"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."

That quote, if you haven't heard it before, is from Saint Augustine. He lived from AD 354 - AD 430, long before trains, planes and automobiles - and if he could travel then surely we all should.

Yellowstone National park spans the U.S. states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and is one of the most iconic and revered natural landscapes in the world. Boasting geothermal wonders, diverse landscapes and breath-taking views, there's no two ways about it - it's simply stunning.

Sure, laying on a beach in Thailand and lazing on a yacht off the Amalfi coast have their allures - but if you're looking for something bucket-list worthy, Yellowstone is a one-of-a-kind adventure worth filling a photo album. Today I'm going to walk you through planning atrip that will push the boat out.

About Yellowstone National Park

 

Yellowstone National Park has the acclaim of being the worlds first national park. It sits atop a massive supervolcano - one of the largest in the world - which is still active, but not considered dangerous. There are, however, thousands of mini-earthquakes per year.

If you're seeking adventure, there are few places as diverse. In Yellowstone lake, you have one of the largest and most pristine high-altitude lakes in North America - which remains frozen for much of the year, and typically only thaws as June rolls around.

Hundreds of miles south west lies Yellowstone Canyon. It's a rugged geological marvel, with colourful cliffs, cascading waterfalls and it's fair share of tough terrain. The most famous waterfall in the canyon, Lower Falls, plunges 308 feet into the canyon below and is a sight to behold.

For nature lovers, the biodiversity is almost unmatched. Amid the wilderness, you'll find bison, elk, grizzly bears, wolves, and moose; Yellowstone is a critical habitat for these creatures, and Attenborough-wannabe's can experience the joy of visiting them in their natural habitat.

How to Plan Your Trip To Yellowstone

 

Planning a trip to Yellowstone can seem like a bit of a mission, as it's an absolutely huge national park - meandering on for hundreds of miles in any given direction.

The first thing to note is that the best time to visit Yellowstone is during the months of mid-May to October. During this period, you can be assured that all of the roads are open and it's not too cold to enjoy yourself!

No matter when you visit, you'll need cold-weather gear - a proper jacket, hiking boots and lots of layers. There are temperature swings throughout the year; rain (and even snow) feature most months. It's an unpredictable place.

Additionally, it's best not to just rock up. Campgrounds and other lodgings all require reservations, and usually these have to be made well in advance of your trip. That means it's worth having a detailed itinerary in mind and choosing a route to stick to - which we'll cover below.

Which Parts of Yellowstone to Visit

Unless you have the luxury of months on end to romp and galivant around, it's likely that you'll need to prioritise which parts of Yellowstone you visit. Below I've prioritised six of the most beautiful and interesting natural wonders to help you start building an itinerary - but be sure to shop around. There's plenty more to see!

All of the following are nestled in the north-west corner of Wyoming, so covering them in a single trip should be doable.

The Grand Prismatic Spring (Unmissable!)

One of the most unique natural wonders on the planet, The Grand Prismatic Spring is perhaps the number one thing worth seeing in Yellowstone. It's certainly one of the most recognisable sights.

The largest hot spring in the U.S. and third largest in the world, it's bigger than a football field and has a depth higher than the height of a ten storey building.

Visit on a sunny day to have the best chance of seeing this marvel in all it's glory. Different species of heat-loving bacteria inhabit the springs naturally warm water, giving it a glorious array of colours; orange and red on the cooler outskirts, followed by green and yellow tints, and finally deep blue as you reach the depths.

As one of the most famous parts of Yellowstone, it's guaranteed to be busy - so visiting in early morning is advisable if you want to get the place to yourself. Having said that, the colours are at their best during the height of the day.

Old Faithful Geyser

Assuming that you'll want to experience the whooooosh! of a geothermal geyser in action, Old Faithful is a good starting point. True to it's name, it still erupts out of the ground fairly reliably every 90 minutes or so. It's one of the most famous landmarks and a must-visit if you're in this area of the park.

During an eruption, Old Faithful shoots scalding water and steam to heights ranging from 100 to 180 feet (30 to 55 meters). The duration of an eruption varies, but it typically lasts between 90 seconds and 5 minutes, which is plenty of time to grab an awe-inspiring photo.

