Photocraig

And the free entry is for the carload! I'm so glad someone in our government has counted the number of times the over 55 set has paid their share for these wonderful parks. With Yellowstone and Yosemite and others, they are so vast that often entering and exiting is done merely to pass through on a road--park or not. It is a great deal, and I've always gotten a bigger smile and warmer welcome when I've used it. The Rangers seem genuinely glad the Passes exist.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Yes, we both are senior at 72+, that's good to know. It's good for the future time if we still can stay healthy and will visit the other Parks. I did go to Grand Canyon in 2007, took several hiking down the Canyon on the south side. In 2014-2015, we made two trips to Alaska. Now, Yellow-Stone is my next stop.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi, I've been to the park twice now to photograph landscape and animals. It could be difficult to photograph any animals other than bison and perhaps elk. Bison are normally everywhere so you will most likely get those shots. Elk are not as plentiful. The landscapes are all around the park, there may also be some water fowl. I went both times with a photographer tour guide. The first time, in October, was for the fall landscapes and the next time, in June, for the animals, two different guides. You might get some bear in the fall but I did not see one bear on the fall trip and saw many bear on the June trip. In June the bear caused "bear jams" where traffic simply came to a stop all down the road. The rangers would eventually close off access to the bear and direct the traffic to move on. I got many animal shots in June but the guide knew where all of the animals were, from back country meadows to semi-deserted roads. Be sure you take a long lens and a tripod to stabilize it. You can also photograph the bison from the car at times. You might want to also visit the Teton National Park, which is literally right "next door." There are moose there off and on. I do not believe you need to fear for your safety in any way, except if you were to threaten an animal by getting too close, so avoid that.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

No, we won't threaten them, we love them! I saw lots of moose and bears & caribou already in Alaska, I won't be disappointed if I don't see them.
Thank you!

DRG777 Loc: Metro Detroit

Be sure to give yourself enough time. I was there for 9 days and did not see everything. There are various areas that are worth a day or two each, like Mammoth hot springs, the Canyon, various geyser basins, valleys with wildlife, etc. You may have to wait for a while to catch some of the geyser eruptions. While Old Faithful is worth of the name. other geysers may have a couple hour window then the eruption might occur. Don't rush. Also, you will be very close to Grand Teton National Park, and that is worth visiting as well.

This is Grand Geyser. I waited 2 hrs for it.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Nice shot,DRG! Can't wait to get back there!

team 1

Lived just outside Yellowstone for about 12 years,

Rule number 1 the animals are Wild, not tame and can and will hurt you or eat you. Do not feed or pet, put child on one, give them space, baby animals should not be approached mother bears & moose will kill to protect there young. Most people don't know about mother moose, there are mean. If you hike of the main road make noise ! I hope this helps
If all else fails see rule number 1

Jwshelton Loc: Denver,CO

Listen to the advice from ppage. Yellowstone is huge and diverse. Take some time to plan your trip and activities based on your interests and time.
Agree that early morning provides opportunities with sunrises and colors and lack of people.
Do not be in a hurry. Depending on the exact timing of your visit, the crowds and foolish people could be plentiful. After school starts in the fall the volume of tourists decreases. Animals are still plentiful and the fall colors abound.

If you don't do stupid activities you should have no issues with safety. The park is well staffed and people are very helpful. Just be smart there as you would be any place.

My last trip to Yellowstone was in the winter, January. One gets a completely different perspective of the Park.

Most of all - enjoy!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I went there on a tour with Road Scholar (great group) in Sept of 2014. Fortunately for me, they concentrated on the thermal features. I brought a compact camera - in a case on my belt - and it worked fine, even doing panoramas. Of course, I couldn't zoom on animals five miles away, but I had no interest in them. Since photography is your main goal, bring the big stuff! Safety in the park isn't a problem. You will see people walking off the assigned paths and stepping over fences. Hopefully, you won't get attacked by a drone.

guitarpicker7

The park website has information on safety.

BillLorigan

I went there in September during peak fall foliage. What a great time of year to go. Very few visitors and you can drive anywhere safely. Yes I saw a grizzly, many buffalo, elk, wolves and so many birds. If you go in October you may not have any fall colors. Have fun!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Do not miss Jackson Hole - the elk will be migrating down from Yellowstone for the winter. I was there in early October one year and witnessed about 100 elk swimming across the river! Be prepared to layer - the weather could bring anything from snow to warm days.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

All good advice I would also bring warm clothes and Gloves!!! Was snowed in in mid-October

garypo

My wife and i did a Yellowstone trip and an all day photography tour with Lisa Culpepper and it was awesome. Lisa knows photography (you can buy her photography) and cameras. She helped with settings and obviously loves what she does. Well worth the money and she knows exactly where to take you

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Wow! 'DRG777' the image of the eruption is nice, thank you for sharing.
All the advice from everybody are very helpful, I will keep them in mind, now my confident is getting higher and I still a few months to plan and prepare. Thank you very much to all of you!