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Fun Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

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By kiwi91


Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone.

Find Fun Things to Do in the Amazing Wilderness of Yellowstone National Park

Of all of the parks in the United States, I consider Yellowstone National Park to be the most fun. Not for a second was I ever bored or wishing that I was anywhere else in the world. Why? The area is teeming with wildlife at every turn. You don't have to go searching through the woods to find them, they're constantly right in front of you. That's just the half of it. Yellowstone is probably the most scenic area in the whole country. If you haven't gazed upon the steaming geysers and crystal pools in this park, or looked on in awe at the massive Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, you haven't truly seen what the U.S. has to offer. Read on to find some fun things to do in Yellowstone National Park that everyone can handle, from kids to seniors.

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Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

No, this isn't the Grand Canyon in Arizona, it's Yellowstone's glacier and magma carved own canyon, boasting two gigantic waterfalls that splash 1200 feet downward. With an impressive horizontal spread and dramatic viewpoints that can easily be accessed all around the falls, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone should be one of your must-sees on your trip. Visit and you'll get a sense of the over 600,000 years Mother Earth has been carving this wonderous canyon, and a taste of how powerful this underground supervolcano can be.

Take a Day Hike in Yellowstone

Ranger's Guide to Yellowstone Day Hikes, A Ranger's Guide to Yellowstone Day Hikes, A
It's what you came here for... to get out and enjoy the wilderness. Step outside of the lodge for a minute and enjoy your natural surroundings! This book will help you if you're looking to take a day hike in Yosemite, no matter what your age or what difficult range you are looking for. With over 25 years of experience helping out tourists, authors Roger and Carol Shively Anderson provide insider tips that are essential for your trip out. What trails are the best? When should you go? What should you bring? Should you start early, late, camp, any how do you protect yourself from wildlife? Are there off-the-beaten-path hidden gems that are awaiting in the woods and on the paths? Answer all of these questions in this incredible, well reviewed guide.
Price: $7.35
List Price: $12.95

Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone, with its famed terraces of steaming hot water.
Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone, with its famed terraces of steaming hot water.

Gaze Upon the Other Worldly Mammoth Hot Springs

One of the strangest places in Yellowstone is the enigmatic Mammoth Hot Springs. Here, terraces of rock and mud overflow with water heated by the earth, forming a most unusual display. The springs have a large calcium carbonate deposit, which is evident when you see some of the characteristic dead trees in the area. The water is also slightly cooler than some of the other geothermal areas of Yellowstone, allowing algae and micro bacteria to tint the water rust oranges, browns, and brilliant aqua shades.

Read more about Mammoth Hot Springs:

Fishing Geyser in Yellowstone Lake.
Fishing Geyser in Yellowstone Lake.

A bison roams around in traffic in Yellowstone, a common sight.
A bison roams around in traffic in Yellowstone, a common sight.
Wolves guard a fresh deer kill and growl at the photographer. Yes, they're still wild!
Wolves guard a fresh deer kill and growl at the photographer. Yes, they're still wild!

Spot a Bear, Wolf, or Bison

While the thought of bears can be intimidating, hundreds of visitors every year see bears in the park and aren't harmed. Read "How to escape from a bear" for some tips on what to do when you encounter any type of bear in the wilderness. In Yellowstone, you'll encounter either a Grizzly or Black Bear. It's possible to spot them on any hike, but it's most likely you'll see them in clearings in forests or on the outskirts of forests. So, keep your distance, know what to do if a bear comes close, and enjoy them!

Yellowstone is also home to some famous wolf packs. Being reintroduced into the park, these wolves are enjoying a resurgence of sorts, but their numbers are still slightly low. Like with any wild animal, exercise caution and know what to do when you encounter one of these creatures.

Bison are an easy find in the park. You can find them roaming the geothermal beds of Norris Basin, often near Old Faithful, and on the edges of Yellowstone Lake. Like wolves and bears, these can be dangerous animals, so don't get close! Keep your distance, even though they'll sometimes be in the middle of the road...

