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Archive for the ‘Yellowstone Activities’ Category

Explore Yellowstone: an Educational Experience for the Whole Family

01 Jun

Yellowstone National Park is not just a fun, entertaining destination for tourists. There is a wealth of history associated with this natural wonder. For instance, the area we now know as Yellowstone National Park was home to many tribes of American Indians for over 11,000 years.Researchers have surveyed more than a thousand archaeological sites.

In the surrounding community of West Yellowstone you will find several amazing museums with priceless Indian artifacts. You can read all about the history of the land itself and the people who dwelt there over the centuries such as the Crow and Blackfoot Indians. West Yellowstone also has great shopping and restaurants.

The well-lovedGrizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is open every day for live viewings of wolves and grizzly bears. They also offer IMAX programs about nature all shown on a six-story IMAX screen. Your family will never forget this little side adventure.

The lush green forests that surround West Yellowstone are teeming with so many amazing animals like foxes, wolves, bison, moose and elk. In the springtime visitors can often view baby bison just born. These types of first hand experiences can give your children a lifelong thirst for knowledge and a deep appreciation for nature.

In and around the park you will also see hundreds of species of birds, fish and mammals, some of which are endangered. The things your family will learn while exploring Yellowstone National Park are priceless and these are the types of memories most children hold onto for years to come.

Part of your treasured journey into the beauty and majesty of Yellowstone involves where you stay. Staying at a chain hotel doesn’t really give you the flavor of the wilderness adventure. Many tourists have found that in order to become one with the great outdoors it helps to stay in a rustic cabin on Lake Hebgen. From that vantage point, you can easily view the Hebgen Mountains or walk to the lake for a day of picnicking.

You are right in the thick of all that is Yellowstone National Park when you stay at Yellowstone Holiday. We offer cozy cabins that will sleep from 4 to 7 people and 36 big-rig RV sites for campers. You can relax on your front porch with a cup of coffee and breathe in the fresh morning air that drifts in from the nearby mountains.

Hebgen Lake Marina is just down the road, plus Yellowstone Holiday provides its own marina and boat dock. At our General Store, you can pick up some supplies for your fishing trip or picnic. Fishing at Hebgen Lake is always spectacular and the lake is full of rainbow and brown trout.

The great thing about staying at Yellowstone Holiday is that it is in between the west entrance to Yellowstone Park and the town of West Yellowstone. That makes it the perfect location. Whether you want to spend the day shopping for souvenirs in town or trekking around the park in search of ancient Indian relics, your Yellowstone cabin will be close by.

Though Yellowstone Park accommodations abound, the more rustic cabins such as Yellowstone Holiday are the most popular, so it’s important to book ahead. July is the busiest time of the year but all of the summer months are perfect for exploring the beauty and wonder of Yellowstone National Park.

 
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Yellowstone National Park Offers Endless Fun Activities

29 May

Yellowstone National Parkconsists of approximately 3500 square miles of gorgeous terrain. In and around the park you will find hundreds of lakes, rivers, canyons and waterfalls. Yellowstone was the first national park to be established by the U.S. government in 1872.

One of the best known attractions is the Old Faithful Geyser. Old Faithful spews hundreds of gallons of boiling water into the air approximately every 91 minutes. Tourists travel from all over the world to view this natural phenomenon.

Yellowstone National Parkis located in Idaho, Wyoming,and Montana and is home to a wide range of animals including elk, wolves,grizzly bears and bison. For 11,000 years it was also home to many tribes of American Indians including the Shoshone.

All aroundYellowstone National Parkyou will findnumerous lodges, campgrounds and cabins. Thousands of tourists come to Yellowstone National Park every year to enjoy the lush green valleys, waterfalls and canyons found there. West Yellowstone fishing is said to be some of the best in the U.S.

In addition to Old Faithful, there are many other amazing natural wonders. For instance, Yellowstone is home to one of the world’s largest petrified forests. Also located there is Grand Prismatic Spring, which is the largest hot spring in America and third largest in the world.

