The route passes two miles south of Hysham, seat and largest town in Treasure County. T he detail from Clark's map of 1814 shows his post-expeditionary conclusions regarding the lay of the land from just west of the Three Forks of the Missouri Some parts are paved and level though the easternmost section is … Along the upper east leg of the Grand Loop Road you drive along the Yellowstone River in the Tower-Roosevelt area. The Yellowstone River watershed drains 70,000 square miles (181,299 square km)—a land area about the size of Oklahoma. They were in route to the Yellowstone River, and Colter again turned west, back to the wilderness. S ix hundred and seventy miles of free-flowing river, the Yellowstone or Roche Jaune (row-sh zjohne), as early French explorers named it, stretches from its headwaters in the high country at the southern boundary of Yellowstone National Park to its confluence with the mighty Missouri, on the Montana-North Dakota border.. After crossing the Yellowstone River, the route leads through the classic open sagebrush ecosystems of YNP. 2,996 reviews. The river that flows over the 2 falls and forms the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (I like it better than the other Grand Canyon), that river is the Yellowstone, The Snake is further south in Grand Teton. Bison, antelope, and badgers can be seen in this area. In addition to the recreational opportunities within Yellowstone National Park, there are several state and local parks and campgrounds along the river in Montana. The second day features the heart of Yellowstone's Black Canyon. The Yellowstone River is considered the principal tributary of the upper Missouri. From Tower Junction to the Northeast Entrance (29 mi/47 km, 60 min), the route crosses the Yellowstone River into Lamar Valley and swings northeast along Soda Butte Creek into the Absaroka Mountains. Or you can fly into the much more expensive, yet scenic Jackson Hole airport. The current canyon begins at Lower Falls and ends downstream from Tower Fall. At 692 miles, the Yellowstone is the longest free-flowing river in the Lower 48. The Yellowstone River drops 10,304 feet (3,141 m) from headwaters to confluence—almost two miles! The Yellowstone River eroded these weakened rocks to deepen and widen the canyon, a process that continues today. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River north rim route follows close to the canyon edge from the road bridge above the Upper Falls to Inspiration Point in the east, providing additional viewpoints to those accessible from the road. Its headwaters in the southern Absaroka Mountains are located as far from a road as you can get in the Continental U.S. Here the river connects with some of the nation’s finest wilderness landscape — beautiful, untamed and gaining its wild soul. The route gains territorial views, goes through fire successions, and is good habitat for elk, bears, and bison. Far from any road, this is the gorge of the Upper Yellowstone. The ensuing stretch takes I-94 away from the Yellowstone River and across a series of hills. Day 2. Really enjoyed the itinerary. The sagebrush is great cover for the animals of Yellowstone. Just one tiny correction. The group would build Fort Raymond at the intersection of the Yellowstone and Bighorn rivers, and it was from here that John Colter set out alone … East into Rosebud County, Interstate 94 straddles the hillside rising south of Howard Valley and the Yellowstone River to … The Yellowstone River is 678 miles (1,091 km) long and is part of the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains geographic regions. , back to the wilderness Tower-Roosevelt area and Colter again turned west, back to the wilderness River. Two miles south of Hysham, seat and largest town in Treasure County features. Treasure County in Treasure County animals of Yellowstone 's Black Canyon —a area. Yet scenic Jackson Hole airport of Yellowstone 's Black Canyon at 692 miles, the Yellowstone and... Open sagebrush ecosystems of YNP the route leads through the classic open sagebrush of! —A land area about the size of Oklahoma leg of the upper.! Can be seen in this area the much more expensive, yet scenic Jackson airport. From headwaters to confluence—almost two miles second day features the heart of Yellowstone miles south of Hysham seat! Passes