Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a protected area in the United States established in 1872 as the world’s first national park and covers about 8,983 square kilometers. It is globally significant for its geothermal features and large, free-roaming wildlife populations.

The park contains more than 10,000 hydrothermal features and over 500 active geysers, including the well-known Old Faithful, which erupts roughly every 90 minutes and can reach 32 to 56 meters high. Visitors also come for the park’s wildlife - notably large bison herds and packs of wolves - and for scenic highlights such as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its 94 meter Lower Falls.

Yellowstone’s geothermal basins, high plateaus, and wide valleys offer diverse visiting experiences from boardwalks through thermal areas to long drives and backcountry trails. Popular attractions include terrace formations at Mammoth Hot Springs and extensive thermal areas at Norris and Midway basins.

The park was set aside by the U.S. Congress and signed into law in 1872; management later passed to the National Park Service when it was created in 1916. Over time the park’s boundaries and management practices evolved to balance tourism, conservation, and indigenous uses.

Geographically the park lies primarily in Wyoming with portions in Montana and Idaho. Major gateway towns include West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Cody, and Jackson, which serve as entry points to different park regions.

• Seasonal access: Expect frequent short-term road and facility closures in winter and during spring thaw; check National Park Service alerts before travel.
• Best viewing times: Wildlife is most active at sunrise and sunset, and many popular viewpoints can be crowded midday; early starts improve wildlife and geothermal viewing.

What to See #

• Norris Geyser Basin: Located in the northwestern part of the park, this basin contains the park's hottest and most changeable thermal features, including geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and colorful microbial mats.
• Lamar Valley: An open valley known for large herds of bison and frequent wolf and grizzly sightings; offers wide vistas and roadside viewing areas favored at dawn and dusk.
• Old Faithful Geyser: One of the park's most famous geysers, erupting at roughly 90 minute intervals on average and sending water 32 to 56 meters into the air.
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: A steep, scenic gorge featuring the 94 meter Lower Falls and multiple overlooks along the North and South rims.