Yellowstone National Park Mistakes! Don't Do This On Your Vacation

[@syedmammar1]

Thank you! Going in September

[@thetravelingmethodist6754]

Staying in the park has a lot of advantages. You don't have to sit in line at the West entrance traffic jam. You will be closer to sites in the park. You don't have to leave Park to get supplies.

[@bessermt]

Be sure to visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone.

[@kaywallingford9782]

We're planning to go there, thanks! Should we go first thing in the morning or on our way out of the park that afternoon? We're nervous about lines getting into park in the morning. How long should we plan on being there? TIA

[@bessermt]

@@kaywallingford9782 It's a small zoo so it's more about the activities. There are of course wolves and grizzly, and a few other things to see. When we visited they were doing testing of bear proof containers the kids loved. They let kids into the enclosure to leave the sealed treats for the bears then they let the bears out and the kids loved to see the bears open the food they left behind. They run that on a schedule so you might want to check it online (or call) when planning. Also, you could come back for 2 days on your ticket, so that might help schedule. Sorry, my info isn't the most current. You are unlikely to see a wolf or grizzly in the park, so it's a nice way to see actually see them. I wish I had advice about the park, I was there a few years back pre-covid. I hear this year is a bear.... sorry, couldn't help myself. :-)

[@swansodi]

Good tips and advice... I live in eastern Idaho and had a cabin 30 minutes from West Yellowstone for years. My favorite tip from this was, go to the Lamar Valley!!! Yes!

[@loriclark3755]

Another FABULOUS video! Great, great PRACTICAL advice!

[@johnkashka803]

Great video. Good tips. We went last year at the beginning of the pandemic and it was packed. I agree 200 percent with visiting Lamar Valley. We went just before dawn and saw bison, wolves and bears....

[@debbiebenedict3485]

You both make the greatest videos love them keep doing them there great

[@richardpodnar5039]

I appreciate your Amtrak episodes and never thought you could top yourselves, but the tips featured here really whets my appetite for checking out Yellowstone. (And who isn't captivated by that infectious laugh?!😀)

[@roberthennessey5702]

Thank you for the very valuable info. Headed there the beginning of September for the first time. Laying the days out is truly a feat, this info helped greatly ty.

[@annwilliams7808]

Glad you enjoy Yellowstone so much. I worked there in the 1980s. Back then, and I would think now, everything was available inside the park, as far as lodging, groceries, gasoline, restaurants, shops/souvineers, etc. Have you gotten to see the "Mud Pots," yet? Everything in the park is beyond amazing. But, I think the Mud Pots just take the cake. Love all of your videos. Thank you for posting.

[@sharonromine1982]

Glad I found your channel! Husband and I are visiting YS this September, late around the 23rd and 24th. Love your video, the info provided and you guys. Thank you!

[@barbaram5214]

I really enjoy your channel. You give such practical information. I’ve never been to Yellowstone but would love to go there. A friend’s daughter and her family visited Yellowstone last summer 2020 when many people were staying home and it was great and less crowded although some things (Old Faithful Inn) were closed.

[@zaporida]

Very helpful. Some great advice which we wouldn’t have know about without your video. With best wishes, Michael and Jane.

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

Thanks so much!

[@PreparingForZion]

Thank you for great information that has definitely helped us in planning our trip to Yellowstone in Sept.

[@alexvilla4560]

Omg love your video so right on the Yellowstone info I was just there June 20 and I have to say it’s so amazingly beautiful 😍

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

It really is!

[@leeoverfelt9177]

Thanks guys. Love your videos. My wife and I are retiring next year and chomping at the bit to travel. So I have been drinking in all this fabulous information. Could you share with me about your walk from Union Station in Washington to the motel. We are older (not at hart) and so I am concerned was it easy to get out of and back into the station to get started on the short walk.

[@kimberlysmith8206]

Remember the speed limits are much slower in the park so everything takes time. Early June is a great time to go, less crowds but still nice weather. Old faithful first thing in the morning is the best time. Agree on west Yellowstone, we rented a little house.

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

Thanks for the tips!

