I’m always so quick to get out of the country, but Yellowstone National Park slapped me in the face and reminded me of how beautiful America is.  It’s an American institution and a national wonder that will have anyone in awe whether you’re an outdoorsman, animal lover, or photographer.

In 1872, President Grant signed the Yellowstone Protection Act making YNP the first national park in the world.  The act claimed YNP as a public park or "pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people", and it started the trend of recreational parks around the world.

YNP is nearly 3,500 square miles and spreads throughout Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.  The park features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs, geysers, and herds of wild life like bears, wolves, bison, and elks.  

As the pioneer of national parks, YNP holds its title quite well.  Not only was the park visually impressive, the park's organization and accessibility was on the top of its game.  I initially thought YNP was only for the fit and adventurous but surprisingly most of the sites are wheelchair accessible (I could've easily brought my grandma if I wanted to).

If you haven't already, visit YNP.  If you only have 2 days to visit, that's totally doable without it being stressful and rushed.  Check out our express guide below for YNP inspiration or nostalgia!

Day 1

OVERVIEW
Stay in YNP @ Canyon Campground
Canyon Village -> Yellowstone Lake -> Hayden Valley -> Grand Canyon

STAY: Canyon Campground

PROS
+The campground amenities (i.e. showers, bathrooms, laundry machines, and Canyon Village)
+The excessive amount of trees made our campsite feel secluded and private
+Close to the main Eastern Yellowstone sights

Canyon Campground is perfect for novice campers.  You'll have all the amenities you need.  We booked our campgrounds online so check in was very smooth.  The employees at check in office were very friendly and helpful.  You can purchase wood and kindlers for your fire pit for $8 a box.  Canyon Campground has a convenience store in the village so you can also stock up on whatever you need whether it’s snacks or toiletries.  Price per night was $25.  

Once you enter YNP, there are so many warning signs about bears.  Naturally we made ourselves more anxious and paranoid, so we rented bear spray at the village for $25 per day to convince ourselves we were safe.  Thankfully all the campgrounds have 24/7 bear surveillance.  So the likelihood of seeing a bear in the middle of the night is close to rare (unless you’re an idiot and leave all your food out in the open).

EXPLORE: Eastern YNP

After we set up our tent we were ready to explore YNP.  Since we were posted in Canyon Campground, we started with the sights in the eastern part of YNP.  We didn’t have a glitch of phone service, but it wasn't an issue since it’s was so easy to navigate around the park.  Once you exit the campgrounds, the roads have tons of signs that will direct you to all the sites.  

Yellowstone Lake

We decided to start at the the furthest site in Eastern YNP.  But it was hard not to stop at every site on the way, ESPECIALLY when there’s wildlife sporateically roaming around (we obviously had to stop whenever we saw an animal).  Each corner and crevice of YNP became prettier and prettier each twist and turn.

Once you arrive at Yellowstone Lake, take a walk with your camera along the lakeshore.  This lake is the largest high-elevation lake in the lower 48 states and it's super photogenic.

Mud Volcano Area

Oh the smell of rotten eggs; our first geysers and cauldrons of the trip.  The Mud Volcano area offers some of the most unique thermal features in YNP such as mud pots and lakes of acid (cool/weird, I know).  Not only does the area include the Mud Volcano but also Devil's Mouth Spring and Sulpher Cauldron.   

Nature is really fascinating.  With the creepy sound of the volcano and boiling mud, who knows what the earth is capable of (seriously though).

Hayden Valley 

First thing you should pack for your YNP trip is binoculars.  We highly regret not bringing binoculars with us, some people even brought telescopes (show-offs).  Hayden Valley is Nat Geo come to life.  On a comfortable hill overlooking the valleys, you can watch the animal kingdom take part in its ecosystem.  Not the most glamorous, but it was really awesome watching bears hunt for fish, coyotes and wolves hunting for bison, and birds gliding across the water.  If you have a camera lens with a good zoom, bring that too.  

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Perfect for golden hour and sunset so get your cameras ready.  From artist’s point you can see dramatic views of the canyon and upper and lower falls.  Fun fact: the best cell phone service we had the entire trip was up here.  We were able to FaceTime our familes for a hot 5 minutes (1st world problems, I know).
 

CAMPING @ Canyon

Thankfully the Grand Canyon was close to our campground so we still had some day light for the drive.  Unfortunately we didn’t have enough day light for dinner, so you guessed it, we cooked in the dark.  Thankfully Jess is an awesome cook so our camp light sufficed so she made korean bbq. Thanks to a portable gas stove and rice cooker anything is possible.  After dinner we just chilled by the fire pit and roasted marshmallows before bed.

