2018-11-19 01:04:35
NATIONAL PARKS. Connected by the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks both offer dramatic scenery and unforgettable outdoor adventures, but make no mistake: They each offer distinctly special experiences. Yellowstone is most famous for its geothermal features: rainbow-colored hot springs, erupting geysers and travertine terraces, while Grand Teton is remarkable in its mountainous scenery. The jagged peaks of the Teton Range make for picture-perfect views, whether you’re hiking alongside one of the many alpine lakes or rafting down the Snake River. It’s hard to go wrong no matter which park you visit, but if you have time, give them both a try. 7 UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS IN YELLOWSTONE. Marveling at the electric colors of Grand Prismatic Spring The most photographed thermal feature in the park, this dazzling blue pool touts brightly colored rings of green, yellow and orange around its edges — the result of thermopile bacteria, which thrives at super-high temperatures. Other colorful sights to see include the Opal, Perforated, Turquoise and Morning Glory pools. Listening to the rush of waterfalls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Yellowstone is home to hundreds of waterfalls, and three can be spotted along the park’s Grand Canyon: the off-the-beaten-path Crystal Falls, the roaring Upper Falls and the spectacular Lower Falls — the tallest in the park at 308 feet. Fun fact: That’s nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls. Seeing Old Faithful erupt into a fountain of water and steam Geysers are natural hot springs that periodically erupt under pressure, and Yellowstone has more of them than anywhere else in the world. Watch the park’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful, erupt every 60 to 110 minutes, or see if you can catch one of the other incredible — though less predictable — geysers, such as Grand, Castle or Steamboat. Insider tip: Watch the eruption at night. It will just be you, Old Faithful and a sky full of stars. Sleeping in the rustic Old Faithful Inn, touted as the largest log structure in the world Bask in the spirit of the American West at this National Historic Landmark, crafted from logs and stone in 1904. Its soaring grand lobby, oversized fireplace, comfy rooms and observation deck overlooking Old Faithful make it the most requested lodging facility in the park. Strolling the boardwalks along Mammoth Hot Springs Get a glimpse into an otherworldly scene at these sprawling mineral hot springs, where white, tan and rust-orange colors splay across naturally terraced pools created by travertine deposits. The 1. 75-mile boardwalks give you an optimal vantage point of the tub-like formations. Discovering the rich military heritage at Fort Yellowstone Take a tour of historic Fort Yellowstone, which housed U.S. Army soldiers who occupied the area during the late 1800s to early 1900s to protect the national park from squatters, poachers and vandals. The Albright Visitor Center — which formerly served as officer housing — offers more historical insight. Watching wildlife in Hayden and Lamar valleys For sweeping views of mountains, winding waterways and plenty of free-roaming wildlife like bison, grizzly bears, wolves and waterfowl, pull over at one of the outlooks in Lamar Valley in the northeastern corner of the park and Hayden Valley near the center of the park. KEEP IN MIND Getting There Yellowstone Regional Airport is about 3 miles outside Cody near the park’s east entrance and offers service from Salt Lake City, Denver and Chicago. Jackson Hole Airport is about 60 miles south of the park and offers service from different cities depending on the season. See a full list at jacksonholeairport.com. Car rentals and shuttle services to the lodges inside the park, nearby towns and hotels are available from both airports. Make Your Must-See List With more than 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone is a sprawling destination, so you probably won’t get to see everything in one trip. Make your must-see list before arriving and take your pick from more than 1,000 miles of backcountry hiking trails, 300 active geysers and 350 waterfalls. Weather Temperatures not only vary by season — they vary by elevation. Dress in layers and be prepared for anything from warm summer temperatures to snow as late as June. Entrance Fees It’s $35 per vehicle to visit Yellowstone for one to seven days and $50 to visit both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks for one to seven days. Pets are not allowed on trails or boardwalks, in the backcountry or thermal areas and must be kept on a 6-foot leash in all developed areas. Dining Service is first come, first served at most delis, grills and cafeterias throughout the park. If you’d like to have dinner at the popular Old Faithful Inn or Lake Hotel dining rooms, make a reservation well in advance. Traffic Roads through the national parks are shared with wildlife, so traffic halts frequently and speed limits are low. WY Indeed When people come to Yellowstone, they are not only seeing the grizzly bears foraging for roots in a meadow, smelling the sulfur from the historic mud pots or hearing the roar of the mighty falls as they crash into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — they are having an experience that reaches all of the senses. — RACHEL CUDMORE Commercial Film Permits Coordinator for Yellowstone National Park YOUR HOME BASE (HINT: BOOK NOW) Find the perfect headquarters for your Yellowstone getaway and book it as soon as possible. Depending on the season, the best spots get booked months — or sometimes even a year — in advance. Lodges, Hotels & Cabins From the elegant Lake Hotel to the Roosevelt Lodge inspired by Teddy himself, there are nine different lodging facilities in Yellowstone. Campgrounds There are five reservation campgrounds with more than 1,700 sites and seven first-come, first-served campgrounds with roughly 450 sites. Backcountry sites are also available with a permit. Outside the Park Whether you’re seeking a bed-and-breakfast hideaway, a cozy cabin or a Western-inspired inn, there are dozens of accommodation options within the gateway communities of Jackson (60 miles south), Cody (50 miles east) and Dubois (80 miles southeast). WY Indeed The best advice I have for anyone coming to Yellowstone to photograph or film is to get out in the park early in the morning for the best light and pack your patience. Not only does this time of day offer the best light, it is also the time that most visitors are pouring their first cup of campfire cowboy coffee. — RACHEL CUDMORE Commercial Film Permits Coordinator for Yellowstone National Park #YellowstonePledge Help the National Park Service protect Yellowstone for the enjoyment of future generations by taking the Yellowstone Pledge, a promise to help protect yourself and be a steward of the park by taking safe selfies, following speed limits, staying on boardwalks and trails and keeping a safe distance from wildlife. Then, share your favorite park photos with the hashtag #YellowstonePledge to encourage others to do the same.
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