Yellowstone National Park in 360: 30 seconds at Canary Springs Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs

The video modules of The Accessible Parks Project are intended for use by the public for remote visitation accessibility inclusion options for US National Park lands. These videos are created by Clark DeHart © 2021, for the purpose of equity in visiting our nation’s most precious public lands. Below are instructions on how to best view these videos in 360 playback.

These instructions cover the 3 viewing options for playback. They include 1) computer screen navigation, 2) cellphone or tablet operation, 3) VR cardboard or cellphone-in-goggles type of playback system.


1. Computer Screen: Viewing via a computer is the most user-friendly option, but has the most limited functionality. Open the video in a web browser on the YouTube.com website. Change the playback resolution with the gear icon on the lower right corner. Set the quality to the highest option. While the video is playing, change the direction of playback by clicking+holding and dragging inside the playback screen. Release the mouse to have the video continue playing in the chosen direction. In 360 playback, you can look up, down, left, and right within the video and change your perspective as many times as desired.

2. Cellphone/Tablet: Viewing via a smartphone or tablet device is potentially the most enjoyable way to view the 360 video. You must have the YouTube app downloaded on the device for true 360 playback. On some platforms, if the 360 video is opened on a cellphone/tablet web browser and not in a YouTube app, it will only play as a rectangular video. Open the video in the YouTube app. Pause the video. Navigate to change the playback resolution. Change the quality to the highest setting. Hold the phone horizontally and restart the playback. You can tilt the phone and rotate your body to change the playback view. Alternatively, you can also swipe your finger across the screen in an up and down or a side to side motion to change the directionality of playback. Headphones provide the best audio experience.

3. VR systems that use cellphones: Viewing via a smartphone that is placed in a VR goggle for 360 playback is the most immersive way to view the 360 video. You must have the YouTube app downloaded on the device for true 360 playback. On some platforms, if the 360 video is opened on a cellphone/tablet web browser and not in a YouTube app, it will only play as a rectangular video. Open the video in the YouTube app. Pause the video. Navigate to change the playback resolution. Change the quality to the highest setting. Select the VR goggle icon on the video to split the playback window into two screens. Place the phone in the VR goggle case and play the video. Hold the VR goggles up to your face. Tilt your head and rotate your body to change the playback view.

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