YELLOWSTONE
I spent a week exploring America’s very first national park: Yellowstone!
My boyfriend and I decided that Yellowstone National Park is basically the adult version of Disneyworld. We did everything from visiting the typical tourist sites to randomly pulling over on the side of the road and spending a few hours soaking in the magic of the park.
A Yellowstone must-see: The Grand Prismatic Spring
Under Canvas - West Yellowstone
I cannot say enough good things about Under Canvas. If glamping is your thing, this is the creme of the crop! If you’re new to it, then this is a great introduction. The tents here are absolutely stunning with exquisite rustic-modern design, insanely comfortable beds, and your own eco-friendly bathroom right inside your tent. There are a few different tent types to choose from, and we chose their ‘Stargazer Tent’ option which features a window directly above the bed for some epic stargazing! Is there anything better than staring up at the stars from you toasty warm bed? I’ll answer that for you: NOPE!
Another fabulous feature at Under Canvas is the option to have delicious hot coffee delivered to your tent in the mornings. For a coffee addict like myself, this is game changing luxury! There is also an on-site restaurant within walking distance (they offer complimentary breakfast to Under Canvas guests), and the town of West Yellowstone is only about a 10 minute drive away. The West gate to Yellowstone National Park is also about a 10-12 minute drive from the glamp site, and the staff at Under Canvas are exceptional about giving sightseeing advice and helping you make the best plan to make the most of your time in the park!
The Boiling River
Where freezing river water mixes with run offs from boiling hot springs above - bring your swimsuit! There’s lots of warm pockets to relax in.
Mammoth Hot Springs
There are many hot springs in Yellowstone, and this was our favorite. The colors here are insane!
The Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel
For our final two nights, we headed to the north end of the park and stayed just 15 minutes past the Yellowstone gate in Gardiner, Montana. I had been eyeing the dreamy Tipi Hotel on Instagram for months and our stay definitely did not disappoint! Both of my parents have quite a bit of Cherokee heritage in their family histories, and I grew up with a tipi on top of the hill behind our house. My dad is so passionate about Native American history and culture, and it’s contagiously caught on to my siblings and I.
The inside of each tipi is decorated differently, but each one has a super cool aesthetic. I seriously wanted to take this leather chain home with me! The beds are very comfortable, and the tipi itself is insulated against the wind and the cold. They also provide a small heater, in case you need a little extra warmth. True to typical glamping fashion, a heated bathroom and showers are just a short walk from your tipi. There is also fresh coffee and complimentary breakfast items near reception in the mornings.
The tipis are beautiful during the day, but this place turns magical at night! There is a huge fire pit in the center of the glamp site where guests convene nightly for s’mores and socializing. The stars in Montana are BREATHTAKING! We loved sitting outside of our tipi at night and taking it all in.