Clear skies all day, warm across the lower park. Three guides out together today. Good conditions for covering ground.

Madison River

Bison moving through the river corridor. Standard early May movement, calm and steady.

National Park Mountain

Stopped at the site where the campfire conversation said to have inspired the creation of Yellowstone as the world’s first national park took place. The plaque is easy to miss. Worth two minutes every time.

Mystic Falls / Biscuit Basin Overlook

Hiked Mystic Falls and continued up to the Biscuit Basin Overlook. Old Faithful erupted while we were at the top. One of the cleaner views in the park to watch it from without a crowd around you. No wildlife on the trail itself.

Note: A bear incident was reported at Mystic Falls later on May 4. Our team hiked the trail that morning. If you are hiking in Yellowstone, carry bear spray, stay in groups, and make noise on wooded and brushy trails.

LeHardy Rapids

Harlequin Ducks working the rapids during breeding season, right where they belong this time of year, and an American Dipper feeding along the rocky edges. The Dipper is one of those birds most people walk straight past without knowing what they are looking at. It is the only songbird in North America that swims underwater. Stop at LeHardy, slow down, and it rewards you every time.

We post wildlife footage from the field on our YouTube channel — follow along for more from Yellowstone this spring.

Planning a Yellowstone trip this spring? Our private Yellowstone tours from Jackson Hole cover the full park with guides who know where to be and when. For the full multi-park experience, the 3-day Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary is the tour most families book.