Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
people think of when they think of Yellowstone. From the sweeping Hayden Valley and the
otherworldliness of West Thumb Geyser Basin to the sheer size of Yellowstone Lake and
the well-deserved hubbub around Old Faithful, this section of the park has an abundance of
dynamic features—some world-famous, others hidden gems—for every visitor.
Hayden Valley
South of Canyon is the expansive and beautiful Hayden Valley, a sweep of grassland carved
by massive glaciers, named for the famed leader of the 1871 Hayden Expedition, and oc-
cupied by copious amounts of wildlife that includes grizzly bears, wolves, and in summer,
thundering herds of bison. The Yellowstone River weaves quietly thorough the valley, and
because the soil supports grasses and wildflowers instead of trees, this is one of the most
scenic drives in the park, especially during the bison rut and migration in late summer.
Besides driving, hiking is an excellent way to explore the valley, either on your own (pay
very close attention for signs of bear activity) or with a ranger on weekly guided hikes (4-5
hours, early July-late Aug., free). The hikes are limited to 15 people, and reservations must
be made in advance at the Canyon Visitor Education Center (307/242-2550, daily late May-
mid-October) in Canyon Village.
Fishing Bridge
What was once the epicenter of Yellowstone fishing is today a relic of the past and a touch-
stone for the ongoing struggle between nature and human meddling. Fishing Bridge was
built in 1937 and for years was considered the best place to throw a line for native cutthroat
trout. Humans were not the only ones fishing in the area, and human-grizzly encounters
led to 16 grizzly bear deaths. To protect the bears and the fish, fishing in the vicinity was
banned in 1973. Today, because of the sharp decline of cutthroat as a direct result of the
introduction of nonnative lake trout, grizzlies are not seen as often fishing in the river.
There are some services—an RV Park, a gas station, and a general store—and a 1931
log and stone structure that serves as the
Fishing Bridge Visitor Center
(307/242-2450).
On the National Register of Historic Places, the visitors center has a collection of stuffed
bird specimens worth seeing.
