Yellowstone
Yellowstone Family Vacation
Our Family Vacation in 2023
This was the third day of our journey starting from Salt Lake City, Utah. The first two days were already unforgettable. After landing in Salt Lake, we spent our first day exploring the city center, sharing stories with fellow Filipino friends we met along the way, and enjoying both lunch and dinner at the local Asian market.
The following morning, we woke up early for the long drive to Grand Teton National Park. The weather was perfect, and the route took us through vast agricultural fields and wide, scenic valleys. As we approached the park, the landscape shifted into rolling hills and dramatic cliffs. When we finally arrived, we were met with one of the most fantastic landscapes I’ve ever seen—towering mountains capped with ice and snow, a view that many Filipino families dreaming of a classic American road trip would absolutely love.
Near sundown, we headed to West Yellowstone, Montana, to check into our hotel. That evening, we had a memorable dinner at a restaurant that served bison meat, catching up online to share travel updates with our Filipino friends back home.
The next day, we began our exploration of Yellowstone National Park. Just 20 minutes from the West Yellowstone entrance, we encountered a massive herd of bison! We had been longing to see them, so we pulled over to take photos and videos from a safe distance. It was a truly satisfying moment, especially seeing how much other visiting Filipino families nearby enjoyed the raw wildlife experience.
We continued to our first official stop: Midway Geyser Basin. It is hard to imagine that nature could create something so unique; it felt like a place you couldn't find anywhere else on Earth. The Grand Prismatic Spring was particularly fascinating with its boiling, steaming craters and deep blue colors. The best part was the boardwalk, which allowed us to get a close-up view of these incredible natural wonders.
Grand Teton Trip Highlights
Please check out our trip blog we started in Grand Teton National Park.
Our Travel Itinerary & Timeline
The Midway Geyser Basin Exploration
"It took us a little while to get here; the traffic was heavy and there were a lot of drivers on the road at this time."
Upper Geyser Basin Tour
I didn't go with the group because Matthew was fast asleep. I just stayed in the van in the parking lot with him.
Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful Eruption Experience
We didn't realize that the Old Faithful Inn was such a significant historic landmark, known as one of the largest log structures in the world. We were fascinated by how well-preserved the building was despite its age, and there was so much to explore inside. The lodge offered plenty of dining options and souvenir shops to browse through. While the hotel was beyond our budget for an overnight stay, we discovered a viewing deck that looks out toward the geyser. It is a fantastic alternative if you want to avoid the crowds on the boardwalk while waiting for the show to start—a great travel tip we made sure to pass along to our Filipino friends planning their own trips.
Seeing the eruption of Old Faithful was a truly fantastic experience; it is incredible to think about how such a natural phenomenon occurs without any human intervention. We were all deeply satisfied watching the water blast into the sky, and it was well worth the two-hour wait. There were massive crowds gathered to witness it, making it clear that this is likely the most popular and visited spot in all of Yellowstone. The entire experience left us in awe of nature’s power and served as a perfect highlight that many traveling Filipino families would thoroughly enjoy.
Beyond the geysers and historic buildings, the surrounding area offers a unique glimpse into the raw beauty of the wilderness. Walking through the basin, you can feel the heat rising from the ground and smell the sulfur in the air, which adds to the otherworldly atmosphere of the park. It is a place where time seems to slow down, allowing you to appreciate the small details of the landscape, from the colorful bacterial mats to the distant sight of bison roaming the plains. Sharing these moments online with our Filipino friends and seeing other Filipino families exploring the trails made us realize just how universally inspiring these protected lands truly are.
Watch Our 2 YouTube Travel Vlogs
"Come check out our video on our trips and visits to Salt Lake City and Grand Teton National Park."
"Please also check out our continued trips and visits to Yellowstone National Park, where we found more incredible nature, as well as the Bonneville Salt Flats."
Old Faithful Geyser Eruption
"The timeline for Old Faithful was a bit tight; by the time we arrived, an eruption had just occurred, so we had to wait another two hours for the next one."
