Yellowstown "Must Sees"
Aug 9th, 2005, 07:49 PM
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Yellowstown "Must Sees"
We (including kids age 9, 8 and 5) are going to stay one night at the Old Faithful Inn, and 2 nights at Mammoth (which I hear is not too exciting).
Other than Old Faithful, is there anything or any area we should put on our list of must do's or must sees while we are in the Park?
Other than Old Faithful, is there anything or any area we should put on our list of must do's or must sees while we are in the Park?
Aug 9th, 2005, 08:08 PM
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There are several geyser basins in the Old Faithful area. Hopefully on the day you arrive you will have time to see the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins and the Fountain Paint Pots. All must sees.
On the day you drive from Old Faithful to Mammoth go to West Thumb Geyser basin and you will see the Lake, Mud Volcano, Hayden Valley and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
On the second day at Mammoth you can exlpore the Hot Springs and take a drive down to the Norris Geyser Basin or drive east to the Falls.
BTW, I like the Mammoth Area. You will probably see wildlife in the area at dusk.
Utahtea
On the day you drive from Old Faithful to Mammoth go to West Thumb Geyser basin and you will see the Lake, Mud Volcano, Hayden Valley and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
On the second day at Mammoth you can exlpore the Hot Springs and take a drive down to the Norris Geyser Basin or drive east to the Falls.
BTW, I like the Mammoth Area. You will probably see wildlife in the area at dusk.
Utahtea
Aug 10th, 2005, 04:02 AM
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- boiling river (near Mammoth Hotsprings) where a hot springs pours into the river - swimming is allowed and our kids enjoyed it.
- Hayden Valley - either first thing in the morning or near dusk - lots of animals for the kids to see
- Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Have fun!
- Hayden Valley - either first thing in the morning or near dusk - lots of animals for the kids to see
- Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Have fun!
Aug 10th, 2005, 04:30 AM
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Another vote for the boiling river - take shoes that can get wet as the river is rocky. We also had beach towels. Also, be sure to go on the Roosevelt cookeout. The older children and one parent can ride horses there (the one hour ride would be enough). The youngest child and other parent would take the wagon. Book this in advance.
Sign up for the junior ranger program early in your visit.
You have to see the Canyon! Perhaps some of you will want to hike the rim trail.
Driving out at dusk is the best way to see animals.
Take a good pair of binoculars.
Hike up the observation point to see Old Faithful from above.
Make sure you have a guide book. There are lots of little detours that you'll want to explore. Many are one way and run along the main road.
Be sure to have a back pack or two with you so you can take a lunch and water with you for a longer hike. We bought bread, peanut butter and huckleberry jelly at the Yellowstone stores for some great picnics.
Sign up for the junior ranger program early in your visit.
You have to see the Canyon! Perhaps some of you will want to hike the rim trail.
Driving out at dusk is the best way to see animals.
Take a good pair of binoculars.
Hike up the observation point to see Old Faithful from above.
Make sure you have a guide book. There are lots of little detours that you'll want to explore. Many are one way and run along the main road.
Be sure to have a back pack or two with you so you can take a lunch and water with you for a longer hike. We bought bread, peanut butter and huckleberry jelly at the Yellowstone stores for some great picnics.
Aug 10th, 2005, 05:12 AM
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When you enter the park, you will be given a good map with points of interest clearly marked.
The road is in a figure 8, with most sites being on the lower loop. There are very few roads off the main road.
There are hundreds of thermal features, so hit some that utahtea suggested then if you want to see more, do so. Personally, we didn't find Norris Geyser Basin worth the time.
Take time to really see both sides of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone where the Yellowstone River goes over the Upper and Lower Falls. There are several viewpoints on both sides. My two favorites are Artist Point on the east side and Brink of the Falls on the west side, where you are standing right on top of where the water goes over the falls. It's a pretty good hike down but it's a paved trail.
One of the fun things about the Mammoth area is that there are usually lots of elk walking around town and just north of town, you might see bighorn sheep on the mountain cliffs. Be sure to go on up to Gardiner, where the archway entrance is.
If you want to eat a Buffalo burger (or a good regular burger), go to Helen's in Gardiner. It's a walk up joint with outside tables on the north end of town.
I don't know when you are going but there is a possibility that the road wil be closed from Canyon up to Tower Junction, so you'll have to work around that. It's supposed to open soon.
We've never done the Roosevelt cookout but from what I've read, your kids sound like the age that would enjoy it. You'll need to make reservations for that as well as dinner at Old Faithful Inn or the Lake Hotel, if you choose to eat a nice dinner.
Being out early or during early evening increases your chance of seeing wildlife. We find that most people go back to their lodgings by mid afternoone, so it isn't as crowded, even though there is still a lot of day light left. It's cooler as well.
The park is larger than it looks on a map and the speed limit is 40. Then there can be lots of traffic so it takes a while to get around. If you see a lot of cars stopped, try to see what they are looking at. More than likely, it will be a buffalo, elk or even a bear.
Have a great time!!
The road is in a figure 8, with most sites being on the lower loop. There are very few roads off the main road.
There are hundreds of thermal features, so hit some that utahtea suggested then if you want to see more, do so. Personally, we didn't find Norris Geyser Basin worth the time.
Take time to really see both sides of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone where the Yellowstone River goes over the Upper and Lower Falls. There are several viewpoints on both sides. My two favorites are Artist Point on the east side and Brink of the Falls on the west side, where you are standing right on top of where the water goes over the falls. It's a pretty good hike down but it's a paved trail.
One of the fun things about the Mammoth area is that there are usually lots of elk walking around town and just north of town, you might see bighorn sheep on the mountain cliffs. Be sure to go on up to Gardiner, where the archway entrance is.
If you want to eat a Buffalo burger (or a good regular burger), go to Helen's in Gardiner. It's a walk up joint with outside tables on the north end of town.
I don't know when you are going but there is a possibility that the road wil be closed from Canyon up to Tower Junction, so you'll have to work around that. It's supposed to open soon.
We've never done the Roosevelt cookout but from what I've read, your kids sound like the age that would enjoy it. You'll need to make reservations for that as well as dinner at Old Faithful Inn or the Lake Hotel, if you choose to eat a nice dinner.
Being out early or during early evening increases your chance of seeing wildlife. We find that most people go back to their lodgings by mid afternoone, so it isn't as crowded, even though there is still a lot of day light left. It's cooler as well.
The park is larger than it looks on a map and the speed limit is 40. Then there can be lots of traffic so it takes a while to get around. If you see a lot of cars stopped, try to see what they are looking at. More than likely, it will be a buffalo, elk or even a bear.
Have a great time!!
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