Day 11 The Ultimate USA Road Trip Yellowstone Park
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 10-04-2022
Route Summary
This is the eleventh route of "The Ultimate USA Road Trip", a collection of routes based on the route created by scientist Dr. Randy Olsen algorithm to create the perfect USA Road Trip covering almost every US state and major US hot spots.I have further supplemented the Road Trip with even more special points that you can visit in the USA. Today we drive a tour of almost 200 miles through Yellowstone National Park.
The park covers an area of 8,983 km², making it one of the largest national parks in the US. The average height in the park is 2440 meters. Most of the park in Wyoming is forest. The park is home to many animal species, including bison, deer, several species of bears, coyotes, and wolves. The park contains more than 800 kilometers of paved roads and twice as many kilometers of hiking trails.
The route is a succession of beautiful sights, there are many geysers, lakes and beautiful winding roads. There are many opportunities to stop to take photo. I therefore rate this route with 5 stars.
Share this route
Animation
Verdict
Duration
10h 32m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
316.69 km
Countries
Yellowstone Park
RouteXpert Review
On day eleven we drive from Headwaters Lodge Ranch a tour through the beautiful Yellowstone Park. The park has a lot of natural beauty and wild life to offer, if you are lucky you will also spot wildlife on this drive such as; bison, deer, bears, coyotes, wolves, sea eagles, trumpeter swans and much more.Before departure we fill up the engines and take provisions for the road. At the South Entrance, a 5-minute drive from the Ranch, you can buy an access pass for 7 days of access to the park, the cost for a motorcyclist is $30.
The first part of the drive takes us to the West Thumb Geyser Basin, one of the largest geyser basins Located along the shores of Yellowstone Lake and is one of the main attractions in this part of Yellowstone National Park.
Best of all, part is one of the least visited basins in the park. That's a shame because it's a beautiful collection of hot springs and rippling pools.
After approximately 70km we visit The Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Museum, located on the shores of serene Yellowstone Lake. In this old log cabin you will discover the wide variety of wildlife that lives here in and around the largest lake in North America at 2133m. There are several animal shows in the visitor center so well worth a visit.
We drive further north on the beautiful road that winds through the park, along the route you can enjoy the beautiful nature in the parking spaces with sanitary facilities. Take the time to stop every now and then to enjoy yourself and take beautiful pictures. Such as at "The Brink of the Upper Falls" where after a short walk you have a beautiful view of the waterfalls in the Yellowstone River.
Lunch is scheduled in the Canyon Valley. There are a number of restaurants here and there is also an education center to learn more about Yellowstone National Park.
The next part of the route takes us to many points where you can hike past geysers, mud puddles, hot springs and waterfalls. The hiking trails are easily accessible and often consist of wooden boardwalks. Take into account the extra time that a walk will require.
A number of Trail Heads are included in the route such as;
Hell Roaring Suspension Bridge, a 2.3-mile round trip hike, this is a popular hiking trail and takes approximately 1 hour 16 minutes to complete and takes you to a beautiful suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River.
The Mammoth Hot Springs Trail is an approximately 3.4-mile hike around a large complex of hot springs on a hillside with travertine terraces and waterfalls, it is a very busy Trail Head. So be sure to take 2 hours into account.
Another option is the Trail at Terrace Springs, this is a short path over boardwalks past some beautiful springs, it takes about 40 minutes
We continue the drive on Firehole Canyon Drive, a one-way road of approximately 5 km on a serpentine road through the canyon that follows the course of the Yellowstone river. Along the way you can stop at a nice waterfall and at a swimming area, enjoy the ride and the beautiful scenery.
The next stop is at The Fountain Paint Pot Trail, this is a short trail head of approximately 1.6 kilometers and here you will see 16 different Hydro thermal features that are evidence of the still active Yellowstone volcano. All this beauty in a small area also makes this route incredibly popular. After this stop we drive a small loop (one-way traffic), where you have a view of a number of beautiful sources and geysers along the route.
Another attraction is the Biscuit Basin Loop, a hike of about 1 kilometer in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. The promenade walk is short, but there are plenty of hydrothermal features to see. Highlights include colorful hot springs and spouting geysers such as Black Opal Pool, Sapphire Pool, Jewel Geyser, Shell Spring, Avoca Spring, Mustard Spring, and Black Pearl Geyser. It will take you about 30 minutes.
After this stop comes the highlight, we stop at Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park's most famous geyser and also the most active; it blows hot vapors into the air every 60 to 80 minutes. In the early days of the park, the geyser was often used to do laundry. An eruption can spray up to 32,000 liters of boiling water about 56 m high. More than 137,000 eruptions have already been recorded, lasting one and a half to six minutes.
We end the day back at the Headwaters Lodge Ranch.
Firehole Canyon
Biscuit Basin Loop
Links
Usage
Want to download this route?
