yellowstone National Park
Our trip to Yellowstone National Park is still my favorite National Park that we have visited. Yellowstone is America's first National park and is one of the most popular parks to visit. I took a lot of time to plan our trip to Yellowstone so that we could make the most of our time while we were there.
Yellowstone is one of the largest national parks, so we chose to explore the southern side. Our flight landed at the Jackson Hole Airport, and I won’t give away just how breathtaking it is to arrive there, but I was absolutely amazed by the stunning scenery! The Jackson Hole Airport remains my favorite airport experience; it has a charming, rustic ambiance, beautifully designed like a cozy cabin.
After collecting our luggage, we made our way to the hotel. We had conducted extensive research on our accommodations, and I was thrilled with our selection. Once we dropped off our bags, we set out to explore the resort. We had chosen an ideal location, approximately an hour from Yellowstone and just minutes from the Grand Tetons. Since we planned to visit both Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole turned out to be the perfect destination for us.
we woke up super early the following day to head to yellowstone…like 4am early. we like to get into the national parks early to avoid the crowds, and a lot of times that is when you will see wildlife! on our way into the park we saw a grizzly cross the road, and i made a vow to myself to never whine again about getting up early!
our first day and first stop was old faithful because we wanted to get a great spot to see the famous geyser! the geyser was given its name in 1870 for its reliable eruptions. it erupts around every 90 minutes. we parked at the old faithful inn and grabbed a snack at their cafe in the lobby. this old faithful inn is beautiful and worth walking around and also checking out their Souvenir shops. we were so thrilled that we were able to get a front row seat to see old faithful erupt. it was one of those moments that was like a dream and will be etched into my brain forever!
After visiting Old Faithful, we made our way to Grand Prismatic. This stunning location features a simple 0.6-mile hike. Grand Prismatic is recognized as the world's third-largest hot spring. I was captivated by its beautiful colors, resembling a rainbow that radiates from the spring. A boardwalk has been established, allowing you to get close enough to appreciate the spring while maintaining a safe distance, as Grand Prismatic is a thermal pool that can reach temperatures of up to 188 degrees.
Following our visit to the Grand Prismatic, we returned to our hotel to freshen up and enjoy dinner in downtown Jackson Hole. Stay tuned, as I have a blog post for Jackson Hole coming soon!!
On our final day in Yellowstone, we headed out to explore the thermal area first. Located in the Norris geyser basin, these thermal springs are recognized as the hottest and oldest in the park. Our main reason for visiting this area was to experience the thermal spring called "Dragon's Mouth." It was fascinating to hear the sound it makes, resembling a dragon's breath each time the water flows from its mouth. *Unfortunately they had a hydrothermal explosion in the Norris geyser area and had to close it for now-make sure and check before visiting.
“Dragon’s Mouth” Thermal
On our final night in Yellowstone, we ventured onto a road recommended by locals, known for being a prime spot to see moose at dawn and dusk—Moose-Wilson Road. We spent hours driving up and down this 8-mile stretch, eager to catch a glimpse of the moose. Eventually, we noticed a group of people parked and gathered together. What a find! There were several moose across the river, enjoying a drink. They were quite a distance away, but a friendly man nearby offered us his binoculars. It was an incredible experience, and we thoroughly enjoyed driving around, soaking in the stunning mountain views while searching for these magnificent creatures!
We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have visited numerous national parks, and my daughter and I still believe this remains our favorite trip! I was absolutely captivated by Yellowstone, as it feels like stepping back in time. The park offers no Wi-Fi, allowing you to immerse yourself completely in nature and the surrounding wildlife, which leaves you in awe. You can truly disconnect while you're there, offering a sense of freedom that is really refreshing. I felt I could genuinely focus on my family and create unforgettable memories. I hope my tips and recommendations inspire you to fall in love with Yellowstone as well.
for those curious about our Yellowstone or combined yellowstone and grand tetons trip plan, check out our custom curated travel Itinerary templates in pdf format in our store section of our website (sign up for our email list, and receive a free pdf yosemite itinerary template download). additionally you can collaborate with me to create a personalized itinerary exclusively tailored to your vacation.
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Happy Travels!
Mandy
