Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Yellowstone National Park Review

We went camping in September, with snow on the ground. Why? To avoid overcrowded roads and masses of people. It was great. If you have the right equipment, this is definitely the time of year to go. We were able to drive through the park with very few delays (the only ones were due to buffalo on the road). We were able to see all of the attractions we wanted to without having to push through crowds or be jostled about. There were still plenty of people around, but not an overabundance.
Now to detract a bit, over things the park honestly can't help. The weather was colder, so there was a lot of steam. Steam to the point where some of the main geysers and springs were not as visible as hoped due to being obscured by white billows of the stuff. I do plan on returning when the weather is more warm to hopefully get a few better views.

Yellowstone was absolutely amazing - a pure natural, unadulterated wonder of God's creation. The best way to experience it though is to camp there and go on the hikes - get away from the roads and the crowds to truly experience its wildness!

Best place to visit! I have been twice and wish to go more time. You will see so many animals. Take folding chairs and go off the paths and just sit, you will see wildlife. From bears to fox to wolfs and buffalo, you will see animals. Great place for the entire family.

The Grand Prismatic Springs were beautiful! A must-see if you're in Yellowstone.

Everything was amazing. Can't wait to return. So so satisfying.

The most amazing week of my life! Pictures and TV shows don't do this natural wonder justice. I saw, smelled, tasted and touched things I will remember for the rest of my life.

Pretty touristy, but perfectly wild in all the right ways. Recommend camping at a site if you're into that. Very beautiful. I don't need to tell you that. We drove 48 hours round trip to be there and it was every bit worth it

Simply amazing! Take your time and enjoy everything this beautiful park has to offer.

Wide open country! You can't drive anywhere in this park without send bison, elk, deer or foxes. Plus, the geological history is amazing and just as evident wherever you look.

The best National Park. Everything about the park is great. You get to see wildlife up close, but be careful they are wild animals. The staff at the park friendly and helpful. The rangers are knowledgeable. There isn't a bad spotin the whole park.
We camped in tents for 3 nights and had a great experience. I think if you follow the rules regarding food and bears you'll be fine, but be a good citizen and follow the rules in general and you'll have a great time too.

A busy park. We went last week before many families headed out for vacation. Enjoyed several days in Teton National Park first.

Make a reservation. If booked try again.

Very beautiful scenery. One thing to note. There was a lot more visible wildlife on the northern loop. A good camera is a must have as well as packed lunches so you can eat in the car and continue exploring the park. Fun fact the 35 dollar entrance fee gets you 7 days of park access.

Decent place to visit. Not as beautiful as I thought it would be.

Amazingly diverse landscape in the park. Lots of wildlife (especially in Lamar Valley). Take a spotting scope of you're in search of wolves or bear, you'll see bison & elk herds seemingly around every corner, so don't spend much time trying to see some far away. More Elk than people in Mammoth Falls. Guysers, etc are neat. One warning - The road by Mount Washburn is closed for a couple of years for construction & with it everything on that road is shut down. And for some reason that info is difficult to learn until you come to "road closed" signs.

I came to Yellowstone back in 1985 enjoyed it then came back and still enjoyed it. However I did note that Mammoth springs as well as a lot of the geysers down near where old faithful is are no longer active. It was real interesting, however to see how big the buffalo herd has gotten since 1985.

Awesome place!!! So many great natural features that you can't see anywhere bon Earth! So much beauty.

Amazing sights. Bison, hot springs, all sorts of wonderful things to see. My daughter loved the Jr. Ranger program.

Absolutely stunning. If i could live in the park i would. Anyone with an outdoor bone in their body should visit this place at least once in their lifetime. Between the wildlife and the scenic views, it cold never get off. I plan to return there sooner rather than later.

So much to see! This place is huge. Beautiful, just in awe of Gods handy work. You will need more then one day to see it all. Would love to go back to try to see more. A must see!!

Absolutely stunning!! Yellowstone is a must see. I'm glad I am able to now cross it off of my bucket list.

I spent 5 days here and I can go one more time and spend 10 days. Far from everything and far from civilization. You would want to be here to get fresh breath of air. Go there and enjoy with friends and family.

This place has something for everyone: Hiking, camping, photography, geology, wildlife, waterfalls, and even a grand canyon!

Its a nice place to visit for the family or just a couple.

Yellowstone National Park is the oldest National Park in the United States. It is vast and beautiful.I saw hundreds of buffalo, elk, mule deer, mountain goats, ospreys, and hawks. The geography changes dramatically as you drive through the park. Of course, Old Fathful geyser is a must do. There are numerous geothermal features in the park. It is worth a drive to cross over the mountain and see Lamar Valley. Which is by far where I saw the most wildlife. Unfortunately The lodges are extremely expensive and provide very little by means of comfort and amenities. If I ever go back to Yellowstone, I would rather rent an RV and stay in the campground.

