Best things to do/see in West Yellowstone

[Cudedog]

Thanks to all who posted on my "Must Haves" list. Very much appreciated. Am going through the posts now, and adding items to my "To get/to do" list.

Really looking forward to my trip to Yellowstone/Craters of the Moon in a month or so. Due to the many recommendations posted on the Forum, I have booked a space for several days at GrizzlyRV in West Yellowstone.

I have never been to Yellowstone, but have wanted to go all of my life. Since I will have my dog with me, my ability to get out and go on some hikes will be very limited. But. What are the best areas to drive to/through to see the sights in Yellowstone?

I am looking forward (of course!) to seeing the animals, but my primary interest is in the geology (volcanism) of the place.

What is there to see and do in West Yellowstone? I hope to spend my days driving around the park, and my evenings at GrizzlyRV.

What should be on my "To Do" list? Please, everyone, chime in!

Thanks!!

Anne

[Cudedog]

What about bear spray? Should I have some on hand?

[JudyJB]

Wash your camper. One of few campgrounds that lets you do that.

And walk into town for huckleberry ice cream at outdoor shop on the corner on the main road. In fact do this at once each day you are there!!

Visit Grizzley center. No dogs but can he stay in camper for an hour??

[Colliemom]

As I mentioned once before, break Yellowstone into sections. I stayed at Grizzly for a week. First day in the park from West Yellowstone, I took in the scenery along the Madison River which you will parallel on the way. Keep an eye out for Bison herds grazing in the open areas by the river and there were all kinds of birds too. There are places to stop and park and enjoy the scenery and dog can get out too. I took Molly with me all the time as I wasn’t staying an entire day in one place , plus it was comfortable temp wise for her to stay in my truck. I hit the Fountain Paint Pots, Celestial Pol, Midway Geyer Basin and Day led Faithful on my first day. Old Faithful will take time as it doesn’t erupt right on the hour. You may be close to an eruption or may just miss it and have to wait around. Times are posted. My second day I went to Gibbon Falls, The Norris Geyser basin area. Next day was across the park to the Grand Canyon Of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake and the Lahore Valley which is a prime wildlife area. Another day was to NE part of park, up Dunraven Pass and around back by way of Mammoth Hot Springs. I took one Day after I had been through the park and went back in to enjoy the Madison River valley one more time, the last day being the one to rest up, do laundry etc. I was out early in the a.m. and back to Grizzly by late afternoon. Took walks to West Yellowstone and had the Hucklebery Ice Cream Judy mentioned, plus also took n the Wolf/Grizzly center. You will be going at a busy time, roads will be crowded and traffic besides. Keep in mind, there are driving distances between all these places, so plan your day accordingly.There are not many places to park in some lots so be prepared to hike from up the road someplace to a geyser or something. I went in June and had some crowds, but not like mid summer. There’s some nice shops in West Yellowstone, so take some time to browse the town. Best of all, have fun.

[BarbaraRose]

There are two loops within Yellowstone Park. I did the lower loop in one day. Since my car was in the shop for 4+ days, I never had time to do the upper loop.

I saw a lot of West Yellowstone since I was stuck there with no car. Lots of cute little shops and restaurants. One place that had good food was the Slippery Otter. Besides the Wolf/Grizzly place (very small so won't take long to go thru that but worth seeing), there are great shows at the IMAX theater in town.

Oh yeah, also the drive around Earthquake Lake! That is a really nice interesting drive just west of West Yellowstone. Stop at the visitors center to learn about the earthquake that happened there, flooded a campground and created the lake.

[IrishIroamed]

Anne~
I was just at Craters of the Moon a little over a week ago. There isn't a campground there and dogs are not allowed on the trails, even tho some of them are paved.

[snowball]

you are towing your trailer with your van aren't you? So hopefully your dog will be comfortable for the short hikes you will want to do...going into the visitor centers over to see the falls which ever one it might be...most sites you have to walk a bit to get to except for Lamar valley and it's a driving route...might even see wolves on that one never have but they are in the area... Steamboat has erupted 3 times in the past few weeks which is amazing it's actually one of the tallest but not at all predictable
I second or is it third the huckleberry ice cream at that spot...yummy
going to the theaters is a good idea...they have different showings and have the chance of seeing different parts of the park that you won't be able to or at least that is the way it was a few years ago...
hope to see you while you are out here
do you plan on doing Grand Teton as well?
sheila

[JudyJB]

ACtually, I am planning to stay at Lava Flow Campground at Craters of the Moon: https://www.nps.gov/crmo/planyourvisit/camping.htm. It was closed a few years ago, but opened in 2016.

[gypsyrose1126]

Check out Lamar Valley early a.m. or at dusk for animal viewing. I was there very early and saw tons of animals. Watch out for the buffalo as they are all over! You are going to run into crowds so be prepared. I was there the end of June last year and towards the end of my stay the parking lots were full. The rivers and waterfalls are beautiful. Enjoy your trip.