Wild West Adventure: From Sacajawea’s Resting Place to Yellowstone’s Wonders
Our Wild West Adventure continued with awe-inspiring stops at the Wind River Indian Reservation, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. Join us as we explore legendary resting places, iconic mountain views, and the wild wonders of America’s first national park.
Table of Contents
- Hunt for Sacajawea at Wind River Indian Reservation
- Grand Teton National Park: Mountain Majesty
- Yellowstone Day 1: The Lower Loop
- Yellowstone Day 2: Exploring with Ean
- Yellowstone Day 3: The North Loop
Hunt for Sacajawea at Wind River Indian Reservation
Our journey began at the Wind River Indian Reservation where we paid our respects at the local cemetery. We visited the grave of Chief Washakie, a revered leader known for his wisdom and dedication to his people.
From there, we made our way to Sacajawea’s final resting place. Known for her vital role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Sacajawea’s contributions to the exploration of the American West are legendary. At this peaceful cemetery, she rests beside her son, Baptiste, and her grandson Bazil.
Grand Teton National Park: Mountain Majesty
After an eight-hour haul, we arrived at Grand Teton National Park exhausted but excited. We settled in and got some much-needed rest.
Our first stop the next morning was a scenic overlook where we spotted elk grazing and learned about bear safety from a ranger.
Next up: Jenny Lake Overlook and a stroll along the Discovery Trail. The kids enjoyed a ranger-led game about pronghorns as they worked on their Junior Ranger books.
A trip into Jackson Hole provided us with lunch, cell service, and a few essentials. The town’s Old West charm, framed by grand mountain views, made it a perfect stop.
Back in the park, we visited the Discovery Center for ranger badges and watched a short educational film with a surprise ending. You’ll have to visit to learn the secret!
Then it was off to Mormon Row to snap a photo of the iconic barn, famously featured in images of the Tetons, with prairie dogs scurrying nearby.
We wrapped up with an unforgettable bison crossing, watching a herd make its way across the road right in front of us.
On our last day in the Tetons, we visited Coulter Bay Village for a ranger talk about bears, followed by the Lakeshore Trail—a gorgeous hike with stunning views and plenty of mosquitoes!
Pit Toilet PSA – Tales from the Bottom
Time for a critical sidebar: pit toilets. You’ll see them in every national park.
On a previous trip, we heard the story of a traveler who dropped their phone into one… and made the highly questionable decision to jump in after it.
Problem is, pit toilets are not designed for re-entry. The person got stuck. A full-blown rescue operation had to be launched.
So here’s our PSA: if your phone falls in, let it go. It’s not worth it.
Yellowstone Day 1: The Lower Loop
After a short one-hour drive from the Tetons, we arrived at Yellowstone National Park and set up at Grant Village Campground. We squeezed in laundry, showers, and an evening ranger program before enjoying a sunset over Yellowstone Lake.
Our first day in the park took us to Mud Volcano, where steaming vents and bison roam side-by-side.
Then we marveled at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone from Artist Point, the view that inspired Thomas Moran’s famous 1800s painting. The yellow-hued canyon walls, waterfalls, and rising steam made for a breathtaking sight.
At the brink of Yellowstone Falls, we felt the cool mist on our faces as water thundered over the edge.
After a stop at Gibbon Falls and other scenic cascades, we ended the day at Old Faithful. We explored the geyser basin and, after a long wait, were rewarded with an eruption of Castle Geyser just as we were leaving.
Yellowstone Day 2: Exploring with Ean
We were thrilled to be joined by our friend Ean, who’s been traveling the country in her camper van.
Our day began at West Thumb Geyser Basin, where geysers sit right on the shores of Yellowstone Lake.
At the Continental Divide at Isa Lake, we marveled at a lake that drains to both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
A hike from the Fairy Falls parking lot led us to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook, offering sweeping views of this colorful geothermal wonder.
After a stop in West Yellowstone for fast food, groceries, and that precious Wi-Fi, we returned via Norris Geyser Basin—the park’s largest and most dynamic geyser basin.
A drive through the meadows yielded sightings of bison and a herd of elk. Madison excitedly declared, “They’re in migration!” Back at camp, the boys played on the beach of Yellowstone Lake, visiting the island Lincoln and I had discovered on our last trip.
Yellowstone Day 3: The North Loop
Our final Yellowstone adventure took us on a six-hour drive around the North Loop, with countless scenic pullouts to take in alpine views.
At Roosevelt-Tower, we admired the 124-foot Tower Fall, a stunning cascade framed by rocky cliffs.
At Mammoth Hot Springs, we attended a ranger talk about wildlife safety, and the boys learned how to use bear spray.
We explored the Mound Terrace and Minerva Terrace, where shimmering travertine pools glowed in rainbow hues of white, red, brown, blue, and green.
Stay tuned for our next stop as our Wild West Adventure continues! Check out our earlier post Rodeo, Engine Failure and Epic Views: How the Rockies Slowed Us Down (in a Good Way) to follow our journey so far!
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Hi everyone! I am certainly enjoying your journey! Life will be so boring when you get home! Or is that when you relax? 🤔😳😂