Beautiful day! Saw lots of bison and even a mother grizzly bear with her two cubs. Drove by staying in our truck and we were able to get a couple quick pictures.

You have to visit here at least once- it's one of the best places in America. But please, especially at night, drive SLOW, be cautious! There are too many wild animals to justify speeding. I watched a car almost hit a black bear cub because it was dark and they were speeding. Please respect the wildlife, it's the most important thing to remember when visiting. But enjoy because you will see lots of wildlife

Awesome place to roam around. You need to set aside at least a couple of days to go check out everything. Will definitely return.

Way above my expectations! In my opinion everyone must at least once see the Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic. GO EARLY TO FIND PARKING!!!

Everything is amazing from the scenery to the wildlife to the thermal features. Truly one of the most spectacular places I have ever been. I highly recommend taking multiple days to visit because there are so many different things to do and see it is impossible to do it in one day.

I can see why this place is the most visited National Park every year, it's place of great beauty. There's so much to see and everything is so vibrant. Fun place to go to, learn about, and be with the ones you love. Just keep the kids close.

I am a national park lover and I have been to many National park across the country and in my opinion Yellowstone is one of the best one here in the mainland! Yellowstone is very unique in terms of its geographical and geological nature! And they are so many different forms of nature to experience! Most of the area of the park is actually on top of a inactive volcano, so the park is very interacting!! The beautiful and colorful springs and pools, the very interesting and intimidating geysers, mud pots, the calcium formations in mammoth area, the waterfalls, lakes so on and so forth! Yellowstone also has its own grand canyon!!! Last but not the least (rather most importantly) its amazing wildlife... bisons, bears, wolves, foxes, coyotes, elks, pronghorns to name just a few. You will actually see them in their wild habitat looking for food, hunting, mating!! The most amazing place ever!!!!

What's to say? Its beautiful. The exact opposite of our daily work lives. To see the wonders of this park you have to get out in it. Watch the world pass by your car window OR get out and be a part of nature and the world!

Yellowstone is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. I loved it so so much!!!

No food available in the park. There's a good bit more traffic than we expected.
Still beautiful and impressive.

More expensive then Disney land but bison burgers everywhere

Yellowstone is absolutely amazing can't wait to go back

We were there before summer, so it wasn't crowded at all. It was so empty that we felt like we had the whole park for ourselves. it is the BEST national park we have ever been to. We stayed at a cabin outside yellowstone. It is 5 mins drive from the park. We hired a guide for a day. It was a great experience!
Wildlifes were everywhere ! I fell in love with bison ! But be careful, do not get too close to them. They are very unpredictable. Our guide told us that they harm more people than bear.
We didn't meet any woolf or bear. Although, is a good idea to carry a bear spray with you all the time.
And we found very fresh antler with bone marrow still intact ! it was gigantic. It is a great idea to look around for antler.
Furthemore, bones are everywhere. I am obsessed with bones and carcass. I was like "OMG OMG OMG".

There's nothing quite like going to Yellowstone. You see the pictures and hear people talk about the springs, but it just doesn't do the place justice. The colors need to be seen in person. The sounds are just as interesting and unique. Go there but leave no trace.

I can't describe this place. Is so amazing. If you never been there, you have to go as simple as that.

The most beautiful place in the world. Get camping site but you have to book 6 months ahead

Simply amazing. No other way to describe it. Yes there are crowds and parking lots fill up if you go during peak times in the peak season. But its worth the minor inconvenience. Give yourself plenty of time and don't get in a hurry. Or, better yet, explore the back country and go for a hike. Get off the concrete and asphalt to see the true beauty of this place! This should be on everyone's bucket list.

The country's first National Park is a breath taking and memorable experience. See bisons upclose, grizzlies in their natural habits, watch coyotes hunt. Great campgrounds with essential amenities. Wonder at all that nature has to offer, fish, kayak, trekk, see the geysers and most of all have a wonderful time.

Nice temperature in July, nice wildlife , if you have lucky like I had you with see grizzly, bears, buffalo and lot of different animals... place is to do again for sure!

No need to write a big review, just try to come and see this place, you won t be disappointed .

I had the incredible experience of being able to visit this place and I thought it was just fantastic. the location is beautiful! the geysers, the bubbling lakes, the hotel all made of wood. I will come back more often for sure.

Such a beautiful and breath taking park. Mother nature at it's best. Come with comfy shoes and cloths. Dress in layers and don't forget the sunscreen.
There are lots of wild life to see.
Tip. Arrive before the crowd does. My family and I arrived at 8am and the park was not crowded. We drove around the entire park and explored every major spot. By the time we left at 4, the entrance to get in was miles long.
You need to wear a mask inside the gift shop, but not outside the park.
We can't wait to come back during winter time.