The park experiences many small earthquakes throughout the year and over time, it has even experienced some larger earthquakes. In 1959, a 7.5 magnitude quake struck just outside the northwest boundary. This earthquake caused the dam at Hebgen Lake to collapse triggering a landslide which dammed the river, creating a new lake. That lake is now referred to as “Quake Lake.

Hebgen Lakeand Quake Lake are both popular places for fishing, boating and other water sports. Hebgen Lake Marina offers great fishing and boating recreational activities and cabins in West Yellowstone are plentiful. There are so many fun, adventurous activities in and around the park such as hiking, horseback riding and llama riding that you’ll hardly know where to begin.

Yellowstone Holiday is located just a few miles from the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park and offers rustic cabins where you and your family can relax and be comfortable but still experience all the beauty and grandeur of the amazing outdoors. Your Yellowstone Park vacation can include boating at Hebgen Lake or touring the many unique museums in the nearby town of West Yellowstone. The town also has many souvenir shops and wonderful places to eat.

July is the busiest month for Yellowstone National Park so it’s best to book ahead if you’re planning a vacation there soon. Yellowstone Holiday also offers barbecues, games and other fun outdoor activities to their guests. They are conveniently located just down the road from the town of West Yellowstone and just a few miles from the entrance to Yellowstone Park, so they’re right in the middle of all the action.

Enjoy the beauty of America this year. Visit Yellowstone National Park.Yellowstone Holiday offers affordable cabins with a long list of amenities. Call ahead for the best accommodations.

 
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Virginia City

14 Jul

In 1863, a travel party of six men settled for the night by a mountain stream. While they were there, they did some gold prospecting and found one of the richest gold deposits in North America. Word spread quickly and many gold hopefuls flocked to the area in hopes of striking it rich.

On June 16, 1863, a town was formed as an attempt to regulate individual’s claims to gold. The town was named Verina in honor of the only First Lady of the Confederacy, Varina Howell Davis. However, when the town’s name was registered, G. G. Bissell, a Connecticut judge, objected and had the name changed to Virginia City. This name change was ironic because Virginia split during the Civil War with West Virginia siding with the North and Virginia siding with the South.

Within a few weeks, Virginia City was a boomtown with thousands of citizens. With no law enforcement, the town was run by vigilantes. They created the secret motto 3-7-77. This motto was painted on tents and buildings as a warning for others to leave the area or face vigilant justice. What the motto means is still a mystery, though many theories exist. Some say it meant that the criminal had 3 hours 7 minutes and 77 seconds to leave the town. Others claim it represents the dimensions of a grave, 3 feet by 7 feet by 77 inches. Some believe it was borrowed from the California or Colorado Territory vigilance organizations, where members 3 and 77 were authorized to carry out executions. Though it remains a mystery, the Montana Highway Patrol and Montana Air National Guard wear this number on their uniforms today.

When it was founded, Virginia City was part of the Idaho Territory. When the Montana Territory was formed on May 26, 1984, Virginia City became part of it. The original capital of the Montana Territory was Bannack, but in 1865 with 10,000 citizens, Virginia City became the new capital. Virginia City continued to grow and develop, building its first public school in 1866.

Even with such rich gold deposits, Virginia City quickly became drained. It is estimated that $30 million worth of gold was mined in Virginia City in the first 3 years alone. As the gold became sparse, people left Virginia City as quickly as they had come. By the 1870’s, only a few hundred people remained, a shadow of the thousands that had once been there. Those that stayed in Virginia City did not have the money to update buildings, so the town retained the original architecture.

Charles and Sue Bovey bought Virginia City in the 1940’s. The buildings were falling in from lack of maintenance. They spent money to repair and restore the buildings and opened the area to tourism in the 1950’s. Today, about 130 people live in Virginia City and it remains a popular tourist attraction.

