I was not sure about coming all the way out here because my original itinerary had me taking the…read moreroad on the other side of the park. However, I fortunately was informed by rangers that Bunsen peak (close to mammoth springs) was a better choice than the original trails I was gonna check out (they were still covered in snow!), so I came here because it's just minutes away from the Bunsen peak trailhead. I'm so glad I did! The formations of the hot spring are SO interesting, one of the coolest areas in the park in my opinion. The colors are lovely, and the path is very accessible (it's a big wooden boardwalk, like how the thumb geyser basin area is). There are a number of steps but parts of the path are flat/wheelchair accessible. There is sporadic parking throughout, and a lot of turnover so I got a spot reasonably easy. There are maps posted all throughout the area so you can walk the whole thing and not get lost. Overall, I would highly rec a visit to this area for anyone visiting Yellowstone, it's really cool and I've not seen any other natural springs before that are quite like it. 10/10!!!

# WARNING: lotta snakes at this section of Yellowstone. And temperamental geothermal ground. Stay…read moreon the boardwalk. Keep your eyes peeled. + Thank goodness for sufficient well-maintained restrooms. ~ Initially when I saw over 5 ppl lined up at the single vault toilet at the Upper Terrace Lot (X77R+PP Mammoth, WY), my heart sank. Since I really needed to go, I drove 5min farther north to MHS' other bigger parking lot, and huzzah! Enough restrooms to go around for everyone! (X7FW+X7 Mammoth, WY). + And about the bullsnakes or gopher snakes fighting, I'm glad they were doing it on the thermal ground, not on the boardwalk. Don't bring your pets, and watch your kids. Pets have died wandering off the boardwalk, and humans have suffered 90%-body severe burns following suit. Lotta aptly named palette springs here. Nature is wondrous!

If you're coming into Yellowstone through the North entrance, definitely make a stop here and check…read moreout the hot spring terraces. The limestone rock formations and water features are very cool. The trail isn't overly long so you can make the full loop in about an hour or so (two if you're a slow walker or likes to stop a lot for photos). Parking can be a challenge, like most other popular spots at Yellowstone, but just be patient and eventually you'll find a spot.

We followed the boardwalk along the terraces. The interactions of water and limestone create chalk…read morewhite travertine. These terraces are the fastest changing features in the park, emerging quickly and drying up just as fast. It looks like we are on another planet here.

If your visiting West Yellowstone it's a must see if your interested in the local history or the…read morehistory of the park. Lots to see but it's not an all day affair

This is a small but, very informative museum about the history and events that makes up…read moreYellowstone. There are artifacts. There are 3 videos in separate areas about the fires of 1988, the earthquake of 1959 and the changes brought about by the addition of hotels and the automobile. There is also a small gift shop. Worth a stop.

+ 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.

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

If you have time stop in at the historic center and see all the the exhibits and historical info…read moreit's $10 a ticket for 2 days Well worth the stop

At the Yellowstone Historic Center has bunch of train artifacts from the old days of trains that…read morecome through Yellowstone National Park. They have three stage coaches on display next to the front door of the entrance and exit door. Also there is a fee to enter the establishment which is not bad. Once you get in you'll see some artifacts from the conductors and operators of the trains that came through. Also some clothing display and items from what was use on the trains and etc. Also they do have a theater inside which has some seating as well. If you want to learn about the historic trains come here.

In between treks into Yellowstone National Park, we took some of the kids to the Grizzlies & Wolf…read moreDiscovery Center, on Canyon Rd just south of the west entrance to the park. It began as a refuge so save several bears and wolves who had to be removed from the wild. Now it also includes otters, ground squirrels, and birds of prey. We observed each in designated habitats. The otters had a pond and tank to swim in. Fake logs gave the squirrels and maybe a groundhog some shelter and activity. We came back twice more, learning to make reservations for the kids to help feed the bears. When the bears were closed off, the kids got to hide food for them under rocks and logs, while a large flock of ravens hunted for anything left-uncovered by the kids or the bears. We saw an owl and a pair of eagles. It was fun! We visited here three times in a week! And they let people use the same tickets two days in a row :-)

We found this spot as a point of interest during our trip to Yellowstone, so we decided to stop in…read moreafter having lunch! - PARKING - HUGE parking lot - definitely no worry about finding a spot here! - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - When you walk in, you'll see all the pricing and available ticket options on the board above the front desk. We had a party of 12 but luckily we were able to walk in after purchasing our individual tickets. Note they also do AAA and student rates here! - EXPERIENCE - Its not the biggest center but decent enough sized that we spent about an hour to an hour and half here. There's a large bear compound in the center and they do feedings - check out the schedule board so you don't miss it! My next favorite area were the ground squirrels - how adorable!!! I do wish there were more otters to see, but only one was really active and swimming around. - OVERALL - A cool spot if you're driving by Yellowstone and want to support this center!

