Yellowstone, the country’s oldest National Park, saw 4 million visitors in 2019. 1.4 million of those visitors were RVers. Were you one of them?
The park, which spans over 3,450 square miles, is over 2 million acres. There are 900 miles of hiking trails and 67 species of mammals. The park is also home to more than 500 active geysers, which accounts for more than half the world’s geysers. Wow!
When was the last time you visited Yellowstone? Are you planning on going back soon? Will you plan on camping in the park, or will you stay outside the park? Please tell us by voting in the poll then leaving a comment below.
Went once in 2013. Was there for 7 days. Spent 4 of the seven days looking for a parking spot at the different locations. Made the reservations a year in advance. Not worth going back due to the crowds.
Been there once and was stampeded by busloads of foreign people. Didn’t get to enjoy it like we wanted. Will try to re-visit one of these days.
It was great this summer (2020) because tour buses of foreigners were non-existent. They were not allowed due to COVID. Plenty of space to move around and no crowds.
Our favorite N.P. We were there this past summer for the second time. Just so much to see and do, especially if you like to hike.
We visited the park in September of 2019 and had a great time although we stayed at an RV park outside of Yellowstone.
We haven’t traveled west of here (NY).
Yes In July of 2019. Stayed at the Harvest Host Grand Teton Distillery in Driggs Idaho and made the day loop tour. Through the Tetons and Yellowstone Nat. Park.
Went for several days in mid-Sept 2019 as part of multi-week trip to Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. Quiet time of the year which we really enjoyed. Can’t imagine being there in high season. Great part of Yellowstone is its various separate areas to visit. We saw Bison, Elk and other wildlife but, disappointedly, no Bison herds. We loved the Grand Prismatic and drive from there to West Yellowstone. The park is amazingly large and wide open.
We were workcampers an RV Park in West Yellowstone during the summer of 2020. In about 6 months we saw most of the park. Will be going back to see the rest of the park next year.
Was there in September of 2020, will go back soon to see even more.
Starting going with as a kid with my family since 1962 every year until as an adult I went every 3rd year. Married and we went every summer until this year.
We went a few years ago, after visiting there we went to visit my mom and we’re talking about the trip and she said how each and every time she smells sulfur it took her back to trip her and my dad took there on their honeymoon in 1939 as part of a cross country road trip..
There is something AWESOME about driving around inside an active volcano…Besides the Beauty & Animals & Fishing.. Been there several times, being born in Casper Wyoming
Wont be going back, was very disappointed with the park in August 2020.
Go back in early June and wait until 2022 or 2023. The road to Mt Washburn will be back open as well as Fishing Bridge. August this year was one of the highest for visitors to date.
Any specifics?
What disappointed you? Can you elaborate? We went in July 2020.it was great. No traffic jams, All WEEK! Mammoth Hot Springs sukd but it always does in dry season so no big deal. Great time. Stayed in Cody, WY at Buffalo Bill SP (nice and close). Plus a rodeo every night in Cody! Cmon. Mad about the lack of cell service? What?
First visit was in 1982. Love this park, went every year up thru 1989. Yes, I was in the park as it burned in August of ’88 and again to see it rise up from many ashes in ’89. As a flyfisher it was one the premier destinations (think Madison, Yellowstone, Lamar, the big three). Last visit was in ’96. Never RV’d but camped, as well as lodged at Old Faithful, Roosevelt, Mammoth Definately want to go again. It is a truly magical place.
We used to live in Bozeman in the early 80’s. Yellowstone was great and I even crossed country skied there in -10 weather. Our trip in 2015~ traffic Jams, crazy busy but the views were great. My cousin was a Ranger and we met up with her a few times. To get a camping spot even then was tough but we camped near fishing village and it was OK but pretty expensive. Not sure if we will rush back. Things change
Forgot to mention my Dad drove one of the buses in the 50’s and my Mom worked at Mammoth around then too but they did not meet there. They had many photo’s of feeding the bears.
God’s country. Breath taking. Magnificent. Awe inspiring. Been several times. As early as childhood, some in between, the last 10 years ago. Decided on the spur of the moment & scored a canceled slot in Fishing Bridge RV Park. It was my husband’s 65th birthday. First part of June. Coming from the east at the summit, while it was snowing, fuel filter decided to go. Husband changed it. That was fun. Got to RV park, weather nice, put out awning. Woke up next morning to 3 or so inches of snow! The awning…it collapsed. Husband had to fix that. It was Sunday, I’m a NASCAR & Dale Jr fan. Husband went up on roof to clear snow from sat dish so I could record race while we were touring the park. What a guy! Touring park with the dusting of snow was spectacular. Husband fished the Fire River. Just so beautiful. June/Sept probably best months. Kids in school. Early/late snow storms are a risk. Would never go in summer time.
First visited the Park in 1963. Returned in ’76 for some backpacking. Followed up with several winter x-c ski trips between ’76 and ’79 (one a return trip from viewing the Solar Eclipse in Central Montana). Worked as a Wilderness Ranger in ’79 out of Cody, WY, and did several Spring and Fall visits when few people were around. Also visited Fall 2005 on my Lewis & Clark Bi-Centennial re-creation trek from Seaside, OR to Ft. Mandan. And finally, a couple of years ago on a Fall “geology field trip” in the camper van with my partner as she had never been. So, I’ve experienced the Park during several seasons over many years. Oh my how things have changed…and not necessarily for the better in terms of visitor experience. But then again, I think it was John Steinbeck in Travels With Charley, that stated more-or-less that National Parks are freaks of nature. Thus, the reason folks visit. That, and wolves, why even Lamar Valley now crowded in winter!
Spent a day in the Old Faithful area in July 2018, staying with relatives outside West Yellowstone. Parking lots were crowded, people parking along roads, but we enjoyed the walkways around the thermal features.
Was there in 1979 for my first time, I was 21 and backpacked in the back country. What beauty! Then explored it just about 10 years ago (coincidentally), and was shocked at the destruction of the 1988 fire. It was still very impressive though. Needless to say, I didn’t backpack this time. Heh.
I remember, as a kid when we went to Yellowstone, we fed the bears from our car. Thank goodness that’s not allowed anymore. You’re lucky to even see one these days.