Reminder for Yellowstone Visitors in July

I suggest not spending too much time on planning your trip—just get a basic understanding of the key details 🤓. Otherwise, you might feel a bit "spoiled" during your visit, especially if you're like me and enjoy unexpected surprises along the way 😌. (Just a friendly tip for P-type people; J-type friends can just ignore this as if I said nothing.) - 🌞 1. Must-See Attractions and Experiences in Summer 1. Geothermal Wonders ✔ Grand Prismatic Spring: The colors are most vibrant between 11 AM and 1 PM. Avoid the crowds by heading to the Fairy Falls Trail viewpoint (1.6 km round trip). ✔ Old Faithful Geyser: Erupts every 90-120 minutes. Grab a front-row seat 25 minutes before the eruption and capture the rainbow in the water mist afterward. ✔ Mammoth Hot Springs: Water flow is abundant in summer. Drive the Upper Terrace Loop (combination of car tour and short hike) and you might spot elk in the morning. 2. Natural Wildlife ✔ Yellowstone Grand Canyon: Hike Uncle Tom's Trail (328 steps) for a close-up view of the waterfall's rushing waters, and capture the golden sunrise at Artist Point. ✔ Hayden Valley: Witness bison crossing the river at dusk (300mm telephoto lens recommended) and slowly drive along Grand Loop Road to spot grizzly bears. 3. Summer-Exclusive Activities 🔅 Nighttime Magic: After 9:30 PM, take long-exposure shots of the moonlit blue-purple steam at Grand Prismatic Spring (a perk for those staying inside the park). 🔅 Yellowstone Lake Boating: A must-try in summer! Highly recommended—it's an exhilarating experience. - ⚠️ 2. Key Tips and Precautions 🛟 Safety First: Stay on boardwalks in geothermal areas—mud pots can reach temperatures over 160°C. Bear safety rules: Always carry bear spray (available for $50 rental in the park), hike in groups, and make noise consistently. . 🎒 Summer Gear: Essential clothing: Quick-dry shirts, raincoat, waterproof jacket, wide-brim hat with wind strap, and non-slip hiking boots (afternoon thunderstorms are common). High-concentration DEET insect repellent (ticks are a high risk near rivers!) and high-SPF sunscreen (UV rays are very strong). . 📲 Smart Tips: 1. Download the GyPSy Guide offline audio tour (provides automatic narration in areas without signal). 2. Check the GeyserTimes app daily for geyser eruption predictions. - I personally opted for a guided tour to avoid hassle 🕵‍♀️. Departure cities include Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. After careful consideration, I chose Salt Lake City (SLC) as my starting point since flights are more frequent and affordable. One thing that stood out was how the guide would ask at every stop, "Do you want to take photos? Let me know if you need help..." Though he didn’t seem like a professional photographer 🤣hhh, the photos he took for other passengers turned out surprisingly decent! He even managed to take some nice group shots for us. Anyway, I had a great time on this trip. Now I need to clean up my phone—it’s overloaded with photos, and I keep getting memory full notifications 😪.