# 1-day Yellowstone visit from Bozeman, worth it?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [October 18, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969 "2016-10-18T18:46:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [October 18, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/1 "2016-10-18T18:46:37Z")
I’m in Bozeman MT next week on business, and I have 1 full day free. Is it at all practical to try to visit Yellowstone, or will I end up driving all day without seeing much of anything? I’ve never been there and have no idea what to expect.
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### Author:  [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)
#### Post date: [October 18, 2016, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/2 "2016-10-18T19:18:18Z")
Yellowstone is pretty amazing, so I think I would say do it regardless of how much time you have. My wife and I spent four days there and still didn’t quite do everything we wanted to, so you won’t get a very comprehensive view of the park, but it will still be well worth your time.
My advice: drive the loop around the park, see Old Faithful (perhaps while you eat lunch so you’re not burning good time), see [Yellowstone’s grand canyon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon_of_the_Yellowstone#/media/File:Grand_canyon_of_Yellowstone_and_Yellowstone_fall.jpg). That’s easily achieved in a day.
I should re-emphasize the grand canyon. Everyone thinks geysers first, but Yellowstone was named for this canyon carved out of yellow stone and rightly so. It’s unbelievable. If you only see one thing in Yellowstone, that’s what you want.
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### Author:  [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)
#### Post date: [October 18, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/3 "2016-10-18T19:52:31Z")
If you are willing to put a full day of driving in, it’s worth it, especially if you’ve never been. You will spend a lot of time in the car, getting out and seeing sites like Old Faithful, Yellowstone Falls, hot pots, wild animals, and then getting back in the car to drive some more. You’ll want to do the basic Yellowstone loop which involves following slow traffic (although probably much less this time of year).
Daylight will be an issue, so you should leave Bozeman as early as possible to spend as much time in the park with daylight. You can check online for the Old Faithful schedule so you can make sure you arrive in time for an eruption. It’s worth seeing, as well as many of the smaller geysers and pools in the area but none can be predicted like Old Faithful. [Old Faithful Geyser](http://geysertimes.org/geyser.php?id=OldFaithful)
There’s already snow on the ground so dress accordingly and plan for slower drive times.
The Old Faithful Lodge is an amazing place to visit, but unfortunately is already closed for the season. Check to see what is actually open there, winter is practically here.
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### Author:  [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)
#### Post date: [October 18, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/4 "2016-10-18T19:56:45Z")
It was worth it to me when I did it (actually, stayed a bit north of Idaho Falls but still took me over an hour to get to the park gates.) I was able to see all the geyser areas in the southeast part of the loop and even get in a small hike to Fairy Falls, and then was also able to drive through Grand Tetons (which is included in your admission price I _think_), well before the sun went down. If you’ve never been there you need to go, if only to see what a large variety of sizes and colors hot pools they have.
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### Author:  [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)
#### Post date: [October 18, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/5 "2016-10-18T20:23:56Z")
Take plenty to eat and drink with you. While the park may be open, practically all of the concessions will be closed for the winter. Gas, too. So make sure you have a full tank before you enter the park.
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### Author:  [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)
#### Post date: [October 18, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/6 "2016-10-18T20:46:31Z")
All above is good advice; I just wanted to pile on that Yellowstone is so freakin’ amazing that even a quick tour of the major sites will bring a fond smile in your old age. Pictures just don’t do the colors and shapes and weirdness justice… especially as it’s all wrapped in the slightly more common beauty of the Western forests.
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### Author:  [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)
#### Post date: [October 18, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/7 "2016-10-18T22:25:13Z")
I spent one night in Yellowstone (after spending a night in Grand Teton) and knew there was no way to see it all or even most. I chose to concentrate on the Canyon area. I hiked the north rim fairly far.
(I did stop at West Thumb to see some thermal features)
Brian
(think about camping a couple of nights next year)
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### Author:  [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)
#### Post date: [October 18, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/8 "2016-10-18T23:07:07Z")
I took a bus tour through Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, etc. that spent one day driving through Yellowstone. As noted above, there are plenty of places to park, look around for a bit, then get back in your vehicle and drive to the next spot. I definitely enjoyed it.
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### Author:  [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/9 "2016-10-19T00:15:53Z")
The answer is yes. Hell, call in sick and make it 2 days. It’s one of the most amazing places on earth. You should go.
The last time I went I saw: geysers erupting, deer, bison, elk, wolves, black bears, grizzlies, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, mudpots, pronghorn, the Morning Glory Pool, and it goes on. The wildlife is amazing. The scenery is amazing, and truly unique.
