Hi all,

I have my backcountry permit booking access on 11 April and I'm still unsure on what trails to look at. We're a group of 2 looking for a 3 day / 2 night backpacking route in August. I'd like a route that would be good for wildlife and, to a lesser extent, landscape photography. We're not too concerned about seeing geothermal features. Happy to do 10-12 miles a day (more might be ok depending on elevation) and probably not crazy elevation (probably not more than 1200 meters over 3 days).

Any recommendations for routes/trails? Am coming from overseas. I usually use Alltrails to find my routes - are there better options for the US?

Should I be looking at the Slough Creek area if there is availability?

Thanks!

I read somewhere that Moose Falls, just a bit north of the South Entrance, is now closed off because it is too hot.

Anyone know what its status is?

Hi! Planning to visit Yellowstone during memorial weekend and staying at Canyon Lodge with family.

I live in CO and enjoy challenging hikes but have not done many winter ascents nor a fan of route finding in the snow.

Looking for good 7-8 mile hike recommendations in the park with great views. I have spikes but wondering jf there are trails that would be more in summer condition then. Thank!

Hi all, planning a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs in early July (around the 4th- expecting it to be packed and to practice lots of patience) want advice mostly just about the campgrounds im staying at location wise, also if you want to throw in any hike recommendations (5+ mi) I’d appreciate it!

Flying in and out of Bozeman- is it realistic drive time wise to stay in colter bay and drive up to Bozeman in the morning for a 5:30pm flight? I will be returning a rental car, is this typically a long process at Bozeman (I’ve never rented a car before)? Thanks in advance

7/1 * Fly into Bozeman (get in around 11am) * Pick up rental car and drive to ynp * stay at Madison campground

7/2 * Hike in Yellowstone * stay at Madison campground

7/3 * hike in Yellowstone * stay at Madison campground

7/4 * morning drive to Jackson hole * explore town of Jackson * Stay in town of Jackson

7/5 * Drive to GTNP * hike in Tetons * stay at gros venture campground

7/6 * hike in Tetons * stay in Colter Bay campground

7/7 * Hike in Tetons * stay in Colter Bay campground

7/8 * morning drive to Bozeman * return rental car- flight at 5:30 pm

Vehicles hit hundreds of animals a year on their way to Yellowstone National Park.

1. Wild geysers going into Heart Lake
2. Heart Lake
3. Beaver pond between Heart Lake and Grouse Creek
4. South Arm excellent lunch log
5. Somewhere between South Arm and 6A3
6. 6A3
7. How are ya now?
8. Lower Ford of the Upper Yellowstone crossing
9. Oh, hi
10. Thorofare
11. The delta
12. 5E4

My friends and I are planning a 3-day trip to Yellowstone in May. Any recommendations for places to see and stay? We are flexible in changing hotels just so that we can cover the majority of Yellowstone in those 3 days.

I looked a bit for more information about how and what will happen to Biscuit Basin, I loved the sapphire pool, but can't find any information about plans to rebuild the boardwalk. Does anybody here know something?

Does anyone know who makes those large Safari Tents the Yellowstone rents out. I would like to have one to put on a property I own but can't find out the makers of the tents.

I am trying to make the most of a 2-night trip to Yellowstone this August. The current thought is to arrive via West Yellowstone late morning and see the northern part of the park to the extent possible. For lodging, perhaps Mammoth or Gardiner, definitely open to suggestions.

The next day would be working our way toward Old Faithful area, with the second night perhaps at one of the OF area properties, depending on availability. The last day we'd either see what we could of other park areas and head out through West Yellowstone, or possibly drive down through Grand Teton NP and leave from Jackson.

Unfortunately, this is all the time we have for this visit so extending the trip is not possible. It will be a first-time visit for some in our travel group, and none of us are bothered by the fact that it will be a lot of driving. The thought is to get a glimpse of what we can with the time we have, since we are unsure some will get back to these areas.

Are there some better lodging location options for such a short stay? Are there areas we should prioritize over others? Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi I'm last-minute planning (I know, I know) for a 8-day trip in the first week of June. First time in Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks. Without fully having researched everything we want to see, I wanted to get your opinions on where to stay since I need to get the hotels booked asap. We have no kids, 3 adults, no pets.

Here's what I have so far:

Day 1 - Arrive, Yellowstone Hot springs, dinner, maybe explore a little, stay in Gardiner

Day 2 - Explore upper side of the 8, stay in Canyon Village

Day 3 - Part 2 of upper side of the 8, explore some of the south side, stay in Canyon Village

Day 4 - Part 2 of exploring south side, Old Faithful, stay in Flagg Ranch, just outside north of Grand Tetons

Day 5 - Explore Grand Tetons, stay in Jackson

Day 6 - Explore Grand Tetons, stay in ???

