Amazing time hiking out to Mystic Falls last Saturday afternoon 10/24

(Excelsior) This place is unreal. We saw old faithful erupt twice, Cliff geyser was putting on an amazing show, the tiny geysers and bubbling pools are the cutest, and everything… like beautiful landscapes, with a little stream, and the stream is steaming… like wowwwwww….

Grateful to have seen, pronghorn, many bald eagles coyote, bison, elk, and we made it to the upper geyser basin (just wow) but we would love to have a place to set up for hours to see what’s going on, sooo sad Lamar is closed but I realize I’m here super late.

Last night we ventured to the west down Old Yellowstone Trail, and there’s also Old Yellowstone Trail South. Saw a beautiful herd of elk. Should we continue down for wildlife?

UPDATE: You guys are the BEST I saw another road closed with my eyes for construction, saw the construction icons on the NPS map and assumed it meant closed.

Thank youuuuu!!!! Can’t wait to go. 🥹💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

Hi! I love Yellowstone National Park (am maybe a bit obsessed) and have been getting back into reading nonfiction more recently and I wanted to drop in here and see if any fellow enthuisiasts have any book recs you've enjoyed. I've read Death In Yellowstone and various early expedition recountings (like The Discovery of Yellowstone Park and Lost in the Yellowstone). I'm a big geology nerd and geology student atm so books more focused on the geology would be cool but I think the entire GYE is pretty fascinating so I'm not limiting myself to that. So basically gimme any and all recs! (please)

Greetings! Yellowstone has a special place in our heart. We visited in December almost 10years ago and loved how things were empty and snowed in. We rented a 4x4 truck and drove through Bozeman and whatever was open.
This year we were hoping to do the same. We have been here atleast 3 times since so we aren’t desperate to hit every touristy spot.

Main goal is to relax, small hikes, wildlife photography etc.

That being said if we were to visit for 4-5days mid November, what’s the recommended trip plan. Is Bozeman still good to stay and drive into the park everyday or is there anything inside or closer to the park that we should book?

As far as wildlife, what are the best places to spot them around this time?

We also plan to visit Tetons provided roads are open.

Any heads up on road closures or suggestions would be appreciated.

Anyone eager to spot a Grizzly in Yellowstone, try the route between Norris and Gibbon Falls. We spotted a big one 2 days in a row in that route between Oct 17-18. Good luck.

(Drive slowly and safely, cheers!)

I recently acquired over 30 books from the library of Condon, a former Chief Naturalist with the park, some with incredible history behind them. Where can I find more information about him? There seems to be very little, other than photos he himself took. It's an incredible rabbit hole so far!

One of Yellowstone’s restored historic yellow tour buses, a 1937 White Motor Company Model 706 (original fleet number 404, apparently nicknamed “Little Rocky”)—parked under the covered porte-cochère of the Lodge.

Kids loved it. Me too, the duality of seeing a reminder of a different era in human terms, while standing in a reminder of a different era in geological terms. It evokes a certain perspective.

It's moose rut right now, so get out in the early morning hours and look for moose doing interesting things! Early morning is best, as moose like the cold.

This bull is demonstrating the Flehmen response, which is a typical rut behavior that enables him to better detect female pheromones.

If you're not sure where to look for moose, there aren't a ton in Yellowstone itself. Your best bet is in the east end of Lamar Valley, between Pebble Creek and the northeast entrance. You may also see them in other areas with water and willows (not weeping willow trees, tall bushes near water with the same name), such as along Elk Creek or near Floating Island Lake.

The Grand Tetons are a much better place to see moose, though. There are far more there, so they're easier to find.

Just happened to be watching at the right time.

Last time didn’t work out. :/

We've got one more day in the park. We did see the head of one wolf miles away yesterday near the turn off to Lamar Valley, but would like to see if we can get a better shot. Anyone currently in the park with recommendations?

