Yellowstone National Park: Geyeser, Wildlife & Big American Magic

In September 2023, I took a four-day trip through Yellowstone National Park. I had a general idea of what to expect, but the place still surprised me. Before heading into the park, I stopped in Jackson Hole for a night. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a very nice mountain town — lots of scenery, stylish, outdoorsy, a little high-end.

After that, I drove straight through Grand Teton National Park, caught a few quick views (wish I had more time), and continued into the wilderness that is Yellowstone.

I was lucky to find a campsite inside the park — I booked it just about a week before the trip. It was late in the season, with most campgrounds closing by early October, so this was one of the last weekends to squeeze it in. Even then, the park still felt busy. Nights were cold, especially in a tent, but that’s part of the deal that time of year.

Just How Big Is Yellowstone?

It’s easy to underestimate how massive Yellowstone is until you’re driving across it. The park spans over 3,400 square miles (about 5,470 square kilometers) — that’s bigger than the entire state of Delaware, and roughly the same size as Crete, the largest island in Greece. Translation: you’re not seeing this place in one day. It’s broken up into several regions, each with its own feel, wildlife, and surprises.

Wildlife Central: Lamar Valley & Beyond

One of the best spots to see animals is Lamar Valley, often called "America’s Serengeti." It didn’t disappoint — bison were everywhere. You don’t need to go looking for them. They roam across roads, fields, and sometimes right next to your car. Just don’t get out and try to take a pic too close. They are wild animals.

In the northwest corner of the park near Mammoth Hot Springs, I saw tons of elk, some relaxing right outside the hotel area. The scenery up there is different — more rugged, with steamy rock formations that feel like another planet.

The coolest moment for me was catching a coyote hunting — just out in the valley doing its thing, pouncing on small critters. No bears this time (kind of a relief), but the place is absolutely teeming with life.

Geysers Galore — and Yes, Old Faithful Delivers

If you think Yellowstone is just Old Faithful, think again. The geyser basins, mostly on the west side of the park, are packed with geothermal activity. You’ll see bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and colorful hot springs scattered all over. It’s wild how many there are — far more than I expected. I thought the first cluster of them I saw from a distance was brush fire smoke.

As for Old Faithful, it erupts about every 90 minutes, and yep, it’s still worth seeing. They’ve built stadium seating all around it, so show up early if you want a good view. It’s cheesy, it’s touristy, and it’s awesome. I couldn’t believe how high the water spouted.

🚨 Warning: Don’t Get Close to the Geysers

It might seem like common sense, but every year people get seriously injured—or worse—by stepping off the boardwalks in Yellowstone in the geothermal areas. The ground can look stable but isn’t, and just beneath the surface is near-boiling, often acidic water. In one case, a man fell into a hot spring in the Norris Geyser Basin, and the water was so hot and corrosive that by the next day, nothing was left but his wallet and flip-flops. It’s a harsh reminder that this place doesn’t play around. Stay on the trail.

Yellowstone = Peak USA

Yellowstone is one of those places that really shows off what the American landscape is capable of. The scale, the variety — geysers, canyons, wildlife, forests, rivers — it’s all packed into one park. It’s a reminder of how wild, dramatic, and beautiful this country really is

👉 See gear for your Yellowstone trip 

Written by Tyler, founder of Globetroves™
About Me | Instagram
Posted June 2025