Vacations Blog

Me and my husband at Lewis Falls - Yellowstone National Park, August 2009.

My husband and I visited Yellowstone National Park earlier this year. We tend to over-prepare for any vacation we partake of, and the road trip that took us on a round-trip total of 3,026 miles was a fine example of obsessive preparedness.

Since I had never been to Wyoming, and my husband’s visit was during his childhood, I purchased a guide book that came highly recommended to me – Yellowstone Treasures – The Traveler’s Companion to the National Park.

A spring on Geyser Hill near the Old Faithful Inn.

Let me pause and note right now that it is so very hard to see all of the wonders that Yellowstone has to offer, unless you return year after year. Fortunately, that’s just what the author of this book, Janet Chapple, did. She used her years of experiences, visiting as a small child and as an adult, to put together a very comprehensive guide detailing just about every nook and cranny of Yellowstone National Park.

The book begins with an overview of information – how to use the guide, the offerings of various seasons in the park, what visitors can expect, and a high-level list of popular park features. From there the guide describes the five different approaches to the park and how to get to the entrances.

The author then delves deeply into the details of the park, separating it into six sections and documenting a mile-by-mile “Road Log” that begins at each park entrance and progresses toward the highlighted features, junctions, and park villages of that section. Visitors can follow along in the book as they drive, mile by mile, and discover each point of interest along their route.

The Old Faithful Inn - shot from the mezzanine over the main lobby.

My husband and I entered the park via the South Entrance. Using the book as our guide, we read about the history of Jackson and the surrounding areas. We learned about the geological structure of the Grand Tetons and the history of the Grand Teton National Park. As we crossed over into Yellowstone, we followed along mile by mile in the guide, enjoying the informational tidbits the author offered. We learned about the available hiking trails, each waterfall and lake and pond, and areas of likely wildlife activity. We passed Moose Falls, drove along Lewis River, paused to take pictures of Lewis Falls, and stopped in Grant Village for lunch. We turned left at West Thumb Junction and stopped for the night at the Old Faithful Inn.

The Road Log gives mileage information (how many miles from the entrance a feature is, or how many miles from the feature to the nearest junction), facilities information (picnic areas, restrooms), sights that were to be seen along the trails, and the trail length and level of difficulty. Every junction is described in detail, and every village is mapped and noted with lodging, dining, and automotive information. Additional sections of the book provide details into the geology and chronology of the area, and infomation on flora and fauna. All of the park’s general guidelines and rules are documented, though visitors are urged to follow all rules and regulations as outlined in the maps and guides provided to each visitor at the park entrances.

The Upper Falls - Yellowstone National Park

My husband and I found “Yellowstone Treasures” to be an invaluable resource that assisted us in getting as much out of our brief visit to the park as we possibly could. I would highly recommend purchasing the guide, now in its updated third edition, to prepare for your trip to Yellowstone National Park.

Photo credits (all): Laura Charon.