After a summer of working in Yellowstone and four decades of annual visits to the park, a trip to Yellowstone feels like going home. This is at once a blessing and a curse. With so many places to revisit, check in on, and catch up with, it’s hard to branch out to new things. That said, I’d like to few of my favorite Yellowstone stops.
My favorites are simple. They represent Yellowstone and what draws me back, again and again. They are water, wildlife, and wilderness. Without them, a visit to Yellowstone would feel incomplete.
- A long stop at the Old Faithful Historic District | I once spent a summer working at the Old Faithful Inn. Because of that, walking the boardwalks, watching Old Faithful erupt, and wandering through the Inn refreshes my soul. (To see a current Old Faithful eruption, click here.)
- The Back Basin at Norris Geyser Basin | Over the years, Back Basin has become my absolute favorite thermal area. Last time we visited the park, we walked it three different times–at sunset (pictured above) and at midday. During the previous visit, we walked it twice. Porcelain Basin is showier, but Back Basin manages to be both wooded and lovely, as well as stark and mysterious.
- A drive along the shore of Yellowstone Lake—stopping at whichever of the many pull-offs that suits you.
- A stop at one of the viewing points of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone | Lookout Point and Artist Point are my favorite quick stops. Uncle Tom’s Trail and Red Rock Point are my favorite hikes that lead partway down into the canyon. While not excessively long, both involve steep climbs. Do your research before you go. Update: Uncle Tom’s Trail has been closed for construction since 2019. A ranger I spoke to at Canyon in 2022 said that it is unlikely to reopen and was somewhat awed to meet someone who had actually taken that trail. Also, the trail to Red Rock Point is occasionally closed for trail maintenance.
- A drive through Lamar Valley | Picturesque and teeming with wildlife, it has, over time, become one of my favorite places in the park. It’s probably the best location in Yellowstone to see wolves. I’ve been surprised by several wolf sightings here.
happy trails ~ Natalie 🥾
Additional Resources
- If you enjoyed this glimpse into Yellowstone, you might enjoy Field Notes. Sign up here.
- Find information about Yellowstone’s picnic locations and regulations here.