10 Tips for Visiting Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is a massive expanse of golden natural beauty. Embrace it! Give yourself enough time to stop at that lookout you didn’t plan for but passed on your drive. Stay an extra night in the park because you want to see the sunrise over the cliffs again. This is going to be a truly ethereal experience, why not give yourself the time to enjoy it properly?

If you really want to see it all, let the experts take you! Not only do you avoid the hassle of parking, but you also get insider tips on the best spots to visit in Yellowstone.

These itineraries have been cultivated over years of experience, meaning they will only be taking you to those kinds of places that make your jaw drop. Some of them even offer rides from the airport. You can forego the need for a rental car if you work a coach tour into your plans.

Pro tip: Be careful with the one-night stop coach tours! Frequent one-night stops can really wear you out. Most travelers like to shoot for at least two nights in the same hotel to feel settled and at rest while away.

This doesn’t mean you have to forego a proper bed! Instead, opt for a cabin. Cabins are the best way to experience the park you are staying in. Not only do you get to see some of the raw, dark beauty of Yellowstone, but the chances of seeing some early morning wildlife are much higher.

You get to sleep away from all the hustle and bustle of city life and get the best sleep of your life thanks to the calming sounds of nature.

Some bus tour companies even include a night Stay in Yellowstone Cabin Tour Package, and some customized online travel agency will reserve for you as per request.

Pro tip: Book early as possible via whichever channel as the cabins are extremely rare inside the park that can fill a year in advance.

Early mornings may not be high on your list of vacation essentials, but at Yellowstone National Park, it’s well worth the trouble. Especially if you plan on seeing Old Faithful. The crowds can take away from some of the magnificence of natural beauty, so if you want to see the best that the park has to offer be sure to start your day early.

Pro tip: Not a morning person? You can always try to go after the crowds have left, rather than before! There will be more people than the early morning hours, but less than the rush at midday.

A lot of travelers forego the visitor’s center because they like to make their own path. And that’s great! Perfect, actually for the easy-going trailblazing done here, but you still might want to make a stop for some regional info. Here they can tell you where you might get to see some Bison or the best places in the park for a sunset.

Pro tip: Don’t forget to check for the ranger programs. Informational and fun!

Even if you see yourself comfy in bed by the time the sun dips too low, you should still bring a flashlight and some spare snacks/water. You never know what could happen, and it’s better to be prepared for the unlikely than to be stuck in the impossible. Bring enough to last the night just in case you take the wrong path at the fork in the road.

Pro tip: Maps are your new best friend! Want to be sure you won’t stumble off script? Hire a guide!

While many people might look to the summer sun and think tank tops and flip flops only, Yellowstone can actually get pretty chilly at night! The days are warm, but nights are cold, so it’s best to bring something for whatever the weather throws at you.

Pro tip: Wear layers! That means to wear a T-shirt and a jacket, that way you can take it on and off as is necessary.

Unsurprisingly, there are no Target’s in nature. You’re going to want to stock up on all the essentials (food, water, gas, clothes) before getting into the thick of things. Getting stranded in the wilderness without some of the bare essentials is one of the worst rookie mistakes to make, so be prepared! Get more than enough food and water for your trip so that you never have to worry about rationing.

Pro tip: Choose foods that will hold you over for the longest and won’t weigh you down. Dry foods work best; that way, you don’t have to worry about a cooler or grill.

This is one place you aren’t going to want to miss! Especially if you’re ready to see some wildlife, Lamar Valley is the place for you! You have the highest chance of seeing some spectacular animals in their natural habitat at Lamar Valley. Check out the Wildlife Tours and Excursions if you want to see what the experts do.

Pro tip: Bring binoculars! You really won’t want to get too close to some of nature’s fiercest predators, but you will want to see them from afar.

This may seem counterproductive for those looking to get a little bit of solitude with their serenity, but it will be worth the stop! Several cars parked at one place more than likely means an animal sighting.

You may be able to get a view at some of the rare wildlife that grazes the area all because you took a chance on the crowd.

Pro tip: Most animals are up and at ‘em early in the morning! For the best chances, start driving early in the morning.