The colors are really something to see. The best view is from the overlook.

Beautiful park. We enjoyed seeing all the wildlife up close and personal and the scenery was breathtaking! The $35 admission fee for 7 days is crazy because it's worth so much more. I'm glad they keep the price low though so it's affordable for everyone!

These are photos from our trip 15 years ago. This national park should be in everyone bucket s list. Unfortunately, this dynamic natural resource may not last forever. Please help protect them!

Amazing landscape and animal encounters. Camping at Yellowstone was a great experience. Yellowstone is a very big national park and needs a few days to explore. The speed limit within the park is not optimal for the protection of wildlife and needs to be lowered.

Our favorite National Park. Make sure to take a couple days to explore. We spent the first night in West Yellowstone. The next day a drive along the upper roads from Tower, through Cooke City and on to Red Lodge, MT. Along the most Northeastern part of the drive is the Beartootj Highway, called "the most scenic drive in America" by Charles Karault. Amazing scenery, glaciers, and a view above the clouds. Be careful with all the switchbacks, it's a looong way down'. Head South to Cody, spend the night at Buffalo Bill's cabins, then a drive along the lower highways of Yellowstone. Especially awesome are the beach type views of the lake. Watch out for the easily spotted Bison, often crossing the road. Past the lake, a drive south past the Grand Tetons makes the trip complete.

Suggestion: Buy a National Park book, and get your book date-stamped at National Park, Forest and Monument Ranger stations all across this great country. Have a 4th Grader? Visit the NP website for a free family pass. Even paying for one is still a great value.

Yellowstone can be super crowded. The secret to a good visit is to visit the places the crowds are not at. The lower geyser basin away from old faithful is less crowded and it's just as interesting. The mid geyser basin is also less busy. Norris geyser basin is another cool place to go that is often overlooked. Get there early because there is limited parking. If you are willing to hike Abit you can get away from the bus loads of day trippers and it's almost like you have the park to yourself. Good luck!

For all of your nature lovers that have been saving up your whole life to come here... It's worth every penny. Such an amazing place.

Had a great family vacation. The park staff was great!

In a time of so much chaos, unrest, and division my family and I found ourselves in need of a separation from it all. Yellowstone National Park was the vaccine we were looking for. It was as though we where in another world and all our problems(and society's) dissipated. No matter how cliche it may sound; there are no words that can describe the splendor and beauty of Yellowstone National Park. Honestly, the best thing that we could have ever done!!! I will forever hold this journey near and dear to my heart.

Amazing, words cannot describe how incredible this park is.

Breathtaking need 7 day pass to see most points of Interest

A must see at some point in your lifetime. Absolutely stunnning views with close encounters with wildlife. Worth every bit of the trip.

I don't enjoy this park because it's too much of a tourist trap. One of it's worse features is when you are just passing through and there is a huge stretch of road where the speed limit alternates from 45mph to 65mph back and fourth repeatedly with police scattered around to slam you with large fines. Another turnoff would be the massive in crease in price throughout the whole place. The upside is: it is a naturally very beautiful place

AMAZING just gorguse . So beautiful. Saw a lot of elk ,buffalo ,an eagle , deer and many more . So beautiful and we went in the middle of June and it snowed the say before we got there and we are from SC and did not expect that .

Great place to visit in the winter with no crowds or lines!!

Is a beautiful place, you can at night time and you don t pay the entrance fee, you will have one of the best views and also the best peaceful sunrise. If you go in winter time make sure to take a good jacket because is really freezing cold. Is a big park and you can get lose so make sure to take a map because cellphone signal is really week or non at all. You will se all types of animals and you will definitely enjoy it to the fullest. Try to go on a low season because it can get really crowded and you can t enjoy it to the fullest

Been here several times.

Breathtaking beauty, especially the grand canyon of the yellowstone.

Most entrances closed during the winter, with the only accessible entrance being the Gardiner entrance, though this is limited as well.

Lodging: If your looking for winter lodging, you would need to arrange snowmobile transport, which the old faithful loddge either can arrange or has direct contact with.

For convenient airports
Cody-50 miles east of yellowstone
Bozeman- Roughly 2 hours north of yellowstone (via big sky)

West yellowstone- seasonal service provided by delta beginning in May and ending in August.

Other airports closer to Grand Teton including Jackson Hole and Idaho falls can be decent options as well.

