We used to think visiting Yellowstone on July 4th weekend would be a nightmare of crowds and traffic jams. After three packed days navigating the park with friends in tow, we learned that sometimes the best wildlife experiences happen when you least expect them, like spotting a gray wolf at dusk or watching a coyote stalk a mama bear and her cub from just feet away. Here’s what actually happens when you crash your friends’ holiday plans and turn it into an impromptu van life wildlife adventure.
We crashed their trip (and they let us stay)
Ethan’s best friend Dan and his girlfriend Angie had been planning this Yellowstone trip for months. When we realized we’d be in the area around the same time, we basically invited ourselves along. Thankfully they’re the kind of friends who find “surprise, we’re joining you!” endearing rather than annoying.
We booked our campground reservations a few months in advance, which was necessary for the holiday weekend, but ended up in sites right next to each other. Dan and Angie set up their tent (Angie’s first time car camping!), and we parked the van with Mav and Goose. This was before Rooster joined the pack, so we actually had room to breathe.
The funny part? Dan thought we’d died. They drove from North Dakota and beat us to the park. Since cell service is basically nonexistent in Yellowstone, and we were too busy being awestruck by everything to check in, they had no idea where we were. When we finally rolled into the campground and Dan spotted us, the relief on his face was priceless. Now it’s funny. At the time, probably less so.
The most wildlife we’ve seen anywhere, ever
Thursday, July 3rd started our wildlife education. We got into the park early that morning, and within the first hour, we saw something that still makes our hearts race. A mama black bear with her cub, being watched by a coyote.
We were maybe ten feet from the coyote. The bears were 10 to 15 feet beyond that. Close enough to see the mama’s protective body language, close enough to watch the coyote calculating whether the cub was worth the risk.
That was just the beginning.
Over three days, we saw more black bears at varying distances, multiple elk (including one with fuzzy antlers that was honestly the cutest thing we’ve ever photographed), and bison everywhere. Big, majestic, completely unbothered by the holiday crowds. On our way out via the east exit, we spotted a mama moose and her baby from a distance.
Around dusk at Hayden Valley, someone spotted a gray wolf. An actual gray wolf. We’ve learned to keep our eyes open and ask other visitors what they’ve seen. That’s how we found it. The van life rule applies in Yellowstone too. When you see people pulled over on the side of the road, PULL OVER. It’s always something worth seeing.
At the very end of our trip, we encountered about 15 mountain goats. Not a bad way to close out the long weekend.
The park is huge enough that crowds stay manageable
Here’s what surprised us about Yellowstone on a major holiday weekend. Yes, you need to book campgrounds months ahead. Yes, there are more people than usual. But the park is so massive that the crowds spread out naturally.
We spent all of Thursday doing a big circle around the entire park. Started at West Thumb Geyser Basin, then hit Artist Point, Tower Fall, Hayden Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, and a bunch of smaller stops in between. It took all day, but we wanted to save the biggest attractions for Friday when Dan and Angie would be with us.
Friday we tackled Upper and Lower Falls with a beautiful hike, then Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring. The last morning, we did the overlook trail for Grand Prismatic. Magical views until a hail storm caught us on the way down. We ran. Ethan had his camera with him, so our hearts were absolutely pounding thinking about protecting the equipment while also not slipping on wet rocks.
Thankfully no damage to the van, the gear, or us. We were completely drenched, but that’s the advantage of van life. We had our entire house right there with all our clothes and a way to dry off. Dan and Angie were headed to Grand Tetons next, which we’d convinced them to add to their itinerary. So worth it, even just to drive through.
When bear spray doesn’t have a safety lock
Okay, so this is Dan’s story and we’re probably pushing our luck sharing it, but it’s too good (and too important) not to tell.
Dan had brought bear spray from home. Turns out the canister didn’t have a safety lock. While sitting in their car, he accidentally discharged it. Inside the car. Directly onto Angie’s leg.
We evacuated that vehicle FAST. Angie’s leg was burning, but she was an absolute champ about it. We got her leg cleaned up and she rallied like a pro. The rangers at the bear spray rental place had an extra lock for the canister, so we drove back and told them we’d “lost” ours and needed a replacement. We weren’t about to admit we’d accidentally maced ourselves in a parked car before even seeing a bear.
It got tense for a minute there, but looking back, we’re grateful it happened when it did. Better in a parking lot than on a trail. Now we all triple check our bear spray safety mechanisms. That’s van life with friends. Things go sideways, you problem solve together, and you learn lessons the hard way sometimes.
Three days wasn’t quite enough
Looking back six months later, we definitely could’ve used one or two more full days. Three days let us hit the major spots and pack in a ton of wildlife viewing, but we were constantly moving. We took the full days off work to make it happen, and we’re glad we did. There’s no way to balance laptop time with what Yellowstone offers.
The biggest takeaway? We’re going back. We’re both huge animal lovers, and the sheer concentration of wildlife there was unlike anything we’ve experienced. Between the bears, elk, moose, bison, mountain goats, and that gray wolf, we got spoiled.
For anyone planning a Yellowstone trip, especially over a busy holiday weekend, book your campground months ahead, plan to take full days off work if you can, bring bear spray with a safety lock, and pull over whenever you see other cars stopped. That’s where the magic happens.
What’s been your best wildlife encounter? Have you done Yellowstone during peak season, or are you waiting for the off season crowds to thin out? We’d love to hear what worked for your trip.
Wandering with Charlotte 
Leave a comment