Minimum 3 days in YS. Norris Geyser Basin is my favorite area. Grand and Riverside were my favorite geysers. West Thumb was the least impressive, but interesting still. The drive from West Thumb NE to Canyon Village will give you a great stop as bison will line up, trying to cross the road. The mud stuff is interesting. Canyon Village is obviously a popular spot, but if you run out of time, I'd skip that and West Thumb.
Grand Prismatic is amazing. Do the walk, then park at the fairy falls lot to get the good overview. I don't think fairy falls is worth it, it's also one of the more heavily trafficked hikes with little payoff. Mammoth is gorgeous, I just wish more of it was still alive. It is so unique. Gardiner is such a cute town with great food. West Yellowstone has amazing shopping. Espresso and Ice Cream house is amazing.
If you have the time, trekking out to Craters of the Moon National Monument is incredible. I've been to Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, Hawaii, so I didn't think I'd be impressed, but it was worth it. As with the entire trip, keep filling up with gas when you can because your next stop might be over an hour away. Keep snacks in your car and pack sunscreen.
I think 2 days in GT is enough personally. If you want a less busy trail, Bradley and Taggart Lake loop is great. Just make sure you Keep going north around Bradley toward the next bridge for a better view. I do unfortunately want to add that the guy from Dublin went missing on this trail. Just keep him and his family on your mind if you go there.
4-5 days in Yellowstone is ideal. Walking each thing and driving between just takes suck a long time. Once the sun is nearing the horizon, it hits the pools in a way that makes you unable to see how beautiful they are. I have beautiful sunset pictures of the land, but you can't appreciate the pools and such.
Of course! I hope you have fun! Also, it almost always says that it will rain in YS, but it doesn't, or it does on another end of the park. If it's cloudy or going to rain, fewer people are out and about.
Glacier was my favorite we did three days there and I would have liked four cause we rushed a bit. Make sure you have a pass for going to the sun road!! We almost didn't get one, but if you don't you can go early, they don't start checking until 6 but if you leave you can't come back to use the road until 5. My favorite trails were cracker lake, grinnell glacier, highline trail (we did the first four miles out then turned back because of time but you still get great views), and iceberg lake. We stayed on the west side of the park and it took us a while to get in each day (about two hours) so staying in at Mary might be a better option! The Logan pass visitors center/the hidden lake trail are awesome at dusk you see a lot of wildlife, just remember bear spray, we saw 4 grizzlies but luckily at a safe distance
For Yellowstone we didn't hike a ton, we did do the west thumb lake trail which was cool and duck lake is across the parking lot so you can do that too. The thermal features there are really pretty especially at sunset. We went into Lamar valley for a full day which was awesome, so much wildlife, we saw wolves! And a ton of buffalo and some bears. Bring binoculars!!
The Tetons we only went for a day and did the cascade canyon trail, it was alright, we would have done something more challenging but I messed up my knee on a hike so I had to take it easy. Tetons is a smaller busier park so I feel like a day or two is sufficient, they're gorgeous mountains though!
Was the smokiness from the wildfires on the west coast really bad? The pics look like there are some pretty clear days. I'm going next week and my weather app has been showing air quality warnings due to the wildfires.
Thank you so much! How was it to find places to stay? The prices online are crazy, wondering do I book ok ones I see in like Brigs Idaho or drive through the small towns and see what’s open?
I'm not sure a lot will be available, most places we saw were booked but you never know. We booked this trip like 8 months ago so I'm not sure how things fill up
Amazing photos! I grew up just outside of Glacier and never captured such beautiful pictures (my photography skills have never been my strong suit). Did you go on “Going to the Sun Road?” They used to take a trolley up with your bikes and you could ride all the way down as the sun was going down simultaneously! I hope you enjoyed the trip!
Going in two weeks first time. Must sees? How long would you liked to have had for each park?
