Sara Sipe EBS Contributor
A few years back, I was asked how often I go to Yellowstone National Park, since I live so close to it. I’m guessing my response may sound familiar to many in the Big Sky community. I answered, “I go in mid-April to mid-May, and then after Labor Day until the West Entrance closes in mid-October. Unless someone comes to visit me during the summer that has never been to the park, I avoid it like the plague during the summer.”
Their reply to me was something I had never heard.
“Oh, so you go with the newly wed and nearly dead crowd,” they said.
After my initial pause while my brain caught up, I started to chuckle. They were right! These are the times you are most likely to see honeymooners and retired folks hitting the park, rather than families with school-aged children. And it really does create a different kind of experience.
The closest entrance to Yellowstone National Park, affectionately known by locals as simply, “The Park,” is a quick 50-minute drive from Big Sky. Because of its proximity and vast size, I always considered the park the backyard of Big Sky; our playground—a special place that we have special access to.
In the fall, this is an especially great time to head to the park at dawn or dusk. Animals are preparing for winter and there is a lot of activity. It is a wonderful time of year to slow down and take your time going through the park, to stop at features that are always packed with tourists in the summer, and to see large animals without the dreaded “bear jams.”
One of the things that binds our community together is the number of our citizens that value and promote an outdoor, Western lifestyle. It is part of who we are as a cohort. The park is an amazing neighbor in that sense. There are endless opportunities, regardless of time of year, to do, see and experience one of the true wonders of the world. As a community, we should take advantage of this magnificent place. Although technically open 24/7, and 365 days a year, there are some entrances and areas of the park with limited or no access during fall and winter. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the various hours of operation. The West Yellowstone entrance is open to passenger vehicle traffic this season through Oct. 31, weather dependent.
So whether birding, hiking, biking, fishing, painting, drawing, listening for the bugling of the elk, or simply sitting in silence taking in the endless epic vistas, Yellowstone National Park is a neighbor worth visiting this fall. And be sure to congratulate the honeymooners and say hello to the retirees!
Sara Sipe has lived in Big Sky since 2009. She is an accountant by trade, but her true passion is being of service to others in Big Sky through charitable work and community building. In her free time, she enjoys live music, creative writing, pottery, and painting.
Big Sky Community Spotlight is a short column that is meant to shine a light on those in Big Sky doing important work. Whether it be a profession, hobby or volunteer work, Big Sky is home to interesting people that do interesting things and as our community grows, it is important to stay connected to our neighbors and local businesses. This is more easily done if we know more about one another. We hope you enjoy getting to know your neighbors!
