How To Do Yellowstone In 1 Day!
Yellowstone National Park is a must-see park, but what if you ONLY have 1 day? How could you see this amazing park in 1 day?
Yes, you can and it will take careful planning to see Yellowstone in 1 day!
I have some options (based on my experience) that could help you make this fabulous trip a success!
Generally this park opens in May, depending on the weather, such as snow conditions. We went on their grand opening day on May 6th and we had a fabulous and very cold time! The summer is a great time to visit as it is warmer, things are thawed out and you may see some animals, but keep a safe distance, like in your vehicle and take photos from there. Check the Yellowstone National Park website for the latest road conditions and weather. They can close any of the entrances at a moments notice!
Did you know Yellowstone has 2 loops? A south and north loop, full of beautiful landscape, geysers (especially the south loop) and animals. These loops will take time to traverse as you will want to visit as many sights as possible, or even be stopped by buffalo crossing a main road. The one loop I will recommend for a first time visitor is the south loop.
There are MANY things to see on this amazing loop. First thing I recommend is to start early, as soon as the park opens. It does take time to drive through the park and you will want to take your time as you do not want to miss a geyser shooting up! There are 3 entrances for the south loop: east, south and west. I will say the ride to the EAST entrance is enchanting. Since we stayed in Cody, I can boast that it takes 1 hour to get to the east entrance gate from Cody! Woo hoo!
The south entrance is met with the Grand Tetons, as you will have to go through that magnificent park to get to Yellowstone. The west entrance is very popular so book early if you need a campground! There are 2 KOAs and boondocking (dry camping) available. Whatever entrance you choose, I can say that you will not regret it!
On the south loop, some of the places I recommend are:
Old Faithful
West Thumb
Grand Prismatic
Yellowstone Lake
There are plenty of geysers to see that I did not mention, however, these are the top 3 plus a lake to bring your phone and/or camera to. Lets talk about these geysers!
Old Faithful!
Old Faithful: This awesome and popular geysers goes off at or around certain times. Visit the visitor center to find out about the times. There is seating around Old Faithful, however, get there early before the next eruption or you will be standing in the back! Make sure to check out the General Yellowstone store for souvenirs and some yummy ice cream to eat. It does get crowded!
West Thumb!
West Thumb: There are numerous geysers here, not as grand as Old Faithful (maybe I am being a little biased), but the scenery is spectacular. A part of Yellowstone Lake, you will see a few geysers under the water and near the lake. There is a boardwalk to visit these geysers and make sure you stay on it!
Grand Prismatic!
Grand Prismatic: There are a couple ways to see this. You can walk a short distance (.5 mile) on the Fairy Falls trail (easy), walk up on a deck and view it from a distance, but you can definitely see it without the crowds. Or just go to the Grand Prismatic, have patience when you park (we parked along the road) and get in line. Yes, a line!
There is a bench to stand or sit on for photos of yourself (hello selfies) right by the Grand Prismatic. LOTS of people do this, however, you can bypass by the line by walking politely next to the people in line, take your photos of the Grand Prismatic and move on. The Grand Prismatic is HUGE!!!
Yellowstone Lake!
Yellowstone Lake: I LOVE this lake! There are no water sports, but there are some picnic tables nearby. This is a little slice of heaven as it is peaceful to walk along the shore. You will see distant mountains, sometimes covered in snow. It is 20 miles long and 14 miles wide, making this the highest elevation lake in North America. It freezes over in the winter, with thawing possibilities in May or June. The lake is beautiful either frozen or thawed! Since the lake is at a high elevation, with freezing possibilities, swimming is prohibited. Just enjoy mother nature as you gaze at this gorgeous, blue lake.
When driving through the park, you will encounter, a varied speed limit, and drivers taking their time to absorb everything in. This is why it takes so long to get through the park. There are plenty of visitor centers, hiking trails (bring bear spray and be bear aware), picnic areas, and general stores for snacks, restrooms and souvenirs. Make sure to get a map when enter through 1 of the gates. It will come in handy! Pack a lunch if you want to eat at a picnic area, which could save you time trying to find a place to eat. There are limited amount of eateries, check for days and hours of operation. But most importantly, have fun! You will not regret it!!!!
Are you ready to visit Yellowstone Park in 1 day???