Five stars - It's Yellowstone, how could I give it anything less?…read more I'll keep this simple. There are moments in this park that you will feel like you are on another planet. The geysers and the hot springs are surreal. My favorites spots were the Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Fountain and Artist Paint Pots. I saw elks, bison, grizzly bears, and a wolf. My recommendations are: visit during off season (if you can), book a guided tour if it is your first time in the park, and get the America the Beautiful Pass.

Yellowstone National Park absolutely lives up to the hype. Even if you've seen the photos, even if…read moreyou think you know what to expect -- the scale of this place is hard to grasp until you're standing in it. You can watch Old Faithful erupt, walk past neon-colored hot springs, drive through wide-open valleys full of bison, and stand at the edge of a canyon that looks like it belongs on another planet -- all in the same day. Every section of the park feels different, which keeps it from ever feeling repetitive. That said, it takes planning. Distances are longer than they appear, traffic can build quickly in peak season, and wildlife jams are very real. Give yourself more time than you think you need. It's big, it's wild, and it's absolutely worth the effort.

This trail still exists, except it stops where the steps once existed. So it's a very steep trail,…read morea lot of switchbacks, leading to the top of the falls. Even without the stairs, it's quite a significant climb back to the parking lot so if you're not in good condition, don't attempt!

August 2022 Update: when my fiancé and I went, two rangers informed us that they are officially…read morePERMANENTLY closing this trail. They went down to take out the sign and will not be allowing anyone to go through the stairs. They said it is too expensive to fix and costs millions of dollars with the rescues, especially with the amount of money they are spending to fix the roads from the flooding. Obviously really sad but Uncle Tom's trail is no more :(

We ended our first day in Yellowstone at Inspiration Point, and honestly, it was the perfect way to…read moreclose out an unforgettable day. After hours of exploring the park, nothing could have prepared us for what was waiting at the end of that drive. The view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from Inspiration Point is absolutely stunning -- one of those rare moments where you stop talking and just stare. The canyon drops away dramatically below you, the yellow and orange walls glowing warm in the late afternoon light, and the sheer scale of it all hits you all at once. It's breathtaking in the truest sense of the word. We came with family, including a young child, and even they were in awe. The viewing area is accessible and easy to navigate, which made it even better. No difficult hiking required -- just drive up, walk a short path, and let nature do the rest. Inspiration Point earns its name completely. This isn't just a scenic overlook -- it's a moment you'll carry with you long after you leave Yellowstone. Absolutely worth the drive. Don't miss it.

This was a beautiful overlook of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Artist's Point on the south side…read moreof the canyon, in my opinion, was much more beautiful! There is a small parking lot and a short walkway that leads to this overlook area.

One of the distinctive parts of Yellowstone. It's a very unique experience to see so many geysers…read moreat once. You can see so many different types of geyser formations, colors and shapes. If you want to walk around, there is a route available. It can be anywhere from a 20 to 40 min walk depending on how much distance you want to travel. I recommend bringing a hat because you can feel the sun pretty quickly once the steams disappear. Clouds move pretty quickly, so you may get a bit of shade, but it doesn't last long. Oh, and hold onto your hats. If it gets blown off and onto the geyser, you can't pick it back up. You must stay on the wooden bridge. Personally, I was not a fan of the smell, but it's a natural side effect of the geysers. There are some pretty active geysers here as well - just not as large as Old Faithful.

There were a lot of interesting and bubbling gesyers and thermal features here. Definitely worth a…read morestop! We visited in October and this area was lower traffic. It was wonderful to be able to take our time and look at all the different features !

Really liked renting during our trip to Yellowstone. 3-7 day rental was super affordable as was day…read moreto day. The owner of the kiosk was super helpful and her video she has about what to do in bear attacks was alot more useful than rangers just telling us to carry spray. Planning another trip next year and going to rent again!

