Yellowstone's geothermal landscape is unlike anywhere else on Earth. From erupting geysers to bubbling mud pots and brilliantly colored hot springs, these were the geothermal areas that left the biggest impression on us.

Wildlife was one of the biggest reasons we wanted to visit Yellowstone. A massive bison herd in Lamar Valley and a playful black bear were some of our favorite wildlife encounters in the park!

Canyon Campground gave us a convenient base for exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, from the classic view at Artist Point to the roar of the river at the brink of Upper and Lower Falls.

Old Faithful’s towering eruption brought us to Yellowstone’s Upper Geyser Basin, but the colorful pools, restless springs, and steaming boardwalk beyond it made us stay.

Wildfire smoke hid many of the mountain views we had traveled to see, but Grand Teton gave us other memories: rain at String Lake, a moose crossing the water, and a quiet afternoon in our campervan beside the river.

We hiked into the Joshua Tree backcountry expecting a mild night, but cold temperatures, wind, and a leaking sleeping pad tested us before a warm spring morning changed the mood.

A short, steep climb from Tioga Pass brought us to the clear water and wide-open alpine scenery of Gaylor Lakes, including a quiet upper lake recommended by a Yosemite ranger.

One open campsite gave us an unexpected night in Tuolumne Meadows, where we wandered beside clear water, explored Soda Springs, and slept beneath the high Sierra sky.

We followed a quiet forest trail to Terrace and Shadow Lakes, where lingering snow, cold water, and an approaching thunderstorm shaped our afternoon in Lassen.

The Bumpass Hell Trail led us from sweeping mountain views and lingering August snow into a strange basin of steaming vents, bubbling mud, and mineral-stained ground.

We spent our Lassen visit walking among steaming mudpots, cold mountain lakes, and the enormous boulders of Chaos Jumbles, with a solar eclipse adding one unexpected experience.

We hiked 700 feet down the Cleetwood Cove Trail so Kim could complete a bucket-list swim in the cold, brilliantly clear water of Crater Lake.