Yellowstone was the world’s first national park, and it’s one of the crown jewels of your system. It’s also a huge place, and although you can drive all its roads in one long day, that’s not the best way to enjoy it.
Here are 15 things ranging from well-known to much less so that will keep you busy and happy when you visit the park and the surrounding region.
Raft the Yellowstone
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Whitewater rafting isn’t allowed inside the park, but it is on the Yellowstone River in the Paradise Valley to the north of the park. Outfitters in the gateway town of Gardiner just outside the North Entrance can ensure a safe and fun day for you.
Visit Mammoth Hot Springs
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The colorful terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs are lovely. Trails and boardwalks provide safe access to them, and elk like to frequent this area as well.
Soak in Boiling River
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The Gardiner River exits the park at its namesake town and soon joins the Yellowstone. Along the North Entrance Road, runoff from Mammoth Hot Springs runs into the Gardiner, making some spa-like spots in this otherwise cold mountain stream. Be careful of the strong currents.
Do Some Fly Fishing
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The Yellowstone region has several blue-ribbon trout streams. One of the best is the Madison River, and you can get everything you need in the gateway town of West Yellowstone.
Visit Some Geyser Basins
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Norris is the hottest and most active, and it has Steamboat Geyser, with the world’s tallest eruptions. Upper Geyser Basin has the famous Old Faithful. At Midway, you can see the fabulously colored Grand Prismatic Spring, best viewed from a trail that climbs the ridge behind it. There are many other smaller geyser basins that are less crowded. Make sure you stay on trails and boardwalks; people have been badly burned and killed after leaving them.
Go to Grand Teton
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The Tetons are one of the world’s most spectacular mountain ranges. They’re actually visible from some points in Yellowstone, but it’s far better to see them up close, and Grand Teton National Park is only about a half-hour drive from Yellowstone’s South Entrance.
Hang Out on a Beach
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Yellowstone Lake is the country’s largest high-altitude lake, and its shores provide fantastic views. Some people even brave the cold waters to swim.
Hike Up Avalanche Peak
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The hike up to this summit is only about 2.5 miles, but it’s highly strenuous. The reward is a sweeping 360-degree view of the park and surrounding mountains. If it’s too crowded for your tastes, traverse the moderately challenging connecting ridge to Hoyt Peak, where there’s usually no one.
Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
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This location is about an hour’s drive from the East Entrance in Cody. Its five museums and other features preserve the legacy of Buffalo Bill Cody and educate visitors about the history and culture of the West.
See the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
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Here, the Yellowstone River roars through a colorful canyon. There are several viewpoints, and most are easy to access. The highlight is probably the Lower Falls, which drops more than 300’ and is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country.
Hike to Tower Fall
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You can see the plunge of this waterfall from a roadside pullout, but a moderate-rated trail takes you down to the base. Down there, you’ll also see the Yellowstone rushing through another beautiful gorge.
Tour the Lamar Valley
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The Lamar Valley is called the American Serengeti for all its wildlife. Elk, bison, and pronghorns are the most common sights, but you may also see moose, bears, foxes, and wolves. Never approach any of these animals, as they are wild and dangerous, and people have lost their lives doing stupid things to get the perfect picture. Be patient, too; the bison herds are known to congregate on the road and stop traffic for long periods.
Hike to Druid Lake
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While you’re in the Lamar Valley, stop and do the short, easy hike to Druid Lake. Yellowstone doesn’t have a lot of small mountain lakes, and this one is an exception. It nicely frames some of rugged mountains nearby.
Stop in Cooke City
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After your time in the Lamar Valley, drive out the Northeast Entrance and stop in tiny Cooke City, MT. It’s one of the coolest mountain towns in the country and has a rustic, Old-West feel. There are several restaurants and motels for you to enjoy as well.
Drive the Beartooth Highway
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Cooke City is one of the ends of the magnificent Beartooth Highway, with the other being Red Lodge, MT. For about 50 miles, you’ll see lakes, waterfalls, alpine meadows, mountain views, and wildlife. It crests at Beartooth Pass, which is above treeline and in the alpine tundra zone. Tread very carefully here, as damaged tundra can take decades to recover.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
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Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border makes a lot of lists of the most beautiful places in America. There’s also a lot to do there, with a wide range of outdoor recreation, great dining, resorts, nightlife, and more. If it’s your first time going or if you’re going back, consider adding some of the following places to your itinerary.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
The World’s 5 Friendliest and 5 Unfriendliest Cities
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Some cities welcome visitors and want them to be there. Other cities are rude to visitors and would just as soon see you leave. It can be jarring to be in an unfriendly city, though some of the world’s most enticing cities rank high on the rudeness scale. When you visit a friendly city, it’s much easier to soak in the culture and meet the locals. Rough Guides readers voted on the cities for their level of friendliness. According to Rough Guides, these are the world’s friendliest and unfriendliest cities.
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