Day 25 - Just Out Here Avoiding Eruptions
October 13th, 2025
We wake up to a sunny, warmer morning on the mighty Yellowstone River. Spirits are high — we’re heading out early to explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Along the way, we pass two large herds of bison and some very tame deer casually holding up traffic. The scenery is dramatic: vast open plains framed by towering mountains in the distance. But as we near the canyon, we spot construction signs. When we reach the flagman, I roll down my window.
“The road’s closed six miles ahead for repairs,” he shouts over the roar of machinery. “But you can go as far as Tower Falls lookout.”
“Thanks!” I reply as we roll on by.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone tells the story of the park itself — massive explosions, uplifting and faulting, thick lava flows, boiling hydrothermal activity, glaciers, and raging rivers. It’s not just a spectacular geologic feature; it’s a glimpse inside the very bones of Yellowstone. Explorer Charles Cook said it best when he first saw the canyon in 1869:
“I sat there in amazement... it seemed to me that it was five minutes before any fellow visitors spoke.”
Stretching roughly 17 miles from the Lower Falls to Tower Falls, the canyon plunges 800–1,100 feet deep and spans 1,500–4,000 feet across. Geologists say it’s surprisingly young — formed during and after the last Ice Age, about 20,000 years ago. (Okay, not that young.)
When we reach both lookouts, the views are stunning — truly mind-blowing. The King and Queen stand in awe, staring into the horizon, trying to take it all in.
From there, we head toward Mammoth Hot Springs. When they come into view, they are enormous. Rangers (yes, still on duty during the shutdown!) explain that Mammoth is like an inside-out cave — a formation of travertine terraces where hot water bubbles up from below and cascades down in surreal, steamy layers. It’s one of the most unique geothermal features in the park, and it’s mesmerizing.
As we continue toward West Yellowstone, the landscape shifts again — from deep canyons to forested hills to wide open plains dotted with steaming vents that look straight out of Jurassic Park. We learn that the terraces formed when hot, acidic water rose through the limestone, dissolving calcium carbonate and redepositing it as travertine. Water from rain and snow seeps deep underground, gets heated by magma, and returns to the surface through cracks — creating this constantly venting, otherworldly landscape.
“It’s an active volcano… wild,” I say.
Jess replies, “Let’s get out of here before it blows!”
Before long, we reach the west entrance and settle into Grizzly’s RV Campground in the little town of West Yellowstone. We luck into a quiet, perfect site and celebrate with dinner at Hank’s Bar & Grill — a bison burger for the King, French onion soup for the Queen, and, naturally, a round of celebratory libations.
Back at camp, we crawl into bed ready for tomorrow’s adventure — Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, and the Grand Teton National Park. Every day on the road keeps getting better and better. The beauty of Yellowstone is beyond words. 🍀😎🍺
