Yellowstone Park Vacation Planning Pointers

Bison grazing and the steam of geysers in the background, two classic Yellowstone attractions.  

NATION'S FIRST AND OLDEST NATIONAL PARK TREASURE DRAWS NATIVE DAUGHTER BACK AGAIN

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers in Yellowstone, their 14th trip to the nation's first national park.

Experiencing the magic of Yellowstone National Park means visiting America's first national park, one of the world's most spectacular travel destinations. From the eruptions of Old Faithful to the vibrant colors of Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone is filled with extraordinary natural wonders, abundant wildlife, scenic drives, and unforgettable outdoor adventures. We've visited the park in all seasons and even during COVID, discovering the best attractions, hidden gems, hiking trails, and photo stops. We hope this helps make your Yellowstone vacation memorable.

Yellowstone Park's hot pools are often photographed for their color and spectacle.

A PILGRIMAGE through the park is glorious.

Since COVID, hygiene is high. You might be greeted by a masked ranger.  Instead of handing park maps and updates, rangers might slide the papers through an opening with a special extension arm. You'll still get a bit of welcome chit chat.

The graceful 1891 architecture of Lake Hotel captivates, as this view from the veranda shows.

We can't see everything in a day, so we miss some of the park's most visited attractions and plan another trip later.

If you can make more than one trip, do!

THE UPPER Geyser Basin should be a part of your visit, since Yellowstone has nearly half of the world's geysers. It's a wonder to behold, even when masking. You'll see masks on many tourists, especially polite Japanese.  Even when we can't make eye contact with people from all over the world, we know they're happy. We see the body language of surprise and satisfaction.

Yellowstone Park Vacation Planning Pointers

A drive up to Lake Hotel and a stroll to the lake is a must for us. The beautiful lobby usually features live music and the restaurant is the most elegant in the park. Lovely Lake Hotel was built in 1891 and is the oldest operating hotel in the park. We found a room for $365.  There are cheaper places to stay, including nearby Lake Cabins. 

An elk gives a bird a ride and a rest near our favorite Roosevelt Arch. 

ONE OF OUR favorite spots which we recommend in our Yellowstone Park vacation planning pointers is  that colorful exit through Mammoth and Gardiner where we always pose by the iconic Teddy Roosevelt Arch. This triumphal north entrance arch symbolizes to me the enduring aspect of the park, even with  Covid.   We also visit Grand Canyon's Artist Point view of the Lower Falls, always full of cars and campers, but we find fewer people at Lookout Point, a stunning vista of the falls, closer to Canyon Village with an active osprey family.  We enjoyed a hike into Fountain Pots near day's end, when crowds thinned.  Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to see the wonders,  including bison aplenty.

The park's Old Faithful geyser remains one of the most visited spots, although eruptions aren't as predictable as they once were. Still, it's a wonderful spectacle to observe and there are many more geysers to enjoy.

GUESTS ARE for the most part practicing physical distancing, but that's tough when people are eager to see the waterfalls, critters or geyser spoutings.

The park's management, Xanterra, has  implemented extreme hygiene protocol in the lobbies, at registration desks, counters and food areas.  We saw sanitizers all around, at check-in stations, reception areas, hotel lobbies, restaurant entrances, elevators and exercise areas. Hard surfaces and public spaces are cleaned twice as often, we were told by a reception worker.  Room cleaners at Lake Hotel spend particular time with high-touch areas.  Unlike past summer before the virus, it is possible to book a "short notice" room.   

CHECK WEBSITES though, because offerings are changing daily. As of this posting, select lodging is available at Old Faithful Inn, Canyon Lodge and Cabins, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Grant Village, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Old Faithful Cabins, Lake Cabins, and Mammoth Hot Springs. Gateway towns offer lodging, too, in West Yellowstone, Big Sky, Cooke City, Red Lodge, Livingston and more. Check usparklodging.com/yellowstone/ or hotels.com

The Sibelius Monument in Helsinki honors the famous composer. Keller and Cookie enjoy the memorial.

UP NEXT: There are  plenty of places hurting from the decline of the travel industry. But Scandinavia is opening up and Finland will begin admitting foreign travelers again next week. Many restrictions are removed or lessened. With that good news, we take you to Helsinki, Finland’s southern capital. A highlight for us is the Sibelius Monument, honoring the great composer. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for a fresh look at travel, nature, family and the arts: whereiscookie.com