Yellowstone 101
Travel Tips for America's First National ParkGateway Communities & Entrances: 5
Miles of road: 466
Miles of boardwalks: 15
Miles of backcountry trails: ~1000
Visitors: 4+ million per year
With so much to see and do in Yellowstone and the surrounding areas, how do you navigate it all and make your vacation the best visit to America’s west?
This section of the website is here to help you. With an insider’s view of the park and gateway communities, you’ll find tips and trip reports ranging from activities to lodging and dining recommendations as well as information on how to get the best out of your vacation while protecting this amazing location.
Recent Blog Posts
Happy Memorial Day 2019
Yesterday Mom and I went to put flowers on my father’s and grandfather’s graves for Memorial Day. Both served briefly. Dad in the Army and Grandfather in the last days of WWI. After sprucing up the gravestones and adding in the begonias (that we’ll retrieve to grow in...
Top Travel Tips for Yellowstone
1. Give yourself a time buffer
Everything takes longer than you’ll expect. From traveling at a slower pace to wildlife jams to wanting to see it all, you’ll need more time.
2. Know one trip may not be enough
To really “see Yellowstone” you might need multiple trips. For your first trip, just hit the highlights. Then later on, visit again to dive in a bit deeper.
3. Each Gateway Community can be a trip unto itself
Five different entrances each have five uniquely different communities. Each has much to offer. Consider spending a few extra days to explore the areas just outside of Yellowstone as well.
4. Hire a Tour Guide
Consider starting your trip with a guided tour to give you an overview of the park and the gateway community the tour originates from (or within the park itself). Then spend the rest of your trip revisiting what you want to explore further.
5. Get in Shape
Vacations in general require quite a bit of walking. Yellowstone vacations are no exception. The amount of walking you can handle each day will have a direct impact on how much you can see and experience in the greater Yellowstone area.
