Yellowstone — Turn Key Schedule
Executive Summary: The purpose of this post is to provide a “Turn Key” schedule for you to travel to Yellowstone and enjoy the experience. This post is targeted at individuals that do not know anything about camping (and this post won’t fix that) or the Yellowstone National Park. The post is targeted at two people, but has interspersed some observations for those that may be travelling with children.
If you are in a rush, here are some key points up front:
- There is VERY little Internet access in the park or at your hotel. If you depend on Internet to keep in touch with family or you need to work during this time, then SET YOUR EXPECTATIONS NOW that this will be impossible! When we checked in, the front desk team even said, “and here is the super slow Internet password”. Even when you can see the one lone cell phone tower, you will not be able to reliably send text messages or get email. If connectivity is important to you, then consider getting a Starlink Subscription.
- You are going to do a lot of driving. If you have kids, then consider getting the “Big SUV”. Most families I saw were rolling in anything from GMC Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban’s or Ford Expeditions. Treat yourself to some space and the gear you are going to cart around. If it is just the two of you, then a sedan will suffice from any of the major rental car companies.
- If you make reservations to stay in the park, you will get an email several weeks ahead of time to book dinner reservations! ACT on that email immediately! In 2022, the staff at Yellowstone is short-handed and while doing the best they can, if you failt to make dinner reservations you will be eating a grab-and-go sandwich. It is HOURS to drive outside of the park based on where you are staying.
- Although it looks tempting, think twice about renting an RV. Several of the attractions do not allow RV’s and you need a regular vehicle for the parking.
If you are not in a rush, here are the steps to take to execute a 6 day trip to Yellowstone
Things to Pack
Similar to your other trips, pack all of your required technology, phone chargers and normal sun protection. You will want to add a small collapsable insulated cooler to your list. You will need this during the day to add ice and keep your water cold. If you depend on Internet, then see above for the Starlink device you will need to transport.
Download the Google Map for offline use of the Yellowstone area. Even though you will not have cell phone reception, the GPS will work, but you will want to have the offline map for navigation.
Consider downloading the National Park Service app as well. I was unable to get this to work in an offline mode to see any sites, but perhaps you will have better success.
The rooms in the park do not have televisions. If you need entertainment, you will need to download shows to your Apple iPad.
Large zip lock bags for ice, medium zip lock backs for snacks, chlorox wipes, paper tablecloth, t-shirt plastic bags.
If you are going to do a Kayak Tour, bring water shoes, hat and sunglasses.
Day 1
Book your flight and land in Bozeman, MT. While you are in the air, order your food from the Safeway in Bozeman, MT for curbside pickup. The curbside pickup will save you time wandering the store to get the items. Your food should consist of water and snacks for the entire week. Do not buy perishable items as you will not have a refrigerator in your room in Yellowstone.
Upon landing at the airport, and getting your rental car/suv, place a take-out order for pizza from Cosmic Pizza, which is just across the street from Safeway. This will be a great snack on the drive to Yellowstone and if left over will keep for at least one night and might serve as a quick lunch the following day.
If you will land in Bozeman after 7PM, consider spending the night in Bozeman and executing the drive to Yellowstone the following day in daylight. The road is not well marked or lighted. Not to mention the constant fear of animals that could lurk around any corner.
Your first night will consist of accommodations at the Canyon lodge in Yellowstone. Once you check in and assess the fact that you have no TV or Internet, it is time for bed.
Day 2
Start your day with breakfast at the Canyon Lodge cafeteria. They have the standard flair of food for a basic breakfast. After breakfast grab a map from the visitor center and consider a rental for a can of Bear Spray (Note: Many of the attractions are well attended. If you are going off of the “Beaten” path, then this post is likely not for you and you should see additional guidance on back country hiking. If you are going to stay with the main attractions, consider skipping the Bear Spray and and head back to the room. Hit the ice machine at the hotel with your large zip lock bags and collaspable cooler. If you had pizza left over, bring that for your picnic. Load your drinks and snacks and hit the road toward Mammoth.
On the drive to Mammoth, a number of stops exist where you can look out over the “prairie” and potentially see the wildlife. Don’t be surprised if you leave empty-handed, but have no fear, things will improve.
Upon your arrival in Mammoth, park near the visitor center and use the picnic table to have your lunch. Stay alert, as you may find a random Elk just walking through town. Once lunch is complete, you will have easy access to a full-service restroom in the visitor center. Departing from the visitor center, drive over to the Mammoth Hot springs. When you approach the Mammoth Hot springs, take the path on the far left. This is a gradual climb through the hot springs and will give you an easier descent back to the parking lot.
Departing Mammoth Hot Springs, head in the direction of Norris Museum. Along the way, stop at the sites that look attractive to you on the map. Continue to follow the road back to Canyon Village. Taking this route will complete the top half of the figure “8” that makes up Yellowstone.
For dinner, you will dine at Canyon Village. The cafeteria will have an assortment of menu items for consumption. They also have a small bar if you would like a glass of wine. This facility does not need reservation, but it will be crowded.
After dinner, it is back to bed to clean out the cooler and prepare for Day 3.
Day 3
You arise in your Canyon hotel room and pack for check out. After you have your breakfast and check out, it is time to head toward Grant Village. The “must-see” stop on the way to Grant Village will be the Lower Falls and Upper falls. This stop has a North and South side to see with different hikes down to the water.
