The most beautiful places of Yellowstone
Before I visited Yellowstone my idea of this park if not distorted, was at least limited. All my knowledge of Yellowstone stopped at the geysers, the Old Faithful, and perhaps the images of the rangers' log lodge that could be seen in Yogi bear cartoons.
I confirm that there are geysers, I confirm the presence of the Old Faithful and also the beautiful log lodges, used as hotels, but this is only the tip of an iceberg. While doing research for our trip, I had already sensed the potential of this vast park, and after visiting it jumped to the top of my list of favorites.
It has so many attractions that go well beyond the geysers, and they are so heterogeneous that they don't seem to belong to the same place.
THE YELLOWSTONE GEYSERS
Old Faithful, Yellowstone's best-known geyser, is undoubtedly the heart of the park, and the most popular attraction. However, few people know, before visiting Yellowstone, that it is not necessarily the most spectacular geyser. Its characteristic, which also gives it its name, is to be the most regular and predictable geyser in the park, whose eruptions have been occurring for decades, with such precision that it never disappoints scientists and tourists.
The first thing to do when you arrive in Yellowstone is to go to the information center, right next to the Old Faithful, where all the hourly forecasts for the eruptions of the geysers in the various basins are reported. Depending on the time you want to be at the Old Faithful or one of the other reservoirs to watch the eruption, you can arrange your travel around the park.
The Clepsydra Geyser has ranked first among our favorites: it has more frequent eruptions, it is located in a more picturesque area, crossed by ponds of sulphurous water enveloping lifeless tree trunks, by pools of warbling clay, and by a steaming, crystal clear river. It is also less known than Old Faithful and certainly less crowded, as it is far from information centres and hotels.
LAMAR VALLEY
It is said that the Hayden Valley is the best place to observe bisons and yellowstone fauna, but this also makes it the most crowded place. I've seen pictures of car queues stopped to watch these beautiful giants crossing the road. We, on the advice of a local photographer with whom we were lucky enough to take a photo workshop, chose to observe them in the Lamar Valley instead.
You may need to invest more time to see the animals up close, but you won't have a crowd of onlookers in front of you. The bisons can be seen in large herds, they cross the roads and dine undisturbed on the edge. The antelopes, more shy, jump in the great prairies, and if you are lucky you will be able to spot some bears or wolves, maybe without getting too close.
MAMMOTH SPRINGS
These are enormous polychrome limestone formations born from the deposition of the limestone contained in the hot springs that over the centuries have formed terraces of alien beauty. The water descends from small waterfalls and flows into quiet pools separated by thin limestone membranes that seem to be sculpted.
The younger formations are of more iridescent colours, green or brick red, while those that dry out gradually lose their colour (given by the bacteria that live in the water) and become snow-white. The transformation of these formations happens so quickly, that every year the terraces change shape, and you will never find the same view again.
FIREHOLE RIVER
You will meet this river in several places, as it crosses Yellowstone to the west in the geyser basin. And you will no doubt recognize it by the steaming waters. They come from hot springs, and create puffs of smoke along the banks, especially in the cold morning air.
GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING
I do not know whether to consider it the most unique place in Yellowstone, but it is certainly unique in the world and you cannot miss it for any reason. It is a giant spring of sulphurous water, populated by so many bacterial colonies, that these give the rock incredible colours, creating a blue eye from which shades of every nuance radiate.
It can be visited by walking on a catwalk nearby. To avoid the crowds that accumulate on this path, we decided to reach the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook with an uphill walk of about 20 minutes, and to observe a fabulous view from above.
THE OLD FAITHFUL INN
It is located a few meters beyond the basin of the Old Faithful, from which it takes its name. It is a classic U.S. National Park Lodge, consisting of a hotel and restaurant, housed in an historic wooden log building that looks like something out of a book. We happened upon it, arriving in Yellowstone late at night, looking for a place to dine.
Dinner in the restaurant was expensive and mediocre, but it was worth entering this beautiful hotel, if only to admire it. A very high hall, with two gigantic fireplaces, houses the entrance. The high walls are crossed by lofts where you can stop and read on the large armchairs. Everything is oversized, but creates a beautiful atmosphere. And if, as for us, staying in this hotel is definitely out of your budget, make sure you at least go inside and browse.
This content is NOT SPONSORED, but based on my genuine personal experience. Spontaneous opinions, positive and negative, shareable or not, that I hope will help to live better travel experiences. My advice is a guide to lead you through world explorations, but the real journey, you build it!
