NATIONAL PARKS @blog2viajeros WEST THUMB GEYSER BASIN yellowstone in a day While you can’t see all of Yellowstone in a single day, it’s relatively easy to prioritize the fascinating geothermal features for which the park is known. Starting in the early morning at the park’s east entrance, head to the West Thumb Geyser Basin , on the edge of Yellowstone Lake. Two short boardwalk loops will take you past the steaming Thumb Paint Pots , vibrant Abyss Pool and minuscule Fishing Cone . Before you leave, check in at the nearby ranger station to find out when Old Faithful is likely to erupt next. Or, if you’re the road-less-traveled type, skip the attraction and make the easy 5-mile hike to Lone Star Geyser , which erupts every three hours for a full 30 minutes. Your journey along the Firehole River will reveal colorful bacteria mats and hissing fumaroles (openings near a volcano where sulfu-rous gases emerge). Your next stop is Midway Geyser Basin , also known as Hell’s Half Acre for the vaporous clouds clinging to its banks. The main attraction here is Grand Prismatic Spring — the third-largest hot spring in the world. This pool is bigger than a football field. Its enchanting colors are caused by the different species of heat-loving bacteria that live in the spring. Next, you’re off to the Grand Loop just south of Madison. Take Firehole Lake Drive , a 3-mile scenic trip past at least a dozen geothermal features. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of Great Fountain Geyser ’s breathtaking and highly unpre-dictable displays. Then, head back to West Thumb for a casual waterfront dinner at the Grant Village Lake House . LONE STAR GEYSER @geologicadventures FIREHOLE RIVER @Martin Diepeveen 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 ser-vice from different cities, depending on the season. See a full list at jacksonholeairport. com. Car rentals and shuttle services to lodges inside the park, nearby towns and hotels are available from both airports. Prioritize 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 plan on a return trip. And be sure to book your campsite or lodge well in advance — these fill quickly, especially during peak season. Weather Temperatures not only vary by season — they vary by elevation (highest: 11,358 feet on Eagle Peak/lowest: 5,282 feet at Reese Creek). Dress in layers, stay hydrated and be prepared for anything from warm summer temperatures to snow as late as June. 52 TravelWyoming.com FROM TOP: INSTAGRAM/BLOG2VIAJEROS; INSTAGRAM/GEOLOGICADVENTURES; FLICKR/MARTIN DIEPEVEEN. BACKGROUND: WYOMING OFFICE OF TOURISM/BRYAN MULLENNIX.
Wyoming Official Travel Guide 2022 Wyoming Official Travel Guide: Page 52
