West Yellowstone National Park

We had a great time in West Yellowstone. The scenery was beautiful and there were plenty of things to do. We didn’t see any bears besides the ones in the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, went hiking, attended a local 4th of July parade, and went fishing on Lake Hebgen.

RV Park

We stayed a week at the Yellowstone Holiday RV Campground & Marina in West Yellowstone during the July 4th week. But you don’t need a week to see everything 3-4 days would be enough.

This RV park is about a 30 minute drive to the west Yellowstone entrance. It was definitely worth it since we had amazing views of Lake Hebgen.

The RV park is spacious and has 36 RV sites are full hookups (electric 20/30/50 amp, water, sewer). They also have cabins facing the lake.

Food & Drink

Only 5 minutes away from the RV park is the Happy Hour Bar (not for children), is a fun and unique spot on Hebgen Lake. They serve food and drinks, it’s not your ordinary bar. We went one night and they had crab legs and beer. There are some other restaurants in West Yellowstone but we did not try them. Also, the supermarket in town is very small and is expensive so make sure you shop before you go.

Things To Do

We rented a fishing boat for 2 hours but didn’t catch any trout, lots of bites though. It was nice to cruise around the lake and see the beauty. 

Beautiful Mount Hebgen is located right across the road from Yellowstone Holiday, has some of the best walking, hiking, and biking trails in the state. The Red Canyon Road, which is a half-mile from Yellowstone Holiday, offers access to a number of lovely paths that follow feeder streams and lead to the summit of Mount Hebgen.. Mountain bikers may ride along the 3-mile Red Canyon Road or up Mount Hebgen for some technical and exciting single track.

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is located in West Yellowstone Montana on Highway 191 North near Firehole Drive. It’s an is education and conservation facility that offers visitors a chance to see grizzlies up close. It is located in West Yellowstone Montana on Highway 191 North near Firehole Drive. The entrance fee was $15 per person over 12 years old or $35 for family (up to two adults). We spent about 2 hours there learning about the grizzly bears.

On 4th of July, the town of West Yellowstone puts on a parade in town. We decided to check it out. It’s bring your own chair and BYOB. The parade was typical of most small town parades – the local fire department, high school band and cheerleaders marching down main street. Then there were a several different floats made by local businesses promoting their business. After the parade was a concert with local artists followed by fireworks. Fun for the entire family!

 

Yellowstone National Park – Our Favorite Sites

We also saw lots of wildlife including bison, elk & deer. Overall, it was a fantastic trip and we would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an outdoor adventure.

Grand Prismatic Spring is an incredible sight. It’s the largest hot spring in the United States and third largest in the world. The hot springs in the Midway Geyser Basin get their color from a variety of thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria that live in them. The most common type of bacteria found in these springs is called Thermus aquaticus. This bacterium was first discovered near Excelsior Pool and is responsible for the orange-yellow color that is often seen there.

 

Old Faithful Geyser is located in Yellowstone National Park and is the most famous geyser in the world. It’s one of the few geysers that can be predicted with a fair degree of accuracy when it will erupt again.

The Fountain Paint Pots are a series of mud pots, hot springs, and fumaroles located in Upper Geyser Basin near Old Faithful Geyser. These thermal features get their name from the bright colors that often decorate their surfaces. The pot on the right is my favorite because of its deep blue color.

Biscuit Basin is an area located in Upper Geyser Basin near Old Faithful Geyser. This basin gets its name from a large number of biscuit-shaped sinter formations found within it. These formations are often decorated in shades of yellow, orange, and pink which gives the whole area a very colorful appearance.

Firehole Lake Drive is a scenic drive that takes you past many thermal features such as Firehole Falls (pictured), White Dome Geyser, and Great Fountain Geyser. The road also goes by Biscuit Basin which has some great hot springs with fascinating colors!

Midway Geyser Basin is located near Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park and contains two large geothermal pools: Grand Prismatic Spring & Excelsior Hot Springs Pool. It’s called Midway because it’s halfway between Mammoth Hot Springs Village to the north-east and Old Faithful Village to the south-east.

Gibbon Falls is a waterfall located in Gibbon River Valley on the south side of Yellowstone National Park. The falls are fed by the Gibbon River which is a major tributary of the Madison River. Gibbon Falls has a total drop of 78 feet (24 m) and is one of the tallest waterfalls in Yellowstone.

Harlequin Lake Trail is a short, easy hike that offers beautiful views of Yellowstone Lake. The trail begins at the Harlequin Lake Campground and winds through lodgepole pine forest before reaching an overlook above the lake. There are two benches (one with a view) about halfway along where visitors can stop for some rest and relaxation if needed.

Fun For Kids in West Yellowstone

The Zipline Adventure Park in West Yellowstone is an exciting way to see the sights from above. You will zip along a series of wires high up in the trees, then land on a platform for some breathtaking views before zipping back down again! The park features six different courses ranging from easy (for first timers) all the way up through expert (if you want more of challenge).

Here are some more pictures from Yellowstone National Park.

If you’re looking for an amazing RV trip destination, then look no further than West Yellowstone Montana. It’s the perfect spot for a family vacation, or just some time away from home. And if you’re looking to get out into nature and see some wildlife up close then this is definitely the place.