View Wildlife at a Distance with Binoculars

Nikon 7216 Action 8x40mm Binoculars Nikon 7216 Action 8x40mm Binoculars
A reasonable pair of binoculars to view wildlife safely -- far away! To minimize the risk of encounters with wildlife like wolves and bears, the best way to see them is through some binoculars. Bring along a pair like these excellent Nikon binoculars with 8x magnification (and not to mention outstanding reviews). These are very reasonably priced, perfect to take out on the field, have a quick central focus system, and have a 420-foot field of view at 1,000 yards, so you'll be able to see just about anything!
Price: $197.99
List Price: $129.99

Posts from the Yellowstone Park News Blog

  • Back In Operation

    VIEW FROM WEB CAM -- Thanks to the stalwart NPS employees the Mt. Washburn Fire Lookout Web Cam is back in operation. Spectacular views can be had by clicking HERE.

  • Gear Jammin'

    THE REAL WHITE'S Stretch Their Legsjust good fun-- The annual Gear Jammer's outing was a success on many fronts yesterday. The original vehicles got a chance to do what they were meant to do - tour....

  • Annual Arrival

    The White's At Bullwinkle's arriving as you read this photos tomorrow


The Grand Teton National Park is just south of Yellowstone, adjacently connected and worth the ride.
The Grand Teton National Park is just south of Yellowstone, adjacently connected and worth the ride.

Grand Teton National Park is Just Minutes Away...

Connected to Yellowstone National Park is Grand Teton National Park, one of the most beautiful spots in the country. With the gorgeous Snake River winding beneath the mountains, you'll find many views of the Tetons from down below near Jackson, Wyoming, along with incredible hiking opportunities inside the park. The peaks of Teton range are usually snow capped all year, and snow can occur at any time within both Yellowstone and Grand Teton. An August snow isn't unheard of!


Old Faithful erupts, yet again! Reliably erupting approximately every 92 minutes, give or take a few minutes.
Old Faithful erupts, yet again! Reliably erupting approximately every 92 minutes, give or take a few minutes.

Watch Old Faithful Erupt

You never know what to expect in the constantly changing landscape of the Mud Volcano region. This is where you'll find hundreds of active geysers and the most geothermal geyser activity in the world! Drive along roads as steam vents let loose a fog into the air (the bison don't seem to mind), and schedule a visit based on the eruption schedule of favorite geysers like Old Faithful. This geyser in particular erupts on a schedule, varying between eruptions, but being very regular. You can find a schedule right at the viewing area near the lodge.

Old Faithful Erupts!


Horseback Riding

For a truly genuine western style trip to Yosemite, horseback riding is the way to go. See the park the way the pioneers of the old west saw the state, from a little bit higher up, and a little bit of a bumpy ride. Explore areas you might not otherwise be able to see, and have fun in group trips. Horseback riding is offered all over Yellowstone, in many of the towns like West Yellowstone, Jackson, and in the Tetons.


Yellowstone in the winter, near Moose Falls.
Yellowstone in the winter, near Moose Falls.

A Winter Trip to Yellowstone

Without the crowds and under a blanket of snowfall, you can fully enjoy the park and its pristine beauty and serenity. The wildlife is still here, and the geysers are still active. It's a combination that will leave you speechless, and you'll have some of the best photos and memories of your life. Popular activities are snowmobiling (which is highly controversial in the park, due to the destruction snowmobiles can leave on the environment) snowshoeing (except near the geothermal areas), ranger led winter hikes, photography, and cross country skiing.

Yellowstone in the News Right Now:

  • YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK WOLFIdaho State Journal2 days ago

    ** FILE **A wolf walks through the snow in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, in this undated file photo. Scientists and wildlife managers, after recently reviewing plans by Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, have urged maintaining a viable gray wolf population in the Northern Rockies. But some of those experts have concerns with funding for the programs. (AP Photo/Yellowstone National Park, File)

  • More than 1,200 visit Yellowstone over 6 daysGreat Falls Tribune12 hours ago

    YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — More than 1,200 people visited Yellowstone National Park over the first six days of the park’s winter season.

  • More than 1,200 visit Yellowstone over 6 daysRiverton Radio17 hours ago

    Though like the song says, the weather in the Rocky Mountain states has been “frightful,” the cold hasn’t stopped people from visiting Yellowstone National Park.


Comments

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CMHypno profile image

CMHypno  says:
5 months ago

Very interesting Hub on Yellowstone. I have never been there, but would love to go. Great pics!

ethel smith profile image

ethel smith  says:
5 months ago

Would love to visit. Thanks for the insight into Yellowstone

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