This trail still exists, except it stops where the steps once existed. So it's a very steep trail,…read morea lot of switchbacks, leading to the top of the falls. Even without the stairs, it's quite a significant climb back to the parking lot so if you're not in good condition, don't attempt!

August 2022 Update: when my fiancé and I went, two rangers informed us that they are officially…read morePERMANENTLY closing this trail. They went down to take out the sign and will not be allowing anyone to go through the stairs. They said it is too expensive to fix and costs millions of dollars with the rescues, especially with the amount of money they are spending to fix the roads from the flooding. Obviously really sad but Uncle Tom's trail is no more :(

O give me a home Where the buffalo roam…read moreAnd the sky is not cloudy all day! Home! Home on the range! This is it. This is the place that they're singing about- so many buffalo! This valley is a total change in environment from the rest of the Yellowstone National Park. These lazily rolling hills seem like old floodplains of the Yellowstone River. Along this stretch of the river, fishing is limited, but it sure looks like there's good trout in all these waters. My favorite parts of Hayden Valley are the mud pits and mud pots, and the mud volcano. Here, they have a boardwalk that takes you on a short walk past violently gurgling and gushing mud pits, where the geothermal energy churns up mud violently, so it looks like a dragon is living in the muck under the surface. We saw so many buffalo here, just hanging out along the side of the road, in the fields, just chillin'. They cause traffic jams, so be prepared.

No wonder they call Lamar Valley, not Hayden Valley, America's Serengeti. There are a few bison…read moresitting beside the road, but not enough energetic ones for that road-crossing experience. Still a cool sighting nonetheless. They just lying there in the sun peacefully, watching drivers pass by. It's a pleasant drive between Mud Volcano and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone -- Lower Falls Do it in…read morethis order. Trust me. If Yellowstone had a crown jewel, this is it. We hit the Lower Falls from two different angles, and the order we did it made all the difference. Start at Artist Point. From here, you get the full picture -- the entire canyon stretching out in front of you, walls layered in pink, red, orange, and white from thousands of years of iron-stained rock. The waterfall sits in the distance like something out of a painting, and the river winds through the bottom of a canyon that drops 800 to 1,200 feet deep. It gives you the context to appreciate everything else you're about to see. Blue sky, puffy clouds, massive scale -- this view alone is worth the drive. Then hike down to the Brink of the Lower Falls. This is where it gets real. You're standing right at the top of a 308-foot drop, watching the full force of the Yellowstone River launch off the edge. In early May, snowmelt had it absolutely roaring -- thick mist rising up, patches of snow still clinging to the rocks below, and if the sun hits right, a rainbow forms right at the base. See the canyon first. Then feel the power up close. That's the move. Absolutely mandatory stop in Yellowstone -- don't skip either viewpoint.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - Lower Falls is one of the most breathtaking sights in all of…read moreYellowstone National Park, and honestly, one of the most impressive waterfalls in the United States. Dropping over 300 feet, it's nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls, and the sheer power and beauty of the water crashing down into the canyon is unforgettable. What makes it even more spectacular is the colorful canyon itself. The walls are streaked with yellows, reds, and oranges--caused by hydrothermal activity altering the rock over thousands of years--which is where Yellowstone gets its name. Pair that rainbow of rock with the thundering white water of the Lower Falls, and you've got a view that feels like it belongs on a postcard. There are multiple overlooks to see the falls, but Artist Point is the most famous and gives you that iconic panoramic view. Uncle Tom's Trail also takes you closer to the action but be ready for a steep climb back up--it's worth it for the experience. The Lower Falls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are absolute must-sees. No trip to Yellowstone is complete without standing here and taking in this awe-inspiring natural wonder. https://linktr.ee/reessroots

The hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook is amazing and totally worth it! It's not too…read moredifficult -- mostly a mix of flat surfaces with some slightly elevated areas, making it manageable for most people. Once you reach the viewpoint, the spot can get a little crowded, but the view is absolutely stunning and unforgettable. One small request to fellow visitors: please respect others and let everyone take pictures peacefully so everyone can enjoy the experience. Definitely a must-do hike if you're visiting Yellowstone!

The flagship of the Midway Geyser Basin! Ofc Yellowstone's must-see, the other being the OF geyser…read more + This boardwalk is the closest you can get to GPS, - but the view is too parallel; can't enjoy the spread of colors as in the photos' bird's eye view. Better view on Fairy Falls lookout though. -- Sooo crowded. Had to do 1-2 loops around the parking lot fighting for parking. And it's early morning in the middle of the week on a non-holiday! Don't even wanna imagine holiday/weekend traffic. - Few restrooms. ++ The fog from the Excelsior Geyser is mystifying. It covers your entire ambience as you walk along the boardwalk. *ominous*

We happened upon this overlook up the mountain. It was a nice panoramic view . We didnt do the…read morehike .. just drove and got out to look around on our way out of the park.