From the owner: Bear spray rentals and hiking goods in Yellowstone National Park between May and September…read more Located adjacent to the Canyon Village Visitor Center in Yellowstone National Park, we offer bear spay rentals on a daily ($9.25) or weekly, 3 to 7 days ($28.00) basis. Learn how to hike safely in Yellowstone, avoid bear encounters, and protect yourself with the last line of defense in the event of a bear attack.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone -- Lower Falls Do it in…read morethis order. Trust me. If Yellowstone had a crown jewel, this is it. We hit the Lower Falls from two different angles, and the order we did it made all the difference. Start at Artist Point. From here, you get the full picture -- the entire canyon stretching out in front of you, walls layered in pink, red, orange, and white from thousands of years of iron-stained rock. The waterfall sits in the distance like something out of a painting, and the river winds through the bottom of a canyon that drops 800 to 1,200 feet deep. It gives you the context to appreciate everything else you're about to see. Blue sky, puffy clouds, massive scale -- this view alone is worth the drive. Then hike down to the Brink of the Lower Falls. This is where it gets real. You're standing right at the top of a 308-foot drop, watching the full force of the Yellowstone River launch off the edge. In early May, snowmelt had it absolutely roaring -- thick mist rising up, patches of snow still clinging to the rocks below, and if the sun hits right, a rainbow forms right at the base. See the canyon first. Then feel the power up close. That's the move. Absolutely mandatory stop in Yellowstone -- don't skip either viewpoint.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - Lower Falls is one of the most breathtaking sights in all of…read moreYellowstone National Park, and honestly, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the United States. Dropping over 300 feet, it's nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls, and the sheer power and beauty of the water crashing down into the canyon is unforgettable. What makes it even more spectacular is the colorful canyon itself. The walls are streaked with yellows, reds, and oranges--caused by hydrothermal activity altering the rock over thousands of years--which is where Yellowstone gets its name. Pair that rainbow of rock with the thundering white water of the Lower Falls, and you've got a view that feels like it belongs on a postcard. There are multiple overlooks to see the falls, but Artist Point is the most famous and gives you that iconic panoramic view. Uncle Tom's Trail also takes you closer to the action but be ready for a steep climb back up--it's worth it for the experience. The Lower Falls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are absolute must-sees. No trip to Yellowstone is complete without standing here and taking in this awe-inspiring natural wonder. https://linktr.ee/reessroots

I would give Hidden Falls 4.5 stars. There are two ways that you can visit Hidden Falls. The first…read moreis my taking the boat over and then it's a very short hike. The other way is hiking to it along Jenny Lake Trail. There are many people who take the boat over and do Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point and then leave. For this reason the first mile of trails after getting off the boat are heavily trafficked with tons of people and families. For this reason, if you do come visit Hidden Falls, I would recommend doing it early in the morning. We did the Cascade Canyon Trail around 8:30am and visited this on the way down around 11:30am and it was packed with people and kids running around so go early to avoid the crowds. The waterfall is beautiful! It's not hidden as the name would suggest since it's highly trafficked. We didn't stay long (only about a minute) because all the people and kids running around took away from the feeling of being surrounded by nature and at peace, although we are glad we went.

This review is for Hidden Falls via String Lake Trail which was a ~4.6 miles round trip that took…read more~2.5 hours to complete. This was a stunning hike from beginning to end. Another popular trail but not overly crowded near end of day. Trail was narrow and flat with a few minor inclines. There was still snow after you cross the last bridge towards the viewpoint of the waterfall but do-able without spikes. The trail does not take you up close to the waterfall but only viewable from a distance. Jenny Lake reminds me of Crater Lake in Oregon; not because of the color but due to the sheer size. Beautiful views of the Teton Range, String Lake, Jenny Lake, Hidden Falls and the surrounding area! Carry bear spray; the chances of encountering a bear is lower at popular trails but you never know. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/meQ4PZFrpCg

We entered Yellowstone from the northeast entrance so that we could deliberately drive through the…read moreLamar Valley. We didn't start our drive until early afternoon, so we didn't see a great deal of wildlife, but we did manage to see several herds of bison. The views were very scenic, and we found ourselves pulling over quite frequently. Definitely take your time driving through this area and enjoy the sights!

