Sprawling across more than 3,400 square miles of mostly Wyoming territory, Yellowstone National Park houses a rich blend of exploding geysers, an active volcano, its very own Grand Canyon, world-class waters with native cutthroat and wild browns and rainbows, and great access to it all via singletrack trails and hundreds of backcountry camping options. These strengths make the park a standout. But what’s also remarkable about America’s preeminent playground is more than what’s contained inside… it’s what isn’t. Yellowstone has, since its inception in the late 1800s, effectively shut the doors on human encroachment, making it one of the last nearly intact, natural ecosystems on Earth. It’s a place where inhabitants—grizzlies, wolves, elk, osprey, lizards, bison, rattlesnakes, and trout—live free to function like Ma Nature intended. Humans—of course—can play, too. Get lost within layers of brooding mountains enveloped in tempestuous weather. Explore intricate miles of cutthroat laced rivers and lakes. Check off the tourist areas, but also take time to adventure far beyond them. And spend as much time within Yellowstone’s embrace as possible. Why? Because there are parks; then there is Yellowstone—the world’s first and, as far as anglers are concerned, foremost National Park.
Where to Start
Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming (3 percent of the park is in Montana and 1 percent is in Idaho). It’s open all year, though some areas are inaccessible by car in the winter. Outlaying hubs include: Cody and Jackson, WY, Bozeman and Billings, MT, and Idaho Falls, ID. The West Yellowstone airport is serviced from June to early September via Salt Lake City, UT.
For more info, see NPS.
Fly Shops Near Yellowstone National Park
West Yellowstone has several excellent fly shops, catering to rivers around the West Entrance, including the Madison. Check out Craig Mathews’ Blue Ribbon Flies and Bud Lilly’s Trout Shop. There are also several quality shops and outfitters located in both Cody and Jackson, near the park’s South and East entrances.
For more great pictures by Kat Mueller, please visit: katmuellerphoto.com