Once the falls visit is complete it is onto the Fishing Bridge visitor center. This will be a great place to have lunch at the “counter” and grab an ice cream for dessert. While it looks tempting on the map to continue toward the East Entrance of Yellowstone, there is NOTHING to see. I would not bother with any travel beyond Lake Butte.
For dinner, since you paid attention to the email, you will dine at the historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel. After dinner, you will check into the Grant Village lodging.
Day 4
Your day starts at Grant Village and you will head toward the West Thumb attraction and visit the West Thumb Geyser Basin. This Geyser has a boardwalk and runs along the lake. It is a nice walk in the early morning without having to deal with a crowd.
After your morning warm up, it is time to head to the Old Faithful Inn. Immediately at the Old Faithful Inn, you will park and visit the Inn to determine the next time of the Old Faithful viewing. Based on the time, you will need to calculate your travel time to hike up to Observation Point. This hike will be manageable and will be a great view of Old Faithful at the time of eruption. Once you have seen Old Faithful from the Observation Point, you will visit the Inn and grab lunch at the “Grill”.
After lunch, if you are so inclined, this would be the moment to join a tour. On my Yellowstone experience, we joined the Firehole Basin Adventure Tour. The advantage of the tour includes: 1. You get a break from driving. 2. You get a knowledgeable team member that can answer a range of questions about the park and 3. If you like antique vehicles, with some of today’s engines, you get a great ride in a historic vehicle. For myself, I enjoyed the Firehole Basin Adventure Tour and the ride in the classic automobile.
Arriving back at the Inn, you will now take the time to walk the Boardwalk to see the remaining hot springs. This is a lengthy walk, but is made easier by the boardwalk that guides you throughout the property.
Having completed this lengthy walk, you will now treat yourself to dinner at the Snow Lodge restaurant called, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge Obsidian Dining Room. After dinner, you can check out the General Store or even have another viewing of Old Faithful.
Day 5
Another morning at Grant Village begins with a quick drive to the Marina where you can pick up a Kayak Tour with Geyser Kayak Tours. The team at Geyser Kayak Tours, will provide you with knowledgeable team members and a chance to experience Lake Yellowstone. The tour includes lunch and a chance to see the West Thumb Geyser from the Lake. It is important to note, this tour does not provide for a full service rest room. Please use the rest room before departure or consider another tour. One of the items you may want to bring on the tour includes some chlorox wipes or other hand sanitizer. The lunch will be a sandwich that will use your hands, and if you went to the rest room in the trees, you may want something to “Freshen up” with as well.
Since your accomodations are at Grant Village, you can change back in the room and head out for another day on the road. You will travel back toward Old Faithful and visit the Grand Prismatic Spring. For the Grand Prismatic Spring, you will start out at the trail called, Fairy Falls. From the parking lot this hike will take you down a gravel path and up a hill where you will get a great view of the Grand Prismatic Spring. The walk from the parking to the “intersection” of the viewing area is 15 minutes and the walk up the hill is 5 minutes.
Once you have viewed the Grand Prismatic Spring from the viewing area, you will now drive down the parking lot to view the Grand Prismatic Spring at eye level. If it is a long line to the parking lot, consider parking down the street on the gravel and walking. The parking lot is limited and has most spots reserved for the tour bus community.
If time permits, select another site to see, but watch the time as you need to head back to Grant Village for dining at the Grant Village Dining Room. The Grant Village Dining Room is one of the reservations that you made in advance. The experience at the Grant Village will give you a great view of the lake as their dining room has the windows that face the lake.
Day 6
It is the final day! Time to pack up and head back to Bozeman for your flight home, but if you booked the latest flight possible, you have some time to see some final stops on the way out of the park. If you are leaving early enough you will have time to drive by Firehole Canyon Drive. This scenic route shows a great waterfall and a swimming location that people will actually use. Please note the parking is very limited if you go during anything after mid-morning.
Now that you have completed the drive, you will start to head back out of the park. On your drive out, you will stop in West Yellowstone where you can take advantage of significant savings on merchandise and even get a snack at McDonalds!
Having completed your shopping it is now the drive to Bozeman to put gas in the car and if time permits take a stroll through downtown Bozeman. If you do have the time, stop and get gas before lunch and then if time permits, stop by and eat at Tanoshii. My experience at Tanoshii consisted of the Miso Soup, Oyster Mushrooms and the Ramen. It hit the spot!
The rental car/suv now has gas, you have had lunch at it is back to the Bozeman, MT aiport for your flight home. You have conquered Yellowstone and now have your own experience to share with others!
Cost
Travelling to Yellowstone will not be without several expenses. For two people travelling from the Washington, DC area to Bozeman, MT and onto Yellowstone can expect to spend $4,500. This consists of the following breakdown:
Bear Spray
And now a word about Bear Spray. If you are visiting the “main” attractions that have parking lots and Boardwalks, their will be a lot of people and the risk of a Bear sighting is low. If you are going to venture onto some of the trails that are in the woods, then Bear Spray is a must. It can be rented at the lodging and deposited at several locations in the park prior to your departure. Looking back on my trip, I did not venture onto any trail into the woods. The majority of my sites were the popular hot springs or other items where there are parking lots and lots of people.
Wrap Up
The National Park Services does a nice job to maintain this treasure. Yellowstone requires a lot of walking and a lot of appreciation for Natural Wonders. If you are looking for those tenets in a trip, then Yellowstone is for you.