2020-08-09

Yellowstone national park is always be my ” one place must to go ” in my life. And this dream finally came true this year! I recorded videos, took pictures as many as I can, and I hope I can write it down quickly to remember this nice memory! Here’s the tips to share my readers.

中文版本請見此篇: 美國黃石國家公園 – 遊、行、住、吃、買介紹

0. Hours and Ticket

0-1 Open schedule

It begins on late April and will close on Sept or October. More details please check this link

0-2 Ticket

7 days pass ticket is $35. It’s pretty easy to buy ticket online in advance to save the 1st day long line waiting. Please check this link.

1. Yellowstone south attractions(Green route)

The map please check here or please check the map as below.

Base on schedule, we chose most famous attractions and plan 3 full days there. And we reserved other 2 full days to commute. Overall it took 6~7 days. Overall the trip is very relax-able, slow, flexible (it’s our usual travel style). If you target to finish earlier, 2 days in the park is enough!

[Friendly reminder]: Download Google map earlier. Otherwise there’s no signal in the park

#5: Lower Geyser Basin

The Lower Geyser Basin is scattered over features regularly-erupting geysers, hot springs, and a fascinating mud pool. That’s why Canadian was saying Yellowstone is “Witch’s kitchen”.

#6 Midway Geyser Basin

This is the top attraction I want to see! Midway Geyser Basin is very colorful that you must to visit.

#8 Old faithful 

Watching Old Faithful Geyser erupt is an nice experience. The eruption gap is between 1~1.5 hr. You can refer the schedule here. We were very lucky this time. (We just waited 10 mins!)

#12 West thumb 

The biggest lake of North America – Yellowstone lake

Some unpredictable surprise on the road

If you sometimes are stuck in the park, the high chances you’ll see the animal! Which mean too many cars are driving slow to take wild animals pictures! We saw bison, baby bears, and a group of female deer, male deer! Watching wild animal is more excited to see some famous spots! It always was the highlight of the day!

2. Yellowstone east attractions(Blue route)

#20: Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

You’ll see the first water falls (Upper falls) and then walk around 10 mins( almost flat, easy trail). The second water falls is here( lower falls).

Keep walking downhill, you’ll see the water falls between the grand canyon. As the trail is harder, less people are here. The overall scene was most unforgettable of this trip for me! However, it was painful to go uphill later. Overall it took us 40 mins( I hiked 10 mins and rested 2 mins!)

Basically most of attractions in Yellowstone are flat road. Highly recommend readers can bring parents, kids here. But I would said this spot is only good for young people ( or healthy elderly!) Otherwise, it’s good enough to take picture from the top.

#18: Hayden valley

Many bison are here! The traffic is slow as many cars are taking the pictures. This trip was very lucky. We just met two bison  were crossing the road together with same pace!

3. Yellowstone north attractions(Red route)

#1: Mammoth Hot springs

Here’s another different thermal area from other attractions. I recommend to bring hat and jacket as sun was crazy. We only stayed there 30 mins and left. ( Personally I feel I was a bit disappointed as we took a long drive to see only this spot)

4. Hotels

4-1 Yellowstone

This hotel – Holiday Inn is 3 mins drive from Yellowstone western entrance. Room is comfort and clean. Downtown is just 1 min drive. If you want to enjoy the ” true nature”, you can book the hotels in the parks. Those hotels are more historical, old. Or you can even camp inside.(Camping checklist)

4-2 從鹽湖城到黃石公園中繼站- Idaho falls

這次從黃石公園開回鹽湖城,有在 Idaho falls露宿一晚 Hilton Garden,從黃石公園開過去大約三小時,從此地再開到鹽湖城再兩小時,不會連續開五小時而太累。

此地是一個很漂亮的城市,旅館也很舒服,後面有一條很漂亮的河。

4-3 Hotel nearby Salt Lake City airport

Hyatt Place is only 5 mins drive from airport. It’s good for readers who arrive SLC late, or need to go SLC airprot in early morning.

5. Food

5-1 Picnic

We brought some food( bread, jam, peanut butter) into the park and enjoyed the picnic with beautiful view.

5-2 Visitor centers

There are five visitor centers in the parks ( including hotels). You’ll find plenty warm, cold food there! (Mammoth hot springs, Old faithful, Canyon Village, West thumb, Fishing Bridge). The map please check here . Or below simple map.

My loyal readers will notice I always crave for ice cream if I go travelling. You can’t miss the Wilcoxson’s ice cream in Yellowstone visitor center!( Original from Montana since 1912)

5-3 Outside of park

You can enjoy the breakfast, dinner in outside of park. Running Bear is local brunch place. As we went for long weekend, everyday we should waited at least 40 mins.

6. Shopping

6-1 Visitor centers

There are five visitor centers in the parks ( including hotels). You’ll find plenty souvenirs there! (Mammoth hot springs, Old faithful, Canyon Village, West thumb, Fishing Bridge). The map please check here . Or below simple map.

6-2 Outside of park

There are many stores in downtown nearby Yellowstone West Entrance. For examples, some stores are open from 7am to midnight. ( As most visitors are in the park in daytime.)

7. Commute

7-1 Flight and car

We took the flight from SFO to SLC. And we drove 5 hours to Yellowstone West entrance. Compare North and South Entrance, West entrance is much closer!

Ps. You can also choose flight to Idaho airport. And the driving time will be 2 hours only. However ticket is 3 times more than previous option! Anyways, it was nice experience to do road-trip.

7-2 States I have been

In this road-trip, we have been Utah、Idaho、Wyoming! I recommend you can stay one city to take a rest. Idaho Falls is one of nice, clean city!