Aside from paranoia about bears, it was a COLD sleep.  Make sure you bring warm sleeping gear!  I made the mistake of not bringing enough layers that I wound up buying overpriced items in the Village (but my sweater did make for a nice souvenir).

Although it was freezing when we woke up, we still managed to break down our tent in a timely fashion.  Before heading to our next campground, we used our free shower ticket at the communal showers.  They were pretty much high school locker bathrooms, but they were a lot better than I expected.  Next door to the bathrooms were also laundry machines.  

You could easily camp in YNP for the week with all these amenities.  Unfortunately there was only 1 night available at Canyon Campground so we booked Madison Junction Campground for our second night.  As much as we wanted to stay at Canyon, it worked out camping at Madison since we planned to explore the Western part of YNP for our second day.

Day 2

OVERVIEW
Stay in YNP @ Madison Junction Camp
Madison -> Old Faithful -> Upper,  Midway, & Lower Geyser Basins -> Firehole Falls

STAY: Madison Junction Campground

PROS
+Slightly cheaper price per night than Canyon Campground
+RVs are permitted in the campgrounds
+Walking distance to river
+Close to main sites of Old Faithful/ Western YNP

We already felt like experts by the second day so setting up our tent was a lot quicker.  Madison had a different vibe since RVs were allowed in the campgrounds.  There wasn’t as much trees so it didn’t feel as private as Canyon.  There also wasn’t as much amenities so no showers or laundry machines.  But Madison served its purpose.  The proximity to the toilets and our camp site were just as convenient, and the price per night was a bit cheaper ($20). 

Camping at Madison is enough for a 1 night stay and as mentioned before it was conveniently close to all the sites we planned to visit that day.  But if I had to pick between Canyon and Madison, I would go with Canyon.  

EXPLORE: Old Faithful Area/Western YNP

First on the agenda was Old Faithful.  Similar to our first day, we started with the furthest site first.  The second day was pretty much geyser hopping.  YNP houses the most geysers in the world so get ready to soak in the smell of rotten eggs!  You get used to the smell, but the colorful, boiling, creepy-sounding grounds will mesmerize you each stop.
 

Old Faithful

Old Faithful felt like an amusement park when we first entered.  There were tons of gift shops, restaurants, a hotel, and there was a huge crowd of visitors waiting for the Old Faithful Geyser to erupt (which is the main attraction).  

The geyser erupts every hour and if you want to know the exact time there's a detailed schedule at the visitor center.  It's pretty accurate but in order to get a good view/ good picture, you have to snag a seat on the limited benches in front of the geyser; or else you'll be staring at the herds of retirees taking pictures on their iPads.  Grab a coffee or snack, and get there early!

Thankfully we were able to snag a comfortable seat 20 minutes before the eruption.  If you've ever been to the Bellagio in Las Vegas, it was similar to the wait for the dancing fountains. The geyser would tease us every few minutes with a light spray.  But once it finally erupted, it was massive and undeniably a good show.  The eruption felt staged, but it was cool that it was all natural from the earth.

After watching the 1 minute theatrics of the Old Faithful Geyser, we headed to the Old Faithful Inn which has been accommodating visitors since the park's inception.  It's a beautiful inn that has kept its old, rustic charm.  A stay at the inn looked expensive, but seemed like the perfect stay for older folks or for people who prefer comfort over camping.
 

Upper, Midway, &
Lower Geyser Basins

The next few stops are a geologist's dream.  If you want to learn more about the geology of the Old Faithful area there's a neat exhibit at the Old Faithful visitor center.  It's worth it to check out!

There are 500 geysers in YNP.   As a whole, YNP houses about 60% of the world's geysers. So many hydrothermal wonders within these 3 basins from geysers,  to hot springs, and to mud pots.  It's really spectacular.

My favorite point of interest in this area is the Grand Prismatic Spring which is YNP's largest hot spring.  The colors are aesthetically stunning, it's like a crayon box come to life.  

The Sapphire Pool (the jewel of Biscuit Basin) was my second favorite.  My birthstone is sapphire so I have a soft spot for anything sapphire. The lovely blue hues are surrounded by hundreds of "geyserite knobs" which visitors say look like biscuits (hence "biscuit" basin).  

Firehole Falls

After geyser hopping, it was nice to drive along Firehole Falls before golden hour.  The drive is really pretty and leads you to a pool at the end of Firehole River (one you can actually swim in).  

The water is cold, but it's a perfect place to cool off after sightseeing.  I would recommend driving here before golden hour since the roads are very windy and there aren't any lights on the roads.

CAMPING @ Madison

Thankfully we arrived back to Madison before golden hour and had about an hour worth of daylight left.  While Jess cooked another delicious glamping meal, I chilled on our hammock soaking in all the beauty around me.  