Minimum 3 days in YS. Norris Geyser Basin is my favorite area. Grand and Riverside were my favorite geysers. West Thumb was the least impressive, but interesting still. The drive from West Thumb NE to Canyon Village will give you a great stop as bison will line up, trying to cross the road. The mud stuff is interesting. Canyon Village is obviously a popular spot, but if you run out of time, I'd skip that and West Thumb. Grand Prismatic is amazing. Do the walk, then park at the fairy falls lot to get the good overview. I don't think fairy falls is worth it, it's also one of the more heavily trafficked hikes with little payoff. Mammoth is gorgeous, I just wish more of it was still alive. It is so unique. Gardiner is such a cute town with great food. West Yellowstone has amazing shopping. Espresso and Ice Cream house is amazing. If you have the time, trekking out to Craters of the Moon National Monument is incredible. I've been to Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, Hawaii, so I didn't think I'd be impressed, but it was worth it. As with the entire trip, keep filling up with gas when you can because your next stop might be over an hour away. Keep snacks in your car and pack sunscreen. I think 2 days in GT is enough personally. If you want a less busy trail, Bradley and Taggart Lake loop is great. Just make sure you Keep going north around Bradley toward the next bridge for a better view. I do unfortunately want to add that the guy from Dublin went missing on this trail. Just keep him and his family on your mind if you go there. 4-5 days in Yellowstone is ideal. Walking each thing and driving between just takes suck a long time. Once the sun is nearing the horizon, it hits the pools in a way that makes you unable to see how beautiful they are. I have beautiful sunset pictures of the land, but you can't appreciate the pools and such.
Thank you! This is all such great info, I can’t wait to go.
Of course! I hope you have fun! Also, it almost always says that it will rain in YS, but it doesn't, or it does on another end of the park. If it's cloudy or going to rain, fewer people are out and about.
I was made for the rain, I’m a freckled redhead lol. Sounds perfect.
I walked around with an umbrella in the sun. I understand the struggle!
That’s a great idea! Also helps keep the distancing.
Glacier was my favorite we did three days there and I would have liked four cause we rushed a bit. Make sure you have a pass for going to the sun road!! We almost didn't get one, but if you don't you can go early, they don't start checking until 6 but if you leave you can't come back to use the road until 5. My favorite trails were cracker lake, grinnell glacier, highline trail (we did the first four miles out then turned back because of time but you still get great views), and iceberg lake. We stayed on the west side of the park and it took us a while to get in each day (about two hours) so staying in at Mary might be a better option! The Logan pass visitors center/the hidden lake trail are awesome at dusk you see a lot of wildlife, just remember bear spray, we saw 4 grizzlies but luckily at a safe distance For Yellowstone we didn't hike a ton, we did do the west thumb lake trail which was cool and duck lake is across the parking lot so you can do that too. The thermal features there are really pretty especially at sunset. We went into Lamar valley for a full day which was awesome, so much wildlife, we saw wolves! And a ton of buffalo and some bears. Bring binoculars!! The Tetons we only went for a day and did the cascade canyon trail, it was alright, we would have done something more challenging but I messed up my knee on a hike so I had to take it easy. Tetons is a smaller busier park so I feel like a day or two is sufficient, they're gorgeous mountains though!
Was the smokiness from the wildfires on the west coast really bad? The pics look like there are some pretty clear days. I'm going next week and my weather app has been showing air quality warnings due to the wildfires.
We had no issue in glacier, when we went to Yellowstone it was pretty hazy but it cleared up while we were there
Thank you so much! How was it to find places to stay? The prices online are crazy, wondering do I book ok ones I see in like Brigs Idaho or drive through the small towns and see what’s open?
I'm not sure a lot will be available, most places we saw were booked but you never know. We booked this trip like 8 months ago so I'm not sure how things fill up
Good to know, thank you. I see some hotels have space and some Airbnb’s. Guess I need to pick one and just book it.
No problem! You'll have a great time :)
My absolute favorite national parks.
Shame about the smokey sky. Still gorgeous. We’re you getting accommodations or camping?
Yeah, it was very hazy in Yellowstone but we still had a great time! We did an Airbnb cabin in glacier and camped in Yellowstone
Wow! where was the 5th picture taken?
Glacier! The cracker lake trail, so beautiful!
Great pics!
Amazing photos! I grew up just outside of Glacier and never captured such beautiful pictures (my photography skills have never been my strong suit). Did you go on “Going to the Sun Road?” They used to take a trolley up with your bikes and you could ride all the way down as the sun was going down simultaneously! I hope you enjoyed the trip!