You can download the route for free without MyRoute-app account. To do so, open the route and click 'save as'. Want to edit this route?
No problem, start by opening the route. Follow the tutorial and create your personal MyRoute-app account. After registration, your trial starts automatically.
Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Nearby routes
Wyoming
About this region
Wyoming is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. The 10th largest state by area, it is also the least populous and least densely populated state in the contiguous United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the southwest, and Colorado to the south. The state population was 576,851 at the 2020 United States census, making it the least populated U.S. state. The state capital and the most populous city is Cheyenne, which had an estimated population of 63,957 in 2018.Wyoming's western half is mostly covered by the ranges and rangelands of the Rocky Mountains, while the eastern half of the state is high-elevation prairie called the High Plains. It is drier and windier than the rest of the country, being split between semi-arid and continental climates with greater temperature extremes. Almost half of the land in Wyoming is owned by the federal government, leading the state to rank 6th by area and fifth by proportion of a state's land owned by the federal government. Federal lands include two national parks—Grand Teton and Yellowstone—two national recreation areas, two national monuments, several national forests, historic sites, fish hatcheries, and wildlife refuges.
Original inhabitants of the region include the Arapaho, Crow, Lakota, and Shoshone. Southwest Wyoming was claimed by the Spanish Empire and then as Mexican territory until it was ceded to the U.S. in 1848 at the end of the Mexican–American War. The region acquired the name "Wyoming" when a bill was introduced to Congress in 1865 to provide a temporary government for the territory of Wyoming. The name had been used earlier for the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania, and is derived from the Munsee word xwé:wamənk, meaning "at the big river flat".Wyoming's economy is driven by tourism and the extraction of minerals such as coal, natural gas, oil, and trona. Agricultural commodities include barley, hay, livestock, sugar beets, wheat, and wool. It was the first state to allow women the right to vote and become politicians, as well as the first state to elect a female governor. Due to this part of its history, its main nickname is "The Equality State" and its official state motto is "Equal Rights". It has been a politically conservative state since the 1950s, with the Republican presidential nominee carrying the state in every election since 1968. A notable exception is Teton County, which has achieved notability for being Wyoming's most Democratic county and the only county in the state to be won by a Democrat in every election since 2004.
Read more on Wikipedia
Original inhabitants of the region include the Arapaho, Crow, Lakota, and Shoshone. Southwest Wyoming was claimed by the Spanish Empire and then as Mexican territory until it was ceded to the U.S. in 1848 at the end of the Mexican–American War. The region acquired the name "Wyoming" when a bill was introduced to Congress in 1865 to provide a temporary government for the territory of Wyoming. The name had been used earlier for the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania, and is derived from the Munsee word xwé:wamənk, meaning "at the big river flat".Wyoming's economy is driven by tourism and the extraction of minerals such as coal, natural gas, oil, and trona. Agricultural commodities include barley, hay, livestock, sugar beets, wheat, and wool. It was the first state to allow women the right to vote and become politicians, as well as the first state to elect a female governor. Due to this part of its history, its main nickname is "The Equality State" and its official state motto is "Equal Rights". It has been a politically conservative state since the 1950s, with the Republican presidential nominee carrying the state in every election since 1968. A notable exception is Teton County, which has achieved notability for being Wyoming's most Democratic county and the only county in the state to be won by a Democrat in every election since 2004.
View region
Statistics
20
Amount of RX reviews (Wyoming)
14066
Amount of visitors (Wyoming)
316
Amount of downloads (Wyoming)
Route Collections in this region
Top car and motorcycle tour through the Midwest of the USA
By car or motorcycle through the Midwest of America is a journey that you do not just make, so it is not a 13-day drive and then back home. No, book a stay of several days in Denver, Cheyenne, Rapid City (In August the Sturgis Bike Ralley, stay there for a day or 4), Yellowstone National Park, Estes Park and again Denver to also visit several places of interest in these cities, so that this tour becomes an unforgettable tour that you can remember with pleasure.
Do not forget to arrange and pack the following items:
*This is only a summary and completely personal and may differ per person.
Take out travel insurance, +31 for numbers in GSM, (partially) take out gas, Health insurance coverage at destination?, Switch off electrical appliances, Lighting (time clock), Check passport validity, Antenna from radio/TV due to lightning, Residence address for those left behind, Remote control house alarm, Book Smart Parking.
Hand luggage:
Liquids in packaging of max. 100 ml, Liquids in hand luggage in transparent plastic bag.
For on the road:
Candy, Book, Earplugs, Country and road map(s), Directions, Maps in your navigation system
Money & Securities:
Bank card / giro card, Credit card (think pin code), Cash, Calculator for Internet banking, Medical insurance card, Travel insurance card.
Travel documents:
Passport, (International) Driver's License, Ticket(s), Reservation Tickets, Hotel Vouchers, Arrival/Departure Time, Check-in & Check-out Times, Valid Visa (ESTA), Travel Guide.
