I've got 2 days to scratch the surface of yellowstone this summer. What are some of the hilites I should look for

 

I'll be watching this one as 3 of us are headed that way the last week in June. Camping at the Canyon Campground.

 

The road in YNP is basically a figure 8. We came in over Beartooth and spent the night at Mamouth Hot Springs. Toured the park the next day and took Chief Joseph back to Cody. Lots to see but remember the speed limit is 45 mph. Lots of scenic turn offs to view wildlife and geysers.

 

I was there last year - best bit for me was Norris Basin, far better than Old Faithful. Really get a sense of geothermal activity there and the variety of geysers is amazing

 

Agreed, Norris is amazing.

 

Jock, Make sure to visit the Yellowstone canyon, double waterfall yellow rock canyon, easy to miss at least I did on my first trip in the park. North entrance from Beartooth is great and East entrance from Cody is also very scenic.

 

There's many travel guides out there on Yellowstone. So it depends on what you want to see. Some of my favorites were coming into the Park from the northeast over the Beartooth Highway, watching the animals on the road to Tower Junction - a good chance you will see bison, and maybe get up close. We got caught in a traffic stoppage, the bison were crossing the road. So we are sitting there on the bike, and bison are walking by the road about 10 feet away. I guess you feel safer in a car in those situations. Bison are very peaceful, until they get agitated, then they can be really dangerous. You will see people trying to approach bison on foot for pictures and adventure, that is a very bad idea.

Mammoth Hots Springs is a massive hot water feature, and south to Norris there are many places to pull over and see geysers and hot springs. The Old Faithful area is neat but can get really crowded. Check out the Old Faithful Lodge, it is a interesting building and worth at least a lobby walkthrough.

Have a great time, and watch out for traffic and animals while riding!

 

As mentioned, the main park is a very large figure "8". Canyon is nearly dead center. The south loop on the "8" is the best. You first pass by Yellowstone Falls and then follows the Yellowstone River south through Hayden Valley. The bisons wil stop you there. There is a really good geyser stop beyond there and then you get to Yellowstone Lake. From there, the loop heads west along the Lake and eventually gets you to the Old Faithful area. I would have to agree that Old Faithful was "ok" but the area has some great hiking loops that really show off the geysers. At the top of the loop is Norris and as mentioned, it is great. You head east from there to get you back to Canyon.

If you have not been to Yellowstone, keep in mind that it is 1) big 2) crowded roads that are held to 40 mph and 3) there is more to see on foot. I would slow down and take it all in. You might ant to do one side of the loop on one day (Canyon to Yellowstone Lake) and Norris to Old Faithful the next.

 

If you happen to come up on bison on the road, stop and let the car ahead of you go through first. If you follow the car it's very likely he's going to stop right in the middle of the herd to take a picture leaving you with no place to go and little protection.

 

Been to Yellowstone a couple times...It is nice and all but...If I were in that area I'd make sure I did not miss Beartooth pass...It trumps Yellowstone...and you can make it part of one of the days. My pic next to my name is on top of Beartooth Pass, in late July.