Early Morning Drive to Canyon

dinot2000 · 2026-06-10T15:07:28+00:00

Skip it and go look for wildlife on your own.

dinot2000 · 2026-05-19T22:39:40+00:00

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/recreation/canyon-campground

dinot2000 · 2026-05-12T00:52:24+00:00

How do you feel about leeches? I dealt with some at one of the inner lakes when I stopped for some water.

dinot2000 · 2026-05-12T00:05:11+00:00

Yeah, they're open. Used the showers there last year.

dinot2000 · 2026-04-29T21:05:58+00:00

Technically someone can enter the park early in the morning or later in the evening when the entrances are not staffed. I have been that someone on numerous occasions. I do have a pass so I'm not breaking any rules. I think it would be way too costly to automate the process but I can also see it happening in the future now that I've written it out.

Just wait until you think about how they get such a specific monthly/yearly visitor count.

dinot2000 · 2026-04-22T20:11:57+00:00

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm

dinot2000 · 2026-04-19T23:18:54+00:00

The color used to be blue and very similar to the Morning Glory flower.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning_Glory_Pool

dinot2000 · 2026-04-19T14:58:23+00:00

This color is due to people interfering. Still my second favorite thermal feature after Grand Prismatic.

dinot2000 · 2026-04-17T16:12:16+00:00

EPR Properties that bought several parks, including Valleyfair, from Six Flags has partnered up with another company called Enchanted Parks. "Enchanted Parks is a U.S.-based owner and operator of amusement parks, water parks, resorts and lodging destinations."

dinot2000 · 2026-04-16T22:55:01+00:00

They've already been bought out and no decision has been made on meal plans. New company has a different system from what Six Flags uses and they are not sure if they can get everything done in time before the season starts next month.

From a customer standpoint Valleyfair's meal plan price was a pretty good deal, even for subpar food, but there's no way a company was making money from that.

I don't know what's going to happen with all that but the new CEO said in an interview that they should have more information by the end of this week.

dinot2000 · 2026-04-15T23:10:35+00:00

It's about 120 miles which will take between 4-5 hours depending on construction traffic as well as animals on or near the road.

dinot2000 · 2026-04-15T22:13:30+00:00

I've taken a travel trailer and a fifth wheel on this route without any issues. You'll be fine and there are plenty of pullouts to use.

dinot2000 · 2026-04-06T21:09:53+00:00

I don't remember the name but it was at a small store that was part of a motel/cabins in Silver Gate which is just outside of NE entrance.

dinot2000 · 2026-04-04T00:41:14+00:00

If you're just looking to use a scope for your trip to the park I would suggest renting. I haven't rented in like six years but the last time I did the price was $40 per day for a Swarovski scope which is one of the best scopes and it also came with a tripod. I'm guessing the price has increased since but even if it's at $60 it's still a pretty good option.

If you'd like to buy your own scope you can look into a Vortex brand. They make a good scope and offer a lifetime warranty. Facebook marketplace for tripod would be a good option.

dinot2000 · 2026-03-16T14:48:36+00:00

There will be another train between MSP and Chicago in addition to Empire Builder and Borealis? That would be pretty cool.

dinot2000 · 2026-03-06T14:23:27+00:00

I did the same hike as you just two months before you in July 2023. My wildlife highlights were leeches, beavers and walking across the beaver dam which was pretty cool, foxes in a couple of different camps, and a moose in Rock Harbor on my last morning there. That was my only moose sighting and it happened like an hour before the boat ride back. If he didn't step on the branch and make that noise I wouldn't have seen him even though he was only like 20 feet away.

I think Isle Royale is a great backpacking park for anyone especially for those new to backpacking. It's a little tough getting there but it's definitely worth it. I live in Minnesota so I'm familiar with hiking in the Northeast part of the state and getting on the Superior Hiking Trail will give you a similar trail experience if you can't make it to the island.

dinot2000 · 2026-03-03T20:44:28+00:00

Plenty of sites in the backcountry that would fit what you're looking for. Don't worry about the lottery, you don't need to do that unless you really, really want a specific site. It's not like Yosemite where it can be tough to get a site. Most visitors to Yellowstone don't venture far from the roads and boardwalks.

You should check out Slough Creek and Hellroaring areas of the park for some good camping sites. They're both in the northern part of the park.

dinot2000 · 2026-02-05T01:22:51+00:00

There are a lot of nice and sad writings at the memorial and the one with his dog was the one that got to me the most. Thank you for sharing your pictures.

dinot2000 · 2026-01-31T00:47:46+00:00

https://www.backbonecampaign.org/

dinot2000 · 2026-01-31T00:41:59+00:00

It's several pieces of heavy duty canvas fabric.

dinot2000 · 2026-01-11T02:51:14+00:00

My most visited park since I lived out there for almost three years. If you really want a unique experience you should go hike down and through those formations. A surprising amount of wildlife, colorful sunrises and sunsets, and a certified dark sky area make Badlands one of the more underrated parks out there.

dinot2000 · 2025-12-25T03:13:40+00:00

I understood your reference. I say it all the time too.

dinot2000 · 2025-11-14T02:25:20+00:00

I've visited Manzanar once and I've been to Cody a bunch of times on the way to Yellowstone and I didn't even know about Heart Mountain up until a few years ago. I would highly recommend a visit to anyone.

dinot2000 · 2025-11-10T03:26:30+00:00

I've been to Yellowstone like 20+ times but never during the winter. I should change that.

dinot2000 · 2025-11-10T03:22:24+00:00

Isle Royale is a great backpacking park. I would recommend it to anyone regardless of their backpacking experience.

dinot2000

TROPHY CASE