This place was definitely a highlight for me when I visited Yellowstone National Park. Lamar Valley…read moreand Hayden Valley are the best places to see populations of large animals. Its valleys are very wide and make excellent habitat for wildlife. Lamar Valley is known as America's Serengeti. Some animals you may encounter here are bison, wolves, moose, grizzly bears, elk and a variety of birds. I drove the long drive to Lamar Valley from Mammoth Hot Springs. Lamar Valley is not part of the Grand loop drive of Yellowstone. It branches off from the northeast part of the loop. Once you reach Tower/Roosevelt Service Station, you turn onto on Northeast Entrance Road. You can then take your time observing wildlife along the way. You will see the Lamar River right next to the road as you are driving. It's about a 30 mile drive on NE Entrance Rd to the Northeast entrance. You will usually see cars parked at pullouts when there is a group of animals nearby. They ask you to not stop in the middle of the road unless wildlife is crossing the street (only stop at pullouts). The best time to photograph Lamar Valley is at dawn or dusk. I spent a whole evening driving through here and got some great shots. I had a cool moment when I pulled over and a bison passed in front of my car. I was able to get some close-up photos of it. I also drove to Slough Creek because I heard you can usually spot wolves there in the evening. I didn't see any, but could hear them howling in the distance. I can't tell you how beautiful this valley is. In addition to the wildlife I saw, I enjoyed watching the sunset. This is definitely a great place to go if you want to slow your life down and take in some beautiful nature.

We had entered the park from Gardiner, and it wasn't a very long drive to the Norris geyser. There…read moreis a welcome center, but we went straight out to the boardwalk and started walking around. The one Geyser smokes fairly consistently - there isn't the big eruption like at Old Faithful. The boardwalks take you through quite a variety of basins and geysers - some as small as just bubbling water, but it was all very interesting to see. We spent quite a lot of time here - even though the parking lot was packed, because the boardwalk is so spread out you didn't really feel like you were in a crowd. You could take your time and really look at everything. I would definitely recommend this as a stop.

Smelly, but lots to see !…read more We were there at the very end of the season and the parking lot was empty. The boardwalks were fairly empty. It was great to have it mostly to ourselves!

What a magical place. So fortunate that had the chance the visit and I can't wait to go back…read more I don't think I can add more to what's been said but I think these tips would help The first time visitor. 1. Yellowstone is a massive park and you'll need to be strategic before you visit as to what you want to experience 2. You will need Bear mace. Get it ahead of time. 3. Give yourself more time than you think. Distances are long, roads are slow, and wildlife jams are common. 4. Arrive early or stay late. Midday (10am-4pm) is busiest. Early mornings and evenings are quieter and best for wildlife You would think this is a no-brainer but I can't even put a number as to how many times international visitors ignored the placards and signs. This is why visitors fall into pools and don't come back. 5. Stay on boardwalks and trails. The ground can be dangerously thin and hot. 6. Never touch thermal features. Water can be near boiling and acidic. 7. Supervise kids closely. Injuries here are serious and often fatal. 8. Leave the animals alone. Keep a safe distance. The animals are not pets. The buffalos and deers let only bears can do serious damage to your vehicle. Imagine what they can do to you. Be respectful and leave them alone. General guidelines Bison, elk, deer: at least 25 yards (23 m) Bears & wolves: at least 100 yards (91 m) Bison are NOT docile. They injure more people than bears. Lastly, keep a plastic bag for your trash in your car and dump properly. Yellowstone has this rule about trash Pack it in, pack it out If you bring it, you take it with you. This includes food scraps, peels, wrappers, and tissues. I learned a lot and left my heart there. Can't wait to go back.

