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For a limited stay in Yellowstone.
So you have a limited stay in the park and want to see it all in one day well good luck. But you can see the major areas in the park in a short peroid of time. Just remember that you do not need to see of the the park it is better just to see a little of the park but under a more relaxed situation rather then be in a rush to make it to the next area. Remember that you are on vacation and for most people they have been in the car or RV for more then 2 days getting here enjoy what you see.
For a One Day Stay in Yellowstone National Park
For a one day stay I recommend seeing the Lower Loop.
I personally like starting at Canyon in the morning around 8 am or so. At Canyon I would recommend going to Inspiration Point and Lookout Point on the North Rim and Uncle Toms and Artist Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
From Canyon I would proceed south through Hayden Valley where you may see the bison, elk and possibily bears. Making your next stop at Mud Volcanos for a short hike there and try to make it up along the entire trail as it is only 3/4 of a mile in length.
From Mud Volcanos continue south to Lake Village. Here it is neat to wander through the oldest still standing Hotel in Yellowstone National Park. Lake Hotel was built in 1891. The building of today was a far cry from the orginal Lake Hotel with most of the major revisions coming in the early 1900's by Robert Reamer who built the Old Faithful Inn. The hotel has just had a major renovation so that it was ready for its 100 Birthday in 1991. Also neat to see at Lake is Lake Lodge a lodge that was built around 1925.
Now you proceed to West Thumb. And if you are moving it is still before lunch. Take an hour or so and walk through the geyser basin here and notice how close the geysers and hot springs are to Yellowstone Lake, some are even in the lake and still active.
Now on to Old Faithful so turn right (north) at the juction your next stop will be the second contential divide sign at Craig Pass. Stop here only because in the Spring Isa Lake will run both to the Alantic and Pacific Oceans. It is also a good spot for that sign shot. The next stop will be Keepler Cascades on your left. Now you are at Old Faithful at noon or so but like most people you will probally get there about 1 or 2pm.
The first stop after finding a parking spot should be the Visitor Center to not only find out what time the next Old Faithful Geyser Prediction is but to see if there are any other geysers predicted to go off in the next couple of hours while you are there. If so you should locate those on your map and plan your walking trip to see those geysers as well as Old Faithful. On your walk by Old Faithful Inn you need to stop inside and look around because this is a gorgous log building.
Now it is about dinner time and if you thought that you would be here you may have made reservations at the Old Faithful Inn if not the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria is not a bad place to eat or if you want a sit down meal the Old Faithful Snow Lodge would be for you.
Now that it is after diner I would suggest driving north from Old Faithful toward Madison. You can skip Black Sand and Biscuit Basins but should stop at Middle Geyser Basin and do the short walk. Then take the one way Fountain Drive Road. Then walk through Fountain Paint Pots. And then you are at Madison and done for the day.
Day Two in Yellowstone National Park
Now that you are spending Two days in the park I would suggest skipping Canyon the first day and head through Hayden Valley to Mud Volcanos.
So the Second day I would start with the Canyon area. Seeing Inspiration Point and Lookout Point on the North Rim and Uncle Toms and Artist Point on the South Rim.
Now head west to Norris Geyser Basin. Be sure to walk both the Back Basin and Porcelean Basin and make sure that you see Echinus.
Now proceed north to Mammoth stoping off at the sites as you see them. Now if you are in a car I suggest stopping at the Upper Terrace Drive and do the loop if you do not have a car park below and walk up to see the terraces. Now if you take the one way drive. Stop at the first pull out and go down the trail to your right you do not need to see the other trails below you as you can climb the stairs once you park at the bottom. Now continue around the loop stopping where you think is necessary. Now find a spot near Liberty Cap that he limestone formation that is standing straight in the air that the bottom of Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces. From here walk around the terraces going places where you did not see from above. This way when you walk up hill you get to come back down rather then going back up. Now walk over to the hotel and see the Map Room. The send one person to move the car to the Visitor Center and meet them there to learn more about the history of the park and the animals.
Now continue to Tower Falls stopping on your way at the other two falls Undine and Wraith. Also stop at the petrified tree near Tower. Now depending on time at Tower Junction it is a good idea to drive out to Lamar Valley and if you are limited on time drive at least 10 miles then turn around who know you may see a wolf out there. Then go to Tower Falls. If you have the time walk down to the base of the falls.
By now it should be getting close to dinner time or later so take your time going up Dunraven Pass up Mt Washburn looking down into Antelope Meadows you might see some grizzly bears. And then you are back at Canyon to go bed.
Now if you have a Third Day in Yellowstone National Park
You decide how to use that day. Here are my suggestions.
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Remember...
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PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
307-344-7381
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