Despite its fame and long history of study, Old Faithful continues to be a subject of scientific research. Geologists and hydrologists monitor the geyser's activity to better understand the underlying geological processes - as well as the broader geothermal system of Yellowstone.

Lamar Valley

You can't afford to miss the wildlife on a trip to Yellowstone. It's with good reason that Lamar Valley is sometimes called the Serengeti of North America. Home to wild Bison, it's very likely that you'll see hundreds (if not thousands) of them roaming freely in one of the last strongholds in the U.S.

Not only that, the area is also home to elk, deer, bears and coyotes. For nature photographers, it's the ideal place to roam and capture wildlife in it's natural area. Yellowstone is also known for it's wolf conservation efforts and it's possible to spot them if you're very lucky!

If you have time, you can drive to the Northeast entrance of Yellowstone, whereby the Africa-esque savanna gives way to spectacular mountain scenery.

The Yellowstone Grand Canyon

It's almost impossible to rank the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, but worth nothing that The Yellowstone Grand Canyon frequently tops the list on Tripadvisor. Over 24 miles long, up to 4,000 feet wide and 1,200 feet deep, it's a fantastic place to hike.

Given that most tourists only visit the main viewpoints, The Yellowstone Grand Canyon is a great place to escape the crowds and find some serenity if you're willing to lace up your boots. If you're looking for a good place to start, check out Uncle Tom's trail, which is a steep descent of over 300 steps into the lower falls of the Canyon. Despite being a shorter hike, it's a steep climb, so proper gear and a base level of fitness are essential.

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake gives you the opportunity to really get your adrenaline rushing. It freezes over in winter, and even in summer the water is too cold to swim in - so your best bet is to explore by boat.

Fortunately there are plenty of options. As well as a guided scenic boat tour, you can rent a boat yourself and go fishing to unlock your inner Hemmingway. Expect arctic grayling, cutthroat trout, and mountain whitefish among others (most of which have to be returned to the parks waters immediately).

Kayaking is also a great way to explore the lake, and for those who don't want to get splashed there are plenty of awesome hikes around the area. In particular, the hike to Storm Point is a beautiful one.

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park

With over three million visitors a year, as expected there are plenty of places to lodge in Yellowstone National Park. Below, I've cherry-picked three options to inspire your stay.

Old Faithful Inn - For Iconic Lodging

Surely the most famous place to stay in Yellowstone, Old Faithful Inn has been open since 1904. At that time, it featured electric lighting, but designed to look like candlesticks. The electricity and radiators were powered by a steam generator, and evening meals were accompanied by dances and a string quartet.

Nowadays, the Inn is unbelievably still considered the largest log structure in the world, with a towering lobby, massive stone fireplace and many of the original hand-crafted features still in place. From the mezzanine balcony you can see Old Faithful Geyser erupt, and pen a letter home on one of the old-money style writing desks.

The Old Faithful Dining Room offers buffet style meals in the great hall, and The Bear Pit Lounge is a relaxing atmosphere in which to unwind at the end of the day with a cocktail and a bar snack.

Under Canvas West Yellowstone - For Glamping

Want to camp in style? Wake up in a safari-styled oversized canvas tent to some of the best views around at Under Canvas West Yellowstone.

Set 15 minutes drive from the west entrance to the park, the glamping tents feature all of the modern furnishings you could possible need - including private decks, comfy bedding, wood burning stoves and even private baths. You'll be nestled in a meadow near the Madison River, far from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

The resort also features a restaurant with a full breakfast and dinner menu, so there's no need to get the camping stove out. We recommend booking ahead to secure a tent with clear ceiling panels for the best stargazing.

Montage Big Sky - For Uncontested Luxury

An hour from west entrance is the ultra-stylish Montana Big Sky hotel. For luxury vacationers, this is surely the uncontested choice. It features seven restaurants with breath-taking views, a private 18-hole golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, a bowling alley and (in the wintertime) ski-in / ski-out access. Oh, and a 10,000 square foot spa and fitness centre.

If you're after modern design, carefully chosen menus featuring local produce, deep Italian-marble bathtubs, innovative cocktails, caviar and bubbly, this is a knockout hotel to spend a few nights. It's also family friendly and 100% plastic free.