The Drive to Yellowstone and Yellowstone Day 1

 9.10.2023

West Yellowstone, MT

Mileage: 3456

                                                

A Stunning Drive

The drive from Bozeman to West Yellowstone was gorgeous. Breakfast was included in our stay then we hit the road.  The day was perfect with beautiful blue skies and puffy clouds.  The drive was easier than either of us expected with steady elevation gain with few major hills.

Much of the drive followed the Madison River which flows into Yellowstone.

We stopped for lunch at a rest area along the river.  We enjoyed a quick lunch and a walk along the river before completing the drive.

Once we were settled in to our no frills, very tight, but relatively cheap campsite we made a brief stop at the West Yellowstone Visitor's Center before heading into the park.   I can't say enough positive things about the park rangers that help guide our way.  We let the ranger know we were here for 4 days and she told us what to do each day and let us know which itinerary to do if we have a rainy day. 

I've mentioned before that we follow many YouTube RVers to get ideas on where to go and what to do.  One of them, The Newstate Nomads, recommended an app called Guide Along.  We used it in the Badlands/Blackhills area and we downloaded it for Yellowstone and The Tetons as well.  It is super helpful to have the guide tell us where to stop and turn, what is a must see, and what is good if you have time.  I highly recommend the app.

Between the park ranger and the app we had a plan when we drove into the park.  

We went in through the West Gate and drove about 14 beautiful miles to our first turn from the Lower Loop Road, Firehole Canyon Drive.  This short one way drive goes along the Firehole River with the highlight being the Firehole Falls.

Firehole Canyon Drive

Fountain Flat Drive was our second turn off the main road.  This stop offered views of many bison.

These two were not impressed with Comet's barking.

After we rejoined the Grand Loop Road we got our first glimpse of thermal activity.

Fountain Paint Pot was our first stop with a boardwalk.

The lighting was beautiful.

Midway Geyser Basin

Grand Prismatic

This flat view isn't as impressive as if we were above it, but it is still beautiful.

This guy walked towards us and got a bit too close.  I took this from behind the truck.  Of course there were many people within feet of him. 

Biscuit Basin 

Old Faithful Inn

The inn is beautiful.  We enjoyed walking around the lobby and gift store.  It was getting dark so we will start with this area again today.

This lobby is the inspiration for Disney's Wilderness Lodge.  It is beautiful.

As the sun was setting we stopped for a few pictures back across the beautiful thermal area.

A little disclaimer here.  I have done my best to get the names of all of the areas in the correct place.  With no cell service in the park it is hard to mark things as I go.  Today I'll take a paper and pen!  LOL.