#Travelhacks Summer Series: Yellowstone

As a lifelong lover of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, I am almost embarrassed to admit that I had never been to our nation’s first national park until this summer. But we made it!

And what a day trip it was.

If you too have one day to tour Yellowstone, would be remiss in not passing along these terrific #travelhacks:

#HackingYellowstone

1. Get a Guide
We were recommended Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, and we were thrilled by the experience. From providing binoculars for each guest and a great wildlife expert to help us spot the bears, moose, bison (and bison babies!), coyotes, marmots, and more, we would not have seen as much without such a great guide or a guided experience in the first place.

2. Plan for a LONG Day

We left at 6:30 am, enjoyed the 2-hour drive through Grand Teton National Park to get to Yellowstone, and weren’t home till 5pm. It was long but worth it. Snacks were key throughout.

3. Your Greatest Hits Itinerary

We of course saw Old Faithful Geyser, the Great Prismatic Hot Spring, and all the wildlife previously mentioned. What surprised and delighted more than anticipated was a short, three mile roundtrip hike to Mystic Fall s, quicker/shorter hikes to other waterfalls, and a bunch of smaller/less iconic hot springs that were gurgling and spurting vibrantly. Recommend all of the above- via the South Loop entrance, for an action filled day. And of course, a picnic lunch by the river at the half-way.

Want to learn about Yellowstone? Visit https://www.yellowstone.org/.