Ever since we were roommates in college, Jess has always been very crafty when it comes to cooking.  For dinner, she boiled pasta with our portable tea kettle and roasted veggies on the campfire (smart girl).  Dinner was wonderful on our picnic table and we enjoyed our last night in YNP munching on s'mores by our bonfire!

A friend of mine happened to be teaching her grade school class about YNP the same time I was visiting the park.  Flashback 20 years ago when I was in that very same seat daydreaming about camping with bears in YNP.  And here I was, scared for my life with bear spray in my backpack!

Not only is YNP a bucket-list attraction, it's  also a fun-filled adventure (especially if you camp).  Unfortunately we only had 2 days and didn't have time for activities other than sightseeing.  Which means there WILL be a next time, and we'll be sure to hike, kayak, and maybe even camp in the back country (not likely but you never know).

What would you recommend as an alternative itinerary for a short trip to YNP? The next time we visit, what other sites and kinds of activities would you recommend?

**For MORE tips and tricks on YNP, scroll down for our packing list!

Packing List

We were happy campers visiting YNP in early-September.  It was still warm and crowds weren't overwhelming. Weather was around 80 F during the day, but 20 F during the night so pack accordingly.   Below is our detailed packing list for a 2 day camping trip in YNP.  This list pertains mostly to people who are driving in spacious cars from their homes.  Follow our victories and learn from our mistakes!

Camp Equipment

• Tent (with stakes and hammer)

• Folding Chairs

• Hammock

• Lantern

• Sleep Essentials
  +Air Mattress and portable pump
  +Sleeping bag
  +Fleece blanket
  +Pillow
  +Extra sheets

Gear

• Small backpack

• Flashlight

• Head lamp

• Binoculars

• Camera

• Sunglasses

• Re-fillable water bottle

• Pocket knife

• Bear spray

Toiletries

• Toothbrush & toothpaste

• Travel size soap and shampoo/conditioner

• Baby wipes

• Toilet paper

• Hand sanitizer

• Deodorant

• Sunscreen

• Lip balm

• Insect Repellent

• EmergenC or Airborne

• Tylenol/ Advil

• Melatonin

• Earplugs

• Handwarmers and toewarmers

• Shower and beach towel

• First aid kit

Clothing

• 4 base layers (i.e. under shirts and leggings)

• 2 insulation layers (i.e. fleece sweater or vest)

• 3 athletic tops (i.e. wicking/ quick drying tanks and shirts)

• 3 athletic bottoms (shorts and pants)

• 1 warm sweatshirt or sweater

• 1 waterproof jacket or windbreaker

• 1 thermal pajama pants and 1 comfortable sweat pants

• 2 pairs of warm socks (preferably wool)

• 3 pairs of athletic socks for hiking and sightseeing

• Hat (baseball cap and winter hat) and gloves

• Hiking shoes or sneakers

• Sandals (i.e. birkenstocks) & flip-flops (to shower)

• Swimwear

• Underwear &/or bras (duh)

• Casual clothes if you dine in town

***Pack MORE clothes than less.  It gets cold during the night + your clothes will inevitably get dirty.  I’m not saying to pack up your suitcase (or to even bring a suitcase, a carry-on backpack  suffices).  Just don’t make the mistake of packing just enough like I did and having to buy overpriced items at the village shops. If you’re debating on whether to bring an extra sweater, do it!  But I recommend bringing your most versatile clothing.

Food & Supplies

• Breakfast and snacks: oatmeal, energy bars, jerky, apples, bananas, clementines, chips, cup of ramen noodles, instant coffee, tea bags

• Lunch: sandwiches (sliced bread, cold cuts, lettuce, tomato)

• Dinner: pork or beef, pre-marinade, rice, pre-cut vegetables (squash, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, lettuce), pasta, pre-made tomato sauce, s'mores (marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate bar)

Thanks to Jess our dinners were actually very tasty.  We stayed at a motel before YNP so she was able cook the rice there.  She made korean bbq the first night (kudos to her dad’s pre-made korean marinade) and pasta the second night.

• Drinks: water (jugs or bottles), coconut water (for electrolytes and hydration), alcohol (beer or wine)

• Supplies
  +Cooler
  +Portable stove and fuel
  +Portable kettle
  +Rice cooker (for our hardcore Asians)
  +Plates, bowls, utensils, cups (re-usable and disposable)
  +Tong and spatula
  +Pot and pan
  +Skewers (for cooking and roasting marshmallows)
  +Bottle opener
  +Scissors
  +Tupperware
  +Ziplock bags
  +Plastic grocery bags
  +Paper towels
  +Dishwasher soap and sponge
  +2 bins to store food and supplies