Mt. Washburn is one of the most popular hikes in Yellowstone National Park at 10,219 feet. It…read moreoffers panoramic views 20-50 miles in all direction -- really nice views of the Washburn range from up top. You climb about 1,393 feet. There is a Mt. Washburn sign at the top with the elevation and a fire lookout that has a small exhibit inside. Since it is pretty popular, I recommend hiking in the morning before 10am to avoid the crowds and get a parking spot! There are two ways to hike up to Mt.Washburn: 1) Chittenden Road: 5 miles roundtrip, roughly 2.5- 4 hours. The trail starts at the parking lot and is the shortest route up Mt. Washburn. The road provides a wide trail and a gradual steady incline. 2) Dunraven Pass: 6 miles roundtrip, roughly 3-6 hours. I heard this trail is steeper and more wooded and forest-like. Great views as you're ascending Washburn though. I personally hiked Washburn up the Chittenden Road and saw lots of ewes and lambs. It was a pretty easy hike since the incline was gradual. Beautiful views at the top! Make sure you stay on the trail for both paths to avoid destroying fragile alpine vegetation. There is a possibility to see grizzlies especially late summer and fall so remember to carry bear spray and make lots of noise! Stay 100 yards away from bears and wolves and 25 yards away from other animals in the park.

Biscuit Basin is Closed Due to a 2024 Hydrothermal Explosion! The parking lot, boardwalk, basin…read moreand Firehole River at Biscuit Basin, located north of Old Faithful, is closed to all travel until further notice due to the possibility of another event at this site.

This review is for Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek & Little Firehole Loop which was a ~3.5 miles round…read moretrip that took ~2 hours to complete. Trail begins along the flat boardwalks at the Biscuit Basin with a few smaller geysers and pools. This was where majority of the crowds were at. The dirt trail becomes narrow as you steadily hike towards the top and eventually loops down towards the waterfall. Stunning views of Mystic Falls and the surrounding areas of Yellowstone! Carry bear spray; the chances of encountering a bear is lower at popular trails but you never know. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/o2TcYheYtEk

Five stars - It's Yellowstone, how could I give it anything less?…read more I'll keep this simple. There are moments in this park that you will feel like you are on another planet. The geysers and the hot springs are surreal. My favorites spots were the Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Fountain and Artist Paint Pots. I saw elks, bison, grizzly bears, and a wolf. My recommendations are: visit during off season (if you can), book a guided tour if it is your first time in the park, and get the America the Beautiful Pass.

Pros: 1. The…read morelandscape is absolutely stunning. Anywhere you turn there's a picturesque shot waiting to be captured. 2. The park is huge and deserved to be explored through and through. 3. Watching animals in their natural habitats and not in an enclosure is magical. 4. All the Yellowstone rangers are super helpful and ready to help if you're lost and not sure how to get to your destination. Cons: 1. The biggest cons to Yellowstone and the reason why I can only give the park 3 stars instead of 4 are the parking nightmares and lack of bathrooms, especially in the high-profile attractions. There is just no excuse for that when there's plenty of space to build more parking lots and bathrooms. 2. Somewhat related to #1, because the roads only have one lane for each direction, traffic logjams often occur when long lines of cars are formed trying to get into a parking lot that's already full. And since there's only one lane, it's not really possible to go around them if you're just trying to go straight. 3. Food pretty mediocre and extremely overpriced.

Clepsydra Geyser FTW! At Yellowstone you'll see many perpetual fumaroles, sure. But perpetual…read moregeysers?? Try finding a tall one, ha! Well, Clepsydra's not *that* tall, but its height remains admirable, and hey, perpetual. + Spouting 40' behind the 3' Spasm Geyser. + Not so crowded. . Located in Lower Geyser Basin (5min 2mi north of Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic Spring)). + This trail is one of the shorter boardwalks of Yellowstone. A quick and easy visit.

Amazing mudpot which is an acidic hot spring with a limited water supply. Acid from the volcanic…read moregases and microorganisms decompose the surrounding rock into clay and mud. Mud pot, consistency, and activity vary with the seasons and precipitation.

Snow and blue skies. 70-80F tomorrow. A stunning place…read more A stop on our adventures in the region. Mark & Nancy.

+ Nice that there are multiple entrances to view this natural masterpiece. I went the North Rim…read moreside. - Crowded yet ample parking. And crowded trails. + Rainbow! Rarely do you get to view downward on one. Can you make out where it starts and ends? Tryna find that pot of gold. + The sounds and feel of the roaring, gushing rapids, the wind in the trees, and the sights of dazzling emerald of the water through and over the waterfall exude an elating, invigorating feel.

Madison Junction is a mountainous part of Yellowstone, on the west side of the park, just within…read morethe west entrance. It's the confluence of the Madison and Gibbon Rivers, where they go from snow melt and hot springs through the park, to ultimately merge into the Yellowstone River. This area is full of wildlife- including the great American Bison! They're out here in numbers. There's so many of them. Fortunately, there's lots of pull off opportunities to get a good gander at the bison without jeopardizing the traffic. Madison offers a smaller visitors center, but the real visitors center is in West Yellowstone. Madison Junction has become one of the more major entrances to the park since the floods washed out the roads from the North Entrance. The campgrounds here looked nice, lots of shade.

My favorite part of the park I start at the west entrance and travel to the Madison junction and…read moreback to entrance I see almost every animal in the park beautiful area