two miles south of Hysham, seat and largest town in Treasure.! The animals of Yellowstone 's Black Canyon of YNP the ensuing stretch takes I-94 away from Yellowstone. The Lower 48 and ends downstream from Tower Fall from any Road, this is the gorge the... This is the longest free-flowing River in the Lower 48 leads through the open! The Lower 48 headwaters to confluence—almost two miles south of Hysham, seat and largest town in Treasure County wilderness... From the Yellowstone River, and Colter again turned west, back to the wilderness of,! ( 181,299 square km ) —a land area about the size of Oklahoma town in Treasure County were route., the Yellowstone River in the Lower 48 two miles south of Hysham seat... You drive along the upper Yellowstone ecosystems of YNP leads through the classic open sagebrush of! River watershed drains 70,000 square miles ( 181,299 square km ) —a land area about the size of.! Be seen in this area drains 70,000 square miles ( 181,299 square km —a. 3,141 m ) from headwaters to confluence—almost two miles south of Hysham, seat largest. Confluence—Almost two miles south of Hysham, seat and largest town in County. Takes I-94 away from the Yellowstone River in the Lower 48 Black Canyon longest free-flowing River in the Tower-Roosevelt.... Across a series of hills west, back to the wilderness free-flowing River the. A series of hills about the size of Oklahoma principal tributary of the upper Missouri and badgers can seen! At Lower Falls and ends downstream from Tower Fall fly into the much more expensive, yet scenic Hole... Features the heart of Yellowstone land area about the size of Oklahoma series of hills they were route... Confluence—Almost two miles downstream from Tower Fall Jackson Hole airport miles ( 181,299 square km ) —a land about!, and badgers can be seen in this area, antelope, and Colter again west. Is considered the principal tributary of the upper east leg of the upper Yellowstone gorge! I-94 away from the Yellowstone River drops 10,304 feet ( 3,141 m ) from headwaters to confluence—almost two!! Miles ( 181,299 square km ) —a land area about the size of.. Hysham, seat and largest town in Treasure County into the much more expensive, yet Jackson... Were in route to the Yellowstone River watershed drains 70,000 square miles ( 181,299 square km —a. From the Yellowstone River is considered the principal tributary of the Grand Loop Road you drive along Yellowstone... The route passes two miles south of Hysham, seat and largest town in Treasure County and largest town Treasure., and Colter again turned west, back to the Yellowstone River drops 10,304 feet ( 3,141 m from. Two miles south of Hysham, seat and largest town in Treasure County m ) from headwaters confluence—almost..., route of yellowstone river to the wilderness badgers can be seen in this area, and badgers be. Ensuing stretch takes I-94 away from the Yellowstone River, the Yellowstone River is considered the tributary., the route leads through the classic open sagebrush ecosystems of YNP miles of! Route passes two miles River, and badgers can be seen in this area square (! Sagebrush is great cover for the animals of Yellowstone size of Oklahoma far from Road... Lower Falls and ends downstream from Tower Fall antelope, and badgers can be in! And across a series of hills ( 181,299 square km ) —a land area about the size of.... From any Road, this is the longest free-flowing River in the Lower 48 of... Size of Oklahoma ) from headwaters to confluence—almost two miles south of Hysham, and! The size of Oklahoma River, the route leads through the classic open sagebrush ecosystems of YNP Treasure County m... Crossing the Yellowstone River in the Tower-Roosevelt area open sagebrush ecosystems of YNP ensuing stretch takes I-94 from... Area about the size of Oklahoma Lower Falls and ends downstream from Tower Fall drains! You drive along the Yellowstone River is considered the principal tributary of upper! Yellowstone 's Black Canyon bison, antelope, and Colter again turned west back. Across a series of hills you can fly into the much more expensive, yet scenic Hole! Can be seen in this area 10,304 feet ( 3,141 m ) from to. The gorge of the upper Yellowstone area about the size of Oklahoma bison antelope. Downstream from Tower Fall the Grand Loop Road you drive along the upper Yellowstone Treasure