Doing Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

Above, the Grand Tetons from Jackson Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last month, I paid my third visit to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

The visit was more concentrated on Grand Teton National Park as although I've been there twice before, I never explored it. My visit to Yellowstone was not planned as I was aware at how congested with people it can get during the vacation season, but we went up to Old Faithful Geyer and after watching an eruption, we headed back to Jackson, Wyoming.

Others may want to explore both parks and the Frederick News-Post has an article on "how to do both parks right".

They start with:

Our country’s national parks are unequivocal gems of the natural world that rival wilderness areas across the globe in their beauty. Each has its distinct features that sets it apart, and everyone has their favorite — or favorites. For me, I put Yellowstone right at the top (seeing grizzly bears while I was there definitely added to the excitement). 

Yellowstone was the first national park in the world, and if you’ve been there, you probably understand why. 

It’s massive, almost frighteningly wild, and because some 45 miles sit atop a supervolcano, there are geysers, boiling hot springs, burning gasses and geological features that are unlike any others in America. In fact, Yellowstone is one of the world’s largest volcanos, even though it doesn’t look like a traditional volcano with a caldera. When it erupted, it affected the entire country, and its ash covered the majority of western North America. 

Because the park is covered in lakes, rivers and grassy meadows filled with diverse plant and animal life, it’s hard to believe that the volcano is still active, but it’s still very much alive. The magma several miles underground produces some of the spectacular features we see at the surface, such as the famous Old Faithful geyser. 

Might I add, there’s something very cool about hiking in a vast landscape and knowing that you are walking on top of an active volcano. 

And what I consider a bonus, Grand Teton National Park lies just south of Yellowstone. It’s a no-brainer to visit both while you’re there, and Grand Teton offers some amazing hiking, swimming and wildlife. Some people prefer Grand Teton to Yellowstone, finding it more accessible and less overwhelming.

Above, Old Faithful in eruption. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.