[@queenbarbtherockstar6218]

@@GroundedLifeTravel bad idea yellowstone is dangerous

[@datz6607]

@@queenbarbtherockstar6218 it’s not gonna blow up for some time lol

[@faithwilley3651]

Great job, as always. Thank you for the information. Agree with everything wholeheartedly. I had read there was a lot of driving, so planned each night of our trip in a different location. Wish we had stuck with West Yellowstone. When our car battery died (my fault for leaving the little fridge plugged in), it cost $90 to have Sinclair jump start us. AAA is not permitted inside the park, Sinclair is the only option. There was also no internet service available. I can live without technology while visiting the parks, but at night I like to check my mail and such. You are also correct about Lamar Valley. We almost didn't go to that corner of the park. So glad we did. Thanks again, see you on the next trip!

[@donaldkrone4717]

Thank you guys. I don't know if you guys read these comments but if you have any specific recommendations for places to stay in West Yellowstone, I would love to hear them

[@richardpontes9146]

Tip go to the ranger to get the times of the geysers for the day so you time your visits to the geysers. One hidden gem is Fountain geyser that is off the main road going to Old Faithful from West Yellowstone. Foutain geyser goes off about every 12 hours. Also another tip is travel out the Northeast entrance to the park to do the Beartooth highway drive in Montana.

[@annwilliams7808]

We camped up in the Beartooths when I worked in Yellowstone. Gorgeous! and so much fun. Back then, 1980s, we explored old mines and everything we could find.

[@theworkingexpat]

Heading to Yellowstone soon! I really appreciate the video, all the information was SUPER helpful. Thank you so much!

[@robertl4824]

The roads can be very busy and have huge bison or bear jams where everybody stops on the road to take pictures, therefor its best to stay at different lodges/campgrounds as you go from one major area to another in the park. Expect all lodges, hotels, campgrounds will be full so reserve your spots early, some spots can be booked a year in advance. Get up early when moving to a new area to avoid the traffic and jams. Also early is good for attractions that have limited parking like: Norris, Lower GB, Prismatic overlook, Midway GB and others when the park is very busy. Rangers will check for "illegal"overnight parking for people sleeping in vehicles not in a campground. The best times to go to YNP to avoid crowds are in May or late September if you don't have kids in school. Best weather is in June to September, even though it can snow any month in YNP. Always be ready for rain, wind and cold nights. Umbrellas may not stand up to the heavy winds here, a good jacket and/or poncho is best. The major areas to visit/stay are ranked by most to see are: Upper Old Faithful Geyser Basin (also Black Sand and Biscuit Basins) Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (Norris basin, Hayden Valley, Lamar Valley) Lake Village (lake, Hayden Valley, West Thumb geyser basin) Madison campground (Norris basin, Lower, Midway, Upper basins) Mammoth hot springs or Norris campground (Norris Geyser basin) Grant Village lodge or campground (West Thumb, Yellowstone Lake, old faithful) Pebble Creek campground (primitive) (viewing wolves in Lamar) Pets are allowed but not on trails or boardwalks and must always be supervised or caged. Swimming or bathing in a natural, historical, or archeological thermal pool or stream that has waters originating entirely from a thermal spring or pool is prohibited. Food has always been expensive in the park so try to bring your own. Cameras with video and sound are best, especially for geysers. a telephoto lens if possible for wildlife. Bring sun screen even in spring, the sun will burn quickly. Bugs have never bothered me. In the spring or when hiking carry bear spray, they are more likely to be near people in the spring. If you see a carcass there is very likely a bear around protecting it. Best time to see bison are in the spring when they have new calves and they are everywhere in the park. Best time to see Elk is in the fall when they are in rut but be more careful around them then. In the fall the bears move up into higher elevations. When on the road remember stopping on the road is illegal and pullouts are everywhere. Please use pullouts if you are not doing the speed limit and you are slowing other traffic. When driving always be prepared for animals or cars stopped on the road. Parking may also be hard to find at the big attractions if the park service is not able to provide enough space. Best time to see Grand Prismatic Spring (Midway Geyser Basin) is in the summer when the air is warm and the sun is out, otherwise you may only see steam and the colors will be muted. Parking for access to the overlook trail will be scarce. Other major geysers you will probably see at the Upper (Old Faithful) Geyser basin are Grand, Castle, Daisy, Riverside and Lion Geysers, all can erupt to 50-200 feet. Not counting many more smaller geysers. Norris Geyser Basin has the largest active geyser in the world, Steamboat Geyser (up to 300ft), which of June 2022 is still erupting monthly but you need to be lucky or have a lot of patience to see it. The Lower Geyser Basin (aka Fountain Mud Pots) has an excellent example of mud pots (hot springs with bubbling pools of hot mud) To see all of the major attractions in YNP will probably take at least 4 days.

