About Yellowstone National Park
Established on 1st March 1872, Yellowstone National Park is named as World's First National Park. It is a perfect place for vacation and to get in touch with Mother Nature. The park is abundant in mountain ranges, rivers, lakes and canyons. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the ultimate place for those who love nature and wish to evade monotonous city life and indulge in natural surroundings. The place is full of attractions, stargazing spots, hike trails & waterfalls and one can also do a lot of recreational activities here.
History
Yellowstone gained its name from Yellowstone River, the water of which is still contained in the park. A surveyor named Ferris prepared a map of the area in 1836. Thereafter, in 1870 and 1871, Washburn-Langford-Doane and Hayden undertook comprehensive surveys of the field and in 1872, it was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant.
Map
Location
A major area of Yellowstone National Park lies in northwestern Wyoming state of the United States. Other minor areas of the park are in southern Montana and eastern Idaho. Since the area is quite big and spread across 3 states, there are 5 entrances to the park.
Below we have mentioned the names of cities/states Yellowstone Park is in along with the entrances.
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The northern and western entrances of Yellowstone National Park are located in Montana. If you are coming from this state, you can enter the park either through Gardiner, Cookie City or West Yellowstone which are known as Northern, North Eastern and Western Entrance respectively.
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The other two entrances are via Jackson and Cody in Wyoming which are situated in the South and East side of the park.
Total area
Yellowstone National Park is spread across 2,219,791 acres of land which is approximately 9000 sq km. It covers 101 km from north to south and around 87 km from east to west. This area is covered 80% by forests, 15% by grassland and 5% by water.
Weather
The weather in Yellowstone National Park is usually cold because of its elevation. No matter what time of the month you are visiting, we recommend carrying jackets, warm sweaters and raincoats whenever you go to the park.
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Winter Season:
The temperature ranges from -7°C to -18°C. Snowfall varies from area to area.
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Spring and Fall:
The day temperature during this season is between 0°C and 16°C. The temperature falls at night to as low as -20°C.
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Summer Season:
During this season, the weather is pretty nice. The temperature ranges between 21°C and 27°C during the day.
Top attractions to see in Yellowstone National Park
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Biscuit basin
One of the most iconic places in Yellowstone National Park is Biscuit Basin. It is named so because of formations around the edge of the pools shaped like biscuits, however, an earthquake destroyed them. Located at a 3.5-mile distance from Old Faithful lies this Basin which is a natural geyser.
Within a 1 minute walk is Sapphire Pool which has a stunning blue color featuring unique hydrothermal characteristics. The deep blue center gradually transitions to shades of green and yellow which then transform into vivid oranges and reds along the outer edges.
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Hot springs and geysers
Yellowstone National Park has around 10,000 geysers, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles which constitute more than half of the world's total geothermal features. Quite popular ones are Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Prismatic Spring, Norris Geyser Basin, Lower Geyser Basin, Black Sand Basin and Midway Geyser Basin. For easy walking and exploration, boardwalks are present in various areas.
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Flora and fauna
Yellowstone National Park nestles various species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, aquatic invasive species and amphibians. A small population of grizzly bears and bighorn sheep is also present here. You can find these in the Lamar Valley (northeast) and Hayden Valley (northcentral) of the park. Coming to Yellostone's flora, the majority of the forest is covered with lodgepole pines. Additionally, over 1300 flowering species are prevalent here to make your vacation delightful and pictures colorful.
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Lakes and bridges
Many picturesque lakes and bridges await you at Yellowstone National Park. Shoshone Lake, Bridge Bay, Fishing Bridge and Yellowstone Lake are prominent to steal every traveler's heart away. There are many activities which you can take part in and small cafes where you can take a break and enjoy some delicious food.
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Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Around 1000 feet deep and 20 miles long, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is jampacked with magnificent waterfalls and chromatic rock walls and is definitely a place you should not miss. Three trails lead to this scenic site, these are Point Sublime Trail, Brink of the Lower Falls Trail and Seven Mile Hole Trail. You can choose one as per your comfort level.
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Valleys and waterfalls
The park has 290 waterfalls, the highest being the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Those who are seeking an easy drive can go to Firehole Falls, Tower Fall and Gibbon Falls. If you want to explore less crowded places and seek some solitude then you can visit Undine Falls and Kepler Cascades.
Valley and Hayden Valley are some of the best spots to see bison, badgers, grizzles, coyotes, wolves, moose and osprey. Blacktail Plateau Drive exhibits a paradisaic drive along with encounters with deer, elk and other wildlife.
Things to do at Yellowstone National Park
There are a plethora of things to do in the World's First National Park. You can go hiking, shopping, fishing tours and do a lot of recreational activities during your trip in this area. Each corner of this park has something exceptional to offer. There are several activities that are quite popular on particular sites, so ensure that you do not miss them. Below we have mentioned all the things that you must do during your trip in Yellowstone.
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Watch Yellowstone National Park animals and plants
Since Yellowstone National Park is full of wildlife and vegetation, enjoy random encounters with animals whilst you drive through the park. Watch them stroll with their tribe in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley. You can also opt for bird watching and catch sights of bald eagles and rare whooping cranes. Click candid pictures in the beautiful panorama and make lifetime memories.
Take a walk in the gardens and relax in the flowers' fragrance and beauty. Yellowstone's vegetation is typical of the Rocky Mountains and you can find many of them around Parkwide, Meadows, Beartooth Mountains and Northern range.
