Yellowstone

[Wingin it]

We are going to be making a trip to Yellowstone. We have ordered books, maps, tour guides, etc. The major tourist things are covered. What things that are maybe not so well known would you dub "must see" at the park?

We also plan check out the Tetons and Jackson Hole so same question for that park too. Our time there will be limited as I only set aside one day for that adventure.

[Scheindogg]

I know there are boardwalks at pretty much every stop, but the boardwalks behind old faithful are a must.

All sorts of different geysers and stuff back there, look for the “beehive”. The beehive geyser  goes about 50ft higher than old faithful but much less frequently (sometimes only every 7 days). We were lucky enough to see it go off and it was amazing.

Btw there are many lengths of trail near old faithful but the section I went to I’m talking about would be behind and to the left of old faithful if you’re looking at it from the restaurant/parking side

[Wingin it]

  Old Faithful is definitely on "the list" so we'll definitely take your advice and check out the boardwalks while we are there.

[Magnum_Willys]

Dragon's Breath Cave and  Artist Point. 

[cbond3318]

Uncle Tom’s Trail in the Grand Canyon and Dragons Breath Cave as mentioned.

[royalhntr]

I was fortunate enough to live and work inside the park in the summer of 2004, and have a few special places to check out but they depend on when are you planning on going.

[kellama2001]

Uncle Tom’s Trail in the Grand Canyon and Dragons Breath Cave as mentioned.

  also, don't know which entrances you plan on taking, but the NE entrance and beartooth pass to Cooke City, MT is stunning!

[Pegasus]

Make sure you visit the Old Faithful Inn. It is a pretty impressive hundred plus year old log structure supposedly the largest in the world. I was last there in 1988 on the day the massive Yellowstone fire started. I often wonder if that cigarette butt I threw out the window had anything to do with the fire...

[FWilliams]

If you make it to old faithful have lunch at the bear pit inside the inn. food comes out of the same kitchen as the main restaurant and great beers on tap.

[gasman]

  also, don't know which entrances you plan on taking, but the NE entrance and beartooth pass to Cooke City, MT is stunning!
[/quote]

  i have been in and out of every entrance to Yellowstone, this is an adventure in it's self 

[WAcoueshunter]

  also, don't know which entrances you plan on taking, but the NE entrance and beartooth pass to Cooke City, MT is stunning!

  i have been in and out of every entrance to Yellowstone, this is an adventure in it's self 
[/quote]

   I've also been in and out of every entrance, and I would be happy just driving to and from the NE entrance to the Lamar Valley every day.  The wildlife viewing is like Northwest Trek, much more so than the rest of the Park.  One time we stayed in Cooke City (just outside the entrance), and I could glass goats every day from the house we rented.  Beer in hand with the spotter, pretty awesome way to spend an evening.  On the way into the Park, goats are usually visible on the cliffs to the right.  We saw black bears most days.  Bison are so plentiful in and around the Lamar Valley they get boring.  Same with antelope.  Saw a wolf in the Lamar.  Just an incredible place.

We also did a one day trip to Grand Teton.  We took the ferry across Jenny Lake and took a short hike (like 2 miles) up into the Tetons.  It was a great way to spend an afternoon.  Here's a view along the way, you can see the ferry at the bottom.

[Wingin it]

It will be early September and we will likely use the NW or West entrance. Doesn't mean we can't take a drive out to the NE entrance of its that spectacular to see. Thanks for the input so far, I will add them all to my list and see how much we can check off of it along the way. We are really looking forward to the trip.

[Stein]

The lodge is really cool.  Lamar Valley is amazing depending what season you are in.

You really can't go wrong at the Park, just don't get in a hurry as nobody else will be and you will be driving/walking/whatever at a very relaxed pace most of the time.

[royalhntr]

The park really starts to slow down with people and traffic that first week of September. In the evening you can hear the elk buggling in the meadows around Canyon junction. The Norris campground had its own group of Bulls that hung out throughout the summer too. Drive through mammoth hot springs to see Bulls keeping tabs on their cows. The hot spring formations you can find there are quite spectacular as well. Have a buffalo burger at Helens in Gardiner for me.  Sit on the porch of the Roosevelt Lodge and rock away the evening thinking about what the park was like when Roosevelt was there. If you are having a hard time finding a grizzly or wolf stop at one of the gas stations and ask the kids behind the counter, the communication network is pretty strong between YPSS staff. Most importantly drive safely, and if you are with another person take turns driving so you can look around too. I pulled a lot of cars out of rivers and mud bogs when I worked there.

[WAcoueshunter]

It will be early September and we will likely use the NW or West entrance. Doesn't mean we can't take a drive out to the NE entrance of its that spectacular to see. Thanks for the input so far, I will add them all to my list and see how much we can check off of it along the way. We are really looking forward to the trip.

Are you staying in the Park, or outside?  Gardiner (NW entrance) is a cool town. Go swim in the Boiling River on your way in. Very cool experience.