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

Thanks for the info!

[@spotwms8768]

Thanks for the detailed post. We're going to YNP in April 2023.

[@robertl4824]

@@spotwms8768 The weather in April-May can be iffy, last year winter didn't end until June. Have fun

[@yohannesabbai4996]

Thank you! This was very informative

[@Norseman2]

@@spotwms8768 how was your trip?

[@mangrumpyold1871]

I live just outside Yellowstone and one of my favorite games is to pull over and set up my spotting scope and see how many people will stop.

[@annwilliams7808]

"Touron!" "Tour-I!" Young people working in the park often, many years ago, called tourists by those two names. "Touron" for Tourist Moron. And "Tour-I" for Tourist Idiot. I bet you do have some fun, LOL!

[@roberthennessey5702]

😂😂

[@linseyvanochten2926]

Haha very funny video, I think I will stop to take a picture of my car as well. See what happens....

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

Haha, you will draw a crowd!

[@ladybugmom10]

This was funny. Thanks for the tips

[@philipgerry5228]

We have stayed in the park campgrounds and at West Yellowstone. We agree that it’s better to stay outside the park and spend all day in the park.

[@gilgillis2445]

Very good info! Thanks!

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

You are welcome

[@jokedog]

Glad I just saw your Live From NY today (June 6th) otherwise thought you just did Yellowstone. LoL

[@ButterCookie1984]

Subbed! I will be visiting in May.

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

Have fun!

[@kennielsen8369]

You two are great! Loved the video! Thank you.

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

Thanks and thanks for watching!

[@johnbeerbower3623]

Always grateful for your videos. Do you have recommendations for Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone?

[@sharminakhan4130]

We will be coming from Florida! For 4 days trip what airport should we choose to see most of yellow stone? From where we should start? When and where. Should we stay of our entire journey? Should we stay different places and should we choose different returning airport? If I could know all these things!

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

It is tough to say right now with the recent closings, monitor it closely before you go.

[@Ella_ellie12]

I’m going in August because is my vocation… I hope I can see this 2 thing a day

[@stevemattson4988]

Look into Cook City first and definitely make your way to the East Entrance.

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

Thanks for the tip!

[@RichardinNC1]

I stayed in Old Faithful 2 nights and Canyon Lodge 2 nights. Much better to be closer to some of the sights at least some nights. I recall Canyon had a kitchenette to allow in-room cooking, etc.

[@alliepettola3808]

We’re staying at Canyon Lodge for 4 nights. Do you think we’ll be ok and able to see everything? Old faithful inn is sold out for our dates.

[@RichardinNC1]

@@alliepettola3808 It is centrally located. Hopefully the northeast section of the loop road is re-opened for you. I did the north section (Canyon to Norris, to Mammoth, to Lamar Valley, and back down to Canyon in a day. You may have to do the south half of the loop in multiple out and back tries either direction.

[@trgoohileshea2820]

I love you guys. I have watched your videos on Amtrak and they are very informative.

[@springstud]

i like your videos very helpful

[@Thinkforyourselves64]

I need a list of every campground and hotel, etc. with their phone number and their rates. Any suggestions? 🥴. Love your show! 😊 thank you❤️❤️

[@daveslomski]

Went to YS in 2020 stayed at the cabins in Mammoth. They are trash for $$$ Never thought of staying in West YS, will definitely do that in 2023

[@hilandfralin8440]

Cold 25 and raning is not cold I live in Teton Village -15 and snowing is cold

[@Thinkforyourselves64]

I’m there now!

