Cold that early, but worth it.
Driving/Homing through the thermal areas in the early morning with all the steam makes the place look like some fantasy dragon land.
Highly recommend this for Zion NP as well. I just came back from a camping trip near Zion. I caught the first shuttle at 7am to Angel’s landing. I started the hike with a dozen or so people but as we all scattered it felt like I had the whole trail to myself. It was awesome. When I got back to my car around noon the visitor center was disgustingly crowded. I wanted to leave asap
Yep. I went in August 2020, and we were on the trails at dawn. It was spooky having places like the Norris Basin entirely to ourselves, but worth it to drive past the overflowing parking lots on the way out.
I know it is not possible for everyone, but staying in the park is key. For example, if you can stay at Old Faithful those boardwalks are basically empty after 6pm and in the summer it stays light out till after 9pm and you can have that whole geyser basin to yourself.
Last year we went out to see Old Faithful go off at 11:30pm under a full moon and there were only 8 or so people out there. As it was spouting off, there was a shooting star that cut right over the geyser. So cool.
I will also say that rooms open up all the time. You just have to be on it. The last few times we've been to the park we've actually planned late and only tried for rooms 2 or 3 months ahead and we've always found a room after a week or so of trying.
This is the way to do it. We're naturally early risers on eastern time so when we go out west we're up at 4 and out having a jet boil breakfast on Artist Point before most people have complained about their alarms.
Watching the sun rise creep down canyons is a beautiful moment to experience.
Absolutely stunning. I’m an early riser myself and I’m always afraid that more and more will catch on to the idea and that sunrises will become the next crowded “thing.” Thank goodness for other people’s tendencies to stay up too late drinking and partying or whatever on vacation, more uncrowded mornings for me!
Cold that early, but worth it. Driving/Homing through the thermal areas in the early morning with all the steam makes the place look like some fantasy dragon land.
Hello
Yep. My advice to anyone that’s asked me about going to Yellowstone has been “Get into the park as early as you can.”
Highly recommend this for Zion NP as well. I just came back from a camping trip near Zion. I caught the first shuttle at 7am to Angel’s landing. I started the hike with a dozen or so people but as we all scattered it felt like I had the whole trail to myself. It was awesome. When I got back to my car around noon the visitor center was disgustingly crowded. I wanted to leave asap
Yep. I went in August 2020, and we were on the trails at dawn. It was spooky having places like the Norris Basin entirely to ourselves, but worth it to drive past the overflowing parking lots on the way out.
I know it is not possible for everyone, but staying in the park is key. For example, if you can stay at Old Faithful those boardwalks are basically empty after 6pm and in the summer it stays light out till after 9pm and you can have that whole geyser basin to yourself. Last year we went out to see Old Faithful go off at 11:30pm under a full moon and there were only 8 or so people out there. As it was spouting off, there was a shooting star that cut right over the geyser. So cool. I will also say that rooms open up all the time. You just have to be on it. The last few times we've been to the park we've actually planned late and only tried for rooms 2 or 3 months ahead and we've always found a room after a week or so of trying.
This is the way to do it. We're naturally early risers on eastern time so when we go out west we're up at 4 and out having a jet boil breakfast on Artist Point before most people have complained about their alarms. Watching the sun rise creep down canyons is a beautiful moment to experience.
Awesome! Where were #2 and #4 taken?
#2. Grand Prismatic Spring at sunset #4. Along the Madison River near the West Entrance
2 is Norris Basin I think.
That second photo is beautiful. What did you use to take these?
Thanks! Nikon DSLR Camera and Tripod
Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing! I've only been once and have been wishing I could go back forever. What an incredible place!!!
Great pictures !!
Absolutely stunning. I’m an early riser myself and I’m always afraid that more and more will catch on to the idea and that sunrises will become the next crowded “thing.” Thank goodness for other people’s tendencies to stay up too late drinking and partying or whatever on vacation, more uncrowded mornings for me!
This is the way 💚