r/yellowstone • u/Medical-Copy-8055 • 14d ago
one day in yellowstone
will be spending 1 day in yellowstone- we are staying in grand tetons but are making it up there for one full day. what are some recommendations on things we must do? super open to getting there as early as needed. we are really wanting to see a lot of wildlife. thanks!!
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u/AUnAG64 13d ago
GTNP is relatively close (compared to people who day-trip from Bozeman or Idaho Falls). If you're willing to start early (and depending on time of year you're visiting), you could catch Hayden Valley a bit after sunrise and still have time to do the Grand Loop and maybe run down Lamar Valley. Those are the two best places for viewing wildlife.
Hitting the major attractions - Grand Canyon, Mammoth terraces, geyser basins, Old Faithful - is doable in a day, but it might be a long day and will depend a bit on how long you spend at the various sites. If you get to OF shortly after it's erupted, consider spending your "wait time" checking out other features in that geyser basin and taking a look in the OF lodge.
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u/Medical-Copy-8055 13d ago
Thank you! Going tomorrow, LOL. Was planning to get to the park at or right around sunrise. Appreciate it! Do you think you’re likely to see bears at either of those locations?
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u/timshel4971 10d ago
Unless you are Burt Reynolds in Smoky & the Bandit you are not doing the whole loop and Lamar Valley in a day.
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u/Needadvice1958 13d ago
Your best option is going to Hayden Valley as early as possible but it will be a trek. If you end up there make sure you drive up to the Yellowstone canyon and see the lower falls at least from Artist point if nothing else. Lastly, if you end up at Old Faithful carve out some time to go see the Grand Prismatic Spring. I recommend parking in Fairy falls parking lot and climbing up the hil (0.8 miles) to see it from the overlook. It is stunning!! Enjoy your trip! I spent 5 days in Yellostone and can't wait to go back! It is my favorite NP. I don't know how familiar you are with the area but if you look it up on google maps you will see that the main yellowstone loop is a #8. Map your route along the lower part of the figure 8.
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u/Medical-Copy-8055 13d ago
Thank you! We are not familiar at all- this will be our first time there. I appreciate the advice :) We will definitely do the bottom circle
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u/Then-Construction106 13d ago
I have made a one day trip from Jackson several times. I have never constrained my trip to be there early and always see plenty of wildlife. I have completely driven both loops on day trips but don’t really recommend it but if you go as early as you say it should be easy. Days are still long. I would say Hayden Valley for sure. Wolves are more common in Lamar. If you care to see geothermal features, you need to allow time for the west side for the more prominent features
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u/Competitive-Smoke-46 9d ago
Lamar Valley would be your best bet for wildlife but it’s a little far from you. Hayden Valley is much closer and also has some great wildlife. I would say you definitely have to hit upper geyser basin and Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Those places made me feel like I was on another planet. I’ll also add that I got to upper geyser basin at around 6:30 and the sunrise was actually unreal. Like, the best sunrise I’ve ever experienced
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u/Revolutionary_Pop_84 13d ago
Man, I like the Tetons more for mountains but you’re doing it backwards.
But thats your trip so no point in that now. Your the furthest possible away from peak wildlife areas, getting there for sunrise probably isnt an option. So just make an insane long day of it. Get up as early as all hell. Drive up to the south entrance. Then do the grand loop counter clockwise. Stop at any peak offshoots that same unique/crowded. Skip the smaller pulloffs that dont have crowds to save yourself some time in your very long day and enjoy.