In late September 2025 we made our second visit to Yellowstone National Park. September is a great time to visit Yellowstone, since most kids are back in school and the weather is turning cooler.
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As we did last time, we set up camp at Red Rock Pass/Red Rock Ln dispersed camping near Henry’s Lake State Park. After our first night there we drove the 40 minutes to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park and headed to the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, driving along Firehole Canyon Drive along our way.
Once at the visitor center we picked up a couple free Junior Ranger books then headed Spring Creek Picnic Area to eat our lunch. After lunch we continued driving toward West Thumb Lake, then up and around Yellowstone Lake. We got as far as Lehardy’s Rapids before we were turned around by park staff due to an accident just up ahead. After all that driving we were done for the day so we made the 2.5 hour drive back to our campsite.
On our second day we fared much better. We started the late morning with a hike to Harlequin Lake (a beautiful, easy 1-mile hike to a small lake) then made a quick stop at the Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum to grab an extra Junior Ranger book (tell me one of your kids never forgot to grab theirs from the camper before returning to the park).
We relaxed for lunch at Whiskey Flat Picnic Area then waited in a long line to get into the parking area for Midway Geyser Basin. Luckily for us we were able to snag an accessible parking spot once we in the parking lot. There were a lot of people here but despite that Matt’s service dog did very well with the crowds pushing in around them. After that it was back to the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center to present Junior Ranger books and earn badges, explore the exhibits inside the center, and do a bit of gift buying. On our way out we were blessed to be able to help a couple with a dead car battery get on their way.
All in all it was another great trip to Yellowstone National Park. Want a review of the dispersed camping we set up at? Click here!
Have you been to Yellowstone National Park? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments! You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook @simplejoyfuljourney, or email me at alicia@simplejoyfuljourney.com. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page before you go. Have a great week!