Vacation Rentals in Yellowstone

If you want to stay near the wondrous Yellowstone National Park, you will find plenty of accommodation options. Some of the bets of all are mountain cabins, which have traditional looks, but contemporary features. Experience a bit of the pioneer spirit, along with modern perks like jacuzzis, pools, and saunas, and be within a short drive of Old Faithful and other natural attractions in the area.

Another option is to stay somewhere less secluded. For instance, you'll find vacation homes in Tower Junction, Canyon Village, and Gardiner. There are smaller apartments, as well as spacious standalone properties to choose from, with urban amenities close at hand. And some places also make it easy to combine ski rental with sightseeing, providing the full range of Yellowstone's activities.

Famous for its sublime mountain scenery and wildlife, Yellowstone is the oldest National Park in the USA, having been created in 1872. Located in Wyoming near the border with Idaho and Montana, it's still one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the lower 48. Stretching across 3,500 square miles of beautiful territory, it's a destination everyone should visit at least once.

With so much ground to cover, much of which features mountainous terrain, Yellowstone is a great place to rent a rugged offroad vehicle. However, you can reach regional highlights like Old Faithful by conventional automobile without too many problems. If you follow the "Grand Loop" of suggested sights, you can see it all in between four and seven hours.

Even though it's in the relatively remote northwestern part of Wyoming, getting to Yellowstone is easy enough. Jackson Hole is the airport to fly into, and it's served by major airlines like Delta, American, and United. Some people like to take the Amtrak to Salt Lake City, then a shuttle to Yellowstone (which takes 9 hours). And I-80 runs through southern Wyoming, linking the park to the national highway system.

Yellowstone is heaven for hikers. The stunning scenery is the reason why it became the first National Park, and locations like the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone or Hayden Valley have lost none of their visual impact. It's an amazing place to see on foot.

Of course, you don't have to see Yellowstone on foot. The Grand Loop offers a convenient way to take in the main attractions. Its 142 mile length passes by the area's famous volcanic geysers, Yellowstone Lake, the Grand Canyon, and Mammoth Hot Springs.

Aside from the geysers, canyons and springs, Yellowstone's animal inhabitants are stars of the show. At sites like the Lamar Valley, you'll see herds of bison, soaring bald eagles, and maybe even a grizzly bear or a wolfpack.

Deliberately laid out by the Army Corps of Engineers to serve visitors to Yellowstone, this scenic roadway is an incredibly handy way to see the National Park's greatest sights, and if you have a car, following it is a must.

The world's most famous geyser (a volcanic water pipe), Old Faithful is so named because of his regular eruptions. You can get pretty close to the action, as water spurts for up to 180 feet in the air.

Another (of many) iconic locations in Yellowstone, the stepped springs at Mammoth on Terrace Mountain were formed by travertine deposits. Few places are as photogenic, so make sure your camera is charged.

It's not as long or deep as Arizona's version, but Yellowstone's 20-mile long Grand Canyon is just as beautiful, with attractions like the 109-feet high Upper Falls and the massive 308-feet high Lower Falls.

7,700 feet above sea level, Yellowstone Lake is a fisherman's dream, with an endless stock of trout to catch. After getting hold of a license, head to Bridge Bay Marina to rent a boat, and let the day unfold.

Yellowstone is primarily a summer destination due to the chilly winters which make hiking almost impossible, and driving difficult. But from April until October, the area becomes an outdoor magnet. The best times to go are probably at the start and end of the season in April and May, and September and October, before the crowds arrive. Then again, with resorts like Yellowstone Club nearby, winter skiing trips are also a possibility.

One of the things to remember when visiting Yellowstone is that it's a national treasure, and certain rules apply for all visitors. For example, you can't cycle all over the trails, so research your offroad routes, and fishing licenses are required (but easy to secure). Pets also need to be leashed, and can't stray more than 100 feet from the road, so taking them on the trails is not allowed.