Geysers, Canyons, and Old Faithful: A Big Day in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park

Some days on The Grand Western Tour are packed so full of wonder that it’s hard to know where to begin. Today was one of those days.

We were up super early to hit the road, stopping at Albertsons to grab breakfast and pack a picnic lunch before driving through the Tetons and into Yellowstone. We pulled over briefly to take in the Teton mountain range and snap a few photos before the adventure really began.

Our first stop was the legendary Old Faithful. Since the exact eruption time is never certain, and we were only given a window, we waited with bated breath and phones at the ready. When it finally blew, it was every bit as fantastic as we had hoped. From there, we split into counselor groups to explore more of the geysers and hot springs, walking past pools that bubbled and hissed, all framed by beautifully colored minerals. We even learned that Yellowstone is home to around 60% of the world’s geysers. Some groups also explored the lodge, which happens to be the largest log structure in the world, along with the visitor center.

Next, we hiked up to the Grand Prismatic overlook for a look at the park’s famous rainbow-colored spring, then made our way to Artist Point to take in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It was so stunning that we hopped off the bus even in the rain to peek down into the gorge below.

As the day wound down, we left the park and crossed the border into Montana, where we will be spending the night in West Yellowstone. What an unforgettable day.