Yellowstone National Park - Home of Old Faithful

It seems that everyone knows of Yellowstone National Park.  Even young children have heard of it.  It is truly a natural wonder that we continually work to preserve here in the USA.

Many envision gushing geysers, like Old Faithful, when they think of Yellowstone.  It is after all sitting atop an active volcano and has over 10,000 hydrothermal features.  These include not only the geysers, but also the steam vents, hot springs, and mud pots.  They are a sight to behold, so beautiful and inviting.  But don’t be fooled!  Beautiful as they can be, many features can also be harmful, so pay attention to the signs in the park. This will protect you, as well as the fragile ecosystem that surrounds the area.

Another image we have of Yellowstone National Park is an abundance of wildlife.  Here is a place where animals, even some that are quite deadly when provoked, are free to roam.  This is a place that visitors can go to view grizzly bears, black bears, wolf, deer, moose, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, and bison.  They can be seen from the safety of your car or perhaps, at a distance along the hiking trail.  Be safe and remember that these are wild animals and not pets in a zoo.  Visit the Lamar Valley for some of the best wildlife viewing.  Remember that most of them like to come out at dusk or at dawn, but can be seen during the day too.

Did you know that Yellowstone National Park has a lake with 141 miles of shoreline?  Fishing is a favorite pastime there.  Cutthroat trout and Lake trout are in abundance.  Fishing is permitted from June 15th until early November and all cutthroat must be released.  Visitors also enjoy the lake with their kayaks, canoes, motor boats, and sail boats.

Located toward the center of the park is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.  This is a gorgeous pink, yellow, and beige canyon, home to the Yellowstone River.  The crown of the canyon is the Lower Falls, with a drop of over 300 feet.  There are multiple viewpoints that you can get to from your car, or do a bit of hiking.  You can stop at Canyon Village visitor center to help get oriented and to learn more about the area.

From talking to one of our innkeepers, I realize that if you want to see the whole park, your need 3 days.  Actually, he recommends 4, so that you can also experience the Beartooth Highway.  If you haven’t allotted that many days, make sure to talk to the innkeeper at your B&B to find out how you can make the most of your time in the park, and see what interests you the most. As with many of the national parks, Spring and Fall are less busy, and a great time to visit.

We have several Bed and Breakfast Inns located near the entry gates to the park.  After a full day at Yellowstone, wouldn’t it be nice get away from the crowds and come home and relax at a nice quiet inn?  See our listings for these inns near Yellowstone:  West Yellowstone Bed and Breakfast, Yellowstone Suites, Paradise Gateway, Johnstad’s B&B, or A Stone’s Throw Bed and Breakfast.