Yellowstone’s East Entrance, the 50 most beautiful miles in America
“It charmed me, intrigued me, seduced me so completely and in such a way that memories of it result in the kind of longing normally reserved for the best fruit pie of your life.” This journal entry was made after my first encounter with Yellowstone in 2003. The best fruit pie of your life is a powerful memory; one that will be difficult to surpass. Or forget. If your visions of sugarplums are instead bodacious double crust fruit pies, you’ll understand. If not, pity.
Just in case the first paragraph gravely misdirected you, this post is about Yellowstone, and sadly, not fruit pies.
I’m not the only one infatuated with Yellowstone and the surrounding area. Some famous people whose opinions really count, feel the same. President Theodore Roosevelt called the stretch of highway between Cody, Wyoming and the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park “the fifty most beautiful miles in America”.
Named the Scenic Byway of Highway 20, aka the Wapiti Valley, the road is wedged into a valley shaped by the flow of the Shoshone River. The swath of wildness is charged with history and scenery. The Buffalo Bill Dam/Reservoir and Buffalo Bill State Park were worth the drive alone.
Buffalo Bill Reservoir
Nothing mechanical could capture what I saw with my own eyes. I didn’t try to create art from art, but rather to simply document I’d actually been there. Sometimes point and shoot is all you need do. Things like this burn into your memory and you may forget when it happened but you never forget that it did.
The East entrance‘s ranger station was built in 1934 but visitors staying in Cody, Wyoming had been entering the Park for years prior (Yellowstone was designated a National Park in 1872).
Cody was established in 1896 by wild west showman, William F. Cody, “Buffalo Bill” along with a group of investors from Buffalo, New York and Sheridan, Wyoming. They realized the potential for tourism since Yellowstone was only 50 miles west. Burlington Northern Railroad reinforced (and rewarded) the tourism dream when they completed a line into Cody in 1901.
Instead of the railroad, I drove. The round trip of 100 miles to Yellowstone from Cody and back took 7 hours. That should tell you that either I drive really, really slow, or there was a lot to see. Given that I’ve had a speeding ticket in almost every state I’ve driven, the latter is the best guess.
These guys did their part to make sure no one was in a hurry.
American Bison
For more information on Yellowstone, check out these links:
Yellowstone’s Original Entrance
Official Yellowstone National Park Site
Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway
** The East entrance closes from early November to sometime in April because of snow. Be sure to do your homework before heading there in the winter.
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About SRT... I’m a traveler, writer and photographer for whom the open road frequently summons. Adventurous solo road trips are a staple for me, and a curiosity. So I created this website to share them and inspire you to step out and give them a try. Welcome! 
Just completed this trip, West to East, on Tuesday, May 15. Fewer than a dozen cars passed, traveling the other direction. At times, it was difficult to keep the car on the road for want of a better look at the surrounding canyon. I independently called it the most beautiful road in America, and I was confirmed to learn that the President who created our National Parks felt the same. Actually, the entire road, all the way to Sheridan Wyoming, provides numerous opportunities for breathtaking vistas. When you descend the high plateau to a mere 4000 feet, you feel as if you can see clear to South Dakota. Traveling with my oldest daughter, I felt like we were in God’s embrace for three hours.
Comment by Stuart Williams — May 19, 2012 @ 9:57 am
[…] Yellowstone’s East Entrance, the 50 most beautiful miles in America “It charmed me, intrigued me, seduced me so completely and in such a way that memories of it result in the kind of longing normally reserved for the best fruit pie of your life.” This journal entry was made after my first encounter with Yellowstone in 2003. The best fruit pie of your life is a powerful memory; one that will be difficult to surpass. Or forget. If your visions of sugarplums are instead bodacious double crust fruit pies, you’ll understand. If not, pity. By midnightduke8 | View this Toon at ToonDoo | Create your own Toon […]
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My first drive down this road was over 40 years ago. It was something I will never forget. I don’t know how anyone could see this and not believe in God.
Comment by Randy Cox — February 27, 2012 @ 12:49 am
[…] Yellowstone’s East Entrance, the 50 most beautiful miles in America […]
Pingback by Geotermica de produção de Hidrogenio Yellonstoon. (Capitão America) « A Energia e o Carro Voador (Energy and Sky Car) — January 10, 2012 @ 1:47 pm
I’ve only entered Yellowstone from the south entrance. However, I’ve travelled to all 4 corners and love every bit of it. You need to be up and outside early in the morning and early evening for the best light, but it’s an incredible place regardless of the time.
Comment by National Park Guy — December 28, 2009 @ 8:26 pm
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
This is one of my six states left to visit. Scott and I are thinking of taking his parents’ trailer and doing a long tour of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho next year or the next. Can’t wait!
Comment by Camels & Chocolate — December 10, 2009 @ 2:28 am