1. Don’t speed. 2 Don’t worry about running out of gas 3. Don’t expect to have cellular coverage. 4. Don’t always expect to have beautiful vistas every where you drive. 5. Don’t forget to notice small pine trees as you drive. 6. Don’t drive too slow. 7. Don’t expect to drive get around too quickly. 8. Don’t expect to avoid traffic jams. (Bison jams, bear jams) 9. Don’t expect to find parking everywhere. 10. Don’t get out of your car to challenge bison or buffalo 😅
Having traveled to the park to fish for about 30 years, I can say that you are 100% on target. My advice to visitors is DON'T LEAVE YOUR COMMON SENSE AT HOME.
Visit in May. We spent 7 days in mid-May 2022, camped at the Madison campground, and had very small crowds comparatively. Yes, there was still snow in many places and it even snowed on two of the days, but we didn’t hit traffic jams, and had the Lamar valley to ourselves. Also we had no issues finding parking. It was cold the entire time, but I’d gladly take cold over huge crowds. Yellowstone is such a magical place.
What I've found from visiting Yellowstone many times is that most people who come for their first time really had ZERO idea of just how big the park is.
Just want to thank you for everything you did to contribute to an amazing cross country trip we had in Early August. I purchased and downloaded your Yellowstone audio guide, and it made our one day (yes, one day!) drive through Yellowstone efficient and enjoyable. Following your guide, we entered at the South, and were able to see Old Faithful, Geyser basin, the Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and Yellowstone Lake, before exiting in the East towards Cody. We entered very early (7:00 a.m.), had very light crowds and traffic (until later in the day), and found plenty of parking. Our only regret was seeing very little wildlife! Road construction was a nuisance, but did not cause much delay. Wish we’d had more time, but we’re on a deadline to get from California to Minnesota in 5 days! We will go back one day to see more. Our final thanks is for your other videos regarding Jackson Hole, Cody, Mount Rushmore,and Custer! We used those to decide what to do while in those spots. You helped us get the most out of a rushed but memorable trip!!! Thank you!!!
ALSO : Do not honk car horn at elk, moose, or bison...they get angry...especially mama's with little ones. ( then often here comes dad and he gets mad too ). Do not think you can walk up and pet a bear, elk, moose, or bison. Getting a selfie isn't worth getting hurt. If going in August...be aware that is " rut " ( mating ) time for elk and bison...and things can go from good to bad in a second. At the geyser thermal areas...stay on the boardwalks...to get off onto thin crust will really mess you up, or kill you. Always keep your pet on it's leash. Do not allow young children to wander off alone...again...dangerous in all areas. Be aware there are some nice size Bull snakes around the Mammoth area....they will just scare the wits out of you...but they do have a nasty temper. Manners...use yours...because you will see some who will not...they think they are special people. lol lol
"Do not honk at elk, moose or bison!" As the ranger drives around you and blows his horn at the elk, moose and bison to get them off the road! In fact, they have loud "clickers" on their vehicles. They drive straight at the animals, blow their horns and turn on the clickers, "CLICK, CLICK, CLICK!" The animals go running in every direction!
@@alansach8437 Ever stop to think......the bison know their horns...and are used to them. Now...think how many different sounding horns there are out there....sound means a lot to an animal. In other words...you don't want to get a bison confused...they get excited...you figure out the rest.
YES... DO Honk if you need them to move !!! Otherwise just kick back and marvel at wildlife and the wilderness 🎉 P.S. They are NOT afraid of the size of your vehicles a bit...😅
@@boobtubeakatv1296Sorry boobtube but, do NOT honk at any animal. Be patient and just marvel at the wildlife. Your time is not so valuable that you need to hurry an animal off the road. Remember: this land is their home! You’re just visiting.
No kidding about the parking! We went mid-September. We got to the Artist Point parking lot at 7am and there were only a few cars. I didn't think it would fill up bc it wasn't "busy" season, but by the time we finished our little hike around 9:30, the lot was nearly full-- although plenty of people were going in and out. Go early and see the lovely morning sun! Also, pay attention to road closures and check the latest park conditions. At the time we went, West Thumb was closed due to unsafe conditions regarding a power station or something. There was also a section closed in the south loop from 8p-6a for road work.
