Solo Travel: 48 Hours in Yellowstone

Story and Photos by Mary Casey-Sturk

America’s 250^th celebration has had me in a patriotic state of mind in 2026 and what could be more American than visiting the world’s first national park-Yellowstone National Park.

Established on March 1, 1872, it encompasses 2.2 million acres and is home to an abundance of wildlife (Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, Bison, Long Horn Sheep) and more geysers, hot springs and geothermal features than anywhere else in the world. 

Entering from the northeast entrance outside of Cody (with a stunning drive through the Shoshone National Forest), it was quickly obvious to me that this adventure was going to exceed my expectations when I spied a moose enjoying the sunshine and going about his daily business, despite dozens of us pulled over to snap a photo. This would become a recurring theme during my two days of wandering, pulling over to get a photo of some of the amazing wildlife this park is home to or being stopped behind a “bear jam”, whereas everyone comes to a halt to view these majestic creatures from a safe distance. I was in four bear jams, but I only saw three black bears. While one remained elusive to my eyes at least, I still had my Goldilocks moment!

Smiles for Miles

I must have said “wow” every ten minutes. The vistas are simply stunning and with every turn there was something new. Something amazing. Something I hope I never forget.

Here are some of my favorites:

Artist Point

Waterfalls have always been a favorite of mine, harkening back to trips of my childhood when we’d point out each one we saw to my Uncle Bobby. It became a running family joke for years and a way to break the tension as six of us traveled in a 1969 VW Beetle.

Yellowstone’s famed Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River can be viewed from Artist Point and is located on the Grand Canyon’s South Rim. With a 308-foot drop thundering into the canyon, it’s no wonder so many artists and visitors are spellbound. Bobby would have loved it.  I did.  Tip: wait for the crowds to pass and get that perfect photo.

Old Faithful

I cannot recall a time when I didn’t want to see Old Faithful. Postcards from friends back in the day and more recent Facebook posts convinced me that this should be on my bucket list. On this trip, I was able to check this off as I waited patiently with hundreds of others for “the moment”.  Waiting was honestly half the fun!  I chatted with a multi-generational family on vacation and the energy of their twin 10-year-olds was impressive! They were all having the time of their lives exploring the park and sharing the importance of conservation with the next generation.

Old Faithful is one of approximately 500 geysers in the park and one of a handful that the park rangers can predict its eruptions with regularity. Old Faithful certainly lives up to that, only lengthening the time between eruptions by about 30 minutes in the last 30 years or so. Check in advance for timing or step inside the Old Faithful Inn for information. While I didn’t stay at the Inn on this trip, I enjoyed looking around, popping into its gift shop and the blissfully modern facilities (more on that later).  Tip: there is a coffee kiosk on the second floor of the Inn, you might need it by now.

Lamar Valley

One of the first areas I drove through was Lamar Valley. Near the northeast entrance, I’d been told I would see Bison here and boy did I! It was early June and I saw more Bison than I could ever possibly count. Bison cows with their young calves (who are reddish in color at this stage), bulls in their bachelor groups, and every combination were on full display, and it was delightful seeing them thriving in the park.

I pulled over multiple times and these massive creatures proved quite photogenic. During the drive, they would sometimes be crossing the road or near the road. Tip: watch out for bison crossing, they don’t look both ways.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Many places within the park feel “other-worldly” due to the abundance of geysers, but nothing prepared me for the absolute beauty of Grand Prismatic Spring. As the largest hot spring in the park, it is around 300 feet in diameter and over 100 feet deep. Located in Midway Geyser Basin, it’s a popular stop for photos and gazing at the stunning orange, yellow and green-blue hues that stretch across the surface. Hot springs are the most common hydrothermal features in the park: super-heated water cools as it reaches the surface, sinks, and is replaced by hotter water from below.

Walkers along the boardwalk, myself included, paused every few feet to take photos as the colors exploded before us. The very essence of this spot is magical and it’s always changing in front of your eyes. Walk back to where you just were and it’s changed, wonderfully. Tip: it’s windy here, take your hat off, you’ll see why.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Have I landed on the moon?  These springs don’t look like the rest of Yellowstone’s thermal areas, but they’re amazing in a different way.  Here, you’ll find chalky terraces and formations of travertine (limestone) that build up when spring water releases carbon dioxide at the surface. The white, gray and copper tones invoke a surreal landscape that is stunning from below and above.

On this sunny day, the water twinkled in the sunlight, dancing merrily on its way to become what’s next. Wow!  Tip: there is parking at the top that allows you access to the boardwalk without a hilly climb. Your calves will thank me later.

A Lifetime of Memories in 48 Hours and a Few More Tips

Tuning out and tuning in to nature is the name of the game in Yellowstone. Expect to lose cellular reception in many areas and don’t count on Wi-Fi signals in remote lodges and cabins. Do count on breathtakingly beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes, geysers, valleys, vistas, canyons and plenty of wildlife. During my 48 hours, I saw Black Bear, Bighorn Sheep, Pronghorn, Elk, Moose, Mountain Goats and an array of birds-including my favorite, the Black-Billed Magpie.

I felt so inspired in my short time here that I vowed to enjoy nature closer to home and be intentional with my time. Less scrolling and more strolling.

Plan ahead for restroom breaks (often found in parking areas- not glamorous, but efficient), have a full tank of gas, let someone know where you are heading, have your devices fully charged, grab your camera, your notebook and your sketchpad, be aware and respectful of wildlife, pack and dress accordingly for weather and wear comfortable shoes. If venturing off the roadway (beyond the immediate sites), prepare for wildlife and insects and know which plants to avoid. Make your lodging reservations well in advance and plan meals with views. My dinner at Lake Yellowstone Lodge had a great view of Yellowstone Lake during golden hour. My lunch break at the Old Faithful Inn garnered a view of Old Faithful from above and my picnic near Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel was nearly invaded by curious young elk and magpies. Staying at Canyon Lodge was just what I needed, and I slept like a log with the fresh mountain air coming through the open windows. Note that parts of the park are closed in winter.

Solo Travel

While known for family vacations, and it’s a great place for that, solo travelers are just as at home in the park and there is something very therapeutic about getting out in nature.  You’ll find other solo travelers and everyone I encountered was friendly and happy to share what they’ve seen and done.

If You Go

I started with a flight into Cody, spending two nights there and taking in all the charms of the city.  There is much on offer here, whether you are a fan of museums, rodeos, or a history buff. Cody Trolley Tours’ live-narration tour gave me a great overview, then I headed to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (which includes 5 museums), the very moving Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center, Old Town Trail, and the Buffalo Bill Dam are just some of the highlights of my time in Cody.

48 hours or 480 hours, it’s never enough to do and see all that Yellowstone National Park has to offer. I’ll be back for more. http://www.codyyellowstone.org