[@HalfandHalf1983]

Thank You for all the important info. We're flying in from South Florida to Bozeman in September. We Were told to stay in Gardiner and to book our hotel there. Is West Yellowstone closer to Gardiner? I'm so anxious. I really can't wait.

[@GroundedLifeTravel]

Gardiner is the North Entrance, either Gardiner or West Yellowstone would work. You could drive to either from Bozeman. We prefer West Yellowstone, but it depends on what you want to see. If you will be more in the North of the park Gardiner makes more sense.

[@HalfandHalf1983]

@@GroundedLifeTravel thank you so much for the info . We definitely want to visit Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Lamar Valley. I can't wait to visit.

[@dolliemoore9819]

Is there any gas stations inside of the park

[@bzydad]

Yes, 707 MAMMOTH RD, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. Sinclair Gas.

[@thetravelingmethodist6754]

Also at Old Faithful, Canyon Village, Lake Village, Fishing Bridge.

[@metube2824]

It sounds like a horrible tourist trap that will shake you down until you leave broke.

[@catsinhouse]

My sister and mom revisited Yellowstone in early June. Packed with too many people, more than either one of them could remember. (It was nuts when I was last there in 1971.) They decamped from W. Yellowstone to N. Yellowstone to get away from all the traffic and people. Tons of bison this year. One herd caused a hour and a half traffic stop.

[@RobertFairweatherMusic]

Staying in the park was zero hassle and 100% fun this summer. We even did some mountain climbing. Personally, I would not listen to this advice about staying in West Yellowstone. The traffic jams are reason enough to stay in the park. The park has all your supplies. It doesn't take "hours and hours to drive from one end of the park to the other"...and who would do that anyway? Has anyone every heard of a cooler?

[@mythoughts2221]

Where did you rent the RV? How big was it?

[@Norseman2]

Yeah I’m looking for RV rental info too

[@BillSides-l3d]

Staying in West Yellowstone is bogus advice. Yes staying in the park is more expensive but you can save hours of driving to get places. West Yellowstone to Lamar Valley is a minimum of 2 hours each way. Stay at Tower/Roosevelt and Lamar Valley is right there. Stay at old faithful and spend a day exploring the geysers leave your car parked. Get off the pavement most visitors never do that. I am planning my 4 th. trip this Fall and will never see West Yellowstone

[@nicknorman9027]

Yeah...I worked at OFL, these people are a bit off..with everything...

[@davidgordon7306]

The first rule is to be aware of your surroundings while holding the hands of your children

[@TheAngryCamper]

Makes me laugh every single time a youtuber assumes we have watched their channel before by opening their video with "Welcome back to the channel" lmao, nope first timer ha ha ha ha

[@deenugent473]

Off the topic, but I think you look a bit like Tom Hanks, and even sound a bit like him too!

[@garymartin9777]

Support your right to arm bears. It makes the hunt more sporting!!

[@Norseman2]

I wonder if the sight of an average citizen open carrying a big ol’ .45 in the park triggers libs??

[@robertlewis9260]

I prefer Gardiner Montana over West Yellowstone.

[@jf6395]

2 words...North entrance

[@skippyfab6858]

We’re staying in Gardiner this July. I have heard many pros and cons, but we’re going for it.

[@paulineewert7492]

⁠​⁠@@skippyfab6858 how did it go for you? Staying in Gardner.

[@bourbonschool100]

@@paulineewert7492 We loved it. It’s a nice little town with everything you need. Montana Whitewater in town does great rafting trips. North entrance is literally at the end of town. About 10 minutes to Mammoth Hot Springs. Everything else was obviously more of a drive, but we managed just fine. We thought it was a great home base. (This is skippyfab, btw. Different account)

[@bweaver760]

I predict some day the only way to travel the roads in this national park will be by going by group tour electric bus vehicles!

[@andrewwerner2061]

I just stay at my parents cabin

[@wyomingadventures]

Everyone needs to find another place to see. Wyoming is full of tourists the last two summers. Camp spots are very hard to find all over the state. Wyoming is proposing to limit visitors.

[@Kevin-jk6zd]

Mmmm hmmmm

[@devleenadutta]

why is she laughing all the time ?

[@Lora-G]

She happy. You should try it!