Exploring Yellowstone: USA Adventure Experience the natural beauty and adventure of Yellowstone, from Bear Lake and its blue waters to Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders and snowcapped peaks.
See bears, bison and geysers, and take in beautiful sights like Idaho Falls and Salt Lake City.unforgettable USA adventure.
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Yellowstone Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
Hello friends my name is “Susan, and we are about to embark on a beautiful trip to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho, USA with Jens and Jens. Let the sun rise again.
We continue our world trip in the USA. After exploring the bountiful beaches of Florida and the wilderness west of Nevada, Utah and Arizona, we are ready for our next camper van road trip through Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, with Yellowstone National Park at the top of our bucket list.
Start of the trip: Salt Lake City to Bear Lake
let see started now Exploring Yellowstone: USA Adventure 2024
After driving for about two hours from Salt Lake City, we encountered snow, rain and cold. We decided to rest at McDonald’s, our trusted companion during the trip, where Jens could play, stay warm and use the internet.
We spent the night there and then with coffee in hand, we were ready to get back on the road to explore nature We were.
Our first stop was at Bear Lake, located on the border of Utah and Idaho. The bright blue color of this lake made us feel like we were in the Caribbean, even though it was pretty cold.
Bear Lake was worth a stop, especially because it was on our way. We continued through Idaho, admiring the snowcapped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and headed towards Montana.
Jackson, Wyoming: Gateway to the National Parks
It’s the good life, folks! We arrived in Jackson, Wyoming, and stopped at a park in town to cook dinner and enjoy a beer. Jackson is the perfect place to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, which we planned to visit in the coming days.
For now, we relaxed in the sun, knowing it would be cold again at night. The culinary highlight of the evening was pasta with bananas – a very unusual combination, but it only added to our adventure!
Grand Teton National Park: A Sunrise and Wildlife Wonderland
We started our day early in the morning, driving into Grand Teton National Park to see the sunrise and get a clear glimpse of the stunning mountains. The park was teeming with wildlife – including geese, a ferret, deer, caribou, and a moose.
Our day began with a great start. It’s easy to see animals in April and May, as they have just come out of hibernation and are looking for food. The pine forest added to the natural beauty of the park.
Bear Sightings at Lake Jenny
Oh my god, are there bears here? Yes, there are! We stopped at Lake Jenny for a walk and were thrilled to see a mother bear with her two cubs. Seeing bears in the wild was on my wish list, and this moment was a dream come true.
We saw other animals and the frozen lake, which made for a great winter wonderland hike. The North Pass between Grand Teton and Yellowstone only opens in the summer,
so we headed back to Jackson Hole to warm up at a local pub and do some laundry. We spent the night in West Yellowstone, getting ready for our next adventure.
Yellowstone National Park: A Natural Wonderland
From Grand Teton, we drove north for about two and a half hours and arrived at Yellowstone National Park, one of the world’s largest and most spectacular natural wonders.
Yellowstone greeted us with hundreds of bison and boiling mud ponds, geysers, and colorful waterfalls. Our first major stop was Grand Prismatic Spring, a true highlight of the park. Earlier, we had seen bison crossing the parking lot, going into colorful lakes, creating beautiful pictures.
We were eagerly waiting for the main attraction: Old Faithful Geyser. It erupts every hour, and you can check the times at the visitor center. We waited about half an hour for the show, which is another wonder of nature.
Next, we explored the Black Sand and Biscuit Basins and the Artist Paint Pots, which are known for their vibrant colors and unique formations.
Grizzly Bears and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
While driving, we suddenly noticed movement in the forest and hit the brakes – a lone male grizzly bear! It was an incredible sight.
Our 2016 trip to the Grand Canyon inspired us to see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone this time around. It was just as beautiful, especially with the snow-covered landscape. In this picturesque setting, we found another bear family.
We entered Yellowstone from the west gate and made our final stop at Mammoth Springs. Along the way, we saw bison, deer, and another bear.
Yellowstone exceeded all my dreams and expectations, so much so that we decided to spend another day there, seeing even more animals and enjoying the natural beauty of the park.
Exploring Montana: Great Falls and Glacier National Park
Our journey continued north through Montana, getting closer to Glacier National Park and the Canadian border. We stopped in Great Falls, a town along the Missouri River, which flows from west to east.
Great Falls has some interesting sights, including the Roe River, the shortest in the US, flowing into the Missouri after only about 200 feet.
Glacier National Park
We’re almost there, guys! We could see the snowy mountain tops of Glacier National Park as we approached, with the sunset painting the sky.
With a pizza for the road, we were ready for our next adventure. It was freezing outside, but we slept well with the heater on. Waking up to snow in Glacier National Park was magical.
Driving into the park, we were surrounded by the cold winter landscape of the majestic Rocky Mountains. I donned a warm hat as we drove along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which felt more like the “Driving through the Snow and Fog Road” due to the weather.
At St. Mary Lake, we had to stop because the roads were closing due to snow. We hoped the weather would clear up, but this might be it for Glacier.
Returning to Yellowstone: Hot Springs and Relaxation
On our way back to Salt Lake City, we decided to revisit Yellowstone National Park, specifically to enjoy the hot springs. At Yellowstone Hot Springs, we spent a day soaking in the warm waters, which cost only about $15 per person.
Jens, who was free, had the most fun. We tried alternating between the coldest and hottest baths, which was supposed to be good for the body and mind.
It was a rejuvenating experience, with the sun shining and a beer in hand, waiting for Susan and Jens to finish. Life felt perfect in Yellowstone.
Final Stop: Salt Lake City
We made a quick visit to Idaho Falls before reaching our final destination: Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital. It’s a big city nestled between the Rocky Mountains and a stunning location. The weather was warm, around 30 degrees Celsius, a stark contrast to the cold we had experienced.
In Salt Lake City, we explored Temple Square, the city’s heart, where beautiful buildings and famous landmarks are concentrated.
It’s the busiest place in Utah, with more daily visitors than all the national parks combined. We also walked up to Capitol Hill, not just for the architecture but for the stunning views.
Our road trip concluded in a park in Salt Lake City, where we enjoyed our last supper—a simple meal of beer and a chicken from Walmart. With the sun shining, we toasted to our adventures
and looked forward to our next journey to Mexico. We’re excited to have friends from the Netherlands joining us for twice as much fun on this new adventure. Cheers and adios!
Conclusion
How did you like this post? Our road trip across America, from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park, was a journey filled with breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife encounters, and unforgettable experiences.
From the vibrant colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring to the majestic snowcapped peaks of Glacier National Park, each moment we spent was proof of nature’s beauty and wonder.
As we head to Mexico for our next adventure, we carry with us the memories of this remarkable journey and the excitement of what’s to come.