About Melynda Harrison

Melynda Harrison writes about family travel and outdoor recreation at TravelingMel.com and covers all things Yellowstone at www.yellowstonetrips.com. She is based out of Livingston, Montana where she lives with her husband and two sons. Follow her outdoor adventures on Instagram at @TravelingMelMT.

ALL POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR:

Snowshoeing and Hot Springing in McCall, Idaho

In my mind, there is no better way to spend a winter vacation than by playing in the snow on snowshoes, soaking in hot springs, and sipping hot beverages. McCall, Idaho is just the place to have that iconic winter … Continue reading


Snowshoes, Ice Skating, and Waterfalls in Slovenia

I am sitting in a hut in the Julian Alps in Slovenia drinking a Laško beer. My ten-year-old son, Anders, and I snowshoed up here with our guide Matevž from Altitude Activities. A road biking race in Dubai … Continue reading


On Top of the World at Homestake Lodge

Homestake Lodge, Montana

Most winters, my girlfriends and I book all the beds at Homestake Lodge, take over the lodge, and spend three days snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, eating, drinking, and laughing. On this January trip, we caravanned from Livingston and Bozeman, Montana, … Continue reading


Exploring Yellowstone’s Winter Wonderland

A statement from the 1907 U.S. Army’s Rules, Regulations and Instructions for soldiers and scouts on duty in Yellowstone warns, “All persons traveling through the park from October 1 to June 1 should be regarded with suspicion.”

Who besides poachers … Continue reading


Snowshoeing, Skiing, Eating, and Playing at Lone Mountain Ranch, Montana

I fell in love with LMR (Lone Mountain Ranch) the first time I saw it. Nestled into a valley in Big Sky, Montana, the ranch somehow manages to be cozy while rambling up the valley and into the … Continue reading


Five Things To Do With Snowshoes That Aren’t (Exactly) Snowshoeing

What do you picture when you think of snowshoeing? Walking along a trail winding through the woods, poles in hands, heart rate rising? Maybe a line of people crossing a snowy meadow?

Relentless forward motion is one way to snowshoe, … Continue reading


Beyond Bozeman — Snowshoeing Bridger Canyon

Just beyond Bozeman, Montana, past the trendy restaurants, countless coffee shops, and hip breweries, is Bridger Canyon. The Bridger Mountains erupt to the west and the Bangtails roll up on the east. Between the two ranges, Bridger Creek sashays toward … Continue reading


Five Winter Activities in Seeley Lake, Montana

Nestled into a valley between the Mission and Swan mountain ranges in western Montana, Seeley Lake is one of the more scenic spots in a spectacular state. The Mission Mountain Wilderness is on one side, the Bob Marshall Wilderness on … Continue reading


The Izaak Walton Inn and Glacier National Park

We pull into the Izaak Walton Inn and see the iconic yellow hotel sitting on the edge of the railroad tracks. In the middle of nowhere. Or the middle of everywhere—it depends how you look at it.

The Izaak Walton … Continue reading


Snowshoeing in Paradise (Valley)

South of Livingston, Montana and north of Yellowstone National Park, sandwiched between the Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges sits Paradise Valley. As the name suggests, it’s one of the most beautiful places in world.

Shaggy snow-covered peaks are fronted by … Continue reading


Red Lodge, Montana: Snowshoe, Stay and Play

Nestled at the base of some of Montana’s highest mountains, Red Lodge is a mountain town with lots of culture and history. From its historic downtown Broadway to the Abasroka-Beartooth Wilderness, in Red Lodge, art, and Western tradition mingle and … Continue reading


Dream Vacation at Elkhorn Hot Springs, Montana

For years I’ve wanted to wake up on New Year’s Day in a little cabin in the woods. I’d snowshoe right from the front door, soak in hot springs, share winter cocktails with friends, sled with the kids, and stoke … Continue reading


Montana Cabins: Stay and Play

Nothing says winter like cozying up next to a woodstove in a little cabin in the woods. Imagine–As the sun breaks through the trees in the morning, you strap on your snowshoes right outside the front door and head into … Continue reading


West Yellowstone, Montana: Top Four Snowshoe Trails

At first glance, West Yellowstone is a typical National Park gateway town—hotels, restaurants and cheesy tourist shops. But look closer and unique bookstores, gear shops, and great snowshoeing opportunities start to appear. After a day pushing down snow, get educated … Continue reading


Mammoth Adventures in Yellowstone

snowshoeing child in front of big, orange geyser mound

Undeniably, winter is the best time to visit Yellowstone. Geysers throw steaming water through the snow and into the robin egg sky. Elk and bison, followed by wolves and coyotes, fill the valleys. Crystals of snow sparkle in the low … Continue reading