"Yellowstone Park - Just go there!" Yellowstone National Park by JanPeter74

Yellowstone National Park Travel Guide: 1,096 reviews and 3,421 photos

Lower Yellowstone Falls - Yellowstone National Park
Lower Yellowstone Falls

If you ever, ever get the chance to go to Yellowstone National Park, take it with both hands. Without a doubt this is one of the greatest places I have ever seen. We made a 3000 km detour just to visit this park and even then it was all worth it! One tip before all, take at least two days time to visit this park. One day simply isn't enough to even see only the most important highlights. So plan an extra night here (or two, like we did).

However if you have to choose between some of the geothermal areas, make sure to visit Midway Geyser Basin for its fantastic, one of a kind Grand Prismatic Spring (take 1 hour for a visit) and of course Upper Geyser Basin (Old Faithful Area), which is the main geyser area.

Grand Geyser - Yellowstone National Park

Grand Geyser

Where to start when describing this park (the first National Park of the USA; 1872).

Just to mention some keywords: Geysers, hot mineral springs, pools, mud vulcanos, forests, mountains, rivers, falls and an enormous amount of wildlife such as buffalos (bison), bears, elk, moose (if you are extremely lucky), wolves, deer, etc.

Most famous are the geothermal features such as geysers and mineral springs. This park is home to 80% of all geothermal activity in the world.

There are not many roads in the park. To be precise; the roadsystem consists of two circles that are connected in the middle, creating a shape of the figure 8. In the north, northeast, west and south, roads lead from this 8 to the park boundaries.

Emerald Spring (Norris Geyser Basin area) - Yellowstone National Park

Emerald Spring (Norris Geyser Basin area)

Locations of the most important places:

Mammoth Hot Springs - Upper left corner of the 8.
Old Faithful Geyser and visitor centre - left side of the lower circle.
(almost) all geyser and pool areas are located on the left side of the 8.
Yellowstone Canyon and Falls - Middle right side of the 8, close to where the two circles join.
Hayden Valley; great views and most wildlife - right side of the lower circle.

Bear in mind that you absolutely need a car to visit everything within this park.

Click here for the official site of Yellowstone National Park, but not before you had a look at my tips of course.

For a really good downloadable (PDF) park map click here.

  • Last visit to Yellowstone National Park: Aug 2004
  • Intro Updated Sep 9, 2004
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Reviews (15)

Aerial view of Grand Prismatic Spring - Yellowstone National Park Grand Prismatic Spring - Aerial view Things to Do (15)

Due to its size, the pictures hardly give you an idea what Grand Prismatic Spring really looks like. Therefore, I added... more travel advice

Grand Prismatic Spring - Yellowstone National Park Grand Prismatic Spring Things to Do (15)

Next to the geysers and the Yellowstone Lower Falls, this is THE thing that shouldn't be missed when in Yellowstone. It... more travel advice

Morning Glory Pool - Yellowstone National Park Morning Glory Pool Things to Do (15)

Apart from the geysers, the Old Faithful area is also famous for another thing: Morning Glory Pool. Morning Glory Pool... more travel advice

Spring in Norris Geyser Basin - Yellowstone National Park Norris Geyser Basin Things to Do (15)

Norris Geyser Basin is home to some more awesome geothermal features. First of all, you will find Emerald Spring here... more travel advice

Comments (4)

  • Reply
    fabrice's Profile Photo
    Aug 26, 2009 at 12:14 AM

    marvellous place

  • Reply
    Sep 29, 2007 at 11:56 PM

    Will visit June 2008. Very helpful in planning time & places to see in priority ( got 2 1/2 days only) Thank u.

  • Reply
    worldtrekker's Profile Photo
    Jan 15, 2005 at 3:12 AM

    This park is one not to miss - for sure! Uncle Tom's Cabin trail is great! Good tip about going in the morning. Hayden Valley is also one of the best places to see grizzlys! ;-)

  • Reply
    polardabar's Profile Photo
    Sep 28, 2004 at 1:52 PM

    this place looks amazing! a real miracle! :) keep it up, polar*

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