A visit to Virginia City provides a great look into the Gold Rush and life in the late 1800’s. The most popular tourist attractions in Virginia City are touring the ghost town and panning for gold. People roam the town dressed in period clothes to share information about life in Virginia City back in its hayday. In addition to touring the town, visitors can see a stage coach and a 1941 fire engine. A train runs between Virginia City and Nevada City, another popular gold town. There are also a lot of outdoors activities in the area, such as mountain biking, fishing, hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling.

 
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Yellowstone Gold & Gems

06 Jul

For quite some time the area surrounding Yellowstone Park has been a popular destination for gold mining.  The gold mining craze started in the 1800s with the highest number of strikes happening between the 1840s and the 1880s, especially in Montana.  The soil in the state was rich with gold and just about everyone was eager to get their hands on some.

There was an especially large boom in the early 1860s in Montana.  Gold was discovered in Bannack during 1862.  Just a year later in May of 1863, gold was discovered by prospectors along the Alder Gulch.  People began to flock to the site as news of the discovery spread.  The area soon became so popular that Virginia City was founded.  It was later discovered that the site in Virginia City was the most prolific placer gold strike in the Rocky Mountains region.  In fact, during the first three seasons following the discovery about 30 million dollars worth of gold was mined.

Despite the attraction of newer gold strikes in the area, mining fever remained strong in Virginia City until 1875.  A new enthusiasm for mining hit Virginia City in 1898 when dredge boats arrived.  The new method of mining proved to be useful, and millions of dollars of gold was found.  However, the method harmed the environment and destroyed some of the remaining gold rush cities, which eventually made it unpopular.  Dredging continued until the 1930s.  In 1942 all gold mining was officially stopped by the government due to the war.  Gold mining in the region continues today, but on a much smaller scale.

While the region is mainly known for its gold, it also has quite a few areas where gems are mined.  The most popular gem of the region is the sapphire, which is particularly abundant in Montana.  These sapphires are a little different from the stones in most jewelry.  They come in all different colors.  Corn flower blue, which is a sort of pale blue, is the signature sapphire color of the state.  Sapphires of this color are known throughout the world.  Sapphires of other colors are mined from the Rock Creek area, which is in Western Montana.  The sapphires from that region come in almost every color, but the most abundant colors are blues and blue greens.  A couple other gems of the region that are less known are amethysts and garnets.

Today there are places that invite visitors to step into history and try their hand at gold or gem mining.  Most of these places are privately operated and often charge a small fee for the experience.  It’s an exciting experience, and there’s always a chance that you’ll go home with a personal treasure.

Places to Try Gold Panning

Bannack State Park

The Bannack State Park offers gold panning for free!  An area in the park has large tubs filled with water and dirt from Grasshopper Creek where gold was originally discovered in 1862.  All the tools needed for gold panning in the tubs are provided by the park.  It’s a fun and educational experience for all ages.  The activity is offered during the summer months from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Kootenai National Forest

The Kootenai National Forest also offers a gold panning experience free of charge at the Libby Creek Recreational Gold Panning Area.  It is not directed like the gold panning at Bannack State Park; it’s more of an opportunity to try out gold panning on your own.  Only non motorized tools are allowed in the panning area.  These tools include pans, buckets, shovels, and picks.  If you intend to stay the night there is a camping ground one mile south of the panning area. Something to keep in mind when planning a trip to the gold panning area is that there are almost no facilities there.  The area has women’s and men’s outhouses and unpaved parking lots.

Alder Gulch Gold

Alder Gulch Gold is a great place for individuals or families to explore gold panning.  They offer demonstrations for anyone who wants a little instruction before diving in.  They provide the dirt, the equipment, and vials for any gold you find.  To get started you just have to purchase a bucket of dirt and begin searching through it.  They say that each bucket is about an hour of panning for four people.  Alder Gulch Gold is open from Memorial Day weekend until the weekend after Labor Day and is located in Virginia City, Montana.  It operates from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  All ages are welcome.

