National Parks

We’re not called “Yellowstone Teton Territory” for nothing! Eastern Idaho is one of the best ways to enter both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. The first of the national parks, Yellowstone was discovered by Europeans and explored in 1808 by John Colter, formerly of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Native American tribes, however, lived in the area long before early explorers arrived. Today millions of visitors still enjoy this spectacular wilderness. Whether you are a camera buff, a geologist, nature lover, or just a visitor, Yellowstone will weave its spell on you.

Yellowstone National Park

The world’s first national park, Yellowstone truly is like no other place on Earth. Although it sits mostly in Wyoming, there are slivers of the park in both Montana and Idaho.

The eruption of Old Faithful Geyser, the crown jewel of Yellowstone National Park, always draws oohs and ahs as shutterbugs click away furiously to capture blasts of steam that can rise 90 to 180 feet into the air. Old Faithful is not the biggest or most regular geyser in Yellowstone, but it is the biggest regular geyser.

Yellowstone is also home to a diverse population of wildlife, ranging from the largest land-dwelling animal in North America (the bison) to small mammals that barely dot one’s palm. Bison, wolves, grizzly and black bears, golden and bald eagles, elk, moose, deer, and bighorn sheep are just a few of the species that populate this expansive wonderland.

On one curve in the road, you’ll see geysers spouting water and mud pots filled with boiling clay and a sulphurous smell. On the next, you can suddenly have a breathtaking view of snowy peaks or rivers that cascade into powerful waterfalls. Mountain meadows filled with profusions of wildflowers may be the backdrop for elk or deer. Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks offer something for everyone.

Grand Teton National Park

Visitors can’t miss the Teton Range. This national park encompasses nine peaks more than 12,000 feet above sea level, including the 13,770-foot-high Grand Teton.

In Grand Teton National Park, stop at the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway with camera handy, because wildlife is abundant. Kayak and canoe rentals provide an opportunity to navigate Jenny Lake, where the jagged peaks of the Tetons reflected in the alpine waters present surreal photo opportunities.

If paddling is not your choice of recreation, Grand Teton National Park is a beloved climbing destination, and hikers and climbers will find an assortment of trails and walls ranging from easy grades for beginners to challenging routes for advanced hikers and mountaineers.

The park consists of only 484 square miles of land and water. The mountains rise, without foothills, to the west of Jackson Hole (and north of the town of Jackson), including the seven summits that make up the often-photographed “Cathedral Group.”

Visitors from around the globe flock here—an estimated 2.5 million per year. They come to take in the sights, climb the mountains, hike the many scenic trails, take photographs of animals, and participate in many other activities available in this historic playground (including horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and fly fishing). (307) 732-0629, nps.gov/grte.

More than anything, this 3,472-square-mile park is still wild, with only a limited number of roads carved into the rugged landscape. The largest grizzly-bear habitat in the lower 48 states, Yellowstone is also home to an innumerable number of other species of mammals and birds.

Traffic jams are fairly common on the park’s mostly two-lane, narrow roadways. This is no place to rush. Leave plenty of time to enjoy the vistas, wet a line, walk the trails, stop at roadsides for a picnic or quick adventure, or take photographs of geysers and mud pots. And remember, this is a place where humans directly encounter nature, whether it’s in the form of wildfire, steam rising from springs heated by underground magma, or the glory of an afternoon rainbow. (307) 344-7311, nps.gov/yell.

Yellowstone In Winter

Dogsledding, snowcoach rides, cross-country skiing, and more: Winters in Yellowstone offer access to steaming geysers, winter wildlife, and a quiet snowy landscape that’s sure to awe. A majority of the park’s roads are closed to regular traffic, so the best way to experience this winter wonderland is through an outfitter or guide services.

Plan ahead and visit nps.gov for tips and reservations for your snow-filled activities. Yellowstone National Park allows only a limited number of snowmobiles into the park each day; snowmobile access to Grand Teton National Park is also highly regulated, but with different rules.