Plan your Yellowstone National Park Trip

Research and Planning... this is where it all begins. People are always asking where to stay, what to see, how long, where to fly.

How Many Days Do You Need in Yellowstone National Park? You should plan to spend at least 2 to 3 days in Yellowstone National Park. Two days gives you enough time to see the most popular destinations. Adding a third day gives you time to explore some less visited and off-the-beaten-path attractions. Or you can do a fourth day and divide the park up into quadrants. Many of my guests like to do this and find they are not rushed and each day they explore each area with time for stops and Bison traffic jams.

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My guests always ask what should I see and do, and what time. I always reply with what I like sunrise and sunset. Tour the in between times, but the animals love cool mornings and evenings, and it's worth the early morning yawns. Which is why we have a coffee pot and suggest you grab breakfast at the cabin, pack your lunch to avoid long lines and Hangry moments. We have a cooler for you to use just for this reason. I am a planner and I have kids so been there done that and learned the lesson so you don't have to. Some bucket list items:

See Old Faithful in the early morning or in the evening.
Visit Yellowstone Lake in the afternoon.
Take a hike.
Look for wildlife at the right times.
Explore Lamar Valley.
Stop at the Visitor Centers.
Look at the stars
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and take the hike
Gibbon Falls
Norris Geyser
Mammoth
Grand Prismatic Spring

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There are plenty more to add to this list and it is always hard to choose but this is what I tell my guests so they can catch some goods and no pass by.

Fly where?

The four best options are Bozeman, Cody, Jackson Hole, and Idaho Falls. These locations put you closest to Yellowstone. Sometimes you can get exceptional airfare to Billings or Pocatello that make the savings worth the added distance, though not often. I have a lot of guests from the East and South that find flying into Salt Lake City the easiest and cost effective. Bozeman offers some good deals if you catch it right. It comes down to personal preference and the flight options. Don't forget the rental car those get booked pretty fast. Make sure you let me know which direction you are coming from to offer the best area to stop to get your provisions!

Animal Activity?

Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. Mating usually takes place in July. Both female and male bears may have more than one mate during the summer.

What is the most common animal in Yellowstone?

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Elk. Elk are the most abundant large mammal found in Yellowstone.

What will you see coming into the West Gate?

Bison. Yellowstone preserves the most important bison herd in the United States. Learn more about the near extinction and recovery of these remarkable animals, how they make it through harsh winters, and what their survival says about our ability to share the landscape with another species. (nps.gov) Yellowstone is the only place in the United States where bison (Bison bison) have lived continuously since prehistoric times. Yellowstone bison are exceptional because they comprise the nation’s largest bison population on public land.

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Where to stay? The Bison Run Cabin, Island Park, close to Yellowstone and the West Gate Entrance. Book Now! This 3 bedroom 3 bath with a hot tub fits 8 people. Click here! Or find us on VRBO Link or Airbnb Link or Lodge Lovers Book

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Happy Travels,

BIson Run Cabin, Island Park Idaho, US close to Yellowstone National Park cabin

The Bison Run Cabin, Island Park, close to Yellowstone and the West Gate Entrance. Book Now! This 3 bedroom 3 bath with a hot tub fits 8 people. Click here!

Or find us on VRBO Link or Airbnb Link or Lodge Lovers Book

@bisonruncabin @lodgelovers @VRBO @yellowstonenationalpark #bisonruncabin #yellowstonenationalpark #familyvacation