Gold Panning Adventures

Gold Panning Adventures is more of an all day commitment than most gold panning places.  The adventures are designed to teach those who have never done gold panning or who have very limited experience.  The day starts off with instruction from an experienced geologist.  The instruction session includes how to use all the equipment.  Then the group is taken out to practice panning.  The session lasts for about five hours and requires advance reservations.  This experience teaches participants more than the average gold panning place, but it is quite expensive and requires a 50% deposit ten days in advance.  Gold Panning Adventures is located near Helena, Montana.

Places to Hunt for Gems

The Sapphire Gallery

At The Sapphire Gallery visitors can purchase a bag of rocks to search through for sapphires and other gems.  They provide an area with equipment to properly sift through the rocks in the bag.  Any gems visitors find can be evaluated in the store to assess their quality.  Each bag costs $25.  The Sapphire Gallery is open year round and is located in Philipsburg, Montana.

Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine

The Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine takes sapphire gravel directly from the mine and sells it to visitors in buckets.  They sell several sizes of buckets at different prices.  Gem Mountain doesn’t guarantee that every visitor will find sapphires, but they say most people find at least one. The sapphires from the buckets vary in size, shape, color, and quality.  They supply all the tools and equipment needed to look through the sapphire gravel.  The Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine is open seven days a week from Memorial Day until the end of September and is located in Philipsburg, Montana.

Red Rock Mine and Garnet Gallery

The Red Rock Mine and Garnet Gallery has two mining options for visitors.  Like other gem mining places, they sell single buckets for visitors to sift through.  They also have large tanks set up where visitors can pan all day for a low price.  They supply all the tools needed for screening, no matter which option you choose.  The Red Rock Mine and Garnet Gallery is geared toward searching for garnets, rubies, and corundum.  They are open seven days a week from the beginning of May until the beginning of October.  Their hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.  They are located in Alder, Montana.

 
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Yellowstone Rafting

12 Jun

Yellowstone National Park is the heart of whitewater rafting adventure. This region has the most dramatic landscapes and picturesque views that can be seen nowhere else in the world. It is no doubt, that your vacation in Yellowstone won’t be complete without the fun and exhilaration of an excited rafting experience.

White water rafting is a popular outdoor sports activity. Rafting is an exciting aquatic adventure that can be enjoyed by people of all skill levels and age. This type of sport is generally seasonal, but in some areas white water rafting is available all year round. For this sport, specialized flexible rubber rafts are used. The rafts can accommodate a big number of people. Each rafter has a paddle that is used to guide the raft. The term ‘white rafting’ comes from the water turbulence. White water rapids have six speed levels. The first level is a slow moving that is safe for everyone and the sixth level can be used only by professionals. The rafters should have a professional training and a much better knowledge of their abilities. Classification levels from 1 to 3 are the most popular among tourists and are a perfect choice for beginners.

White water rafting consists of navigating down the river that can be either calm or turbulent, maneuvering between and around the rocks. You can choose a few hours’ trip or a long expedition. The latter usually combines white water rafting and camping.

History

Water rafting is one of the earliest forms of transportation. Historically, it was used for people, animals, and goods transportation. As a leisure activity, water rafting has become popular in the mid-1980s, when it was called “the mad river rafting”. The first ‘mad river’ trip was made by Breck O’Neill in 1977. His starting point was in the Grand Canyon and the finishing spot in Jackson, Wyoming.

The first raft was invented in the 1840s by Lt. John Fremont for military purposes. Furthermore, John D. Rockefeller built a raft resort and in 1972 rafting was included to the Olympic Games.

The most famous and legendary river in Yellowstone National Park is the Montana River. This river offers wild and amazing 3 and 4 levels of whitewater speed. This kind of rafting is very good for family adventures.

A few rules that will help you have a great whitewater rafting vacation:

  • Your clothes should be comfortable, the best choice is t-shirt, shorts and a pair of sandals. Don’t be afraid to get wet.
  • Don’t take an expensive camera. Pick up waterproof camera for making photos.
  • Remember that rafting is an outdoor sport and the combination of sun, water and wind can easily get you a sunburn. Don’t forget about good waterproof suncream.
  • Hire a guide. A good and experienced guide can tell you many interesting things as well as guide you through the wild water as well as give you the instructions on paddling to make your adventure easier. And if any need arise, all guides can give you the first aid.

