2 or 3 days in Yellowstone National Park

I have 2 or 3 days to spend in Yellowstone this summer, what do I have to see ?

Many thanks in advance. Philippe.

2 or 3 days in Yellowstone National Park

You would want to do the Grand Loop of YNP to include Old Faithful, Mammoth, and Yellowstone Lake. I would also make a trip out to the NE entrance of the park.

2 or 3 days in Yellowstone National Park

If you follow the figure 8 route, the main road, throughout the park, you will see/observe most of the highlights unless you hike. Bring binoculars. Three days is better than two if you have the time and the inclination to do some serious wildlife watching and more. You will get a very good park map at the park entrance. You must try for reservations right now; Xanterra.com is the licensee for park accommodations. If nothing available on the web, keep trying using their toll free number; something usually turns up.

Go for 3 days if you can at all.

Rather they retype it all here, I%26#39;ll give the link to our website. It has trip reports, pictures with comments, planning information and a map that will show you what the various areas of the park look like.

http://www.AlandSueJohnson.com

Yellowstone links in the text and to the left.

Accomodations in the park will be a problem. You should start working on them now.

If you only have two days, you may have to make some conscious decisions about what to skip. In three days (first trip) we felt like we saw it all even though we knew better.

You should see

Hayden Valley for wildlife

Upper and Lower falls because they%26#39;re cool

Old Faithful

Upper Geyser Basin

Lamar Valley

Anything else that grabs your attention while there or driving around.

Great advices, but it would help if you tell us your itinerary. Where are you coming from and were are you going before/after visiting Yellowstone (and Grand Teton NP).

I will arrive to Yellowstone from Missoula (after visiting Glacier national park). Afet visiting Yellowstone I will go to Gran Teton (2 nights) and after I%26#39;ll go to Salt lake city.

3 days Yellowstone and 1 day GTNP on a first visit were perfect to us.

Unfortunately it will be a 2 full days in Yellowstone, so I have additional questions :

Do we have to hike to visit upper and lower falls ?

Same question for Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin ?

I like hiking but we have no so much time ...

Many thks

Philippe

Do we have to hike to visit upper and lower falls ?

No. You can see both quite well from the overlooks. You can hike down to them, if you wish.

Same question for Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin ?

No. You can sit at benches, next to the parking lot, about 200 feet from OF. You should walk, not hike, the UGB; it%26#39;s instructive and elevated on a boardwalk.

In fact, most of the geyser activity throughout the park is available through walking trails, nothing I%26#39;d call a hike. Well worth doing at the various locations.

If you have time for a hike, Mt. Washburn would be fun, and you might see wildlife in addition to the scenery.

Much of the wildlife can be seen from roadside and viewpoints.

Also, summer days are long, so if you have only two days, I%26#39;d make the most of them with early rising to see the wildlife, geysers in various locations mid day, then the wildlife again, evenings. The park is very large, so take your time and enjoy it. As noted by Tet, if you could squeeze the extra day, a 3rd day, strongly advise that.

Walk is more appropriate, sorry for my bad english ;o)

So if, from the grand loop road, we can see a lot of interesting things,without walking to much, it is nice.