For the first entry of the National Parks Road-Trip Planner Blog, I figured we would start with the park that is my all time favorite! 

Yellowstone National Park is a beauty in and of itself, and it is notable for not only its geysers and hot pools, but its beautiful lake, snowy mountains, tremendous wildlife, and bubble pools of mud that resemble something otherworldly.  As a Yellowstone native, I'll provide some of my best advice for visiting the park. 

To begin, its important to note that Yellowstone receives millions of visitors each year, and the majority of those visitors are found between June and August. Therefore, my first advice for you is to visit Yellowstone in May or October. My personal favorite time of year in the park is the first couple of weeks in October. Be prepared to brave the cold because it will be in the 50s at best in the park this time of year. You will be rewarded for your cold tolerance by seeing herds of elk in the middle of their rutting season, bears that are eating their last bits of food before hibernation, fields of bison grazing, and the occasional wolf if you enter the park before dawn. 

I recommend spending at least an entire day in the park to truly enjoy all of its beauty, but if you must make a quick trip, here's an itinerary that will take the average group around 4 hours to complete. 

Half Day Itinerary:

• Enter the park through the West Entrance (West Yellowstone Side)

• Stop 1: Fountain Paint Pot Trailhead

  • This is a short half mile walk on maintained boardwalks that will give you a wonderful precursor to what is in store for the rest of your visit to the park. 

• Stop 2: Midway Geyser Basin

  • This trail gives you a beautiful ground view of Grand Prismatic, and some other small pools in the area. In addition, there is a beautiful old bridge for taking pictures!

• Stop 3: Old Faithful

  • Stopping here is a must do for any visit to Yellowstone! Old Faithful erupts around every hour, so while you're waiting you can wander through the looping trails of geysers and pools in the area around this natural wonder. 

Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mczA5Q1a7GCXGb9S8 

Now if you are able to spend a whole day basking in the beauty of this natural wonder, there is much more that you can find the time to do! Not only will you get to see the main features in the half day trip, but you will also see Yellowstone Lake where you can enjoy a peaceful lunch. You will also get to experience the majority of geyser basins that the park has to offer. Roaring mud volcanoes, steep, yellow canyons, and spewing geyers await you on this full day itinerary! Plan around 6-10 hours to complete this loop of the park. 

Yellowstone Full Day Itinerary:

• Enter the park through the West Entrance (West Yellowstone Side)

• Stop 1: Midway Geyser Basin

  • This trail gives you a beautiful ground view of Grand Prismatic, and some other small pools in the area. In addition, there is a beautiful old bridge for taking pictures!

• Stop 2: Old Faithful

  • Stopping here is a must do for any visit to Yellowstone! Old Faithful erupts around every hour, so while you're waiting you can wander through the looping trails of geysers and pools in the area around this natural wonder. 

• Stop 3: West Thumb Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail

  • This is a beautiful, short walk along the lakeshore with a variety of bubbling pools, geysers and mud pots to admire. 

• Stop 4: Fishing Bridge Visitors Center

  • Another beautiful place to walk and see the lake scenery! 

• Stop 5: Mud Volcano

  • This is home to the infamous Dragon's Mouth Spring that will spew mud and roar as you look into it. THere is also a variety of other mud pot features throughout this area if you are looking to take a longer hike!

• Stop 5: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Artists Point

  • This stop offers breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone! Waterfalls and inspiration await. 

• Stop 6: Norris Geyser Basin 

  • A great, short walk on thorough this active, energetic geyser basin.  This is a wonderful last look at the park before working your way back to the West Entrance!

Google Maps Link:

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/gox593TYYWzk3mEKA 

Planning a trip to Yellowstone and want more detailed itineraries with maps, detailed advice, and tips from a professional included?  Reach out to me through the Contact Page!

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Artists Point

For the next feature in our blog, we will be focusing on Grand Teton National Park! This park is notoriously known for its three towering peaks that are considered to be one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world. Riddled with fault lines is this range of active geologic wonder. 

This park is best explored through a multi-day endeavor where you will be able to see all of the wonderful features the park has to offer. However, if you only happen to be passing through for a half day then here's the perfect itinerary for you. 

Half Day Itinerary:

• Stop 1:  Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center

  • I am not usually the type of traveler who stops at the park visitors center, but this one is absolutely breathtaking. It is a wonderful spot to take pictures of the Tetons and begin your day!

• Stop 2: Teton Glacier Turnout

  • Stop to see the infamous Teton glacier in all its natural beauty! Also, this stop provides views of the Middle Glacier and Teepee Glacier (seen in the image). 

• Stop 3: Jenny Lake

  • Stopping here is a must! Jenny Lake is a beautiful area for pictures and provides wonderful views. Take a walk around the lake or simply take the ferry across.

• Stop 4: String Lake

  • For your final stop in the park, String Lake is a welcoming one. Enjoy the relaxed lakeside atmosphere, go for a swim or just enjoy a peaceful moment on the beach!

Google Maps Link: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WFcPcFDrvzzZGG1L9

Planning a trip to The Tetons and want more detailed itineraries with maps, detailed advice, and tips from a professional included?  Reach out to me through the Contact Page!

String Lake