Yellowstone National Park
Introduction
Why visit Yellowstone?
Because of the Bison and the Hot springs, geysers and mudpots which are all over the park, you will also see Elk or Moose. The Bison can be found wandering along roads, in Spring the young Bison are particularly cuddly. There are open grassy meadows, interpersed with lakes and streams and if you are lucky a herd of Bison or deer. In early summer the peaks are still snow covered and there are many waterfalls. Old Faithful is very popular and it gives its show every 72 minutes, although it was 25 minutes late when I went there. Also some 3+ million people cannot all be wrong. However in peak season it gets very crowded, be warned. In addition don't miss Lookout Pt and Inspiration Pt at Canyon village, also Minerva Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs. If you see a bear you are too close.
I suggest three days for a quick overview by car and a week for a leisurly look, if hiking and camping then there is plenty to see over two weeks.
How to get there by air.
Bozeman is one of the nearest mid-sized airports and is served by Delta and North West. You are a two hour drive from Yellowstone West entrance and 80 minutes from the North entrance. In my opinion the drive to the North entrance is far better that to the West entrance which involves a winding road through pine covered gorge together with a fast flowing river. I found it all rather exhausting although those who like to Kyake will love it. The route to the North entrance involves a hilly climb along I90E and then a long road to the North entrance with mountains to the left and hills to the right. The terain becomes more interesting as one approaches and enters the North entrance. Livingston is 51 miles north of the North entrance and Gardiner is at the north entrance, both towns have hotels (book early).
Bozeman hotels - Bozeman is well served by hotels. From the airport turn left and continue five miles until the road goes to the right after two sets of lights turn right into Baxter lane and you will find the Best Western Gran Tree Inn, the Holiday Inn and the Hampton Inn. Opposite is a Comfort Inn, and close nearby is a Fairfield Inn, a Sleep Inn and a Ramada.
Driving in Montana - there are no daytime speed limits, it is up to your discretion. Most people drive at 70 -75 mph. At night the main highways restrict you to 65 mph. The reason for the lack of daytime speed limits is because the population is small and the distances so large that road congestion is small and therefore fast daytime driving is fairly safe.
The Weather
Yellowstone is some 5,300- 12,000 ft in altitude and the North entrance is at latitude 45 deg being half-way between the equator and North Pole. Therefore the park is fairly cold, this May 17th it was snowing and the lake is still frozen. A heavy coat is advisable. Most roads open by 17th April, some roads do not open until as late as May 22.
The Cost
For a car and passengers it is $20 (valid for seven days) to enter Yellowstone. An annual pass is $40. An Eagle pass still costs $50 and is valid for all national parks for a year (but not state parks).
Yellowstone the Super Volcano
Yellowstone is a super volcano that blows up every 600,000 years and it is due to blow now, and destroy most of the USA, and take much of the rest of the world with it due to the lowering of the world temperature. The last eruption was 640,000 years ago…so the next is overdue. The next eruption could be 2,500 times the size of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption.
- Super Volcano Yellowstone
- Super Volcanoes
- Supervolcano - Yellowstone National Park
- Super Volcanoes: Satellites Eye Deadly Hot Spots
Links
- Yellowstone National Park (NPS site)
- Yellowstone National Park visitor information and travel planning.
- Excite Travel
- Yellowstone Net
- Total Yellowstone Page
- Yellowstone NP, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana
- Yellowstone NP Pictures
- The insiders guide to Yellowstone NP
- Yellowstone Association
- Yellowstone - The Grand Old Park
- Yellowstone NP
- Finley-Holiday NP Videos they also have a CD for Yellowstone
If you like photos from around the world then visit my popular Images of the World site, including Yellowstone, Bali, India, Cambodia, Utah, Arizona, Canada, London, Jamaica, Thailand, Florence, Ephesus, Istanbul, Israel, New York, San Francisco.