PubLIc LANDs LAMAR VALLEY, ©Charles Chadwick Talton Another Yellowstone priority is the Lamar Valley Thanks to a reliable water supply, lush vegetation and panoramic vistas, it’s known as “America’s Serengeti” for its large, easily visible wildlife population. On any given day, you might see herds of bison, pronghorn or deer; bald eagles and osprey in flight; or a badger, coyote or grizzly. Nature-loving anglers can spot Wyoming wildlife as they fish (turn to p. 69 for wildlife-safety information), as the tranquil Lamar River offers some of Yellowstone’s best fly-fishing. Surrounded by rolling, verdant hills in all directions — and interrupted only by glimpses of the valley’s plentiful fauna — visitors can expect to hook both rainbow and native Yellowstone cutthroat trout up to 15 inches long. Get an up-close view of Yellowstone Lake , too. As the largest high-elevation lake in North America and nearly 400 feet deep in places, it’s a wonderful location to explore by kayak or canoe. Because of the lake’s many hidden underwater geysers, submerged fumaroles and other geothermal features, we recommend a guided tour with one of the many outfitters in the area. After your paddle, enjoy a rewarding dinner in the waterside Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room before bidding farewell to the park. “The land around Yellowstone was historically claimed by many native Indigenous tribes, my tribe — the Northern Arapaho — being one of those. The translation we have for Yellowstone is ‘the water goes up,’ which I think is a cool translation. I know that historically my family members have been there and seen that.” — RObERT MARTINEZ Award-Winning Northern Arapaho Artist, martinezartdesign.com & instagram.com/robertmartinezartist YOUR HOME BASE IN YELLOWSTONE (HINT: BOOK NOW) LODGES, HOTELS & CABINS From the elegant Lake Hotel to the Roosevelt Lodge inspired by Teddy himself, there are nine different lodging facilities in Yellowstone. Wi-Fi and TVs can be scarce in this neck of the woods, however, so bring that paperback book you’ve been saving. Find the ultimate headquarters for your getaway and book it as soon as possible. Depending on the season, spots get booked months — or sometimes even a year — in advance. 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 Cody (50 miles east), Jackson (60 miles south) and Dubois (80 miles southeast). PLAN YOuR TRIP Explore more things to do at Yellowstone National Park, plus tips for mapping out your visit: travelwy.com/yellowstone. Browse listings for places to stay starting on p. 81 and find outfitters starting on p. 94. CAMPGROUNDS There are 12 campgrounds that together total more than 2,000 sites, plus permitted backcountry sites. Reservations are made through yellowstonenationalparklodges.com and recreation.gov. 50
Wyoming Official Travel Guide 2026 Wyoming Official Travel Guide: Page 50