There are a lot of rafting companies in the Yellowstone area. The most notable of them are:

  • Flying Pig Rafting Company. This company focuses on customer service and big groups. They offer long raft trips and horseback rides.
  • Wild West Rafting offers wild 3 and 4 classes of water rafting. The usual age of individuals ranges from 6 to 70. You can explore the beauty of Paradise Valley and get to know its history with experienced and attentive guides.
  • Montana Whitewater offers a great number of trips: half, full-day, overnight etc. This company is a good choice for family vacation and beginners. Montana Whitewater also offers other outdoor activities such as: horseback/rafting combination trips, kayak and sinner trips etc.
  • Mad River Boat Trips provides rafting services, including peaceful scenic floats down the calm areas of the river.
  • Yellowstone Raft Company is the most safe and fun resort. This company is the oldest company in Yellowstone National Park and its services include half or full-day water trips.

Caution: This type of sport is very dangerous and children under 90 pounds may not be able to participate in whitewater rafting.

In addition to white water rafting, other activities in Yellowstone area may include:

  • Horseback Riding (half, full-day or 2 hours rides in the wilderness. This is a great activity for those who love horses, but prefer to come back to their comfortable motel after the riding is over)
  • Pack Trips. There are several types of Pack Trips: for sightseeing, for photography, horseback riding, and fishing. These trips are very common in the summer months and can last as long as you wish.
  • Fishing. The oldest relaxing activity in Yellowstone. You can hear the sounds of the alpine waters and have a chance to get in touch with wildlife and watch deer, elk, bear, wolves, coyotes and more animal habitants of the national park.
  • Hunting (Helps you feel the nature and hunt a large game)
 
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Yellowstone Scenic Drives

04 Jun

Yellowstone became the first national park in the world in 1872. Teeming with wildlife and foliage, Yellowstone National Park is best known for its’ geothermal features, particularly Old Faithful, a cone geyser that erupts over 105 feet into the air every 65 minutes. But with so many great features, you don’t even have to get out of your car to enjoy them all! There are many scenic drives in the park and surrounding area that are simply breathtaking.

Once hailed as the “most beautiful drive in America” by journalist Charles Kuralt, Beartooth Highway is a 60 mile journey across alpine plateaus and near many alpine lakes. This drive was opened in 1936 and follows the Sheridan Trail of 1882. In addition to traveling through Yellowstone, Beartooth Highway also visits the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and has many great places for trout fishing, camping, and hiking. This road is closed by winter snows, so plan your trip between Memorial Day and mid-October.

Another great drive is to head from West Yellowstone to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In a two and a half hour drive, you will visit three states, cross the Continental Divide, see forests and farming valleys, and visit the Teton Range of Grand Teton National Park. There are many route options you can take with this drive, but regardless of what you choose, you won’t be disappointed. This drive ends in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a small town in a valley surrounded by mountains.

If you enjoy riding on gravel roads, Boulder River Road is a scenic drive consisting of paved and gravel roads near Yellowstone. Follow the Boulder River 50 miles straight into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness for great fishing and camping opportunities. Along the way, you also find waterfalls and great spots for wildlife viewing. This ride will also take you near the Gallatin National Forest and Big Timber Ranger District, both of which are excellent detours. This drive is closed in the winters due to the snow.

The drive from West Yellowstone to Bozeman is a scenic drive through a narrow mountain canyon. You will travel through a less visited part of Yellowstone to behold beauty that few venture out to see. During your trip, you will see the Gallatin River, Lee Metcalf Wilderness, petrified forest, and hot springs. If you’re the adventurous type, you might like to stop and try out whitewater  rafting or snowmobiling along the way. You will also pass by the Museum of the Rockies and Montana State University. Though this road may be more difficult to travel in the winter, it is open year round.

