- Yellowstone Tour Guides

Check Out Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park!

Jim Holstein | October 8, 2020

Are you planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park at some time in the near future? If so, be sure to check out Grand Prismatic Spring while you’re there. While there are plenty of famous sites that are must-sees (Old Faithful comes to mind), this spring is right up there in terms of beauty and fascination—and as the largest hot spring in the United States (and third largest in the world), it is considered one of the planet’s most unique features and one of the most-photographed Yellowstone National Park attractions.

Experience the natural beauty of this hot spring

What’s truly awe-inspiring when you see the Grand Prismatic Spring for the first time is its sheer size. The pictures cannot do it justice—when you’re actually standing there in person, you realize the sheer scope of it. It’s a spring that’s larger than a football field, and deceptively deep—deeper, in fact, than a 10-story building.

The spring is also more colorful than many people might expect. Even if you’ve seen professional photos of the site before, you’re bound to be surprised at just how vibrant it is in person. The hot springs get their colors from various species of bacteria that live around the spring and thrive on the heat it creates. Deep in the center of the spring you’ll see blue colors, and then there are green and yellow tints. As you get to the cooler outskirts of the springs, you’ll see warmer yellows and oranges.

If you do decide to go to the Grand Prismatic Spring during your Yellowstone trip, make sure you plan ahead. You may want to visit early in the morning or late in the evening, as this is going to be one of the more crowded sites in the park. If you go closer to the middle of the day, you can expect a lot of tour buses and lots of other travelers who have come to check it out for themselves. By visiting outside of the peak hours, you can avoid the rush.

Of course, there are times when the colors might be most vibrant when there is a lot of bright sunshine on warm days, so going in the middle of the day does have its benefits. Consider also that on cooler days, the early morning hours and evening hours can have steam that covers the spring, which can make it difficult for you to see just how beautiful it is. And on cloudy days, you can expect the colors to be duller all day.

But no matter what time, what type of weather and what conditions you’re dealing with, you can expect to be blown away by the sheer beauty and grandeur of the Grand Prismatic Spring. Of all the hot springs found in Yellowstone National Park, this is certainly the most impressive.

For more information and tips about planning your visit to the Grand Prismatic Spring or other Yellowstone National Park attractions, contact the team at Yellowstone Tour Guides today!

A Backpacking Checklist for Your Next Adventure

Jim Holstein | September 25, 2020

Backpacking always makes for a fantastic adventure. There’s something invigorating and refreshing about going out into the backcountry trails with only the necessities on your back.

Of course, if you’re going to have a safe and enjoyable time backpacking in Yellowstone National Park, you’re going to need to make sure you pack properly. What you bring with you (and how much) will depend largely on the length of your excursion—a one-day or one-afternoon journey will not require nearly as much gear as a trip where you’ll be having multiple overnight campouts.

Here is a quick overview of the most essential items you should always have with you:

Navigation: Even if you’re just going out for a few hours or for the day, it’s crucial that you have some navigational tools and devices with you so you do not lose track of where you are. This means a map, compass, GPS device, satellite messenger and/or altimeter will all come in handy. Keep in mind that you will be quite isolated when you’re in the back country.
Sun protection: Wear sunglasses, sunscreen and clothes that shield you from the sun so you can avoid getting burned.
First aid: Always bring a simple first aid kit fully stocked with the essentials, as well as foot care products and bug repellent.
Headlamp: If you’re going to be doing any walking when it’s darker outside, make sure you have a headlamp and extra batteries for it.
Knife: A good knife will come in handy in a wide variety of circumstances when you’re spending time in the outdoors. You might wish to bring a couple types of knives with you for use in different scenarios.
Shelter: A simple tent or other type of shelter that you can carry with you at all times is important. Even if you’re not planning on an overnight excursion, it may be beneficial in some cases to carry a light shelter with you for an emergency scenario.
Extra food and water: Always bring more than the minimum required amount of food and water, just in case.
Extra clothes: Bring clothes for a variety of circumstances—more than the minimum amount you think you’ll need. This will be especially beneficial to you if it rains and you get wet.
Fire equipment: Always have plenty of gear with you to start up a fire. This can include matches, a lighter and tinder, such as newspaper or wood shavings. You might also bring a small stove with you if you plan on spending a significant time out in the back country.
Sleeping: If you’ll be doing any overnights, make sure you bring a sleeping bag and pad so you can at least be a bit comfortable on the ground. You can find very light and compact types that have been designed with backpackers in mind.

For more tips about what you should place on your checklist for backpacking in Yellowstone National Park, we encourage you to contact the team at Yellowstone Tour Guides today. We’d be glad to answer your questions!

September Is a Great Month for Backpacking!

Jim Holstein | September 8, 2020

Have you been waiting for an opportune time to hit the trails and go backpacking in Yellowstone National Park? You’ll have a great experience doing so at just about any time of year, but from our perspective, September is one of the best times of year to do it.

Here’s a quick overview of why we find September to be such an ideal month for backpacking:

Fewer people: The peak times of year for backpacking are July and August, due to the warmer weather and the fact that many kids are on summer break, so it’s a logical time for family vacations. However, by September, the kids are back in school, and the weather is just starting to cool off a bit. This means you can expect a lot less foot traffic out in the back country, so you can really enjoy the solitude you’ve wanted out of your excursion.
Everything’s still open: September is late enough in the season that you can expect a little more solitude along your route, but not so late in the year where you have to worry about trail closures, even up at altitude. Another month or two and snow starts to become a more realistic possibility, particularly up in mountainous areas, but in September you should still be seeing decent weather.
Cooler temperatures: Slightly cooler temperatures mean you might not need to carry quite as much water, and you have a much broader selection of clothing and gear you can wear and carry with you.
Night sky: If you’re going on overnight backpacking excursions, September is a better time of year to see the night sky than July or August. This is because the night comes sooner and lasts longer, allowing you to get a better show out of the stars. You’ll be able to get some great views of a clear, starry sky without having to stay up too late to do so.
Fall colors: While a lot of the trees and foliage in Yellowstone are evergreens, you’ll still see plenty of fall colors popping up during September that can make your backpacking excursion extra special. This is a version of Yellowstone not nearly as many people get to see, as autumn approaches and the greens of summer begin to change to oranges, yellows and reds.
Prices: Because the busy season is over, you’ll be more likely to find some great deals on rates if you go backpacking in September. These deals can be for hiking excursions themselves, or for some of the gear you’ll need to take with you out on the trails. Who doesn’t love a good bargain?

These are just a few examples of some of the biggest benefits of going for a backcountry hike in September, rather than planning it during the summer months. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can plan out the backpacking adventure of a lifetime in Yellowstone National Park, we encourage you to contact Yellowstone Tour Guides today with any questions.

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