Day 7 - travel back up to Gardiner, explore along the way, stay in Gardiner

Day 8 - travel back to Bozeman, fly back home

Does this sound reasonable to be able to explore a lot of things we might want to see? Does anyone have anyone recommendations for ??? Thank you so much in advance, any advice would be appreciated.

Hello all! I am planning a trip late May/Early June 2026 with a focus on wildlife photography, and was hoping to get some feedback on my itinerary.

It's a bit overwhelming trying to figure out all the places to go, and I really appreciate any thoughts you have!

Day 1: Arrival

• Fly into Bozeman, pick up rental car
• Drive to Yellowstone via Northeast Entrance - Stop in Cooke City/Silver Gate for supplies
• Lodging: Roosevelt Lodge or Mammoth Hot Springs
• Evening: Wildlife shoot in Lamar Valley

Day 2: Lamar Valley & Slough Creek

• Early: Soda Butte Creek, Round Prairie
• Midday: Rest/picnic near lodge
• Afternoon: Blacktail Plateau
• Evening: Return to Lamar for river crossings/bison herds

Day 3: Lamar + Specimen Ridge

• Morning: Sunrise in Lamar Valley
• Mid-morning: Hike Specimen Ridge Trail
• Midday: Rest at lodge
• Early Evening: Slough Creek

Day 4: Head to Grand Teton

• Early: Sunrise at Tower Fall
• Drive south by 9 AM
• Stops: Hayden Valley, West Thumb Geyser
• Enter Grand Teton NP via South Entrance (late afternoon)
• Lodging: Signal Mountain Lodge or Jackson Lake Lodge

Day 5: Grand Teton Sunrise + Moose Habitat

• Early: Schwabacher Landing
• Morning: Moose Wilson Road
• Midday: Lunch in Jackson
• Afternoon: Antelope Flats + Mormon Row barns
• Evening: Sunset at Oxbow Bend

Day 6: Teton Scenic + Wildlife

• Sunrise: Glacier View Turnout
• Morning: Teton Park Road / Jenny Lake area
• Afternoon: Optional hike to Taggart Lake
• Evening: Willow Flats

Day 7: Departure

• Early morning sunrise at Oxbow Bend
• Pack up/leave
• Fly out from Jackson Hole Airport

Considering going to Yellowstone for a vacation this year. Would it be worth it to travel with dogs?

I'm looking for some advice for my October Yellowstone trip that I've just booked! I'll be staying for four nights at the Mammoth Campground (unfortunately my first choice of slough was booked), during the first weekend of October. My main focus is going to be for wildlife photography and videography, but I'm also hoping to do some fishing and hiking as well.

Has anyone stayed at the Mammoth campground? Any tips for around the area? I know I'll most likely be spending most of my time in the Lamar valley, but if anyone has any good tips or ideas, I'd be super appreciative!

TIA

I’ve recently gotten accepted to work a season with Xantarra at Yellowstone National park. If anyone has any recent reviews I’d really like to hear about their experience. Moreover tell me about the party scene if any lol

*** Edit: thanks for the honest answers, we won’t be visiting in April! Hopefully late May ***

Hi all!

It’s been a dream to visit Yellowstone for years now. Our family all has the same week for spring break mid-April and we were considering making the trip! Other posts have mentioned snow and road closures, but has anyone visited during this time? Pros and cons of your experience? Our group is mixed of young adults and elderly parents so the younger folks are into more advanced hiking trails and older folks love to chill at the lodges and see only the most scenic spots.

Thanks for your input, all recommendations are welcomed x

Is it looking like the west gate is going to be open by the 3rd Friday in April? Really hoping so, this has always been my entrance to the park. Though this is the earliest in the year I’ve ever gone. I know it’s supposed to open on that 3rd Friday. But is there anyone on the ground with good intel?

TIA!

Hi there,

Everything in the title basically. I won the lottery (yay!!) and my reservation timeslot has opened today, 11 am MDT. When trying to book campsites, I can only see a table filled with 0s. Everything, everywhere, anytime (including up to December), seems to be booked. Am I doing something wrong, or missing something? I would like to book campsites around Shoshone Lake early August.

Many thanks for your help

cheers

Edit: clicking on the right link helps...

I’m going to be in Gardiner at the end of April and will have 2 days to explore the park and have never been. I’m curious if any vets know if the roads from that entrance should be passable to get to the major sites? Or if a different entrance would be better? Any suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated!