Yellowstone Park: Top 6 Things to See and Do

Yellowstone Park: Top 6 Things to See and Do

I first came to the Park in 1972. I was a year out of high school and traveling about the west in an ancient Studebaker with my friend Mike and my dog Grover. We'd been sleeping in my car by the roadside so we were happy to have work and a place to stay when they hired us on as housekeepers at the Old Faithful Inn.

The Park really hasn't changed much. That's part of its natural charisma.

1. Old Faithful Inn

This is your lodging of preference. Full of charm and logs, this seven story structure was built in 1904 by the Northern Pacific Railroad. You will have to book far in advance or get lucky to get a room here. Dine on rainbow trout and buffalo meat at the buffet, then wander out to see the geyser. In the morning you'll find an espresso bar on the second floor.

2. Old Faithful Geyser

There is some irregularity to this faithful feature but it is still relatively predictable. Kind of like an old dog that always comes home after roaming the neighborhood. Currently, it blows its stack 184 feet into the air about every 80 minutes or so.

3. Animals

You are going to see animals. Plan on it. It can even be unnerving to have a two-ton bison crossing the road a few feet from your car. Elk and bison abound. Bear and moose are harder to find, so if you spot one, count yourself lucky.

Be wise though. These animals really are wild. Tales were told of a friendly tourist who wanted his picture with a buffalo. He gave the camera to his wife and walked up to the beast. Placing is arm over the bison's back he quickly found a horn in his chest.

Is this story true? I have no idea. Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. Don't become a cautionary tale. Use good judgment. Though they appear "bovine" (literary term for "cattle" and "slow") these buffalo can run up to 40 miles per hour. That, according to Wikipedia, is as fast as a thoroughbred race horse. (Wouldn't that be an interesting contest!)

4. Yellowstone Falls

It's a short trip on a side road to see the Yellowstone River, brimming with ice cold Yellowstone Lake water, pour in to the abyss of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Some consider this to be the most beautiful spot in the park.

5. Yellowstone Lake

It is very beautiful and you can catch fish here but if you are planning to spend time on the water please have a back up plan. Weather changes fast at 7000 feet and a sudden storm could capsize your boat. The water is so cold that some visitors have suffered death from hypothermia.

6. The Fishing Bridge

Actually, since 1953, you CAN'T fish at the fishing bridge so leave your pole in the car. Just beneath the bridge is a major spawning ground for cutthroat trout. They had to ban fishing at the bridge as the fish count in the lake was dwindling badly.

Conclusion

There's a lot more to see and do there and you could spend weeks and not see everything but here's a little list to get you started. Be careful, bring warm clothes and have a good time. Once you've been to the Park you'll want to return again and again.