AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

If I may, I'd like to add a bit to your plans. The drive up through the north entrance of the park and into the Beartooth Mountains is beautiful.

tcthome Loc: NJ

If you go hiking by yourself get some bear spray & a Spot Messenger that can send an SOS message in case of an emergency. Bring extra snacks & water in case of an unforeseen emergency that will keep you out over night & a warm piece of clothing for temp drops. Have fun, Tom

goldstar46 Loc: Tampa, Fl

Just some background - I'm a big city girl and I will be travelling alone. I will be staying outside the park (I am leaning towards right outside the Roosevelt Arch) and I will have a rental car.
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Gloria........

We went to Yellowstone 3 years ago, and traveled for 28 days in an RV in Aug/Sep

... First big piece of info..... I found Cell Phones do NOT work inside the park 90% the time...
... You will see PLENTY and all kinds of wildlife from the roadway and some are close...
... Second tip: Follow the Park Rules and DON'T get close to wildlife - Use Telephoto Lens
... Trust me... You will see many, many IDIOTs violate this rule --- NOT good

Regarding Roosevelt Arch....... Check: Rocky Mountain RV Park + Cabins
Below is URL for Website:
http://www.rockymountainrvpark.com/

Very Nice Place, and a very 'small town feel' with friendly people... We stayed in an RV but, they have Cabins and I am sure you need to book way ahead..... You've been warned.. ha

Regarding Hayden and Lamar Valleys... Good Choices, and there is no such thing as a 'best' spot... the Yellowstone is a very 'Dynamic' environment and things change from day to day... Just 'Drive and Look' and you shall find...

With regards to finding wildlife and going early... YES, be in the park just before or at sunrise... and as you drive... just watch for other cars pulled off to the side of the road... BIG CLUEs.. ha ha ha..... and don't be afraid to ask others on the roadway... BUT, besure to be a "Good Interviewer" as you talk to people and get very good details... and write them down.... You will find that 5 min after you left the person you spoke with, the woods all start looking alike and the details start to 'fade' fast in your head... Get as much info as you can... I have found that other people just LOVE telling their 'Stories..'

With regards to bears... Since you will be alone, keep your eyes open at all times, and never, never try to 'directly encounter' bears or any wildlife... Consider the purchase of a LARGE bear repellent spray which can be bought at many of the Ranger Stations and they will give you good advice on the use of same...... We bought and carried two with use most of the times when out of the car.

With regards to astrophotography, any 'wide open space' is OK / Good for that, just keep in mind that 'Overnight' parking within the park is NOT allowed and strictly enforced. My suggestion is to ask the Ranger at a station, and be prepared with a good verbal response to a Ranger should you be approached and question as to what you're doing and your intent... I am former law enforcement (retired) and I spoke to a number of the Rangers there and they take the very seriously... OH, car engine and light off is Good for this BUT, stay near your car... Let me know if you would like some suggestions for 'phone apps' for this type of work.

BTW: One of the best 'Night Shots' I had every gotten is the 'Stars behind Ole Faithful' as it erupted... and YES, this can be done. Many, Many people do this from the designated boardwalk area at night... and some stay out there for hours trying to get the 'RIGHT'' shot.. ha ha.. Also, Consider taking a 'Somewhat' powerful flashlight with you for you will see other individuals who will use the same to 'Paint' Ole Faithful as it erupts during the nighttime... ha ha ha AND, you can park for free there in the Pk Lot, without having to pay during such events...


PS.......... Yes, Bears do go out in the rain

In closing........ hope you have fun and keep 'clicking'

Cheers
GeoVz
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Petunia in NY Loc: Queens, NYC

I will definitely be keeping more than socially distant from all critters large and small. I also aim to enter the park from as many different entrances as possible to get as many views as possible. Great tip about Old Faithful at night. Those cabins look great. Thanks!

goldstar46 Loc: Tampa, Fl

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Can I Bring a Gun to Yellowstone?.......... See Below URL
........ Below is the 'Answer' from Yellowstone Park website............

https://www.yellowstonepark.com/park/guns-in-yellowstone#:~:text=Yes%2C%20guns%20are%20permitted%20in,are%20allowed%20by%20state%20statute.

Cheers
GeoVz
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goldstar46 Loc: Tampa, Fl

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Gloria...

A Few last tips.... I have noticed that there are very few tips ref cell phone or tablet software applications to aid you on your trip... Below are some you can use for Astrophotography:

1...
Stellarium Web Online Star Mapstellarium-web.org
Stellarium Web is a planetarium running in your web browser. It shows a realistic star map, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.

https://stellarium-web.org/

2...‎Light pollution mapwww.lightpollutionmap.info
Interactive world light pollution map. The map uses NOAA/EOG VIIRS, World Atlas 2015, observatories, clouds and SQM/SQC overlay contributed by users.

Light pollution mapwww.lightpollutionmap.info/

3...
Another Light Pollution Map application below is:

https://photographersarsenal.com/mobile-apps-android-ios-iphone-ipad/light-pollution-map/


4...
Below is a Weather Map Service with a very good cloud cover information section

The Weather Network - Weather forecasts, maps, news and ...www.theweathernetwork.com
Find the most current, accurate and reliable weather forecasts and conditions with The Weather Network.