Bunsen peak is a lovely hike that I would consider to be moderate. I received the rec to do this…read morehike from a ranger at the station near West Geyser after I'd asked about Mount Washburn trail and Avalanche peak (recs from a friend). The ranger told me that the peaks were actually still covered in snow (per cameras they have) and that the trails would be icy even though it was the end of May, so they wouldn't be recommended. But she said that Bunsen offers a lovely landscape peak at the top and had almost no snow at all so it would be a good option. I'm glad I went! The trailhead has a small parking lot, there were a couple spots available when I came around 10am. It took me about an hour to go up the trail to the peak, and I did encounter some snow and slippery areas because of how steep they were near the peak, but it was navigable with just my hiking boots (I didn't have chains or crampons on). The view at the top was totally worth it, it was just stunning! You get a 360 view depending on where you're standing, and the weather was excellent too - clear skies with just a few clouds and a cool breeze but it isn't cold since you're moving around. Was a great place to stop for a snack, and I actually had 2-3 bars of signal so I FaceTimed my mom to show her the view. Would rec this trail to anyone visiting Yellowstone who wants a moderate hike with a gorgeous sweeping view of the park, including all the way into mammoth lake area and Montana!

Remember the old days in high school where you got to use a Bunsen Burner in science lab? Well this…read morepeak is named after the guy who invented it - German chemist Robert Bunsen. He was responsible for early work on volcanic geyser theories and got a mountain named after him for it. When I visited Yellowstone, my goal was to do a hike everyday. This one was probably my favorite. It's relatively short and gives you amazing panoramic views. The hike to Bunsen Peak summit is 2.1 miles (4.2 miles roundtrip). You can get there and back in 3-4 hrs. But you don't have to go all the way to the top to get great views. You can see Mammoth Hot Springs in the far distance within the first hour of the hike. The beginning part of the hike is filled with a lot of trees until you make a turn at Cathedral Rock. Then you hit a lot of switchbacks until you get to the top. You can continue on to Osprey Falls from the summit if you want to make your day a little longer. Parking for Bunsen Peak is right off Grand Loop Road. The lot is pretty small and fills up quick. There is another parking lot across the street and down the road a little bit if you don't mind the short walk. This hike was a lot of fun! I highly recommend you fit it in your day if you are visiting Yellowstone.

Good educational exhibits. A few souvenirs…read more I admit we read every descriptive sign we came across at scenic locations. The Albright Visitors Center was the first exhibit we went into on its own. We loved the many educational and descriptive and historical displays. We liked being up close with representations of wildlife that we didn't encounter in person. I liked the comparative paw print exhibit! The A/C and restroom were nice, too :-) (Jul 2026)

This is the main visitor center in the mammoth hot springs area. It's VERY big, they have lots of…read morestaff, bathroom, fill stations, a gift shop, big parking lot, and good-sized educational area downstairs. They do a great job keeping it clean and it's in a little community with restaurants and an ice cream shop. Great stop if you're near or passing through mammoth hot springs area!

55 million year old petrified tree…read more I've always been fascinated by petrified wood! There's about 30 petrified trees still-standing in the forests in these hills, and another 10 or so on the forest floor, of around 800 trees of over 30-species throughout the Park. Near here is the home of the largest petrified forest in the world! To get to this site, we took a southwest turn for a quarter-mile, off of Grand Loop, Road, about 1.25 miles north of Tower Junction. The sign for the turn is small and would be easy to miss. This petrified tree is a 20-ft-tall more-or-less-50-million-year-old stone sequoia-redwood-relative. There used to be three trees right at this location, which is why this one was fenced to help preserve it. (Jul 2026)

Yeup, believe it or not, we're still in Yellowstone. Who'da expected to encounter petrification way…read moreout here? Of course, the lahar! (Ancient volcanic mudflow and ash.) I understand the temptation to collect some exotic heirlooms, but for the sake of the sanctity of this old Earth, please don't. The other 2 trees were vanquished because of that. Now, only 1 left... - Not much else here. No restrooms. . Little shade. + Peaceful lil pit stop on the way to the Serengeti of North America.