With so many beautiful things to see at Yellowstone National Park, almost any road has the potential to be a great scenic drive. If you want an adventure, just start driving and see where the road takes you and what you discover along the way. The less traveled an area is, the more likely you are to see wildlife and other unique features. Just make sure to have your GPS or map handy in case you get lost!

 
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Our Yellowstone Holiday Experience

28 May

The Morgan family who visited Yellowstone Holiday in the summer of 2009 described their experience below with some photos, videos, and suggestions for fun things to do while you stay at a RV site or cabin at Yellowstone Holiday:

The Cabins & Resort

We stayed in the Elk Haven cabin at Yellowstone Holiday which sleeps 7 adults. Two sleep in the main living area on a fold out futon couch then in the bedroom there are two bunk beds. One has a double occupancy on the bottom and the rest are single beds. Our son, Eli, was really excited to sleep on the top bunk. There are other two other cabin options that we saw there including the Bear Necessities and Moose Cottages. The Bear Necessities are small and basic but more accommodating than a tent and less expensive than the other cabins available at Yellowstone Holiday. The Moose Cottages are bigger than the Elk Haven cabins in length by about 25% but sleep 6 (one less than Elk Haven) and are duplexes with two cabins per unit. The Moose Cabins would be great if you go with family and need two cabins next to each other. They have a little store on the resort and it actually has a lot more things than I expected, more stuff than a gas station but obviously less than a full grocery store. You do need to bring your own sheets, pillows, bedding, blankets, etc. You will also need to bring your own cooking stuff, plates, flatware, etc. There is a mini-fridge, but it is a larger mini-fridge than most and can actually fit a good amount of food. There is hot water and a shower which is nice and a small table in the kitchen of the cabin. There are fire pits outside, about 1 per every two cabins so there is usually one available. They do stock the cabins with garbage bags, soap, and toilet paper. Overall they are very comfortable, affordable, and a great location right on the beach of Hebgen Lake.

Morgan Family at Yellowstone Holiday

Boating & Fishing

Upon arrival, our family was instantly taken by the size and grandeur of the Hebgen Lake. The lake was a lot larger than we had expected and our cabin was right on the shoreline. Several fire pits were a glow with large crackling fire and good smelling food. Our first morning at Yellowstone Holiday was peaceful and visually breath taking. My wife and I took a few minutes (while our children were still asleep) to sit on our front porch to watch the sun rise over the cloud covered lake. It was nothing short of majestic. In fact, my wife took several pictures to capture the moment.

During our stay at Yellowstone Holiday, my family took advantage of Hebgen Lake two afternoons in a row. The first experience we had on the lake was in a good sized (seats about five-people comfortably)fishing motor boat that we rented on location. it was very convenient for our family. The store, located on the grounds of Yellowstone Holiday, provided life jackets, seat cushions, oars and gasoline for our afternoon adventure. We packed lunches and snacks to munch on while we got a “fish-eye” view of the lake. Our boys, ages four and six-months, had a great time bouncing over the small wakes we had created from quick turns in our boat.

Our second afternoon spent on Hebgen Lake was with some of our extended family (two of my wife’s sisters’ and their families). We had six children total ranging from six-months to fourteen-years-old. This time, we did a lot more activities. We rotated taking the children out on the motor boat. We also had some of the more adventurous go out on the canoes and kayaks. We didn’t take out the paddle boats (because of time) but have that on our priority list for next time we visit. A handful of our family went fishing right in the middle of the lake (thanks to the motor boat). We were not expecting them to have any luck, since it was right in the middle of the day, but to the children’s delight (and adults;)) they had caught a 15″ Rainbow Trout.

In the evenings, we had fun looking-at and catching several crawfish. In fact, if you ask the kids and my wife, catching crawfish was one of the big highlights of our vacation.

