Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone Travel Tips

If you're looking for the ultimate outdoorsy getaway, this would be it. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails meander through forests, along streams and up mountains. But be prepared to share the road with Yellowstone's more permanent residents like buffalo, elk and sometimes even grizzlies. Steaming geysers, bubbling mud pits and multicolored pools are sure to renew your interest in geology, while more than 3,000 square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers and waterfalls are sure to inspire the nature-lover in you. Although Yellowstone attracts about three million visitors every year, chances are -- unless you spend your entire trip at Old Faithful -- you won't see much of them. Yellowstone's 2,221,766 acres sweep from the northwest corner of Wyoming onto the edges of Idaho and Montana, offering plenty of untouched territory to explore. And while that may seem daunting at first, just remember that you can always come back.

Why Go: If you want an adventurous honeymoon, there is no better place than Yellowstone. The country's first national park has diverse terrain for you and your significant other to explore on foot, on horseback or by car. Plus, you can stay in either historic lodging, like the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, or in your own tent.

Best Times to Visit Yellowstone

The best times to visit Yellowstone are from March to May and from September to November. These seasons both feature mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is the most popular time to visit: the kids are out of school and the weather is warm enough to sleep outside. However, this park is no stranger to the cold: Temperatures have been known to drop into the 30s even in the summer, and during the winter, they range anywhere from negative-three - to 25-degrees Fahrenheit. Don't let that stop you: There's nothing quite like seeing plumes of steam rise from beneath a thick blanket of snow.