The World's First National Park
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Click here for photos of our visit in 2017
Click here for photos of our visit in 2018
Sept 11, 2024
We got a very early start this morning with a drive over St Joseph's highway and the Northeast entrance to get into the Lamar Valley at sunrise. We found a pullout to park and waited and hoped to spot the elusive wolves of Yellowstone, but did not have any luck this trip. We did get to see a large heard of buffalo and had to put up with the buffalo jams that come with them. We then headed out to West Yellowstone but first we stopped at Virginia Cascades and Gibbon Fall's. After a few hours of exploring West Yellowstone, we headed back into the park and took a side trip on the Firehole canyon loop road and Firehole Falls. This is a very scenic drive, and we highly recommend it. We then made a stop at Old Faithful but had just missed the eruption of Old Faithful, so we headed on. We headed out the East entrance and was treated to a Black bear sighting at the crest of Sullivan Pass. We look forward to next year's adventure in the park and will always be finding new things to take in when we go up there.
Sept 23, 2023
We got in another day at the park. As the Beartooth highway was closed due to snow, we went in the East entrance and hit a heavy snowstorm going over Sulivan Pass. Once we made it over the pass, we decided to do a counterclockwise loop. we made a few stops along the way including Mammoth VC and Old Faithful VC.
Sept 2, 2022
This trip into the park took us to the Upper geyser basin and Old Faithful geyser. We got a great show from Old Faithful then decided to take in lunch at the Old Faithful Lodge. We then headed over to the Historic Old Faithful Inn to take in the granger of the Inn. We then headed out to the loop trail around Old Faithful geyser taking in the hot springs and geysers along this trail. During this walk we were treated to our second eruption of Old Faithful today, we had never seen it from this prospective. We love coming up here each year and always see something new.
July 24, 2021
Our yearly trip into the park was a very busy trip with lots of planned stops. We first stopped at Beryl Spring. This spring is right off the road and easy to see with little effort. We then headed over to the Fountain Paint Pot trail, taking in Leather Pool, Clepsydra Geyser, and many more features this trail offers up. We then stopped and had a nice picnic lunch. After a peaceful lunch we headed down to the Midway Geyser Basin Trail. This trail takes you to Excelsior Geyser Crater and one of the crown jewels of Yellowstone, the Grand Prismatic Spring, plus many other springs and geysers. We were not finished yet, so we went down to the Biscuit Basin trail and took in Black Opal Spring, Sapphire Spring, and the other features on this trail.
July 24, 2020
Made a trip into the park today. We decided to head over Beartooth pass this trip to finish what we could not last year due to a winter storm. Had a great drive into the park and into Lamar Valley. We spotted a few bears this trip, but again no wolves. Had a great picnic lunch at Mammoth and then took in the North Gate. We did not make many stops this trip as we were just out for a relaxing drive.
June 16, 2018
Today we added another trip into the park. This trip we decided to spend it at West Thumb mostly. After the trip in though Sullivan Pass and a snowstorm. We made it to the West Thumb Geyser Basin. We took the walk around the trail to take in the sites of the Basin. While not as grand as some of the other basin's it is still worth the time to take it in. We then headed to the Grant Village Visitor Center and took in a great display telling the story of wildfires in the park. Then it was on to lunch at the Grant Village. The meal was good and filling, not the highest on our go back to list but decent. We then headed around to Old Faithful and had good timing this trip, getting there shortly before the eruption of Old Faithful. We finished the day with a stop at the Canyon Visitor Center to take in the Museum that's explains the Thermal Geology of the Park. This was a great day in the park, and we look forward going back to take in more areas we have yet to explore.
Today we made another trip into the park. This time we brought my dad along for the day, we toured the upper loop this trip as it has been many many years since I had been up there. We had a great day to spot wildlife and got to see two bears today. We were hoping to get lucky and spot one of the wolf packs in Lamar Valley but did not see them this trip. We had a great Picnic lunch at Mammoth Hot springs and explored some of the area around the Hot springs. We stayed away from the lower loop as this trip was more about wildlife and Mammoth Hot springs.
July 3, 2016
We made a return trip with the entire family and got to take in Old Faithful, The Canyon and a few other sites. Lots of wildlife but no bears or wolves. This Park never stops giving and there is still much to be seen and explored. How much time to spend in this park is up to you but plan on at least 3 days to see most of the big site's but even 3 days will leave you with a big return to see list.
July 16, 2010
I passed through the park on the way out to OR. This is a park I grew up in, spending many of my summer days exploring and fishing. The surprising thing is there are part's I have never been to. Spending a few days at the Lodge at Old Faithful is on our must do list.
Apr 1993 Date unknown
Karen and I made our second trip into the park. Took in the normal sites and will have to come back to see more. So much to see and do.
July 1990 Date unknown
We got to take in Old Faithful and a few other sites with kids. It was fun watching them get play in the snow till our youngest messed up his big toe really bad. He got to spend the rest of the visit hobbling around the park. As this is our home park, we will be making many trips back here.
Our 3rd NPS Unit and 2nd National Park