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/us


5...
Although there are many, many apps out there which will help.. The below is the 'Granddaddy' of them all....... "Planit Pro" and there are two versions,,, free and paid with a small fee... This application in 'paid form' offers soooooo much, you will find new features each and every time you open it........ Take a look at the URL below

Planit! for Photographers
The Planit! app is just like a virtual camera. Instead of actually going to a location to place your real camera, you can place the camera pin on the map to simulate ...

http://www.yingwentech.com/#home

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In closing, one last tip... If you think you would us any of the above applications, please download them early, use them often before you go,,, and learn how they work so you don't get out in Yellowstone and become frustrated .... OH, and be sure to 'Calibrate' your GPS on you phone before you go...... if necessary, go by your cell vendor and have them show you how to do that.........

Again, enjoy your trip

Cheers
GeoVz
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wthomson Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Only to shoot yourself before the bear gets you .

druthven

There are several private tours available for Yellowstone, check out Trip Advisor. For hiking you might have a hard time finding one where you would be isolated. Do carry bear spray and LEARN how to properly use it. Aside from Yellowstone's beauty reserve some time for Grand Teton National Park. The visage of the Tetons can almost take your breath away. They make a stunning backdrop for the photographer. The Moulton barns, the Shane cabin, from the classic western 'Shane', to the Schwabacher Landing and the Oxbow Bend of the Snake river the photographic venues are almost endless. My wife and I toured Yellowstone and Grand Teton in 2017 for the solar eclipse and I returned to Teton in September 2019. Both times I spent a day solo with professional photographer and tour guide Daryl Hunter. It didn't take long to bond a friendship with Daryl. He is a terrific person without a big ego who just wants his clients to take home some keepers. You can google him or check out The Hole Picture safaris, I promise you will not be disappointed. I have included a few shots from the Tetons.

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oregonfrank Loc: Astoria, Oregon

Two suggestions: Consider renting a sat phone which will allow you to make a call if alone and in need of help. Second, check if legal to carry bear spray. If so, buy 3 cans, practice with 1 and carry 2. Consider that it is likely a higher risk to travel to Yellowstone than it is to be there, even alone. For comparison, in Alaska where there are lots of grizzly and black bears, there are only 3 to 6 bear maulings a year on average. Have fun. Frank

SteveLoker Loc: Fort Worth, TX

I just Googled "Yellowstone National Park hiking tours" and got a BUNCH of hits. I'd start there. Have fun and share with us when you get back! Looking forward to seeing them!

Bill 45

I was in Yellowstone back in the middles 1980s. Go back and reread what Robertjerl wrote, he right on the money. For god sake don't take a cell phone and a computer with you, but do have a good camera with you. Keep the camera small and easly to use. Because at any time you well see something you may never see a second time. So take in everything about Yellowstone and enjoy it.

Gallopingphotog

OK, so there are many dangers in Yellowstone. But geez louise, I'd feel more scared in parts of New York City, St. Louis, Chicago, etc. The fact you asked the question tells me you've got a good head on your shoulders. Life itself is dangerous. Each of us must decide what level of risk we are comfortable with and capable of handling.
Gather all the information you can on the best places for animal viewing, landscapes, etc. Check trails for ratings of difficulty. If you see a family, ask if you could sort of trail along behind them. You don't have to be shoulder to shoulder. (A morbid advantage: You likely can run faster than the kids.)
A tour bus might be a good first-day activity as it will give you a quick overview of the spots and an idea of what ones to return to.
Read and follow all the rules and safety precautions. Bears do not mind rain at all and make good photos with their colorful slickers and umbrellas Seriously, stay back a respectful distance, then add another 12 yards' distance to that.
Shooting from your car is a very good idea. It makes the perfect blind. You will see a lot more wildlife in low light than in the noon-day sun. And be protected! If it's raining, slide a rain sleeve over the camera and only stick it out of the car when you see something to shoot. And keeping the key in the ignition means you can quickly excuse yourself and move along if Bruno doesn't want company! (Honestly, I'd be more concerned about some human creep seeing a woman alone and deciding to make a move.)
Ask the rangers if there is a safe place you could set up your gear for some night-time photography. Some parks have special night hikes just for this purpose.
Keep your eyes and ears open, know your own limits and endurance levels, be as prepared as possible and gain as much information as possible.
Then get out there and have an adventure!

Pkfish Loc: Wilson Wy

I would worry about being in NYC way more than being in Yellowstone or GTNP. Carry bear spray for the whole trip. Bear spray works really well on humans also. Lots of hiking maps out there. The rangers and visitor stations are a great source of info. Right now there are sooooooo many people in the parks. Get up really early if you want to see wildlife as it’s hot out(they all have a fur coats on). The best pictures are usually really early or almost dark. Not many people wearing masks it seems. One really good thing this year is NO tour buses. The MOST important thing to bring is COMMON SENSE. Have fun!

les spencer

Well if you have survived reading all of this, you can probably survive just about anything.. Have fun and be safe...:)

OleMe Loc: Montgomery Co., MD

Gloria,

Try calling theboark on a quiet week day and talk toma ranger. They are usually very helpful. I did that for a trio to Big Bend and got good yios in advance. Ask for mailed park guides, maps, etc.

Go to the astrophotography section for more advice.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-109-1.html

I think the milky way will be out of view as it dips low in the south in winter.

/Roger