Yellowstone River
Yellowstone River
5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
735 reviews
Excellent
638
Very good
86
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Paul T
Oshkosh, WI16 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
You can’t do much better for scenery than to drive along the Yellowstone River. Many areas of rapids; backdrop ranges from mountains to meadows. Then, of course, there is the big waterfall into the Gran Canyon of Yellowstone and it’s various viewpoints. We stopped at every one of them. Great hikes at each of the viewpoints. Parking was not an issue on this trip at the time we visited, although overall parking spaces are limited and no room for expansion. So, keep that in mind and be patient if there is a high volume of visitors to Yellowstone. A “must stop, can’t miss” viewpoint is Artists Point. Today, there was an actual artist painting a picture of the gorge and lower falls.
Written August 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy L
Leland, NC472 contributions
Sep 2020
I'm not sure there is any part of Yellowstone that doesn't give visitors a beautiful vista. Stops at both the Lower and Upper falls is awesome. Words can not fully describe the beauty. You have to see it in person! Great photo opportunities.
Written February 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rehoboth5
Helena, MT508 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
I'm a Montanan, and I have to correct the title of this feature. The Yellowstone River is NOT found at West Yellowstone, Montana. The river begins within Yellowstone Park and flows instead north past Gardiner, Montana, through the Paradise Valley and then East across Montana almost to North Dakota. For the first couple hundred miles it is clear and fast. Then it transitions into a slow, silty prairie river. It's a national treasure. Lots of excellent fishing and floating. Early on, quite a bit of whitewater. Very little of the river is within Yellowstone park. No floating is allowed within park boundaries.
Written July 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamescT9787VF
Chicago, IL181 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
The Yellowstone River is simply gorgeous. We crossed it several times inside and out of the park. Beside the views in the canyon there are several opportunities to see the river and it’s beauty especially on Northbound 89
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DannyWasserman
Virginia Beach, VA4,649 contributions
Jun 2021
Whatever you do, stop by the visitor center and get directions to the North Rim and traverse the river. Stop at the look out points and take loads of pictures. This is an amazing place to visit and the falls are breath taking.
Written June 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gail K
Bemidji, United States16 contributions
Aug 2021
Small busy tight parking area to view the water fall. A bit of a walk to the falls but if you have the right camera you can take some good pictures from farther away. This is an incredible water fall.
Written August 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curly_W706
Colorado203 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Highly recommend Yellowstone. The natural wonders are amazing. I suggest July or August, get your reservatgions way, way early. Pay attention to the warnings: every year someone gets too close to the bears, and the bears are not playin'
Written July 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pams33
Oklahoma City, OK266 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
The falls are absolutely incredible. I could stand there all day and just watch the water. The entire park is wonderful. We stayed at the west entrance to the park and to beat the crowds we entered the park very early each morning. Everyone needs to go to Yellowstone once in their life.
Written August 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue K
Island Lake, IL87 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
Beautiful! Loved driving the Grand Loop Road along the river. It was so lovely we found it hard not to stop at every pullout to snap yet another photo! When you get to the area with the views of the upper and lower falls, be sure to take both North Rim Drive and South Rim Road. They both have places to stop and photograph the falls and, depending on the time of day, one may give you better photos than the other. There is a book (available on Amazon) titled "Photographing Yellowstone" that has some great tips on where and when to photograph what.
Written October 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James H
Titusville3,423 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
The picture of the Yellowstone River below the two falls adds so much to the valley view. Then turn around and look at it again as it flows down the "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone" and again it makes the scene come alive. Too many folks come to these sites (there are several viewpoints) and take a few pictures and "whoof" there're gone to the next attraction . I call it the Disneyland Mentality. I recommend you sit for a while and take it all in. Notice the color of the canyon, how the river snakes its way through, the different rock structures, and way the trees seem to just hang on for dear life along the cliffs. Yes, the Yellowstone River is beautiful, but there is so much more to see that makes it so majestic.
Written July 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello! We will be giving the half day rafting tour that starts in Gardiner a try on July 6th this year! At the end of the rafting trip do you provide transportation back to the starting point? Also, does the 3 hours include the driving time back, or what is the total amount of time from the start at 10am to finish when we arrive back at our vehicles, thank you!
Written April 3, 2017
what is the earliest the park mightopeneach year?
Written February 22, 2017
The road between the north and northeast entrances is open to automobiles year-round. This road provides access to Mammoth Hot Springs, the park's wildlife-rich northern range (including Lamar Valley), and activities like cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife-watching. Other park roads are open during summer, but have closures and travel restrictions during the shoulder seasons and winter.
Written February 23, 2017
There will be 6 in our family-4 adults two children 12 and 10...we would like float a river or mild rapids. We will be in Teton area first then north Yellowstone then east...any ideas?
Written January 23, 2017
There are several rafting companies along the Snake River. Frankly I can't recall the name of the one we took, but all seemed to be pretty similar as we passed them along the way. Bundle up though it's pretty chilly out on the river but its beautiful and well worth it.
Written January 23, 2017
We are visiting Yellowstone in mid April, is it going to be worth our while? And what part of the park would be best to visit with open roads?
Written January 22, 2017
We visited this park in september. It was a big disappointment. Everywhere it's very crowded. Some placers it's even impossible to park your car. The roads are very small so if someone far in front of sees some wild life than you stand still for a long time. It's very touristic and popular for all Americans. I have seen it and I never go back again. There are a lot of beautiful parks where it's not so crowded.
Written January 31, 2017
We will be spending 3 days in Cody, Wyoming and 2 days in West Yellowstone, Montana. I'm looking for suggestions as to how we should tour yellowstone. We will be in our own vehicle and want to go at our own pace. We are not looking for guided tours. Any suggestions would be helpful...Like the best places to visit in the park, where not to go, etc. We have such limited time that we want to make the best use of our days there.
Written June 30, 2016
Another tip:
Be prepared to picnic at lunch time each day in the park. Then you can stop at any picnic table or pull-off and not be required to locate a snack bar or restaurant. You'll save time, have fun and go out at night for a local restaurant meal. Food in the park is hard to find, expensive and not particularly good.
Written June 30, 2016
Mary C
Houston, Texas
We are coming in on Friday. Where do I go to hike around and see the river and meadow? Do I sign up for a tour, or will people point us in the direction to go? Thanks
Written June 3, 2015
I don't know what part of the river your going to visit, but if you ask folks, they will help! You may want to check out the Montana Fish Wildlife&Parks website. It should list fishing access sites as well allowing you to get to the waters edge in places you may not normally be able to! Have a safe trip!
Written June 4, 2015
Mary C
Houston, Texas
We are coming in on Friday. Where do I go to hike around and see the river and meadow? Do I sign up for a tour, or will people point us in the direction to go? Thanks
Written June 3, 2015
if you have a car you just go to the river overlooks and the hikes and short walks are listed on signs.there are many overlooks
Written June 4, 2015
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