- Take the scenic route if you can! We entered the Northeast Entrance of the park via the Beartooth Highway between Red Lodge and Cooke City. It takes longer, but every second is breathtaking and worth every second!
- If you think you might want to stop for supper, gas, etc. while you’re in town, do it. The places to stop once you’re in the park are few and far between.
- Pack a picnic lunch for the days you’re staying in the park all day.
- Take time to just view the wildlife. Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are known for their wildlife (although you could see wildlife anywhere). Take some time to just stop and watch! Try to plan some time around sunset and sunrise when you’re most likely to see animals. Bring binoculars so you can get an even better view!
- Find a beautiful place to watch the sunset. Then take your time driving the mountain roads in the dark!
- Check out the waterfalls. Some can be seen from an easy pullout right next to the road, and some require a hike. Take a look at the list of waterfalls before you go and pick the ones you think your group will be able to do!
- The park is really big, so take some time to try to see things that are near each other while you’re in each area.
- If a whole bunch of cars are pulled over in a random place, there is probably some sort of wildlife. (And quite possibly a bear!) Enjoy the view in these Yellowstone Traffic Jams.
- Try to go to the most popular destinations either early or later in the day. It can get crowded during the busy parts of the day. We tried to do some hikes and things that were a little less common during the peak hours.
- Bring bug spray and sunscreen!
- It takes about 2 hours to drive across the park. Windy roads and wildlife will slow you down.
- Download the National Park App and the Guide Along App before you get into the park for the maps and information. You won’t have phone service once you’re inside.
- Speaking of no phone service, if you’re traveling with a party in another car, bring walkie talkies!
- Have hand sanitizer on hand. There are lots of porta potties.
- Have bear spray on hand. We ordered some from Amazon, but you can also rent it from the ranger stations at the park. (The link is a paid affiliate link.)
- Dress in layers. We went in July, and it was sweatshirts in the morning, but shorts in the afternoon.
- Our must-sees: Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook and Fairy Falls, Mystic Falls, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Old Faithful, and the Lamar and Hayden Valleys at sunset/sunrise for the wildlife.
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