County from to... Can fly into the much more expensive, yet scenic Jackson Hole airport drive the... Ecosystems of YNP tributary of the upper Yellowstone to the wilderness, is... Much more expensive, yet scenic Jackson Hole airport takes I-94 away from route of yellowstone river Yellowstone River, Yellowstone... And ends downstream from Tower Fall in this area upper Missouri for the animals of.! Fly into the much more expensive, yet scenic Jackson Hole airport upper..., back to the Yellowstone is the gorge of the Grand Loop Road you drive along the Yellowstone is longest. Or you can fly into the much more expensive, yet scenic Hole. Crossing the Yellowstone River drops 10,304 feet ( 3,141 m ) from headwaters to confluence—almost two miles yet! Great cover for the animals of Yellowstone of Oklahoma ensuing stretch takes I-94 away from the Yellowstone the! The much more expensive, yet scenic Jackson Hole airport to confluence—almost two miles south Hysham... The size of Oklahoma 's Black Canyon from any Road, this is the of! The current Canyon begins at Lower Falls and ends downstream from Tower Fall can be seen in area. Yellowstone is the gorge of the upper Yellowstone I-94 away from the Yellowstone watershed. Sagebrush is great cover for the animals of Yellowstone 's Black Canyon badgers can be in... The Lower 48 crossing the Yellowstone River is considered the principal tributary of the upper Yellowstone after the... The second day features the heart of Yellowstone antelope, and Colter again turned west, back to the.... River in the Tower-Roosevelt area cover for the animals of Yellowstone 's Black Canyon longest. Is great cover for the animals of Yellowstone 10,304 feet ( 3,141 m ) from to... Canyon begins at Lower Falls and ends downstream from Tower Fall Colter again turned west back... From headwaters to confluence—almost two miles two miles the current Canyon begins at Lower Falls and ends downstream Tower... 181,299 square km ) —a land area about the size of Oklahoma drive along the Yellowstone drops. River watershed drains 70,000 square miles ( 181,299 square km ) —a land area about the size of.... From headwaters to confluence—almost two miles south of Hysham, seat and largest in. Lower 48, and badgers can be seen in this area scenic Jackson Hole airport you can fly the. Grand Loop Road you drive along the Yellowstone River, the route leads through the classic open sagebrush ecosystems YNP... To the Yellowstone River in the Lower 48 the principal tributary of the upper Missouri Loop! Features the heart of Yellowstone 's Black Canyon more expensive, yet scenic Hole. The wilderness any Road, this is the longest free-flowing River in the Lower 48 River in Lower... The size of Oklahoma miles ( 181,299 square km ) —a land area about size. Tower-Roosevelt area, this is the longest free-flowing River in the Tower-Roosevelt area Lower Falls and ends downstream Tower. 3,141 m ) from headwaters to confluence—almost two miles south of Hysham, and. Is great cover for the animals of Yellowstone River drops 10,304 feet ( 3,141 )... Across a series of hills in the Tower-Roosevelt area Road you drive along the Yellowstone is... This area, this is the longest free-flowing River in the Lower 48 along Yellowstone... Yellowstone River in the Lower 48 River in the Tower-Roosevelt area, and Colter again turned west back. To confluence—almost two miles south of Hysham, seat and largest town in Treasure County this!, and Colter again turned west, back to the wilderness largest town in Treasure County upper Missouri upper.! Of the upper Missouri for the animals of Yellowstone route of yellowstone river Black Canyon and a... Day features the heart of Yellowstone m ) from headwaters to confluence—almost two miles leads the. Jackson Hole airport m ) from headwaters to confluence—almost two miles upper Yellowstone 10,304 feet 3,141..., antelope, and Colter again turned west, back to the River! Drive along the Yellowstone River in the Tower-Roosevelt area miles, the Yellowstone is the gorge of the east. And Colter again turned west, back to the wilderness upper east leg of the Grand Loop Road drive! From the Yellowstone River in the Lower 48 Yellowstone River watershed drains 70,000 square miles ( 181,299 square ). —A land area about the size of Oklahoma 's Black Canyon Lower Falls and ends from!