We couldn’t have enjoyed our trip last September to Yellowstone and Grand Teton if it hadn’t been for your wonderful guides and audios. Highly recommended. On the audios you will discover facts that you never would have otherwise without listening to Matt. Thanks Matt!
Appreciate your videos. We are actually doing a bucket vacation as we speak which includes Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Badlands, etc., then its 10 days in Yellowstone and 5 days in Grand Tetons. Your videos have been so informative and we appreciate them!!!
We just wrapped up our trip out west, and your guides were invaluable!! My kids (ages 4-12) requested re-listening to many of the audio stories. Especially the guy who got lost in Yellowstone 😂 and they love hearing all about Teddy Roosevelt too. Thanks for putting that out there! Biggest sadness to report (after we woke early and had kids in swimsuits/etc.) boiling river no longer exists. A ranger told us it was wiped out in the flood? Maybe you already reported on this somewhere. Just got back, and not up to date on all your content! Thanks so much for the work you put into your guides! Made our trip so much more enjoyable!
Thanks so much for letting me know about your trip. I’m so glad the kids liked the stories. They usually like to hear about the pet badger Teddy had. Lol. So sad about boiling river. I hadn’t heard this officially yet, so thanks for telling me
We just got back from Yellowstone and Grand Teton. I found your channel a few months ago, and I have to tell you, they were invaluable! I felt so prepared and I so appreciate these videos and all your knowledge.
Great videos! We were there in August. Just awesome! Don't speed! We actually saw someone getting pulled over between Tower Falls and Mammoth Hot Springs by two ranger vehicles!
Thank you for the tips! We have reservations at Yellowstone in September. I will definitely be getting your guide. We got your guide when we visited the Grand Canyon a couple years ago and it was a great help.
Last time I was in Yellowstone I saw about five people get out of their cars and were walking right up to a Moose and I remember thinking those people are asking for trouble. then a moose calf jumped up and I thought those people are really asking for trouble. I really appreciate your Videos about Yellowstone Thanks
Well presented. I've been out west a number of times but not to Yellowstone or Glacier yet. Hate traffic jams and parking hassles, so may never visit but I suppose avoid peak summer season, holidays, and weekends and it might be tolerable...
Don't know if I'll ever make it there, but it's on my wish list. Your video is very informative! I think visitors caught doing things that could be life threatening should receive bans from state parks. Maybe a five year ban to start, and if they're caught again, a permanent ban. And the chance of being banned should be clearly posted at park entrances and visitor centers throughout the park, plus nearby restaurants and shops. I'll check out some of your other vids. Thank you!
Another very important NOT: If you have any doubt about how road-worthy your vehicle is (think about the age of your car, your home starting place and how far and how much elevation your car will be making to get to Yellowstone), RENT A VEHICLE INSTEAD. Our transmission died our first day in Yellowstone. The tow to Boseman, MT (the nearest auto repair) was $786.20. (This was back in 2001!) Then, we had to wait a week before a proper transmission could be brought to Boseman and installed. Of course, that required us to rent a car for the week to continue our visit until our car would be ready, and it required paying for unanticipated lodging in Boseman a couple of extra nights, not to mention extended costs for the extended vacation. Nevertheless, our visit was enjoyable. Yellowstone is a great place to be stuck! Luckily, we already had our campsite at Slough Creek and could return there for the duration of our Yellowstone vacation. Lodging and a campsite would be a lot trickier now. In those days, it was easy to keep one's campsite as long as needed.
I've seen a bunch of similar videos and none of them tell you the best time of the year to visit a park. In the case of Yellowstone, there is a month before summer starts and a month after it ends when tourism is slower and there is less crowding, less traffic, more places to park, etc. The reason being in the spring people are afraid winter isn't over yet and it will snow again and they think they will get stuck in the park in a blizzard or something. It's the same in the fall, people are afraid it might start snowing and winter will kick in. I used to go to Yellowstone every year, and I only got caught in one serious snow storm, and that was before the park closed in fall. So technically, that was still summer...
"There are plenty of gas stations...." Depends on the time of year and how much extra you are willing to pay! Also, it's not unheard of to be stuck, idling, in bumper to bumper traffic behind a bear jam or bison jam, for an hour or more. This can use up a bunch of gas while you are getting close to zero miles per gallon! I highly advise that you not enter the park with less than a half a tank, and if you are concerned at all about keeping costs down it is not a bad idea to top off outside the park. That makes a lot of sense if you are staying outside of the park anyway. If camping or lodging inside the park, it makes more sense to fill in the park, but still advise you keep the needle in the top half of the tank before starting off to explore.
