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Situated less than a mile from Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone is an ideal base for exploring the park’s wonders. One of the most popular ways to see Yellowstone is from your automobile. However, before you hit the road, be aware that park roads are for leisurely touring and the maximum speed limit is 45 miles per hour. Be prepared for frequent stops for animal sightings and road construction. Nearly all the famous sights of Yellowstone are within a couple hundred feet of the Grand Loop Road, a 140-mile figure eight through the middle of the park. Among the many sights and wonders, here are a few favorites.
Upper Loop
Leaving West, turn north at Madison Junction, pause at the Gibbon Falls, and stop at Norris Geyser Basin where you'll find an unparalleled array of thermal features. These include Steamboat Geyser, the world's largest geyser which erupts over 200 feet into the air at intervals stretching from days to years. Traveling past Norris, you pass the Obsidian Cliffs, made of volcanic glass that was once treasured and traded by Native Americans. At Mammoth Hot Springs, you'll see the incredible colorful travertine terraces and learn about the park's history. Continue along past Tower Falls, drive up past Mount Washburn, prime grizzly bear country, and on to the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River and back to West Yellowstone for the night.
Lower Loop
Enter the park through the west entrance, turn south at Madison Junction and head toward Yellowstone's crown jewel, Old Faithful. Driving along the Firehole River, you will see many hot springs and thermal features. Definitely stop at Midway Geyser Basin and walk to the Grand Prismatic Spring. When you arrive at Old Faithful be sure to step inside the Old Faithful Inn to see the gigantic log structure that just barely avoided being destroyed by the flames that scorched much of Yellowstone in 1988. After watching the popular geyser erupt, continue your journey along to West Thumb Geyser Basin. Continue north past the Fishing Bridge, a favorite fishing hole and stop at the Mud Volcano. Drive through the open fields of Hayden Valley and look for wildlife, continue along the south side of the Grand Canyon and back to West Yellowstone for the night. This is just a small sampling so we encourage you to get out there and explore Yellowstone.
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