Visiting Yellowstone National Park
Probably one of the coolest places we've ever been, YNP did not disappoint.
We have always dreamed about visiting Yellowstone National Park and enjoying all of the priceless treasures it offers. I’ve heard countless tales about the magic and couldn’t wait to explore the regions of this famous park.
Yet I was a bit apprehensive about driving there, given the mountain roads, but unlike our horrific drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, this was nothing compared to that. WHEW!
That said, I’d like to share a little about our YNP experience.
Day One
Driving into Yellowstone was filled with excitement. We started our trip in Bozeman, Montana, and drove I-90 east until we hit Highway 89, then headed south, planning to start on the north side of YNP at the Albright Visitor Center and take Grand Loop Road to Tower Junction before heading back south on Highway 89.
Mammoth Hot Springs was fascinating.
Before traversing into the wilderness, we stopped at Mammoth Hot Springs to shop for souvenirs, grab a bite to eat, and go tinkle. Speaking of, you will notice loads of animal poop around the visitor center. Apparently, the wildlife knows where to get a good meal or at least hang out.
The heated springs area looks like a Sci-Fi scene from another planet. It was so bizarre and fascinating. You could spend hours looking at them. Some of them looked so inviting I wanted to jump in, but I do prefer to keep my skin.
There are trails you can walk along with scenic views, but depending on when you are there, you should expect hundreds of people and no parking. This stop will require you to take a deep breath and be patient, which I am not!
Grand Loop Road was peaceful and amazing.
We snaked our way around Grand Loop Road into the Wyoming countryside and loved it. This is where we got our first glimpse of a herd of bison with a lone bull hanging out on the side of the road. There wasn’t much traffic, so the ride felt even more joyful and let us soak up the beautiful scenery.
We then decided to take Blacktail Plateau Drive, an off-road trail along Grand Loop, and it kicked ass. It’s gravel and sand, but it goes through some beautiful areas of Yellowstone. I felt manly as we drove our truck on this adventurous trek, leaving it completely covered in dirt. It was well worth it.
Since Grand Loop Road was closed beyond Tower Junction, we backtracked our path to head south again on Highway 89. The drive is totally incredible. Between mountain views, wildlife sightings, and out-of-this-world springs, it will not disappoint unless you have no soul. 😜
Canyon Village is a nice stop.
This scenic ride along Norris Canyon Road was a nice drive. Canyon Village is a small stop by the Upper Falls of Yellowstone and includes a General Store where you can buy more touristy stuff or a cold beer. It was a quiet, quaint place, with not many people around. Thumbs up to that.
Because exploring all these areas took up most of our day, we decided it was time to stop for the night at the Brandin’ Iron Inn in West Yellowstone. We loved staying here and the nightlife around town was perfect. For dinner, we highly recommend Firehole BBQ if it’s open. The food was incredible.
Day Two
The next day, we left West Yellowstone early because wildlife is more active in the morning and evening, and since Donetta and I both suck at night driving, getting up at the crack of dawn was the safest option. While we hated to leave the town so soon, we were hell bent on seeing a bear or wolves.
Highway 191 that day was a gift from God.
You know it’s going to be a good day when you start with a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit from McDonald’s. Even when they are $5.00 each. The rest of the day from that point was even more magical.
Timing is everything when exploring National Parks and this day was no exception!
As we made the drive back into Yellowstone along Highway 191, we were blessed with a heavenly experience. Along our route, we spotted what appeared to be two wolves hunting a bison in the distance, but in reality turned out to be coyotes searching for food. Still, it was very cool to see.
That morning, I had also prayed for a sign from God to let me know my mother’s potentially dangerous surgery would be a success; I asked God to send an animal in front of our vehicle, which sounds cheesy, but as we were stopped trying to get photos of the coyotes, this large male bison decided to make his way across the road right in front of our truck!
As Donetta panicked, hoping it wouldn’t ram us, it slowly walked right next to my mirror and looked at me with a sparkle in its eye. I could’ve reached out to pet it. It was like he was saying to me that it would be all good, and in the end, it certainly was, and my mother made a complete and healthy recovery.
Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake were impressive.
As I said before, timing this day was impeccable. We arrived at Old Faithful, quickly found a parking spot, and walked up just a few minutes before it erupted. The geyser itself was an incredible sight! The additional reward was no waiting or having to sit in traffic for an hour to do it.
Yellowstone Lake was also captivating. The sheer size and colors of the lake will make you stand in awe. There is a trail that loops around to the water’s edge and past several hot springs. I really wanted to go skinny-dipping in the cerulean blue water, but because of local laws and Donetta’s scathing glare, I opted to avoid jail time and the doghouse.
Wildfires could’ve derailed our plans.
Thankfully for us, though unfortunately for others, we avoided a large wildfire burning through the park. As we made our way back from Yellowstone Lake and south on 191, roads were being shut down, and access was denied because of the fire. Since we were on our way to Grand Teton National Park and had finished visiting Yellowstone, we escaped the madness and danger. The hundreds of visitors heading north into the park were likely disappointed.
The Grand Finale!
As with the rest of the drive around YNP, our route toward Grand Teton National Park was fulfilling. The beauty that surrounded us was almost too much to take in.
Grand Teton consists of three peaks and was called “Les Trois Tetons” by early French trappers. It means “The Three Breasts” with the tallest being called “The Big Tit.” Now this is something I can get behind. LOL! Regardless of its name, it’s hard not to take your eyes off the peaks. 👀 See what I did there?
OK, back to my review.
Driving through the main roads of Grand Teton National Park is easy with no deathly mountain passes. It is fantastic for photo opportunities or selfies, and you can soak in the views and connect with nature in a truly meaningful way.
Our biggest regret was not allowing enough time to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Two days were inadequate to take it all in, but because we had a timeline to adhere to, we had to keep trucking. If you’re planning a vacation to YNP, we suggest 4-5 days to see and savor all its treasures.
We cannot wait to return.