Yellowstone is a very beautiful place full of wildlife, geysers, and colorful pools. I loved it! I saw Old Faithful, Mammoth, Paint Pot, and a couple others in just on day along with a drive through the Great Tetons National Park. I also saw bison, mule deer, elk, antelope, and even a grizzly bear!!! I went in the beginning of June and there were a lot of cute, little elk calves. I recommend it

We took an all-day tour of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone on July 30 with Faith as our guide. She picked us up in Jackson, Wyoming. On a scale of 1 to 5, we would give her a number 10. She found animals that we would have not seen on our own. One of the first group of animals we saw was a herd of bison. While we were watching two of them split from the herd, we soon saw why they were headed a certain direction. There was a wolf approaching the herd! It was fascinating to watch the wolf go toward them, then decide that wouldn t be the right thing to do. Faith was so excited because this was her first wolf sighting. In addition to us being thrilled about seeing a wolf, we were happy for her because we learned that it isn t often to see a wolf. The rest of the day was equally interesting. She seemed to know where to find the animals, and provided us with a lot of information about them and the vegetation along the way. Ten thumbs up for her knowledge!!!! This all-day tour was well worth the money.

Cant begin to cover how totally amazing this National treasure was to visit for the first time.
We camped in Bridge Bay campground two nights. We were not prepared for the cold temperatures, not the parks fault!
Coming from IA/NE where temps have been in 90's, to have temps in low 40's was not planned for. Shorts an short sleeve shirts weren't adequate!.
The General Stores at the various locations were great for gas, firewood and other necessities.
My son, daughter in law, and granddaughter
Accompanied me and made this my 60th birthday gift. It couldn't have been better.
My windshield got chipped by a rock from a passing motorist, but the spectacular time made it all worthwhile.

Everyone should visit Yellowstone arleast once in their lifetime. There's so much to explore. Gysers, hot springs, wild life, lake, fishing, waterfalls, and the list keeps going on. Plan well and spend at least 3 days.

National treasure. We loved the animals. Landscapes are diverse. Expect long drives and delays. Expensive if you are not camping. Sadly, all visitors centers and junior ranger programs are closed in this Covid impacted time.

Highly recommended to stay in the lodge nearby, you can then visit the old faithful spring many times in different period.

Alot to see, very interesting geological landscape and animals... beautiful drives inside and around the park

Everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Breathtaking scenery and wildlife. Please drive responsibly and follow the rules of the National Parks. Don't be an idiot in nature.

Yellowstone is mother nature's jewel. So precious and beautiful. Geysers, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls, hiking, sunsets, wildlife. You have it all!

Visited the park the second week of May 2017. Springtime in Yellowstone. A lot of snow still around.Yellowstone Lake still Frozen. The parks waking up from its winter sleep. Wildlife coming out of hibernation. Cold mornings,warm afternoons. The sites,sounds and smells. Amazing place.

Love to go here every year. Love the outdoors. To me it is peaceful and beautiful.

Outstanding national park. Diverse landscapes. Every location is worth the stop.

Absolutely beautiful HUGE site. Saw a lot of this park in the northern & western areas. Saw a bit of the eastern portion. Did not visit the southern portion yet. I reccomend visiting multiple times to see as much as you can. The land is breathtakingly beautiful. There are RV campgrounds within the park but unsure what the cost is for that other than it is generally more expensive than most camp/RV hookup sites. RV sites near Yellowstone can also be more expensive depending on the location & what you need. There are a variety of Air B&B, hotel & motel options in the surrounding cities/states within an hour drive or less to the entances of the park. There are porta potties throughout the park in case you need to go to the bathroom. Bring hand sanitizer though. And bug repellent if you plan to hike. There is a hotel & shops around the Old Faithful site that has restrooms, food & souvenirs. The site closes towards the end of September to prepare for snow & stays closed until Spring. You can easily look up the exact dates & info online. The park becomes impassible with snow for the fall & winter. Definitely look into the best times of year to visit. I believe it is open April-the end of September. Surrounding restaurants gradually stop replenishing supplies around mid-September to prepare for closing. Just something to keep in mind as far as food & beverage selection. But the restaurants will let you know what they are out of if you go around that time. Highly reccomend visiting at least once!

Created by an act of Congress and signed into law by Ulysses S Grant, Yellowstone National Park was born on March 1, 1872, making Yellowstone the first national park ever. At the time this was a revolutionary idea, holding large swaths of land for the public to enjoy and for generations to come. Some have argued that Yellowstone is the greatest of all national parks and their point would be irrefutable and valid. For me though, Yosemite will always have a special place in my heart, having been born in the bay area, and having been to that park several times. But comparing the two would be pointless. It is like comparing an Audi, to a Beamer, to a Benz. In the end, all three get you to where you want to go. But needless to say, Yellowstone is really that amazing. Don't go for the trees. Don't go for the many cliffs and mountains. Go for the fact that Yellowstone was once a super volcano. And the volcanic forces that made it blow its top off millions of years ago, is still alive and active today. Churning beneath the ground. Pacing back and forth like a restless giant. Powering all the hot springs, hot pots geysers within. It is the must go to national park, right after Yosemite of course!