You'll never get it all in a camera lens, but you'll undoubtedly try. Don't let that viewfinder get attached to your face; take a few shots, or run a little videotape, and then put the camera down so you can enjoy this place with all your senses.
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River: The waterfalls are spectacular, especially the 308-foot Lower Falls (twice the height of Niagara), and the steeply cut canyon walls are colorful and alive with life. Take the short, easy hikes to Inspiration Point or Artist Point, and you'll see the falls that stimulated Thomas Moran's creativity. If you're in reasonable shape, hike down the short but steep trail to the Brink of the Upper Falls or the 328-step steel staircase known as Uncle Tom's Trail. (Be careful of slick spots during the spring and following afternoon thundershowers.)
- Lamar Valley: Bring your telephoto lens or binoculars to the northeast corner of the park, one of the best places to spot wildlife: bison and elk grazing along the Lamar River, wolves at Slough Creek and among the big ungulates, and the occasional grizzly bear on its never-ending quest for food.
- Yellowstone Lake: Sunrise over Yellowstone Lake is stunningly beautiful, especially if there's fog on the lake, whether you watch it from the sunroom at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel or (better) from a campsite along the southern wilderness shore. For an equally spectacular sunset view, drive 10 miles east of the hotel to Lake Butte Overlook.
