The Cols

Yellowstone NP Intermezzo #1

Ok I can comment on Yellowstone without the feeling that I have left some stones unturned.

Firstly, it’s beautiful. It truly is however the beauty is not out there in the open in plain sight (maybe apart from the Hayden Valley). Most of the points of interest require you to stop and walk into the woods on a boardwalk to enjoy the views.

Secondly, it’s big. 160km for a main loop. Distances are wast and unfortunately no shuttle service is provided thus everyone uses their cars. This contributes to a feeling of being more in a drive-thru park not a National Park. In particular in the current peak season.

What I am slightly disappointed with is polish education system and European pop-culture, both of which have ingrained majestic Yellowstone views into my brain while they are simply not there if you are just driving around. The beauty is hidden and it’s just forests or plains out there in the open.

Finally I believe this is not the best season to experience this park. Simply too crowded and extremely touristy in a bad sense - people not doing any hikes or anything just driving their cars from a viewpoint to a viewpoint and hoard abundant gift shops which are next to every major visitor center. Pure money making machine. It must be way nicer off season and when everything is covered in snow.

Beautiful but not what I was expecting.

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Just a guy touring on his bike across the world and getting progressively broke. Should you wish to help me out and fuel few kilometers of my ride please paypal.me/MPaluchowski. Any sort of help is greatly appreciated.