Lamar Valley Drive
"Getting to Lamar Valley that day was already late. It was quite a long drive, and the rain was coming down, but we still managed to make it."
Upper Falls Stop
"We were in a bit of a rush to reach the Upper Falls, as it was getting dark and the weather was quite cloudy as well"
Mammoth Hot Springs Arrival
"We arrived at Mammoth Hot Springs the very next morning; the timing was perfect and the weather was beautiful and sunny."
Lamar Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Beautiful Landscape of Lamar Valley
The places in Yellowstone are incredibly distinct from one another, each offering a unique landscape. Lamar Valley, in particular, felt like an entirely different world. Its vast, sweeping plains of vegetation create the perfect environment for wild animals to roam freely. As we drove through the valley, we were struck by how long and wide the expanse was, providing a massive, open sanctuary where wildlife can move without restriction.
At first, we were worried we might not see any animals, but as we continued our drive, we spotted one or two. Around the next turn, we saw even more, until eventually, we encountered a massive herd of bison. At one point, we had to stop completely because a group was crossing the road, causing a "bison jam." A ranger eventually arrived to guide the traffic and help us move along safely. It was a dream come true to see them so close—right in front of our van—looking very much like wild cattle. We left feeling deeply satisfied to have finally witnessed these creatures in their natural habitat.
Lamar Valley is a massive wildlife sanctuary home to wolves and bears, though we primarily encountered a giant bison herd. Seeing them cross the road right in front of our van was a truly satisfying and unforgettable experience.
AmbienceA vast, serene wilderness where wildlife roams freely across plains.
Upper Falls Scenic Outlook
Viewing Deck of Upper Falls
The rain was on and off during our journey to the Upper Falls, but we still managed to reach the viewing deck. We couldn't leave without seeing these fantastic falls; missing them simply wasn't an option for our travel memories. Every natural wonder in Yellowstone must be experienced because you truly won't find landscapes like this anywhere else. Seeing those massive waterfalls brought so much joy and satisfaction, and we had a perfect vantage point to capture photos and videos. We spent a few minutes soaking it all in before heading back to beat the sunset, feeling completely happy with the experience.
Standing before the sheer power of the falls, we felt a deep sense of gratitude for the effort it took to get there. The misty air and the thunderous sound of the crashing water created an atmosphere that felt both wild and serene. Even with the ticking clock and the fading light, the moment felt suspended in time, leaving us with a profound appreciation for the raw, untouched beauty of the park. It was the perfect conclusion to our day, proving that some sights are worth every bit of the effort.
The Upper Falls offers a powerful, breathtaking view of water plunging into Yellowstone’s magnificent canyon.
AmbienceVisiting Filipino families and friends will find the Upper Falls' thunderous, misty atmosphere absolutely mesmerizing.
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Beautiful Terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs
In the northern high country of Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs immediately stands out as a completely unparalleled landscape. Unlike the roaring geysers or deep green valleys found elsewhere, this area feels like a living, breathing sculpture made of vibrant stone and steam. Walking along the wooden boardwalk loops, you are surrounded by massive, ancient travertine structures that showcase an incredible spectrum of shifting colors—creating a geological wonder that many visiting Filipino families will find absolutely breathtaking.
At first, we weren't sure what to expect from the geothermal features, but as we continued our walk along the structural bridges, the views opened up beautifully. Around every turn, we saw vibrant mineral pools and cascading white terraces, until eventually, we reached the main overlook. It was a dream come true to capture these striking landscapes so close—right in front of us—making it a perfect spot for taking photos and video updates to share online with our Filipino friends back home.
We left the area feeling deeply satisfied to have witnessed these unique, steaming formations in their natural state. Seeing other traveling Filipino families exploring the trails alongside us made the experience feel even more special. It truly is a world-class geological sanctuary where time seems to stand still, leaving everyone with an unforgettable impression of Yellowstone's raw, natural beauty.
Travertine is a beautiful, porous limestone formed by mineral deposits from hot springs over centuries.
AmbienceWalking through steaming travertine terraces feels like exploring a surreal, prehistoric, and ever-changing alien landscape.
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