[L_Von_Mises]

Thanks for this post. Your timing couldn't be better. My wife and I are heading out to Jackson in a couple of weeks and will certainly be spending some time in Yellowstone. I was out there twenty years ago and my wife has never been there so we are both realy looking forward to it. There really is nothing like it anywhere. Almost like being on another planet with the bubbling cauldrons of colorful liquid.

Any tips on what to be sure not to miss in Yellowstone?

[cogitator]

Any tips on what to be sure not to miss in Yellowstone?

How much time do you have ;-)

I ask that semi-facetiously, but my "not to miss" itinerary would be different for different lengths of stay in the Park. So I'll prioritize.

Priority 1: Upper Geyser Basin ("Old Faithful" area -- find out what's going to erupt of the predictable geysers. If at all possible, see an eruption of Grand Geyser. Great Fountain predictions are at the Visitors Center by Old Faithful, but it's in the Lower Geyser Basin - a 15-30 minute drive away. Great Fountain eruptions can last an hour and they are better in the middle than at the beginning!)

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs

Priority 2:
Midway Geyser Basin
Lower Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin
Tower Falls
West Thumb/Yellowstone Lake Area
Hayden Valley

Priority 3:
Firehole River Canyon (one-way loop drive on the way from Old Faithful to Madison)
Mud Volcano area (near Hayden Valley)
Pocket Basin/Ojo Caliente (natural area, BE CAREFUL!)
Obsidian Cliff and Golden Gate Area (on the way from Madison to Mammoth Hot Springs)
Le Hardy Rapids (just a few miles north of Fishing Bridge, somewhat at the mouth of Hayden Valley)

That's a good start. Some of the best backcountry views are on the drive from Tower to the Northeast Entrance.

Also, check out this link:

Planning a Visit to Yellowstone National Park