Day Three of our West Coast Road Trip: Yellowstone National Park

YELLOWSTONE, WY

HEY STRANGERS!

Good morning, Jake and Georgia here, and we’re back to share the incredible experiences of Day Three of our West Coast road trip. Today, we awoke in our cozy glamping tent at the West Yellowstone Wander Camp, greeted by a breathtaking sunrise that warmed our hearts, even though the chilly morning air made our breath visible.

After getting ready and packing up, a short drive brought us to the gates of Yellowstone National Park. Armed with our America the Beautiful National Park annual pass, we ventured into this iconic park, ready for a day of discovery.

Our journey took an exciting turn as we found ourselves in yet another brand new state: Wyoming! With just one day to explore this vast wonderland, we decided to take the lower loop route, starting at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The sheer scale and awe-inspiring beauty of the canyon left us speechless. We couldn’t resist taking a short hike down to the lower falls, getting close enough to feel the rush of the cascading waters.

Our next destination was Hayden Valley, a sprawling open area that’s home to many of the park’s bison. We marveled at these majestic creatures as we continued our adventure.

As we continued along the winding road, we skirted the shores of the massive Yellowstone Lake before arriving at our next stop, West Thumb. Along the way, we couldn’t resist a quick look at some of the park’s sulfur springs, including the intriguing Mud Volcano.

West Thumb welcomed us with a surreal landscape of geysers, geothermal activity, and bubbling pools. It was a truly mesmerizing experience.

Once we’d thoroughly explored the wonders of West Thumb, we journeyed onward to one of Yellowstone’s most iconic attractions: Old Faithful. The sight was a bustling hub with lodges, stores, dining options, and a sprawling parking lot. We joined the eager crowd, patiently awaiting the geyser’s eruption. After some anticipation and a surprise visit from a sudden storm, Old Faithful finally did its thing. However, due to the fierce wind, the normally spectacular 150-foot water shoot left us somewhat underwhelmed. To add to the adventure, rain started pouring, and we even experienced a hailstorm (Jake caught an ice cube-sized hailstone right in the face). Seeking refuge from the elements, we may have accidentally found a souvenir or two in a nearby gift shop.

With everyone leaving at once, the parking lot exit was a bit chaotic. We had plans to visit the Grand Prismatic Springs, but it turned out that everyone else had the same idea, and the parking lot was closed when we arrived.

Undeterred, we decided to set our sights on our next destination: Salt Lake City, Utah, a four-hour drive away. As we exited the park, we were treated to a heartwarming sight—a family of bison grazing right next to the road, a perfect ending to our day in Yellowstone.

We absolutely fell in love with this extraordinary park and can’t wait to return someday. Now, we’ve made it to Salt Lake City, Utah, after a long, dark drive, ready for a day of city exploration and a visit to a movie set from an early 2000s classic!

Don’t forget to follow our Instagram for live updates from our ongoing adventures. Yellowstone has been a blast, and there’s plenty more to come!