Yellowstone National Park & Wildlife

Yellowstone National Park was the major highlight of our vacation. Located just fifteen minutes away, we were able to conveniently travel to and from the park as we wished. Having two small children and a couple days of stormy weather made this 15-minute commute very much appreciated. Anyone that has not been to Yellowstone needs to go and those who have gone always yearn to go back. This is actually our family’s second time visiting Yellowstone National Park. Even though four-years have passed, our happy memories of Yellowstone was not tainted only rekindled. We were fortunate enough to view many animals right in their natural habitat. To name a few, we saw: individual and herds of buffalo and elk (in fact, we had a few buffalo walk right out on the road next to our car), deer, a baby black bear, a bald eagle, mountain goats, longhorn sheep, and big fat squirrels. Besides the wonder of wildlife, we enjoyed the many natural geological wonders that Yellowstone had to offer. My wife tells me that Yellowstone is unique because it has everything (geysers, canyons, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, mountains, plains, wildlife, etc.).

Our family liked dining and window shopping around the small town of West Yellowstone. The whole town caters to the needs of the tourists and it was great addition to our overall Yellowstone experience.

Mining Town / Ghost Town

My favorite part of the trip was visiting Virginia City.It is about an hour-drive from Yellowstone Holiday. It you are debating taking the drive out, let me tell you, it is worth your time. Virginia City is an old mining town that is now a thriving ghost town. The old buildings (most original) housed many shops, restaurants, and exhibits. Almost every building has a plaque located outside its front door with dates and descriptions of all who have lived or worked within its walls. Our family had a portable map (offered to all visiting tourists in each building) that we used to navigate where we went. The rich history of Virginia City was interesting and respected. My wife and children loved visiting two cemeteries that is home to many of Virginia City’s original residents.

Just outside of the city (about a 10-15 minute drive), we let our children pan for gold and garnet (January’s birthstone). The fee was nominal and worth the unique experience.

 
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What to do in Yellowstone

12 Apr

Outside Yellowstone Guide

If you think a Yellowstone National Park family holiday is just a boring camping trip, think again.  Yellowstone is full of exciting things to do and experience.  Why stand in line at an overpriced theme park when you and your family can experience:

  • Visit the famous landmarks, Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs
    • A trip to Yellowstone National Park wouldn’t be complete without witnessing the natural wonders of these attractions.  Old Faithful erupts just about every hour.
  • Extensive bird watching
    • Even if you aren’t a bird watching enthusiast, with all of the interesting species seen only this region, this can be an exciting activity for anyone.  Keep your distance and enjoy the sight of these majestic animals.
  • Wildlife spotting: elk, moose, bighorn sheep, bison, bears, wolves
    • Best done in the very early morning are just around dusk, wildlife spotting is something you’d have to try very hard to not do even accidentally while on your Yellowstone vacation.  Be sensible and careful, though, and keep in mind the park regulations of maintaining 100 yards’ distance from bears, and 25 yards’ from all other large animals.
  • If during the winter, take a snowmobile or cross-country ski
    • There is limited accessibility to the park during the winter season, and for good reason: temperatures and weather conditions in Yellowstone during this time can be very severe.  However, if you and your family are properly prepared, you can enjoy some great winter activities in the park.  Make sure you’re dressed in plenty of layers, and keep in mind that even though it’s freezing cold, you can still get a sunburn from the reflection of the sun on the snow.
  • Ride horses, bicycle, or hike to geysers, rivers, waterfalls, and forests

  • Check out geothermal phenomena and volcanic formations
    • These spots are unlike any you’ll find anywhere else.  Be sure to see the Chromatic Spring, a brilliant body of water with shifting, bright, metallic colors formed by algae blooms and thermal conditions.  Photos of this spot are almost always accused of being processed to fake the vibrant colors that can be seen here, so be sure to see it for yourself.
  • Extensive fly fishing
    • There are virtually limitless opportunities for some great days of fishing in Yellowstone National Park, and plenty of guided tours offered for the novice or expert.