Go.
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### Author:  [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/10 "2016-10-19T00:51:52Z")
It would be a big mistake to think you can do justice to Yellowstone in a day.
It would be a bigger mistake not to go if you have a day and the opportunity.
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### Author:  [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/11 "2016-10-19T00:58:21Z")
Yes, absolutely. Seeing a small part of Yellowstone is better than not seeing any of it.
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### Author:  [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/12 "2016-10-19T01:25:59Z")
Another vote in favor of a day trip to Yellowstone. I think it’s a bit ambitious to try to see the whole place in one day though. If you go in thru Gardiner and that magnificent arch at the northern entrance, you come right to the Mammoth Hot Springs and Historic District where you could easily spend a couple of hours. After that I don’t know how much time you’d have left to see more than one other place. I’d keep an eye on the weather forecast–if there’s a chance of snow you might want to reconsider. I’ve been snowed on in Yellowstone in late June, and that was no fun at all.
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### Author:  [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/13 "2016-10-19T02:08:23Z")
My wife and I did this last January when we went out to visit my son at MSU. We had an extra day so we took a day trip, went down 89 and in the North entrance. It was definitely worth it, really beautiful country in and around the park and fun seeing the wildlife.
During the winter the roads close so you can’t go all the way through the park (not sure when that happens). We drove for a while until the road was closed, turned around and went back the way we came in.
Coming back out it was dark and there were tons of Elk around and on the road just outside the entrance, not sure if it’s that way this time of year but be careful.
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### Author:  [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/14 "2016-10-19T02:50:57Z")
Everyone seems to be in my backyard recently. This is the third Yellowstone posting I’ve seen in the past couple weeks. Funny thing I’ve never been to Yellowstone yet (my wife’s scared of volcanos).
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### Author:  [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/15 "2016-10-19T03:23:10Z")
**Xema** nailed it. Go. I’ve been there several times; when I was in eastern Idaho for work with a spare day, there was no question what to do except head into Yellowstone.
It looks like [parts of the main loop are closed right now](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm). That will still let you hit Canyon, Norris & Old Faithful; don’t miss Grand Prismatic Spring.
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### Author:  [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/16 "2016-10-19T04:10:34Z")
Absolutely. It will be a long day but you can get to most any part of Yellowstone from Bozeman in one day. I used to live in Bozeman and did daytrips to Yellowstone frequently.
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### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/17 "2016-10-19T13:20:33Z")
Thank you all! I’ll do it. I definitely don’t have any expectation of seeing it “all,” but sounds like it’ll be worth the drive to see parts of it.
My next question is, should I plan on driving around to different areas or try to stop somewhere and hike?
And am I better off renting an SUV or does it not matter?
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### Author:  [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/18 "2016-10-19T14:13:41Z")
> [@scr4](#):
>
> Thank you all! I’ll do it. I definitely don’t have any expectation of seeing it “all,” but sounds like it’ll be worth the drive to see parts of it.
>
> My next question is, should I plan on driving around to different areas or try to stop somewhere and hike?
>
> And am I better off renting an SUV or does it not matter?
You are not allowed to go off roading within the park so suv won’t help you. Also another rule to be aware of is no matter how cold a baby buffalo looks do NOT put it into the back of your suv and drive it to the [ranger station](http://www.eastidahonews.com/2016/05/yellowstone-tourists-worried-bison-calf-is-cold-so-they-put-it-in-their-car/).
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### Author:  [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/19 "2016-10-19T14:52:36Z")
> [@scr4](#):
>
> My next question is, should I plan on driving around to different areas or try to stop somewhere and hike?
I think you will spend some time walking around at the roadside attractions. Many have extensive boardwalks that will keep you moving. IMO, for a one day trip you should pick a route that allows you to see a few different places (Old Faithful, Yellowstone Falls, etc) and explore a bit without undertaking a bigger hike.
> [@scr4](#):
>
> And am I better off renting an SUV or does it not matter?
If you’re worried about driving in snow an SUV is really no better than driving slowly and carefully.
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### Author:  [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2016, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-day-yellowstone-visit-from-bozeman-worth-it/768969/20 "2016-10-19T22:18:26Z")
> [@drewder](#):
>
> I’ve never been to Yellowstone yet (my wife’s scared of volcanos).
There’s only one there (underground) and it erupts around once every 600,000 years or so.
When it does, she’ll need to be at least hundreds of miles away for a decent chance of survival.
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