I last visited Yellowstone National Park 46 years ago and
then only the northern rim of the park – we entered from the northwest and
exited at the northeast entrance. The park reminds of the song about “where the
buffalo roam” as the lone buffalo (below) appeared happy munching away on the
rich park grasses.
Yellowstone National Park is world famous for its many
geysers, especially Old Faithful.
I entered Yellowstone National Park at lunchtime and
purchased a sandwich from a deli in West Yellowstone. This welcome center and amphitheater proved a terrific place
to consume a corned beef sandwich and watch the Yellowstone River, a tributary
of the mighty Missouri River, slide by.
Yellowstone National Park teems with wildlife. I saw a small bear (in my rear view)
scamper across the road. A red fox
ran in front of my car and disappeared into the thicket. And then as I cruised across the loop a
large deer quietly munched grass by the side of the road. Even a small mouse ran before my wheels
barely escaping them.
The Grand Tetons main four peaks are viewed from the
road during ride from Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park.
The beautiful Snake River with its great fishing and white
water rafting is very popular with visitors to Grand Tetons National Park.
A highway to Bozeman is accessible from Yellowstone upon
exiting the northwestern park entrance.
Suggestion to future visitors: Please consider staying in
Rexburg, Idaho for two days instead of Jackson, Wyoming and West Yellowstone,
Montana for accessing both national parks. Two great bonuses will be far cheaper accommodations and
your discovering southeastern Idaho, one of the richest and prettiest
agricultural areas in the country.
Jackson and West Yellowstone frequently sell out all motel rooms so rates
are very high in season.
Day 1: Drive from Rexburg to West Yellowstone, enter park
through northwestern gate and exit Yellowstone’s southern gate to fully explore
Grand Tetons National Park just 50 miles south. Drive back to Rexburg after dinner in Jackson.
Day 2: Drive again to West Yellowstone to experience the
park’s loop road filled with geysers, mountains, water features and amazing
wildlife then off to Bozeman or other Montana destination.