Our Epic 2-Week Stay at Yellowstone National Park

After an unforgettable week at Grand Teton, we headed straight to our next destination: Yellowstone National Park. Initially, we planned on spending just a few days here, scouting out the sights and perhaps finding a boondocking spot nearby. But Yellowstone had other plans for us. This park's beauty and sheer magnitude convinced us to extend our stay to two incredible weeks. Honestly, if we could have, we would’ve stayed the entire summer—there’s just that much to see and do!

Finding the Perfect Spot

Our home base for this adventure was Baker’s Hole Campground in Gardiner, MT, just outside the park. This location wasn’t our first plan. We originally intended to scout a few boondocking spots in Idaho. Unfortunately, the first location we checked out wasn’t suitable for our rig’s size. While breathtakingly beautiful, the second spot was about 25 minutes from the park entrance. Given the fact that driving distances inside Yellowstone can already be long, we decided it would be best to stay as close to the park as possible.

Since reservations inside the park were fully booked (which wasn’t surprising during the peak of summer), we were thankful to find a spot at Baker’s Hole. It turned out to be an excellent choice. Nestled among the trees with the soothing presence of the river nearby, it provided a peaceful retreat after each day’s adventure. There’s something so rewarding about settling down in such a serene environment after a day of exploring.

Navigating the Crowds and Discovering Hidden Moments

As we quickly learned, Yellowstone is a hotspot during the summer. The park was bustling with fellow travelers, each eager to take in its wonders. But while the crowds were thick, our work schedule played to our advantage. Since we work during the week until 5 PM, our excursions were primarily in the evenings, from around 5 PM until sundown.

This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Not only did we manage to avoid the bulk of the daytime crowds, but these quieter hours also seemed to reward us with some of the most memorable wildlife sightings. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the park took on a different, more tranquil vibe. The animals seemed to be more active, perhaps enjoying the cooler temperatures just as we were. We spotted everything from herds of bison grazing in the fading light to bears foraging in the distance. These evening excursions allowed us to experience a side of Yellowstone that many day-trippers might miss—a peaceful, almost magical time where nature feels a little closer.

Yellowstone’s Endless Wonders

Yellowstone is a place like no other. Each day we spent here deepened our appreciation for its vast landscapes, diverse wildlife, and geothermal wonders. The park is truly a natural marvel. We hiked through lush forests, stood in awe of the iconic geysers, and were continually amazed by the park’s raw beauty.

One of our most anticipated moments was finally seeing Old Faithful erupt. This was a dream of ours ever since we first learned about it as kids, and witnessing it in person was nothing short of magical. The power and precision of this natural wonder left us speechless—it was a moment we’ll never forget.

But our exploration didn’t stop there. We also took the time to tour the historic Yellowstone Inn, a place rich with stories and history. It was incredibly fascinating to learn how this iconic structure was built and why some of the park’s main attractions are spaced out the way they are. The Inn’s rustic charm and grand architecture gave us a glimpse into a bygone era of travel, and we even topped off the experience with a delightful dinner at the restaurant.

An Unexpected Event

While our days were filled with planned adventures, Yellowstone had a few surprises in store for us as well. One of the most unexpected events during our stay was the eruption of the Biscuit Basin Geyser. Although we weren’t there during the explosion, we saw its aftermath, which was a stark reminder of the park’s dynamic and ever-changing nature. The force of nature in Yellowstone is both awe-inspiring and humbling, and this event was a vivid example of that.

A Lesson in Flexibility

This leg of our journey was a great reminder of the importance of flexibility when traveling. Our original plans might have been to stay only a few days, but the unexpected changes led to an experience far exceeding our expectations. Sometimes, the best adventures come when we’re willing to adapt, and Yellowstone proved that in spades.

As our two weeks in Yellowstone came to an end, we left with hearts full of gratitude and a deep sense of wonder. The park had given us memories to last a lifetime, from the thrill of spotting wildlife in the twilight hours to the quiet moments of reflection in its vast wilderness.

We’re excited to share these stories with you and hope they inspire your own adventures. Stay tuned for more tales from our summer on the road!