Yellowstone's North Entrance: Your Gateway to a Domestic Safari

Safari Excursions

Self-Guided Safari: Two hours before twilight, enter the park from the North Entrance at Gardiner and navigate first towards the Tower-Roosevelt area and continue on east towards Lamar Valley. This drive is all about the journey, not the destination - you are likely to encounter wildlife along the road. We spotted a herd of elk and we got stuck in our first "bison jam" as a group of male, female, and baby bison crossed the street. Around dusk, you are also more likely to spot Yellowstone's bears or perhaps even a wolf! Drive slowly and take opportunities to pull off the road often. If you see a group of people congregated and looking through spotting scopes - stop! Get out of your vehicle and mingle with your fellow travelers to see what they are looking at. When we did this, we met a group of wolf-spotting hobbyists from Utah, and they invited us to watch a grizzly scavenge on an elk carcass through their spotting scope.

Single Day Tour: If you don't want to purchase your own spotting scope or rely on the kindness of strangers to let you peek at wildlife through theirs, arranging a single day wildlife spotting tour through a local outfitter would be a great option. A tour of this nature would especially be helpful if you have your heart set on seeing some of Yellowstone's wolves, as they can be elusive and wolf-spotting is a serious hobby in these parts.

Multi-Day Experiences: For the most immersive and seamless experience in Yellowstone, there are several world-class multi-day inclusive journeys I would recommend. National Geographic offers a Yellowstone and Grand Teton tour that is led collaboratively with expert conservationists and wildlife photographers. American Excursionist helps travelers explore Yellowstone more deeply by arranging multi-day experiences that explore the comparatively untouched interior of the park, away from the crowds. As your travel advisor, I could match you with the right immersive experience to bring your wildest Yellowstone dreams to life.

Yellowstone Activities Aside from Wildlife Viewing

Watch Old Faithful Erupt: Grab a seat and excitedly watch Old Faithful erupt alongside many eager park spectators. I suggest arriving early and grabbing Huckleberry or Graham Slam ice cream from the nearby Bear Paw & Deli to eat as you wait for the eruption.

Grand Prismatic Overlook: While you can walk on the boardwalks right next to Grand Prismatic, the best vantage point to see the stunning colors created by thermophilic microorganisms is to hike the 1.5 mile out-and-back Grand Prismatic Overlook trail, departing from the Fairy Falls trailhead.

Geothermal Activity: Check out the park's lesser known but amazing geothermal features, such as the bubbling mud pots, Fountain Paint Pots, and Dragon's Mouth hot spring.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Hike this area's rugged terrain, explore viewpoints of the canyon's majestic waterfalls, enjoy a scenic drive along the North Rim, or participate in a ranger-led program about the area's geology and natural history.

Yellowstone Lake: Enjoy a sightseeing boat excursion or charter a fishing boat on Yellowstone Lake.

Whitewater Rafting: Based in Gardiner, Montana Whitewater is a local tour company that offers whitewater rafting, river tubing, and even zip-lining adventures. It's a great way to get your adrenaline pumping!

Have a Soak: After an adventurous domestic safari, a spa experience is in order. For a luxury spa experience with a comprehensive treatment menu, look no further than The Spa at Sage Lodge. Alternatively, Yellowstone Hot Springs offers casual outdoor pools that are are heated with natural mineral waters.

Breakfast

Tumbleweed Bookstore and Cafe: A casual and homey atmosphere makes Tumbleweed unique, and they are known to have the best breakfast burritos in town. Tumbleweed also serves coffee, lunch, and baked goods, with special attention to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Pray Cafe: Delicious and affordable home-cooked breakfast! Do not miss this spot if you are looking to have a hot breakfast before a day of hiking at Yellowstone. This restaurant is a bit north of Gardiner, though, so it is best to come here if you are not planning a jam-packed day.

Lunch and Dinner

The Grill at Sage Lodge: Elevated and contemporary, The Grill is a steakhouse style restaurant enhanced by the flavors of Asian cuisine. Do not miss the huckleberry ice cream sundae here!

Wonderland Cafe: Featuring farm-to-table options and Montana craft beer, this Cafe is an excellent choice for a high-quality lunch or dinner, just outside the park gate. I highly recommend their artisanal flatbreads.

Cowboy's Lodge and Grille: An unfussy option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Cowboy's serves up tasty burgers, sandwiches, and barbecue. I ordered an amazing BBQ Pork Sandwich here, which was large enough to yield leftovers.

Beer Garden: On the corner of Park St and Second Street South in Gardiner, there is a lovely area with picnic tables, food trucks, and a bar. Sometimes on summer nights you can hear live music here! We enjoyed stopping here after our twilight Lamar Valley adventures, as we could show up in our hiking clothes and have a great time.

Dessert

Yellowstone Ice Cream: At the beer garden mentioned above, Yellowstone Ice Cream serves up Montana-made Wilcoxson's Ice Cream from a food truck. A sweet way to end a day of adventuring!

Bear Paw & Deli: Located within the Old Faithful area of Yellowstone National Park, this deli serves scoops of Wilcoxson's Ice Cream. We loved the Huckleberry and Graham Slam ice cream flavors (the latter has honeycomb candies mixed in). Grab a cone and watch Old Geyser erupt, or take a break on the front porch of the store by sitting in one of the rustic rocking chairs.