Yellowstone National Park Review

Yellowstone National Park is so large it would take me four times the amount of words I can write here to describe in it depth. However I think you’ll get a good flavor of this most amazing Park.

It is the site of some of the largest volcanic eruptions in history called geysers, hot springs, mudpots and fumaroles. It was deemed the first National Park in the world in 1872.

Yellowstone National Park is located in the western United States. It spans 3,472 square miles.

Yellowstone is open year round. The cost is $20 for a 7 day pass. For $50 you can buy a National Park Pass which will allow you into them all.

Yellowstone is broken up into distinct areas. West Thumb and Grant Village are the southern most areas; heading west we have Old Faithful; heading north we have Madison then Norris. Mammoth is the northern most area. Coming south you will hit Tower-Roosevelt (or Tower Falls as it is often called.); then Canyon; Fishing Bridge; Lake and Bridge Bay.

We were lucky enough to be able to camp at the campground at Fishing Bridge. If I were to give you one recommendation only it would be to stay in two different places unless you are here for a very short time.

At Fishing Bridge drive to the Bridge parking lot and marina/campground. There is a really nice walk on a gravel path through forest to a small arch bridge. The Bridge is beautiful. At one time people did fish here but so many did that the fish could not spawn so now it is off limits.

Our first stop was to Geyser Country which is the greater Old Faithful area on my list of sections. Geyser Country is made up of various basins. Old Faithful is in the upper geyser basin. Metal benches flank the perimeters of the geyser but even if you do not get a seat do not worry. You can see Old Faithful from a distance. You may wait one hour to one and one half hour between eruptions which last a couple of minutes up to five. (See picture)

On the way to The Canyon District there were some impressive geological sites. Mud Valley and Sulpher Caldron are two of them. There are porta-toilets at these stops but not all stops have them.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the primary geologic feature in the Canyon District. Unlike the Grand Canyon you cannot hike into it. It is about 20 miles long and about 1,000 feet deep. It is beautiful. Put it on your must see list at Yellowstone.

The best area to see the Upper Falls absolutely is Uncle Tom‘s Trail. Many people will not do it because it has 328 steps climb. (See picture)

Our next adventure was the Madison area. Everywhere you look you will see geysers, hot springs, mudpots and fumaroles. There is a nice boardwalk making it wheelchair accessible.

Then go across the street and see one of the most beautiful formation. It is called Morning Glory Pool. (See picture.)

You will have the opportunity to see animals on this road. We saw a coyote, a female elk with babies, a couple of bull elks with 12 point antlers, a buck mule deer and of course more bison than you can imagine.

On to the Norris area has what is said to be the largest geyser in the world. It can erupt as high as 380 feet.

The Tower-Roosevelt area where we came to Calcite Falls Overlook that was really just a cascade. I was disappointed with Tower Falls. It is a 132 foot drop. A tip: before you hit the Roosevelt Tower you will see a side road. It will be on the map you are given. Take it. It is a six mile gravel road.

Determined to find bear we headed to Lemar Valley which is still in the Tower area. This is where the literature said we were most likely to see bear. Don't forget binoculars! You will know when animals have been spotted. People stop their cars in the middle of the road to quickly get out with their binoculars and camera. In the far in the distance was a brown grizzly with two cubs.

Heading east in the valley hoping to see one closer we again lucked out. There was a black bear too close to us according to the literature. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

We stopped at the lovely Roosevelt Hotel built in 1920. You can sit on the rocking chairs on the porch, go inside and get something to drink.

From here you'll only be 5 miles from Gardiner, Montana. Roosevelt Arch is here named after President Roosevelt who dedicated the park in 1903. The Arch is worth seeing.

The West Thumb area has Geyser Basin. It is surrounded by a lake with one very unusual geyser you do not want to miss. It looks like a pot in the lake.

Mammoth has a fantastic Visitor Center with a gallery and exhibition. There are Rangers and Ranger Programs at all the areas. They are something to consider especially if you have children.

Mammoth Springs may have been one of the more amazing sites of this trip to Yellowstone. It is made up of terraces which are made up of heat, water, limestone and a rock fracture system through which hot water can reach the surface of the earth. All this makes up an area called Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces.

There are many handicapped ramps and areas so don't let a wheelchair keep you away!

Jo's Viewpoint

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