Clothing:
Underwear, Belt, Shirts/ T-shirts, Shorts, Long pants, Shoes, Socks, Swim trunks, Towel, Slippers.
Personal stuff:
Watch, House Keys, Wallet, Sunglasses.
Toiletries:
Deodorant, Shower gel / Soap, Comb / brush, Shaving equipment, Shampoo, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Sanitary pads
Health & Medicine:
Own medicines, Insect repellent, Cold sore ointment, Ointment for insect bites, Sunscreen, Norit, Paracetamol, Suction cup for insect bites, First aid bag.
Miscellaneous:
Travel bag / waist bag, Leatherman (= checked luggage), Pen or pencil, Headlamp, Lighter, Tools & Electronics, Mobile phone & charger, Photo/video camera & charger, Memory card(s), World plug / adapter, Ipod & charger, Adapter cable Ipod, Headphones, iPad & charger, Navigation & charger/plug, Plug socket, Fuelpack battery.
Engine (accessories):
Helmet, Motorcycle clothing, Motorcycle boots, Chain lock / disc brake lock, Gloves, Bandana, Inner bags (plastic shopping bag), Insulation bag, Tension straps, Tie wraps, Rain suit, Rainaway.
Addresses:
Address list, Embassy telephone number, Telephone number to block (bank) card(s), Telephone number (airline tickets).
Do not forget to arrange and pack the following items:
*This is only a summary and completely personal and may differ per person.
Take out travel insurance, +31 for numbers in GSM, (partially) take out gas, Health insurance coverage at destination?, Switch off electrical appliances, Lighting (time clock), Check passport validity, Antenna from radio/TV due to lightning, Residence address for those left behind, Remote control house alarm, Book Smart Parking.
Hand luggage:
Liquids in packaging of max. 100 ml, Liquids in hand luggage in transparent plastic bag.
For on the road:
Candy, Book, Earplugs, Country and road map(s), Directions, Maps in your navigation system
Money & Securities:
Bank card / giro card, Credit card (think pin code), Cash, Calculator for Internet banking, Medical insurance card, Travel insurance card.
Travel documents:
Passport, (International) Driver's License, Ticket(s), Reservation Tickets, Hotel Vouchers, Arrival/Departure Time, Check-in & Check-out Times, Valid Visa (ESTA), Travel Guide.
Clothing:
Underwear, Belt, Shirts/ T-shirts, Shorts, Long pants, Shoes, Socks, Swim trunks, Towel, Slippers.
Personal stuff:
Watch, House Keys, Wallet, Sunglasses.
Toiletries:
Deodorant, Shower gel / Soap, Comb / brush, Shaving equipment, Shampoo, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Sanitary pads
Health & Medicine:
Own medicines, Insect repellent, Cold sore ointment, Ointment for insect bites, Sunscreen, Norit, Paracetamol, Suction cup for insect bites, First aid bag.
Miscellaneous:
Travel bag / waist bag, Leatherman (= checked luggage), Pen or pencil, Headlamp, Lighter, Tools & Electronics, Mobile phone & charger, Photo/video camera & charger, Memory card(s), World plug / adapter, Ipod & charger, Adapter cable Ipod, Headphones, iPad & charger, Navigation & charger/plug, Plug socket, Fuelpack battery.
Engine (accessories):
Helmet, Motorcycle clothing, Motorcycle boots, Chain lock / disc brake lock, Gloves, Bandana, Inner bags (plastic shopping bag), Insulation bag, Tension straps, Tie wraps, Rain suit, Rainaway.
Addresses:
Address list, Embassy telephone number, Telephone number to block (bank) card(s), Telephone number (airline tickets).
View Route Collection
13 Routes
3807.99 km
64h 31m
The 10 most downloaded routes in the USA from RouteXpert Hans van de Ven
Hello and welcome to this collection of the Top 10 MyRoute app downloaded routes in USA.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be driven.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelogue of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your mail.
The 10 routes are:
1. D13 Estes Park Denver
2. D03 Chadron Custer
3. D01 Pigeon Forge round trip through the Smokey Mountains
4. D08 Kalispell Sandpoint
5. D10 Colville Wenatchee
6. D09 Sandpoint Colville
7. D04 Custer Wall
8. D11 Wenatchee Seattle
9. D08 Cody Yellowstone NP
10.R13 San Francisco Monterey
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be driven.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelogue of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your mail.
The 10 routes are:
1. D13 Estes Park Denver
2. D03 Chadron Custer
3. D01 Pigeon Forge round trip through the Smokey Mountains
4. D08 Kalispell Sandpoint
5. D10 Colville Wenatchee
6. D09 Sandpoint Colville
7. D04 Custer Wall
8. D11 Wenatchee Seattle
9. D08 Cody Yellowstone NP
10.R13 San Francisco Monterey
View Route Collection
10 Routes
2439.8 km
58h 27m