. And, during the fall season, you can meet elk and deer!

The second option for lodging in Yellowstone is a hotel. If you’re looking for something within your budget, there are many options within the park itself, such as hotels at Old Faithful Inn and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. You also have the option of staying at a luxury inn such as The Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins.

9. Dining in Yellowstone

If you plan to visit Yellowstone National Park, here are some of my recommendations for restaurants. The first is the Old Faithful Inn. At the restaurant, you can choose from a breakfast buffet, pancakes, or an a la carte lunch. The second restaurant I recommend is the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, which offers more elaborate meals. Finally, the third restaurant is the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. This one offers an a la carte brunch including eggs, bacon and waffles, but also chicken and fish.

10. Access to Yellowstone Park

If you want to know how to get to Yellowstone Park, there are several options. The first way is to drive to the park, see my tips for driving in the USA. Those who want to go by bus will have to go to Cody first.

Another option is to land at one of the airports near Yellowstone, such as Cody Airport, Bozeman Airport, Idaho Falls Airport or, a little further away, Salt Lake City Airport as mentioned above. From there they can take a special shuttle or bus to the park.

Conclusion

There is so much to see in Yellowstone Park! You can’t miss the Grand Canyon, Grand Prismatic Spring, Grand Canyon of Wyoming, Yellowstone Lake and Yellowstone River. If you want to see the bright colors of the wildflowers in the middle of summer, the most beautiful natural scenery, and the peace and quiet of the forested areas in the region, book your trip to the park now!

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