PLANNING  YOUR TRIP
"Your knowledge of the park was incredible and I very much appreciated learning about the park from you.  Your photography instruction was top notch, a 5+++.  I throughly enjoyed our time together and I cannot wait for another opportunity. "
~ W.Bradley May, 2019
 Below you will find helpful links for planning your trip!
​Everything from weather forecasts and live webcams to lodging,
park road information,  and more!
 Please click on above link (2025 dates coming soon!!) to see what is actually open and what is closed in Yellowstone National Park this 2025 season!
What about  the photography tour and my camera??  Yes...first things first.  Let's be sure to have camera batteries charged and removed from the charger and put back into your camera (we've all done it before!)  In addition, let's not forget to check our memory cards and make sure those have plenty of room, and are also put back into the camera!   If it's early or late season, hand warmers may not be a bad idea to keep your fingers from going numb. If wildlife is of interest to you, a telephoto zoom lens is recommended, for instance a 70-300mm to start off with.  Bring along those phones fully charged as well, they have lots of fun tricks including the ability to digiscope through a spotting scope!  Keep in mind on our photography tour, that I will provide beverages, and a small morning snack...but please bring along any of your own snacks to keep you going for our day in the field!

Go Green! 
Please note:  In efforts to reduce our single use plastic, the park does offer plenty of water filling stations.  Filtered water is available at most all lodging, visitor centers, restroom facilities such as Madison Jctn and Canyon, among other places.  To be honest, the tap water is even pretty tasty here in the mountains!  Perhaps the perfect souvenir is a reusable water bottle to take home and remember your fond memories!
While on tour with TouringWonderland, we always have filtered drinking water available and hot water to provide coffee or tea.  Reusable coffee mugs will be provided during the tour. 

The park also offers recycling of aluminum, cardboard, plastic bottles, mixed paper, etc. 
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Curious what the park looks like right now?  Hoping to see Old Faithful erupt today?
​Check out this website for ​live webcams of Old Faithful, Mt Washburn, North Entrance, West Entrance, Yellowstone Lake!
Remember, Yellowstone's weather can be finicky and unpredictable!  While most days are very pleasant, we can see rain, hail or snow ANY day of the year! Be prepared with closed-toe shoes, rain jackets, hat, gloves, layered clothing, light or heavy jacket and you will me a much happier photographer!
Yellowstone's roads are covered in several feet of snow during the winter months, and the spring snow plowing is a long and tedious process.  Road sections open seasonally, dependent on current weather conditions.  In addition, during the fall months, they also close seasonally. All this weather takes a beating on the pavement, so be prepared for minor construction delays.  

It's a real treat to wake up inside the World's First National Park, and not have to worry about driving into and out of the park everyday.  However, the lodges do fill up fast!  Reservations open up May 1st for the following year, so plan ahead!  However, many people are able to find last minute reservations due to
​cancellations through patience and persistence.
Some campgrounds do take reservations and others are first come, first serve.

Perhaps you would prefer to stay in Gardiner, Montana and enjoy a bit more diversity of lodging selections, dining options, a small shopping district, and other activities.  This is where your guide Lisa lives, so how convenient!  
A few of my favorite lodging options include:
Wonderland Cafe and Lodge - http://wonderlandcafeandlodge.com/
Rockin Y Vacation Rental (5miles North of Gardiner) - https://www.vrbo.com/913396
Yellowstone River Motel - http://www.yellowstonerivermotel.com/  
Yellowstone Gateway Inn - https://yellowstonegatewayinn.com/
Absaroka Lodge - https://www.yellowstonemotel.com/en-us
 Many other options as well! https://www.visitgardinermt.com/plan-your-trip/tourism-directory/lodging
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While we are in Gardiner, a few of my favorite dining options include: Wonderland Cafe and Lodge, Yellowstone Pizza Company, and all the numerous Food Trucks!
The National Park Service has an extensive website to explore!
Should you have any other questions regarding your trip or your upcoming tour, please ask!

​lisa@TouringWonderland.com

We look forward to capturing Yellowstone's wonders with you soon!
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Thank you for visiting Touring Wonderland!