Living the Yellowstone Dream: Our Second Season in America’s First National Park

When most people think of Yellowstone National Park, they imagine erupting geysers, wandering bison, and landscapes that take your breath away. For us, though, Yellowstone is more than just a spectacular place to visit—it’s home. This summer marks our second season living and working inside the park, and the experience has given us more than just a front-row seat to its beauty. It has provided us with community, adventure, and a daily rhythm that feels both extraordinary and grounding.

Our Roles in the Park

Rich works as the store manager, overseeing a bustling operation that’s equal parts gift shop, grocery, and camp provision store. His days are spent ensuring shelves are stocked, customers are cared for, and the incredible team of over 30 employees feels supported and energized.

Meanwhile, I manage the fountain, which might just be the happiest corner of our store. On any given day, we’re serving hand-scooped ice cream cones, hot dogs and bison brats to park visitors from around the world. Whether it’s a family cooling off after a long hike or a couple grabbing a quick snack before driving out to Lamar Valley, the fountain is a hub of smiles and connection.

Together, these roles put us at the heart of the Yellowstone visitor experience. We’re not just selling products; we’re creating moments—whether it’s helping someone pick out the perfect sweatshirt as a souvenir or scooping their very first huckleberry ice cream.

A Store That Has It All

The store itself is a fascinating blend of practicality and fun. On one side, guests can browse racks of apparel—t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats emblazoned with Yellowstone designs. Another section brims with souvenirs and gifts, everything from stickers and magnets to mugs and plush animals (yes, plenty of bison).

We also carry camping supplies and groceries, which means our customers range from day-trippers picking up postcards to campers stocking up for another week on the road. It’s not unusual to ring up marshmallows, lantern fuel, and a Yellowstone hoodie in the same transaction.

Life Beyond the Counter

What makes working here truly unique isn’t just the work, it’s the lifestyle that comes with it. Our employee housing sits just a short walk from the store, in a dorm-style setup with RV spots and a recreation hall. This means no long commute, no traffic—just a short stroll through the crisp mountain air.

We also share meals with our coworkers in the employee dining room (EDR). It’s not just about food; it’s about camaraderie. Every day, we gather around tables to swap stories, laugh about the funny things that happened during a shift, or trade tips on the best trails to hike on our days off. These mealtime conversations are the glue that binds our community together.

Our Storyteller Overland Getaway

While many of our coworkers stay in dorms, we’re lucky enough to call our Storyteller Overland van home. It’s our cozy getaway place where we can recharge, reflect, and enjoy a little privacy after busy days in the store and fountain. One of our favorite rituals is driving into Lamar Valley, climbing up on the roof, and watching the bison herds move across the landscape. There’s something magical about seeing these incredible animals from the comfort of our own rolling home, under the wide-open Yellowstone sky.

The Gift of Time Off

Our schedule runs on four nine-hour days, with three days off scattered throughout the week. This rhythm gives us the chance to fully immerse ourselves in both work and play. During our time off, we lace up our hiking boots and head into the park. Some days we wander a short trail to a waterfall. Other days we drive out to explore neighboring towns or scenic byways like the Beartooth Highway or go off road in the nearby national forest lands.

Yellowstone’s vastness means there’s always something new to discover. Even in our second season, we haven’t seen it all. And that’s part of the magic: each week offers a fresh adventure, whether it’s watching wildlife in Lamar Valley, going fishing on Yellowstone Lake with friends, or chasing the sunset from a mountain overlook.

A Family in the Making

Perhaps the most unexpected gift of working in Yellowstone has been the sense of family. For over four months, we live and work alongside the same group of people. We see each other at work, share meals, and cross paths in the rec hall in the evenings. By the time the season winds down, these coworkers aren’t just colleagues, they’re friends we’ll carry with us long after the snow begins to fall.

It’s a kind of community that’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it. Living this closely with others can be intense, but it also fosters deep bonds. We celebrate each other’s birthdays, lend a hand when someone’s having a rough day, and cheer one another on when it’s time to tackle a challenging hike.

Why We Came Back

So why did we return for a second season? The answer is simple: Yellowstone has a way of getting into your soul. The chance to wake up every day in one of the most beautiful places on earth, to be part of a team that feels like family, and to balance meaningful work with adventurous play—it’s a rare combination.

There’s something incredibly grounding about living with fewer distractions, about trading the buzz of everyday life for the rhythm of the mountains and geysers. Here, we measure time not just by shifts worked, but by hikes completed, wildlife spotted, and friendships deepened.

Reflections on a Season

Working in Yellowstone isn’t always easy. The hours can be long, the pace intense, and the nearest “big” grocery store is an hour away. But the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Where else can you scoop ice cream for someone from halfway around the world, finish your shift, and then go watch the sunset over a thermal basin?

This life isn’t for everyone—but for us, it’s a perfect fit. It has taught us about teamwork, adaptability, and the joy of simplicity. Also, it reminds us that community isn’t about where you live, but who you share your days with.

Looking Ahead

As our second season comes to a close, we’re savoring every moment. The months have flown by, but the memories we’ve made—both big and small—will last far longer. For us, Yellowstone isn’t just a workplace. It’s a classroom, a playground, and a sanctuary all rolled into one.

So, if you find yourself wandering through the park next summer and craving an ice cream cone or a Yellowstone sweatshirt, stop by. You might just see us behind the counter, living our own version of the Yellowstone dream…for a third season.