We figured we could enter the park one day and drive around until we got tired, then stay in one of the outlying towns at whichever entrance we were close to. We didn’t know whether we would have a place to stay, but we decided to leave it open until later in the day and take our chances.  The plan worked out great. Although all of the lodges in the park were full, and most of the hotels in West Yellowstone were also booked, we found a decent place for the night and did not have to sleep in the car. The next day, we would spend most of the day in the park until it was time to head north again to go back to Kalispell.

If you have not been to Yellowstone, you should go! Allow at least two days in the park–more if possible. Stop at the Lewis and Clark Caverns on the way. The scenery changes between Butte and Yellowstone were worth it just for the drive, but the park is something out of this world!

I couldn’t go through Yellowstone without thinking of my Uncle Bob, who was obsessed with geology. He and I went there about 15 years ago and it was a great trip. That time, we camped in the park in September–and it was cold! The park is between 6000 and 8000 feet above sea level. Jess and I appreciated our comfy room!

Our first stop, Mammoth Hot Springs.

An upside-down popcorn ceiling.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

The Lower Falls

Hot Springs, Geysers and Fumeroles in the Norris Geyser Basin

Fumerole

https://youtu.be/QwL_kMvn6wI

We got caught in the beginning of a downpour here, and I was afraid for my camera. Fortunately, Jess had a jacket on so he could protect it and it didn’t suffer the same fate as in Munich last year! We headed for West Yellowstone to find a motel. It wasn’t bad, but they were all expensive at the peak of tourist season.

We stopped at the West Thumb Geyser Basin on Yellowstone Lake. This part of the lake was formed by a volcanic explosion 150,000 years ago. I got a chance to get pretty close to this grazing elk (with a zoom lens).

 

 

 

 

 

Here is video of a cauldron of mud.

https://youtu.be/OVzL_pPHqBg

The lake is 45 degrees, but there are several steam vents near the shore.

Some other geothermal features in the West Thumb Basin

Jess caught a photo of this pretty good sized elk while I was driving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Hayden Valley bison are plentiful but these were close to the road.

 

 

 

 

On our way out of the park, we stopped at Tower Falls.