Exploring Yellowstone: A POTA Activation, Fishing Adventures, and Must-See Sights

Recently, I hit the road from Pierre, South Dakota, bound for Mammoth Hot Springs Campground in the heart of Yellowstone National Park. The drive was smooth and trouble-free—no mechanical hiccups to report! It took me just two days to cover the distance, and the scenery along the way was nothing short of stunning.

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Arriving at Mammoth Hot Springs Campground, I was immediately struck by its natural beauty. Thankfully, securing a spot was a breeze, thanks to a seamless online reservation process through recreation.gov. Although the campground doesn’t offer services like water, electric, or phone connections, this didn’t dampen my spirits; it only added to the authentic camping experience.

Mammoth Hots Springs Campground

Mammoth Camp

As I explored the campground, I discovered that it’s the only one within Yellowstone National Park that remains open year-round. The 85 campsites cater to a range of camping styles, accommodating tents, trailers, and RVs up to 75 feet long. Most of the sites offer pull-through access, and over half have dedicated tent pads for added comfort. Each site is equipped with a table, fire ring, and grate, perfect for cooking and gathering around the campfire.

While the campground may lack some amenities, necessities like drinking water, flush toilets, vault toilets, and trash collection are provided. Additionally, a store, restaurant, gift shop, and showers are located nearby, so you won’t be left high and dry during your stay.

During our trip to Yellowstone, we made the most of our time and explored a variety of attractions. From fly fishing in pristine streams to hiking through breathtaking landscapes, we immersed ourselves in the great outdoors. Of course, we couldn’t miss visiting iconic landmarks like Old Faithful geyser and Yellowstone Lake. Our journey also took us to Mammoth Hot Springs, where we marveled at the stunning geothermal features. In between these highlights, we explored many more sights and experiences, making our trip truly unforgettable.

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During my visit to Yellowstone, I took advantage of the opportunity to activate the park for Parks on the Air (POTA). Operating from my truck, I used a Kenwood TS-480HX and Scorpion antenna. Additionally, I employed my Elecraft KX2 for some CW mode operations. Back at the camper, I engaged in FT8 mode using an Icom 7300 and a Hi-Q antenna. Over the course of my POTA activation, I successfully established 131 contacts, and particularly enjoyed making SSB contacts with my truck setup and Kenwood radio

Thank you

A big thanks to subscribers and everyone who posts questions, comments and sends emails with ideas and suggestions. I sincerely appreciate it and hope this website helps Ham operators.

If you have a question or suggestion, please comment below. I will do my best to answer it and your experience will help others as well.

73,

Rich, K0PIR

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K0PIR

I'm an Amateur Radio enthusiast. I love the hobby and experimenting with radios, antennas and software. On my YouTube channel I upload videos on the Icom 7300 and Icom 7610 along with Ham radio software programs. I hope to inspire people to try new things in Amateur Radio.

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