ICTJOCK Posted May 20 Posted May 20 So I have discussed my interest in travel throughout the US Southwest and visiting a number of National Parks. Love New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. It all started with my parents and our visitation of numerous national parks in the west when I was a small child. Now I not only want to return, but to explore more. I talked about my visit of 2 Utah national parks last summer, "Bryce Canyon" and "Zion". We usually do a fitness photo shoot as well as I'm into that. So I've been talking "Yellowstone" and the return for the last 3 years. Weather and infrastructure in the park were problems and so I just decided to go elsewhere. I was there when I was 5 years old and will never forget Old Faithful and the smell. Some things you never forget. So, want to hear from others about what to see when at the park, areas I might want to consider for fitness photo shots and best entrances into the park. I might say the input from a certain member last year was VERY important to my enjoyment of Zion National park. It was all awesome. Thoughts please! + azdr0710 1
+ azdr0710 Posted May 27 Posted May 27 (edited) fantastic national park, but plan to spend at least a couple or three full days minimum (more is much better).....it's huge!....can be crowded in certain popular areas and watch out for "bear jams" and other stopped traffic (animal sightings)......hell, even the turnoff for Old Faithful is a mini-cloverleaf interchange!..... Old Faithful was underwhelming to me.....it ends up being very quiet when going off.....bleacher-style seating nearly surrounding it with eager tourists awaiting the spectacle as if Jesus's Second Coming is imminent.....in fact, the entire Old Faithful immediate area can be a zoo at busy times and should be avoided, except for the historic Old Faithful Inn and it's spectacular lobby...... the Lower Geyser Basin and the Fountain Paint Pots were a favorite of mine....hike the terraces and pools around Mammoth Hot Springs......lots of spots to explore along the busy park roads....if into historic architecture, several park hotels (Lake, Mammoth, Old Faithful) have that famous grand National Park-style appearance......Hayden Valley for possible wildlife sighting.....Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a must-see near Canyon Village....lots of other stuff...... hmmm, can't say much on fitness photo shoot options....it'll be very busy in most easy-to-access spots....might need to hike a bit, turn off the trail a ways, and watch out for families if the shoot gets toward R-rated!.....many locations, but also many people! you may consider entering the park from the south via Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park so you can check those off, too......spectacular stuff...... https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/index.htm strongly suggest you stay for three or more nights at concessionaire-operated in-park lodging so you can be close to the action and ready to explore each morning.... https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/ closest nearby lodging outside the park is at West Yellowstone, MT, Flagg Ranch (Grand Teton), and Gardiner, MT (near Mammoth)...... Edited May 27 by azdr0710 n2guysnatl and thomas 1 1
n2guysnatl Posted May 27 Posted May 27 13 hours ago, azdr0710 said: fantastic national park, but plan to spend at least a couple or three full days minimum (more is much better).....it's huge!....can be crowded in certain popular areas and watch out for "bear jams" and other stopped traffic (animal sightings)......hell, even the turnoff for Old Faithful is a mini-cloverleaf interchange!..... Old Faithful was underwhelming to me.....it ends up being very quiet when going off.....bleacher-style seating nearly surrounding it with eager tourists awaiting the spectacle as if Jesus's Second Coming is imminent.....in fact, the entire Old Faithful immediate area can be a zoo at busy times and should be avoided, except for the historic Old Faithful Inn and it's spectacular lobby...... the Lower Geyser Basin and the Fountain Paint Pots were a favorite of mine....hike the terraces and pools around Mammoth Hot Springs......lots of spots to explore along the busy park roads....if into historic architecture, several park hotels (Lake, Mammoth, Old Faithful) have that famous grand National Park-style appearance......Hayden Valley for possible wildlife sighting.....Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a must-see near Canyon Village....lots of other stuff...... hmmm, can't say much on fitness photo shoot options....it'll be very busy in most easy-to-access spots....might need to hike a bit, turn off the trail a ways, and watch out for families if the shoot gets toward R-rated!.....many locations, but also many people! you may consider entering the park from the south via Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park so you can check those off, too......spectacular stuff...... https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/index.htm strongly suggest you stay for three or more nights at concessionaire-operated in-park lodging so you can be close to the action and ready to explore each morning.... https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/ closest nearby lodging outside the park is at West Yellowstone, MT, Flagg Ranch (Grand Teton), and Gardiner, MT (near Mammoth)...... Good points! My suggestion would be to stay 1+ nights in different locations. As said it is a large park and it cuts the time getting to the different areas. I checked in-park lodging but they were all booked when I went. We stayed south of the park in Jackson Hole (recommended) and saw Grand Teton National Park (also recommended) and the southside of Yellowstone. On the westside of the park we stayed in West Yellowstone and saw Old Faithful and other sites on the westside of the park. To the north we stayed in Gardiner, MT and saw things in the Mammoth Springs area.
Njguy2 Posted May 27 Posted May 27 One of the less crowded (at least when I've gone in the past) entrances is the east one - via Cody. Cody is a nice small town with character, the Erma does great food. The other one I've used a lot in the past is the NorthEast entrance - via the Beartooth Pass/Cooke City. Lots of wildlife in the entrance area https://www.yellowstonepark.com/road-trips/gateway-towns/yellowstone-park-entrances/ thomas and + azdr0710 2
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