The Yellowstone Lower Loop Drive is a scenic route that covers many of the park’s iconic attractions and offers opportunities for wildlife sightings. This comprehensive guide will take you through the notable stops, drive details, safety tips, dining options, and guided tour information to help you plan your perfect Yellowstone adventure.
Notable Stops on the Yellowstone Lower Loop Drive
- Old Faithful: One of Yellowstone’s most famous attractions, known for its consistent eruptions every 1-2 hours.
- Firehole Lake Drive: A one-way drive past geysers and springs, offering a chance to see the Great Fountain Geyser erupt.
- Gibbons Falls: A 84-foot waterfall accessible via a short, handicap-accessible path.
- Norris Geyser Basin: One of the hottest and most acidic thermal areas in the park, with new hot springs and geysers appearing each year.
- Yellowstone Lake: A scenic drive along the lake’s shoreline, offering views of bison grazing in herds.
Driving the Yellowstone Lower Loop
- Total Distance: 198 miles from the South Entrance, 155 miles if staying inside the park.
- Total Driving Time: Approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes from the South Entrance, or about 4 hours and 30 minutes if staying inside the park.
- Time Needed for Each Stop:
- Firehole Lake Drive: 20 minutes.
- Gibbons Falls: 15 minutes.
- Norris Geyser Basin: 30-45 minutes.
Safety and Tips for the Yellowstone Lower Loop Drive
- Wildlife Safety: Stay 100 yards away from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from other animals.
- Thermal Area Safety: Stay on boardwalks and designated trails, and avoid throwing objects into thermal features.
- Cell Phone Service: Limited in the park, but more accessible in developed areas like Old Faithful and Canyon Village.
- Hydration: Drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness, as Yellowstone is 8,000 feet above sea level.
- Junior Ranger Program: Available for kids aged 4 and older, with an activity booklet available for $3.
Dining Options Along the Yellowstone Lower Loop
- Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Lake Hotel Dining Room: Open from 5 to 10 p.m., with advanced reservations required.
- Grant Village Lake House: Open from 5 to 8 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guided Tours of the Yellowstone Lower Loop
- Yellowstone National Park Lower Loop Guided Tour: An 8-10 hour tour that includes a picnic lunch, water, and drinks, with pick-up from locations in Big Sky, MT, or West Yellowstone, MT.
Planning Tips for the Yellowstone Lower Loop Drive
- Day 2 Recommendation: Drive the Lower Loop on the second day of your trip, as it features Yellowstone’s most famous attractions.
- Counter-Clockwise Route: Recommended to do the Lower Loop in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Time Allocation: Leave at least 3-4 hours for the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on an unforgettable journey through the wonders of Yellowstone’s Lower Loop Drive. Remember to prioritize safety, pack plenty of water, and take the time to soak in the breathtaking natural beauty that this iconic national park has to offer.
References:
- Jackson Hole Traveler. (n.d.). Yellowstone National Park One-Day Lower Loop Sightseeing Itinerary. Retrieved from http://www.jacksonholetraveler.com/article/yellowstone-national-park-one-day-itinerary/
- Yellowstone Scenic Tours. (n.d.). Yellowstone National Park Lower Loop Guided Tour. Retrieved from https://www.yellowstonescenictours.biz/lower
- GuideAlong. (n.d.). How to Plan A Yellowstone Trip – Lower Loop – GyPSy Guide. Retrieved from https://guidealong.com/how-to-plan-a-yellowstone-trip-part-2/
- TripAdvisor. (2022, March 30). Visualizing Yellowstone’s “loops” with drive times. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60999-i481-k13882640-Visualizing_Yellowstone_s_loops_with_drive_times-Yellowstone_National_Park_Wyoming.html
- Bound to Explore. (n.d.). An Epic Day Driving the Yellowstone Loop| Yellowstone National Park. Retrieved from https://boundtoexplore.com/driving-yellowstone-loop/.