Tune in on Saturday, June 5 to Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio broadcasting from Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, in Yellowstone National Park.
Peter will be talking about topics from sustainability in our national parks to how drivers can go greener on their summer road trips.
But for now, read on to find out some top tips on visiting Yellowstone, straight from the locals.
Jennifer Conrad, Interpretive Ranger
Get off beaten path to experience the best of Yellowstone. The majority of visitors stick to the roadways when touring the park, but the further you walk from the roadways and parking areas, the fewer visitors you will encounter.
Hike any of the park’s trails, and you will be getting away from the crowds. There is a day-hike sampler, available at the parks bookstores for 50 cents, which recommends the ranger favorites.
For the more visited areas, like the geyser basins, early morning and early evening make for a more quiet experience.
Check out Peter’s radio show from Mammoth Hot Springs.
Chuck Koob, former chairman, Yellowstone Park Foundation
It’s important to get off the main roads to see Yellowstone.
Lamar Valley is often called the “Serengeti of North America,” and here’s a tip: arriving here before sunrise allows for a better chance of spotting wolves.
After such an early morning, continue to the Northeast Entrance and go to Silver Gate, a very small town on the outskirts of the Park for breakfast. It is definitely not on most people’s itinerary and the drive out the Northeast Entrance is lovely, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Don’t miss our National Parks travel section.
Mystic Falls is a great hike that is relatively short and easy.
For those who have a few days, go to Thorofare, which is in the Southeast corner of the park. Once you get to the Thorofare ranger cabin–congratulations, you’re at the spot farthest from any road in the lower 48 states. This trip takes a few days on foot or on horseback with an outfitter, but it is well worth the trip.
As for places to eat in the Park, most are well-known but my favorite is the restaurant at the Lake Hotel.
In the Grand Teton area, there are a few hikes that are not crowded and take you into the back country for a few hours. For a shorter hike, try Ski Lake (about two hours each way). In July, hikers are rewarded with the most unbelievable array of wildflowers, with about 100 different varieties.
For a long hike (about seven hours) go to the top of Granite Canyon. From there, follow the trail to the top of Rendezvous Mountain where the tram terminates. Take the tram down to Teton Village for free. It is recommended to park one car at the Granite Canyon trailhead and one at the parking lot in Teton Village.
Death Canyon is my favorite hike in the Tetons. It is a bit strenuous, but you can turn around whenever you want and retrace your steps.
For more adventures, visit our Hiking & Biking section.
As far as dining is concerned, again there are not many secrets in Jackson. The Grill at the Amangani is expensive but wonderful. Breakfast at either Nora’s Fish Creek Inn or The Bunnery is mandatory.
Jim Evanoff, Environmental Protection Specialist, Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone’s hot springs are a main attraction, but not all of them are open for bathing. Mammoth Hot Springs is an exception. In fact, this spring is legally open to bathers year-round.
Also the Boiling River, just north of Mammoth hot springs, is open to the public. Contact the Park’s visitor’s center for more information about bathing in these locations.
The Bechler area, in the Southwest corner, has the largest concentration of waterfalls in the Park. Only open in the summer season (June-July), trails in this area lead to more hot springs that are legal for bathing. After a hike to the springs, hikers can relax and reward themselves with a soak in the hot water.
Rent a boat and row across Yellowstone Lake. Not many know about the boat-in only campsites off this lake. Only available in the summer season, these sites allow access to special trails around the lake and through the park.
By Grace Leigh Kelly for PeterGreenberg.com. Photos courtesy National Park Service.
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