Day 1 (06/12/2025), drove from Hideaway Hostel in Island Park, ID to West Yellowstone entrance in…read moreMT. I'd suggest purchasing an annual pass for all fee free entry into the national parks and monuments. It can be bought at a visitor center (outside the park). There are four lines at the pay area, I was told that if you prepay for an annual pass that the right lane is the quickest. That's false, it is the longest and the others are faster to get through the gate. All accept the annual pass. You show the pass and your DL at the gate to get in free. Or you can purchase $35 Yellowstone pass good up to 7 days. If you plan on going early in the morning, expect long lines and wait time once inside the park. If you see multiple cars putting on their breaks, look to your left and right because I guarantee they have spotted wildlife. There's signs throughout the park that says not to stop in the middle of the road to take pictures, but people still do it. Be patient and enjoy the scenery. First stop: Old Faithful in the Upper Geyser Basin. If you go during the week, it is crowded. Parking can be limited. Old Faithful spouts every half hour, so if you miss it the first time don't panic. You can see it again. Inside the visitor center, there's a gift shop (pricey and small), an exhibit to learn about science of the geysers, an auditorium to watch a free historical educational movie. There's areas to find food and more gifts. The upper geyser basin has smaller geysers and Old Faithful can be seen from that area. 2nd stop: Grand Primastic Geyser, located in the midway geyser basin. Again, very crowded. Parking is limited in the designated parking area, so you may need to parallel park on the side of the road and 10 minutes walk in. The boardwalk is very accessible for wheelchairs, rollators, and disabled individuals. The path is easy to maneuver with a slight incline in one part. The views are stunning! If you plan on wearing a hat, hold tight to it because it will fly off. I spotted about 5 hats sitting on the bacteria mats. The overlook views are spectacular, but if you can get a closer look at the ground. The overlook of the grand p. Path Isn't accessible. Stairs in some parts. 3rd stop: Artists paintpots/mud pots, very cool. Less crowded, parking lot had open spots. Restroom on site. The walk in was about a 1 mile. To get to the top, there were wide stairs. View is beautiful overlook the park and some mountains. The mud spots reminds me too much of the Labyrinth scene. Coming down were more stairs. Saw some blood geysers (reddish in color). Day 2 (06/13/2025): 1st stop at Beryl Springs/Monument Geyser Basin, 2nd view at Obsidian cliff, 2nd stop at The Range, 3rd stop at Golden gate. 4th stop at Mammoth Hot springs, 5th stop at Petrified Tree (redwood; silicia). Lunch at Roosevelt Lodge (vegan options) 6th stop at Phantom Glacier. 7th stop at Lamar River and 8th stop at Lamar Valley Day 3 (06/14/2025): 1st stop at Gibbon Falls, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, upper and lower falls, Inspiration Point, Grand view, Artist Point, Trout Creek, Lake Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, and West Thumb Geyser Yellowstone National Park was a treat, absolutely beautiful seeing the mountain range, lots and lots of wildlife. Don't let the pictures fool you, it was extremely busy in mid-June. If you decide to come early in the morning, there's long lines entering through the park. The best time to come is in the afternoon. West Thumb Geyser basin was my favorite portion of the park because it was the least crowded and most versatile scenery. After seeing the bright oranges and yellow at the Grand Prismatic, I was happy to see deep blue geysers all while looking out into lakes with mountain backdrop. Overall, Yellowstone National Park is a must see in one's lifetime. There's no park like it. It was my goal to see bears and I saw exactly that towards dusk at 7:00 PM. Over here in WY, it's gets dark by 9:00 PM. I came with a person who was afraid of driving on the mountain curves since she's afraid of heights, so I'll have to come back to see the parts I didn't get to see. Thank you to President Ulysses Grant for establishing this discovery making it a national park. Thank you to Teddy Roosevelt for caring to conserve and protect this park!