We are using your guide. We aren't following your start times which is hurting us. Traveling from Albany NY has taken a lot out of us. We are camping at the Fishing Bridge Campground the new section E. It is fantastic. We will be here for 6 nights total. Then off to Jackson.
Matt, another reason for adhering to the speed limit re. animals is that, in reverse, they can do a number on our vehicles, and wrinkle us up in the bargain. These aren't the size of kittens, folks. #8 is what disappointed me 2 years ago when I was there. I didn't get to see Yellowstone Lake, which was a real disappointment.
End of the 50's mom decided to leave the park early to avoid the traffic. We were in for surprises we weren't expecting. We were in "Time for bears crossing" we saw so many, they had shiny coats because they weren't bears that were fed by the tourists. 2 decided to have a brall in the middle of the road, what fun. Once their tiff was over they moved on.
I went through a buffalo preserve at LBL back in 2017. About a 5 mile loop I think. Didn’t see any buffalo. At about mile 3, I slowed with a bunch of cars behind me and I started pointing off into the woods and taking pictures. Of course there was nothing there but as I drove away, I looked in my mirror to see all the cars behind me stop, people got out, started looking and taking photos of the empty area I was pointing at a moment before. Sometimes you have to make your own fun. 😂
@@alansach8437 Close loop park that you had to pay $15 to drive through. One way very wide road. So no, asshole, if someone need to get through, they could.
Another well planned and well narrated video on Yellowstone. It should be shown at the Visitor Centers! A small addition to the speed limit section: At night, most visitors hunker down in their lodge rooms, RVs, or tents in preparation for the next day's adventures/travels. But if one is out after dark on the roads, realize that there are no street lights in Yellowstone outside of the villages! It is DARK! Speeds should decrease proportionately. Imagine sailing along after dark with only your headlights for illumination and coming around a curve at 45, only to see a bison in your lane less than 25 yards away! 'Nuff said.
sid yu see the mama bison limping along in front of park ranger vehicle re. traffic jams? looks like it was hurt by a car or something. i live near cherokee n.c. by GSMNP and the amount of people and cars is crazy. ita not the same anymore
Where did you get the Theodore Roosevelt Tshirt? Thank you for the insights on the parks, watched yellowstone and the Tetons, sounds like a tremendous help.
My family and I want to rent an RV for next summer. We plan on just staying at campsites. My question is- do I need to leave my rv at camp sites and drive a car thru the park? Idk what to do. I’m nervous an RV won’t make it thru all the destinations… are there parking lots throughout ?
Driving an RV in the park is just fine, and there is RV parking at nearly every stop. There are some roads you can't drive on, but there are tons of people who visit in an RV, so you can get to most places without a problem.
I can’t believe that a police park car got behind the Bison and their cubs, flashing their light & b 9:05 blaring horn. That is horrible. The Bison are their living, others are visitors who just should be patient. Also many people want to photograph them
I'm not sure. I do know you wouldn't be able to use your phone to call them. You'd probably have to rely on other visitors or a ranger contacting someone for you.
Of course.....if everyone takes your advice........ This is how the internet has ruined just about everything. In the past it used to take learning and years of experience to discover secret fishing holes, special times to visit special places, where to go to see the best sunrise. Where to see the best sunset. Where to find wildlife, or quiet places. And the places and experiences remained special for the next generation to "discover". Nowadays, people discover these things and immediately blab on the internet (social media!). Places with no crowds suddenly have crowds. Great experiences are ruined. When you find something special, tell a friend....maybe, but don't blab to the masses. There won't be anything special left!
Hey, thanks for the advice!👍👍👍 What about Hiking? Do they have like 7-10 miles hike ? And is that dangerous? I want to do Hiking, not driving. I mean just leave the car and go for 6-8 hours hiking.
There is lots of hiking in Yellowstone. Personally, we haven't done the long day hikes but check here for more information: www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
For the parking situation, the lots get full with busses and RV's besides the cars. Please don't park illegally or on non-designated area. This could lead to fires from hot engines or oil drips ruining the grounds and eco system of the surrounding areas. Be respectful and responsible. Don't litter or leave your mark on anything. Let's keep its natural beauty intact.
