Yellowstone

We are going tomorrow for our first time, just made reservations a few minutes ago!! Very excited!! leaving from CO tonight and be there in the morning, lots to do. Going on an evening wildlife tour, should be fun

We have been there in the summer with our girls and now with the DGKs, it is bearable now but as noted earlier, not like it was in the eighties and we first went in the seventies. RVpullinGuy wrote;

"In reality, it is one of those places you can visit in all four seasons to capture the true beauty and magnificence of the park".

It is great to have someone else do the driving, it allows you to look out the window, take pictures if you want and relax. Often there is ground fog or clouds as they are correctly names and it that for or cloud is usually snow. There may be a herd of bison with snow all over them walking toward you out of the cloud or an elk standing in the river that is warmed by the geysers eating the last of the years grass on the edge of the water.

I could go on and on about winter visits to Yellowstone and it is my favorite time but each season has it's own beauty. Just seeing that little patch of snow on the cliff wall next to Yellowstone Falls in August or a coyote trying to take a fish from an otter or swans swimming in a river with only their black heads showing against the white background of a snow bank. Of course Old Faithful is always spectacular. First time our DGSD who was about 8 at the time first saw it erupt he turned to Nana and said "that's nothing to speak of, I thought it was bigger", it had been one of those rear times when the eruption last about thirty seconds and an average garden hose could squirt higher. We waited around for the next eruptions and of course it was one of those which really wows, he just stared and said "WOW".

What else is there to say. WOW!!!!!

J-Rooster wrote:
Mid October! The day time temps are in the mid 60's, no people, it snowed in the high country every night that we were there but the NPS road crew had all the roads bare and wet by daylight everyday! The Fall colors are spectacular! All the animals are out roaming around! Hands down the best place I ever visited!

I agree completely. That is the main reason why we travel the Western states in the Fall and Winter months. Yellowstone in October and November is full of wildlife and the crowds are few. The temps can be cool but that is why they make heaters. Seeing the parks without the crowds allows you to see things that you will never see in mid-Summer. We especially like to be on the park roads as soon as the gates open. That is when the various animals are just starting their day and we have gotten some fantastic photos.

Best time is when the crowds are gone home from the peak summer months. We like to go in the fall when the colors are magnificent. And yes we have had some snow during the fall months.

In reality, it is one of those places you can visit in all four seasons to capture the true beauty and magnificence of the park.

Good luck whenever you are able to go. We just prefer not to fight the HUGE crowds if possible.

If you've never entered the park through the North East gate over the Bear Tooth Pass... In my opinion... You are missing one the most incredible and magnificent parts of our entire country. The NE corner section of the park is one of the least visited because it doesn't have the big name areas. But that is where you will see more wild life, especially bears than any other area. And the drive over the pass before you actually get into the park is stunning. It makes parts of the actual park pale in comparison. Of course these are just my opinions. Just to give you an idea, this path into the park is listed as one of the Top 5 scenic motorcycle rides in America.

Thanks everyone I new we could agree;

Mid October! The day time temps are in the mid 60's, no people, it snowed in the high country every night that we were there but the NPS road crew had all the roads bare and wet by daylight everyday! The Fall colors are spectacular! All the animals are out roaming around! Hands down the best place I ever visited!

Remember as late as 1981 driving into Old Faithful Lodge and securing a room for the night - contrast that to today when many make reservations a year in advance. Have visited Yellowstone many times over the past 45 years - snowmobiles in the winter before all the current regulations came into being - as well as spring-summer-fall. Have taken grandchildren on more recent winter visits - snowmobiles again but in a group & with a guide - as well as several summer visits. Seems always too many visitors and too many regulations - a NP that is truly overloved. Wildlife was once in plain view - now often well hidden. Everyone should visit this magnificient NP - but like too many of our wonderful parks just too many people ....

We arrive Teton NP June 11th for 5 nights and then on to Yellowstone for two weeks. It will be my husbands first time to see both parks and 51 years since I was there, so to say we are excited is an understatement! I imagine every season has something to offer? Just an aside.....the last time I was there I was more interested in the cute park rangers than the wildlife. This time It will be reversed :B

We always visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone late May through the second week of June. After that it gets too crowded to roam around without reservations, which is our preferred way to travel. We also like Spring for the beauty of snow capped mountains, baby animals and green vegetation. We visited in September once and there was lots of smoke from forest fires, no snow on the mountains and all the grasslands were dry and brown. It was nice to hear the Elk bugling in the mountains though.

We are currently in lander, WY and will be in Grand Teton tomorrow, Yellowstone next week.

We've been there many times. NO, NO, NO.....don't go in September. Warm days, cool nights, elk bugling, trees in color and less crowds. It's the worst time to be there. :)