Our first stop in the park was Mammoth Hot Springs, 1 and a half hours drive from Bozeman, entering the park through the town of Gardiner. I set aside about an hour and a half to wander around the terraces formed by mineral rich hot water taking it all in. Elk were everywhere, grazing on the lawns, strolling across pathways, totally unbothered by the crowds. One even decided to take a warm dip in the spring, probably trying to heat up as the temperature started to drop. It made the whole visit feel extra magical and a little surreal! We even spotted a tiny chipmunk darting around as we wandered along the boardwalk.