Visit the Priceless Yellowstone National Park since 1872 , the first national park in the world which covers Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. This ultimate travel guide contains geysers, hot springs, wildlife, hiking trails, the Yellowstone Lake, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Yellowstone national park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
Location & Size
Founded: 1 st March 1872 (first national park on earth).
Area: About 3,472 square miles (8,991 km²).
Location: The largest part (96%), is located in northwestern Wyoming, with minor percentages found in Montana (3%), and Idaho (1%).
Boundaries: Bordered on by the Grand Teton National Park (south), Gallatin National Forest (north) and the Shoshone National forest (east).
Kampu Geology and Geothermal.
Yellowstone is located on one of the largest active volcanic systems in the world called Yellowstone Caldera.
Three huge eruptions (2.1 million, 1.3 million and 640,000 years ago) followed to the creation of the caldera.
This park has over 10,000 hydrothermal features which include:
Geysers: Old Faithful (erupts – every 90 minutes), Steamboat (tallest in the world).
Hot springs: Grand prismatic spring (largest spring in the U.S. with rainbow colors).
Mudpots and Fumaroles: Vents of acid and steam.
Wildlife
Yellowstone is among the most suitable wildlife areas in the United States.
Large Mammals:
American Bison (largest community of free-rangers in the U.S.)
Grizzly Bears & Black Bears
Gray Wolves (reintroduced in 1995)
E-L-K, M-O-S, M-U-L Deer, Bighorn, Goats, Coyotes.
Birds: bald eagles, Ospreys, Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes.
Fish: Cutthroat trout (native), though also such invasive species as lake trout.
Major Attractions & Regions
Yellowstone is subdivided into 5 major areas:
Mammoth Hot Springs (North)
Hot springs (terraces of travertine).
Historic Fort Yellowstone.
Elks and Bisons in winter.
Among the attractions are the Norris Geyser Basin (Northwest) and the Upper Geyser Basin.
Besides the aforementioned, there is the Steamboat Geyser (the tallest active geyser in the world).
The hottest thermal region of the park.
Old Faithful (West-Central)/ Upper Geyser Basin.
Old Faithful geyser (stereotypical eruptions).
Splendid fountain (notorious colourful spring).
More than fifty percent of the world geysers are here.
Grand Canyon of the Yellow also (East)
Cananyon created by the Yellowstone River that is 20 miles long.
Lessening the Falls (308 feet) and Upper Falls (109 feet).
Iconic viewpoint artists Point (iconic viewpoint).
Yellow stone lake (South-Central)
North American biggest, high-altitude lake (136 sq miles).
Fishing, boating and bird watching.
Outdoor Activities
Hiking: Over 900 miles of trails.
Camping: There are 12 campgrounds that have backcountry permits.
Wildlife Watching: the most successful in Dawn/dusk in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley.
Boating & Fishing: Permitted in Yellowstone Lake and part of rivers.
Skiing: Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing.
History & Culture
Initially, it was a home to Native American tribes (Shoshone, Crow, Bannock, and others).
Discovery of Europeans in the early nineteenth century (Lewis and Clark went through it).
In 1872, it became the first National Park in the world to be declared as such and signed by then president, Ulysses S. Grant.
National Park Service Administration (since 1916).
Visitor Information
Entrances:
North (Gardiner, Montana) open all year round.
West(West Yellow Stone, Montana).
South (via Grand Teton).
East (Cody, Wyoming).
Northeast (Cooke City, Montana).
Best Time to Visit:
Versatility: Summer (June -September).
Winter (December-March) when there is snow and no one around.
Weather:
Very unpredictable: it may be snowing even in June.
Elevation is between 5, 200 and 11, 000 feet.
Safety Tips
Keep on board walk along geothermal places (surface is shallow, boiling water below).
Maintain a distance of 100 yards with bears and wolves, 25 yards with the bison and elk.
Use bear spray during the hiking tour.
Change of weather may occur abruptly; pack layers.
UNESCO & Global Importance
Made a UNESCO world heritage site in 1978.
It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that was declared in 1976.
Preserves a special set of geothermal, ecological and cultural values.
Overview: Yellowstone national park is not only the first national park in America but also, a natural wonderland of geysers, canyons, lakes and wildlife. It is found in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and presents a perfect blend of geology, history, wilderness, and adventure to the visitors.
Conclusion
Yellowstone National Park is not a mere destination, it has become an embodiment of a constant reminder of the raw force, beauty and strength of the earth. Whether it is the eruption of the Old Faithful or the rainbow of a Grand Prismatic Spring, the wandering bison herds of Lamar Valley or the Yellowstone River, all areas of the park will leave a memorable experience with nature.
Yellowstone is located in three states, namely Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho, which constitutes the ideal mix of adventure, discovery, and preservation. It was considered as the first national park in the world and it is an inspiring location that makes millions of people visit it annually to save and preserve the rare geothermal phenomena, special wildlife and spectacular scenery to be enjoyed by generations to come.
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