  • Take a Yellowstone Canyon Tour
    • Check out the ancient caverns and formations that are the result of volcanic eruptions hundreds of thousands of years ago.  The Yellowstone Canyon was formed as a result of these volcanic eruptions, glacial melting, and erosion over the years.  There are several tours that will take you through these areas for a great day trip.
 
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Yellowstone Area Guide

30 Mar

Each year more than three million people from all over the world travel to Yellowstone National Park. The park is situated in the north west of Wyoming and borders with the Montana and Idaho states. What makes Yellowstone a great vacation destination is its geothermal features, that no other place on earth has in such a cohesive piece of land. Old Faithful and Mammoth hot springs have long become visitors’ favorites and the gushing geysers, crystal clear lakes and rivers, cascading waterfalls, amazing mud-pots, wonderful meadows and lush forests make Yellowstone National Park a genuine gem full of scenic wonders.

Most people visit the park in the summer, when the days are long, the air is warm, and the roads are clear from snow or mud. But there is around 100,000 travelers that prefer to travel in the winter months. Yellowstone National Park has something to offer its visitors at any season.

The area near and around Yellowstone offers perfect travel opportunities around each corner. You can go into wildlife watching, follow hiking trails, take whitewater raft trips, ride horseback and more. With so many fun adventures, you will always have what to do.

Yellowstone Wildlife Watching

Besides its amazing natural beauty and near its every major attraction, Yellowstone has lots to offer, including bird watching (you can wath bald eagle, cranes, ducks, and more) and animal watching (just amagine your encounter with grizzly bears, elk, bison, mountain lion, wolves, bighorn sheep, etc.)

Winter Trips in Yellowstone

During the winter months, some of the parts in Yellowstone National Park are closed for visiting, but the park is still available for adventurous travelers wishing to have an unforgetable winter vacation experience. Over the last few years, snowmobile trips became increasingly popular and provide a unique opportunity to see the park’s wildlife in winter splendor.

Any month is good for snowmobile trips, though the largest number of visitors come in February. If you are keen in wolf viewing, come to visit Yellowstone in October through early May. This is the time when these animals are most active.

Yellowstone in Summer

Yellowstone offers multiple opportunities for those visiting the park in the summer months. You can choose from fishing, boating, rafting, hiking, bicycling, or horseback riding. At night, watch starry skies on your Yellowstone camping adventure.

Outside Yellowstone: The Grand Tetons

Once your Yellowstone exploration is over, visit Grand Teton National Park. With its breathtaking mountains, wilderness areas, amazing meadows and forests, visitors can find perfect access to camping, scenic views of the Teton Mountain Range, and experience a remarkable and unforgetable adventure. Here, you can float the Snake River, take an adventurous white water rafting trip, or travel through Targhee Pass to see what Idaho has to offer.

Best Time to travel in and around Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park and its whereabouts are accessible all year round, but there are three months during the year that are more or less popular – May, June, and October.

May is the time when you can view newborn bison calves (elk have calves later in June), sandhill cranes, bald eagles, trumpeter swans and other birds. In May wolves and bears can be more frequently seen and there is little traffic in this month, which makes May one of the best months to visit the park. What you should notice is that most visitor services such as gas, food, lodging near Yellowstone National Park are still closed in May and it can be cold and wet at times.

The last week of June is the most crowded period, but the traffic has not been very bad, though such major attractions as Old Faithful, Yellowstone Canyon, etc. has experienced lots of tourists traffic for the past few years.

Go to visit the Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon in October, when photographing is best and shading is perfect. The traffic is unloaded and this is the time when the elk mating season comes to an end, but you can still hear bull elk bugling. When you visit hot springs in October, the combination of extra steam and hot air makes for some great photo opportunities. Forests are all great with the fall colors on the leaves. The only drawback of visiting Yellowstone in October is that services are closing, and it can snow.

Anyway, no matter what season you are visiting Yellowstone National Park and its surroundings, this is an untimate travel destination that has so many options for any month of the year. So be prepared for an unforgettable adventure!

 
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