Yellowstone: what's the big deal about it?
I would like to ask those of you who think Yellowstone NP is worth 3, 4, 7 or even more days of a vacation, what do you find so interesting there? Maybe I'm missing it, and you can help me know what ...
Forum Discussion
Yellowstone is different from a lot of parks in that there are few roads, and people are intentionally concentrated in the smallest footprint possible, unless those people are willing to ditch the vehicle and go hiking. If you hike into the back-country, you will see and experience far more than most visitors, or if you can ride a horse, and can spend the money, there are some outfitters who will take you to places that most don't see. If you are able to visit the first couple of weeks in September, or late May before Memorial day, you will encounter smaller crowds, but the weather can be more iffy.
I would suggest for any of the parks to check with the visitor centers to see if there are any ranger led programs that you can fit in which interest you, and also, check with the rangers about local conditions, special sights, anything that they suggest that might be interesting.
When we stopped at the upper geyser basin, we pulled in to see Old Faithful spouting. We parked and ate our picnic lunch, then we walked into the center, we spoke to a ranger who alerted us that Grand Geyser was predicted to go off within the hour as it had been over 12 hours since it had gone off, plus or minus some. We took his advice and walked over to wait. We were rewarded with a show that put Old Faithful to shame, which we would have missed had we not spoken to the ranger.
I would suggest for any of the parks to check with the visitor centers to see if there are any ranger led programs that you can fit in which interest you, and also, check with the rangers about local conditions, special sights, anything that they suggest that might be interesting.
When we stopped at the upper geyser basin, we pulled in to see Old Faithful spouting. We parked and ate our picnic lunch, then we walked into the center, we spoke to a ranger who alerted us that Grand Geyser was predicted to go off within the hour as it had been over 12 hours since it had gone off, plus or minus some. We took his advice and walked over to wait. We were rewarded with a show that put Old Faithful to shame, which we would have missed had we not spoken to the ranger.
