Many superlatives can be applied to Yellowstone National Park; it’s the oldest national park in the US and possibly the world, it has the world’s highest concentration of geysers and bison, it’s a part of the world’s biggest remaining intact, temperate-zone ecosystems and at its heart, Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest high-elevation lakes on the continent, centred over the Yellowstone Caldera – the largest super volcano in North America. It’s no wonder that this is one of the most popular and well-known National Parks in the country.
Yellowstone is a wilderness recreation area of nearly 3,500 square miles covering a constantly bubbling volcanic hot spot. Above the ground, you’ll find dramatic canyons, fast flowing rivers, huge expanses of forest and hundreds of animal species including bears, bison, wolves, antelope and elk. Below the ground, active volcanic and hydrothermal systems create hot springs, mudpots, steam vents and half the world’s geysers.
So what can you do in this preserved wilderness? There are lots of options for getting out and exploring, whether you want to don your walking boots, take in the view from the water, saddle up and ride some trails on horseback or join a guided ranger tour. This last activity allows you to learn about the wildlife and geology of the park from an expert. You can even take an evening tour and learn about the spectacular night sky.
Yellowstone is mostly in Wyoming, but also stretches into Montana and Idaho. The whole ecosystem encompasses neighbouring Grand Teton National Park and portions of five national forests. To explore more than a fraction of this area will take at least a couple of days’ visit. But be prepared to find that once you visit Yellowstone National Park, you’ll leave wanting to come back.
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