Oct 2026. 1,2,3. Yes the wolf pics are zoomed in. 4 morning geysers. 5 Lamar bison. 5 artist point. 6 Firehole at sunset. 7 Nez Perse. 8 Grand Prismatic overlook. 9 bison. 10 old faithful with bison. 11 old faithful. 12,13 old faithful inn. 14 Nez Perse. 15 Lamar valley 3 wolves. 16 old faithful.

We are planning to visit for a few days in early december for a quick vacation. I know part of the park is shut down generally and weather may vary. can anyone recommend a good tour guide/company that would be able to make a day or two fun for us? (assuming no blizzard of course). just 2 adults, ok shape if that matters. i realize we wont get to see everything and thats ok, just want to enjoy a bit while we are staying!

Didn't see as many elk as I wanted, only moose I saw were in Grand Teton, didn't see a bear, took until I was literally exiting the park before I got a bucket list look at a beautiful gray wolf just 30' away.

But the reason for this post is more about the...well I'll just call it silly...comments and questions I ran into, either directly or overheard.

1.) While looking back at the visitor center, waiting for Old Faithful to go off, someone yelled "Hit the button already!!" then mumbled something about all the people waiting, like there's someone whose job it is to turn the geyser on.

2.) "Does it go off at night, too?" pointing at Old Faithful. No, ma'am, they give it nights off.

3.) "I don't like visiting parks that put bears in boxes." Umm, that's not what a bear box is.

4.) "Do they let the animals out at dawn?" Like it's an amusement park for our enjoyment and the animals aren't just out there living their lives.

But my favorite? And when she asked me, I assumed she was joking, so I responded in kind, was,
5.) "How long does it take deer to get big enough they turn into elk?" My response was, "Not nearly as long as it takes elk to get big enough they turn into moose." Then I realized...she was dead serious.

Edit: Forgot another one. "Why do they have to put all this so far apart? I can't do all the walking to see it all."

Can't really put into words how vast, beautiful, awe-inspiring, rough, rustic, and picturesque Yellowstone is. It's almost unbelievable driving thru it each day. I've struggled to properly explain to people how amazing it is since I've been back

Calling ~ October 2023

This fallen monarch of the forest once stood regally on a distant shore. It now lies in repose with no less beauty than when it stood strong and tall. Time will eventually absorb it back into the earth from which it once pulled sustenance. For now, it lies partially buried in the loose gravel along the shore of Jackson Lake. Its branches refuse to give up and still reach for the skies.

As twilight sweeps in from the east, it carries with it the magic of light tinted in soft hues. It flits across the sky and is absorbed first by the towering peaks to the west. Slowly, the color pours down the mountains and begins to illuminate the lower regions. Fog, rising wistfully from the water, drifts across the lake as if answering the summons of an unseen voice calling from across the waters. Its motion is mesmerizing and mysterious. It makes me want to fall in behind it and find the source of this powerful voice.

Now, as the shadow of the Earth itself is chased across the landscape by the rising Sun and off into tomorrow, a photographer sits on the frosty ground. His camera pushed down into the very gravel that will eventfully consume this tree, he marvels at the beauty in front of him. Gratefulness washes over him in soft waves. Perhaps, much like the fog, I am also drawn to that same powerful voice across the waters. I am content to silently listen to the start of the day and occasionally push the shutter release.

Spent a few days in Jackson and then a few days in Yellowstone (9/19-9/25) and can't explain how incredible it was. The lighting and weather were perfect. I can't stop thinking about Lamar Valley. Will definitely be going back someday!

Beaver Ponds Loop was a gorgeous hike. Also, Lamar Valley almost had me in tears! I will be back. (Photos from end of Sept)

I didn't get a picture of them but I saw a group of bighorn sheep today, through binoculars, in blacktail area between mammoth and tower of all places. I went to Sylvan pass Saturday hoping to see them but did not. So go figure. Here are pictures I did get.

Hi! Opinions on this 3 day itinerary for August? Mainly want to try to be efficient and make sure we’re back to our hotels before dark (mainly concerned about making it to Old Faithful lodge from Yellowstone before dark). Anything you would add or move? I tried to create a flexible itinerary that didn’t plan too much for each day, since I’m sure we can easily fill any additional free time. TIA!!