Yellowstone National Park is one of the most famous parks in the country, but just because it's popular doesn't mean it isn't loaded with hidden gems and incredible secrets. With historic ghost towns, loads of hot springs, mysterious musical rocks, and some of America's best fly fishing, Yellowstone and the surrounding area offer up more than just Old Faithful. Take a road trip through Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho to uncover it all!
The perfect way to start your Yellowstone adventures is by heading to Montana's Bannack State Park, where you can take a stroll through one of America's best preserved ghost towns.
Bannack is home to more than 50 buildings, each of them still standing, empty and abandoned, along what was once a bustling Old West main street.
Our Lady of The Rockies is an incredible 90-foot statue that sits atop the Continental Divide overlooking Butte, Montana.
The second-tallest statue in the United States (after The Statue of Liberty), the massive likeness of the Virgin Mary even has a secret entrance that you can peek inside, but be prepared to be moved: The walls are covered in letters and mementos left by visitors in memory of their loved ones.
For a really interesting experience, head 18 miles east of Butte and visit Montana's Ringing Rocks, which are exactly what they sound like.
The rocks in this strange geologic area let out a mysterious chime when tapped lightly with a hammer. No one is sure exactly why, but if a boulder is removed from the pile, it doesn't ring anymore!
Make sure to bring your own hammer.
The great thing about a trip to Norris Hot Springs is that it feels like you're visiting a world-class spa, but without the world-class prices. A dip in the hot springs will only cost you $7.
Every night, the rich mineral water is pumped into the pools, only to be recycled back into the environment later that evening, which is good for you... and the environment.
No visit to Wyoming is complete without a visit to the Mammoth Hot Springs. These otherworldly springs are crazy hot (which means no swimming), but can be experienced from winding boardwalks that wrap around the park.
It gets pretty warm, but here's a tip: The visitor's center serves ice cream to help you cool off.
Fish aren't the only wildlife worth discovering in the Yellowstone region! With a drive through Lamar Valley, you can get in touch with nature without leaving your car. Foxes, bear, and herds of bison and elk are all common sights on this scenic route, but be prepared to take your time: The bison have a habit of causing some amusing traffic jams.
Want the best experience? Visit early in the morning when you'll beat traffic and get a better chance at seeing the animals.
Considered by many to be the highlight of the whole park, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone has to be seen to be believed. The drive offers astounding views of the rugged cliffs and rushing waterfalls, and if you time it just right, you'll catch sight of the iconic rainbow featured in so many of the canyon's stunning photographs. Bonus: The Yellowstone River and Yellowstone Lake above the falls have some pretty awesome fly fishing, especially during the salmonfly hatch in mid-July.
There's a good chance you'll spot this crazy work of art from the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway, but this 75-foot-high structure is worth a closer look.
The Smith Mansion looks like some kind of bizarre Dr. Seuss illustration come to life, and is what resulted when a man decided to build his own house... but just couldn't stop building.
Since the owner's death in 1992, the Smith Mansion has sat untouched (it's too dangerous to actually enter), but every year, thousands of curious travelers drive the byway and stop to see the structure—it's a great photo op.
This surprisingly beautiful reservoir is one of Wyoming's most interesting hidden gems. The Buffalo Bill Dam, known formerly as the Shoshone Dam, is an engineering marvel tucked away on the side the mountain canyon. Hop in an electric buggy for a tour that brings you right up to the dam, and learn about its construction and storied life in a fun and interactive way.
The best part? The tour is free!
7464 US Highway 212, Red Lodge, MT, US
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The Red Lodge KOA Journey, located just a few miles outside of town, makes the perfect home base for your explorations of Yellowstone.
The campground features fixed barbecues and picnic tables at each campsite and a heated pool, and its cozy cabins let you sleep where the original cowboys did, but a whole lot more comfortably.
If you're bedding down in Cody, head to Cody KOA Holiday for a classic camping experience with extra amenities you won't find anywhere else. They even have a shuttle that will take you to the local rodeo!
For a really unique stay, rent one of the Deluxe Cabins. These digs are loaded with everything you need for a comfortable weekend exploring the Old West: a kitchen with all of the pots and pans, a full-size fridge, bunk beds, and air conditioning.
Need to take a day off from fishing? Hop in the pool, hit the massive jumping bag, or just relax by your very own fire.
Old Trail Town, where Buffalo Bill Cody originally laid out the town of Cody, is a ghost town untouched by time. Tour living history by walking through several genuine Old West buildings, including the original cabins used by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. You'll see rare Native American artifacts and even step foot inside the very same saloon where Cassidy’s “Hole-in-the-Wall Gang” used to hide out.
Jackson Lake offers fantastic fishing and boating, and a variety of fun activities that make it a perfect destination for lovers of the great outdoors. And its beach is ranked among the best park beaches in America. Rent a boat and set off to catch some cutthroat, lake trout, or brown trout!
Hidden inside the Mormon Row Historic District of Grand Teton National Park, the T.A. Moulton Barn is an iconic landmark that you've probably seen before, even if you don't remember where.
Set against a backdrop of blue mountains, herds of wild bison, and grassy valleys, this rustic building is, literally, the most photographed barn in America. When you see the view, you'll understand why.
Built as part of a larger farm between 1912 and 1945, the T.A. Moulton Barn is now frozen in time as the last remaining building from the Moulton family homestead.
Inside a little garage next to the Old Stone House Italian Restaurant sits a secret bar where you can chow down on some comfort food, kick back with a brew, and watch the local goats as they graze in the nearby pasture.
Grumpy's Goat Shack is an unconventional little hideout that's only open during the warmer months, but it takes full advantage of the summer season with a great outdoor patio in a nice, quiet setting. Pull up one of their eight bar stools, sample a local beer, and relax after a long day of reeling in fish.
One of the most beloved portions of Grand Teton National Park, Jenny Lake offers a slew of activities that range from action-packed extreme sports to low-impact wildlife observation hikes.
Jenny Lake is also a fantastic place for fly fishing. There's a boat dock at the south end of the lake (make sure you get a permit from Teton Park), but if you're more of a boots-on-the-ground angler, there's some great trails circling the lake that provide access to the water.
Expect to find both cutthroat and lake trout.
Old Faithful is an iconic American landmark that's been inspiring awe since it was discovered in 1870, and it's just as incredible today as it was more than a century ago.
Easily the most recognized, celebrated, and studied geyser in the world, Old Faithful, true to its name, erupts every hour and a half to the delight of onlookers who've come far and wide to catch a glimpse of its dramatic spout.
Show up when they open the park at 8:00 a.m.—you'll beat the crowds and get a classic photo op.
With some of the best fishing hot spots in the nation, incredible hidden gems, and comfy KOA campgrounds, Yellowstone is a sure bet for your Western adventure. You'll leave with memories to last a lifetime-- and plenty of fish, too.
