Yellowstone National Park - Day 1
Traveling from Grand Teton to Yellowstone National Park
May 2, 2025
In the summer months, it’s a quick and scenic drive from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone National Park, with the parks connected directly by the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. However, because our visit came before Memorial Day, that route was still closed for the season. Instead, our journey took us on a longer, but equally beautiful, drive through a mountain pass in Wyoming, briefly into Idaho, then up through Montana before re-entering Wyoming via the West Entrance to Yellowstone in West Yellowstone.
One unexpected highlight along the way was a stop in Idaho, where we paired our sandwiches with a couple of local baked potatoes which was fitting, and yes, maybe a little cliché, but completely worth it. This extended route gave us the chance to see more of the surrounding states and enjoy the variety of landscapes that make this corner of the country so stunning in spring.
Exploring Geyser Basins on the Way to Old Faithful
Our final destination for the day was the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, but getting there was just part of the adventure. Entering through Yellowstone’s West Entrance, we made it our mission to explore every geyser basin, mudpot, and hot spring between the gate and Old Faithful. The drive took several hours, not because of distance, but because there was so much to see along the way.
Our journey through the Lower, Midway, and Upper Geyser Basins was frequently interrupted in the best way possible: by wildlife. One memorable moment was a classic bison traffic jam soon after entering the park. Little did we know, this would be just the first of many incredible animal encounters over the next five days in Yellowstone.
After checking in at the Snow Lodge, we walked over to catch our first eruption of Old Faithful for the first of at least ten we would witness during our stay. One of the evening highlights was watching Castle Geyser erupt for nearly half an hour, sending steam and water skyward against the fading light. It was the perfect introduction to the geothermal magic of Yellowstone National Park.