We just got home from there and my AH husband broke every rule except harassing the animals. I tried to get him to relax but no. I so wanted him to get pulled over!
I Just bought your audio and guide and omg!!! I'm super excited to use it in June 2023 😁 but now I have a problem, my extended family wants to go too, and we are thinking on renting a van for 12ppl.... my question is, HOW DO WE MANAGE CAMPING? we Want to stay in Cayon or Grant village campground but how can we manage with a large family? (we need to put 4 tents) we want to stay together . Do we need to make multiple reservations even tho we are using one vehicle and one fire pit? Please help 😅
Thank you for the support! You will need to check the tent limits for each campsite. My guess is that you will need to reserve multiple sites (and use one of the sites as the gathering place).
@@WereintheRockies We will be there July 12, we in Hawaii....... maybe best we pay at the gate, thx for reply, planning 3 days there, thx for your videos and all the info
@@WereintheRockies We had a Amazing 4 days, thx for your tips and guideance, 4 days is not enough, breath taking scenery, next time we will rent a RV, even if we was really close to the West gate, nothing like spend the night there. planing to put a video together, will send you the link.
I don't know much about how cell phones work. If my wife and I each have a cell phone, and we get separated--but are within a mile or so of each other--can we call each other?
No, your phone would have to connect with cell tower and there are only a few at major places and unreliable. Best and most common way for groups are FRS radios. Sold at most big box stores for about $20 for 2 radios and up for more. But beware there are limited channels and lots of people using them in these situations, be prepared for an 8yo trying to reach parents and clogging up channel.
You're cell phones will not work to make phone calls. Best thing to do is to stay with each other at all times or arrange a time and place to meet back up.
Might be a good idea to buy some good old fashioned walkie-talkie’s. They would still work regardless of whether you have cell signal or not. Would be a good way to keep in touch if you get separated on a hike.
Hey Gunner! You’re doing GREAT on your channel. I won’t be getting back to Grand Teton this year, but I’m happy to hear she’s resurfaced! Thanks for thinking about me
#11 Make sure you pee before going on an extended drive. Those Bison traffic jams can last a few seconds, a few minutes, or a few HOURS, like the one we saw where a Bison just laid down in the middle of the street and did not move for such a long time, the traffic jam extended for about 8 miles.
Went to Yellowstone in 2020. Every single time there was some moron driving like an idiot or parking their car in the middle of the road the car had California plates! Every-single-time.
Excellent video..thank you for the video. My wife and I are making the trip from michigan there Aug 6th. Any other tips or videos of yours you recommend I watching?
So just wondering, what makes you say that driving through Lodgepoles isn't beautiful? I live in the West, and I still think that is is one of the most beautiful things ever.
The animals on the park have been well trained and are very comfortable around people. Please stop your car and enjoy their company. Speak loudly and get close so they know you want them to pose for your photo!
That's part of the point of nature. To get away from the hustle and bustle. If you need cell service that bad then this not the place to be. Go to the zoo.
I go through Yellowstone about five times a year from Idaho over to Cody. I get cell phone coverage in quite a few places especially west of Fishing Bridge. Terrible video that tells a person nothing. I would easily recommend to fill up in Cody or West Yellowstone, not only to save money but to save time. As for speeding/driving too slow; DUH, that is for all roads, especially if the area is full of wildlife.
Yes, it gets frustrating. We see bison all the time, so for us they're not worth stopping for but we try to be patient for the person slowing down. They may have never seen one before.
Yeah part of me wants to be patient. The other... realizes we just passed a switchback and will be lucky if the next driver doesn't rear end us because someone stopped to get a pic of a bison. The Rangers need to make it more a point to stop the drive by photo opps.
Why so much talking head narration stuff when there's so much scenery you could have cut away to? Nobody wants to see a talking head. They want to see the scenery.
I have to give a thumbs down on this. I thought you'd be reporting on the current conditions of the roads after all that flooding earlier this year, but not a word about that. My understanding from earlier videos is that it will take years to repair the roads.
I understand your frustration. Our reasoning for making a video not covering the road conditions after the flood is that accessibility of roads is changing so frequently our video would almost immediately be outdated and we'd be giving people wrong information For the most up to date information, check out the Yellowstone NP website and look at their alerts.