When we were on our 5,800-mile, 13-state Western road trip last year, one of the biggest expenses we incurred—gas aside—was park admission. It’s not cheap if you’re visiting a different place every other day. Which is why National Park Week is such a genius idea; from April 21 to 29, all of the 397 U.S. parks are free of charge.
We visited Yellowstone last June, though judging from these photos, it might as well have been January for as much snow as still stood on the ground. 2011 was a wacky year as far as weather was concerned; our campsite at Canyon Village was flanked by 10-foot-high banks of ice and the park entrances via Beartooth Highway and Sylvan pass were still closed—and it was the first official week of “summer,” too!
Yellowstone Lake itself was a funny sight: Some parts were completely melted, while other parts were entirely frozen.
The resident bison didn’t seem to mind the drastic temperature changes. They continued to do their thing (i.e. pose like an American icon while chomping on grass).
According to the National Park Service, Yellowstone Lake covers 132 square miles and is the largest freshwater lake in North America above 7,000 feet.
It’s beautiful no matter when you go, in the height of summer or dead of winter—but since it’s free this entire next week, what are you waiting for?
I love America’s national parks, and the free week is an awesome thing. Hopefully it brings in lots of new converts to the park system. We invest in the America the Beautiful pass every year, which for $80 gets your entire carload into any national park for the year it’s valid. We almost always get more than our money’s worth from it, and even if we don’t, I consider it an investment in something I care about.
The best idea, however, is to visit the park with someone aged 62 and older. At 62, you can get a pass good for the rest of your life (and again, for the entire carload of people you’re with) for only $10. It might be the best deal in all of America.
+1 on this! It’s an investment in incredible.
We had the pass, but conveniently forgot it many times, meaning we had to pony up the fee anyway. I like the thought of taking a senior citizen along–my mom just turned 62; I should start inviting her on all our road trips to save on park admission! =)
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These pictures are beautiful: the reflections, the snow, the bison… Love them!!
Thanks, Catalina! It’s a gorgeous place–hard to take a bad photo there =)
Great photos! I’ve been to Yellowstone Lake in late June, and it looked nothing like that! 🙂
It’s because you weren’t traveling with me…where I go, bad weather tends to follow!
I’ve actually picked up the National Parks Annual Pass some summers when I was going to a lot of National Parks. I think it’s around $80 and definitely pays for itself if you’re visiting some of the bigger ticket parks with expensive entry fees.
We did have that pass, but we kept misplacing it, and NPS has no way to look you up by name/ID. Guess we’re not responsible enough to be annual pass-holders =)
Your pictures are always so stunning!! I look forward to your Friday posts!
Have a super weekend!
I also have the American the Beautiful pass and it paid for itself in about 3 months. I loved visiting Yellowstone Lake, it’s such a gorgeous place!
xox
We have it, too, but never seem to have it in the right car/wallet when we need it! Blast.
I’d love to visit Yellowstone someday – the bison photos are amazing!
Wow! Thanks for the heads up on National Park week! I didn’t even know it existed. I need to start planning a weekend trip right now!
Me, too! We’ll be in northern Virginia to see friends, but I’m going to have to do a search to see what national parks are in the area because I’m a sucker for free things =)
I haven’t been to Yellowstone in years. And although the North Rim is closed to the public until May 15th the South Rim is open this week for free. Of course I’m enjoying the quiet pre-opening on the NR.
I was thinking about you and how you were probably dreading this next week with all the visitors…little did I know you’re one of the lucky ones who gets to sit back and relax–for a few more weeks at least =)
Too bad it didn’t coincide with spring break for us! Yellowstone is at the very top of our list of places to see!
The bison pictures look like they should be made into postcards. If this whole being-a-world-traveler-writer-and-full-time-badass thing doesn’t work out, you should totally start your own postcard business.
Well, funny you say that…I’m launching a new site next month (well, C&C 3.0) and am going to have some sort of e-commerce section for people who want to buy travel photos since I get occasional emails from readers wanting to buy some of the images I post here. Postcards, though, are a great idea!
So much gorgeous!!! Your photos are fantastic! 🙂
Yellowstone is on the top of my list of National Parks to visit. Mostly for the bison. And the mountains. And all the beautiful things.
These pics are amazing!
Love the pics! I had no idea about the passes until I read all the comments, I am going to have to look into getting one and taking a tour for one of our family trips. There are several parks on my list to see.
you are so much cooler than me. that is all.
Wonderful lake and wonderful pictures to confirm it!
The pictures are great and also the description.
Love the view! I didn’t know Yellow Stone is this beautiful during winter.
This is really something great ! 🙂
I can smell the scent of the pine trees and the cool breeze from the lake. Goodness! This is nature at its best. Love the photos, big time!