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Lodge and camp at Yellowstone National Park
To make your vacation relaxing, hotels and lodges are available for a pleasant and comfortable stay. These are present at various corners of the area for travelers coming from different directions of the park.
Additionally, there are campsites where you can camp and explore the beauty of nature in its rawest form. Some of the popular campgrounds at this location are Madison Campground, Grant Village Campground, Norris Campground and Tower Fall Campground.
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Go for hikes on trails
With over 1000 miles of trails and 15 miles of boardwalk, there are hikes for all ages and abilities in Yellowstone National Park! You can choose as per your choice and head to explore this park's wilderness and grandeur. Hikers are also provided with maps of the trail and full information on hiking. So, embark upon a hike and witness stunning canyons, epic waterfalls, exquisite hot springs and other natural wonders.
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Indulge in leisure activities
Besides offering a panoramic landscape, Yellowstone National Park has various activities to offer. You can do biking, backpacking, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, riding horses and elephants, swimming and much more.
There are boat tours, cultural events, ranger programs, mystery challenges and much more to indulge and inculcate you into nature. However, these are available depending on the weather so it is recommended you check all season-wise activities and then plan your trip.
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Shop for your family and friends
Wish to take a memory of your trip and souvenirs for your family and friends back home? There are plenty of shops in the region to pick the best gifts and mementos. Below we have mentioned a list of these shops for your reference.
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Old Faithful General Store
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Grant Village General Store
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Lake General Store
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Fishing Bridge General Store
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Canyon General Store
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Tower General Store
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Old Faithful Basin Store
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Mammoth General Store
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Undertake road trips
A lot of travelers undertake road trips from Yellowstone National Park to other national parks and places to add more adventure to their journey. Below we have mentioned some road trips that are popular among travelers. You can also consider them depending on the region of your arrival/departure.
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Yellowstone National Park to Glacier National Park, Montana
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Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
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Yellowstone National Park to Badlands National Park, South Dacota
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Hotels in Yellowstone National Park
There are quite a few places to stay in Yellowstone National Park. Below is a list of all hotels that are well-known for providing clean rooms, scrumptious food, gorgeous views and cozy ambiance.
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Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins
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Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cottages
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Old Faithful Inn
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Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
Best time to visit Yellowstone National Park
The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is during summer. This season brings blooming flowers, wandering wildlife, soothing waterfalls and several opportunities to hike. The weather is comfortable and since most of the roads are open, you get the opportunity to explore more. However, this season comes with more crowds. If you wish to witness all of this but with less crowd, you can visit this park in either Spring or Fall.
If you are someone who loves skiing and snowshoeing, then you must visit Yellowstone during the winter season. This time of the year, the park becomes truly a paradise. There are ice-capped mountains, snowy landscapes and frosty animals that bestow the perfect vista for photography. Winters also come with solitude because of extreme weather conditions and limited services.
Facts about Yellowstone National Park
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It is the World's First National Park.
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Yellowstone National Park is located on a volcano that erupted around 640,000 years ago.
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The world's half geothermal features are situated in Yellowstone National Park.
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Yellowstone National Park is home to threatened species namely Grizzly Bears and Canada Lynx.
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Yellowstone has around 1,000 miles of hiking trails.
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You can find several rare books, manuscripts, periodicals and documents in Yellowstone
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Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America.
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Grand Prismatic Spring is the world's third-largest hot spring in Yellowstone National Park.
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Yellowstone is home to Old Faithful Inn which is one century old.
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The world's tallest active geyser, Steamboat Geyser is in Yellowstone.
How to get to Yellowstone National Park?
There are 5 entrances namely North, South, West, East and Northeast to Yellowstone National Park. Below, we mentioned all cities and highways leading to respective entrances. You can choose one as per the season you are traveling in and the route that suits you the best.
North entrance:
The closest city to the north entrance is Gardiner which is at a distance of 4.9 miles from the Yellowstone National Park Headquarters. If you are keen to know the inside and out of this park, then we suggest you take this route as it will provide you with the most information. Stay on the US 89-S to reach here.
Closest airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
Distance from Gardiner: 87.8 mile
Northeast entrance:
To enter Yellowstone from the northeast direction, you will have to come from Cookie City which lies at a distance of 4 miles. Follow the US-212 W which will lead you to Silver Gate. This entrance has the most wildlife and is at a short distance from Lamar Valley.
Closest airport: Logan International Airport
Distance from Cookie City: 129 miles
West entrance:
West Yellowstone is the nearest town to the west entrance of the park. The highways US-191 and US-20 will lead you there. Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Biscuit Basin, Sapphire Pool, etc. are the nearest to this entrance.
Closest airport: Yellowstone Airport
Distance from West Yellowstone: 2 miles
East entrance:
If you wish to see Shoshone National Forest and Avalanche Peak, then opt for East Entrance. Cody City in Wyoming leads to this entrance via US-20 W. The distance between Yellowstone Lake and this entrance is 27 miles.
Closest airport: Yellowstone Regional Airport
Distance from Cody Town: 2.9 miles
South entrance:
Go for the south entrance if you have Grand Teton National Park on your bucket list and have plenty of time as it is a longer drive. Jackson leads to this entrance and is at a distance of 89.5 miles from Yellowstone Caldera via US-191 and US-89 N.
Closest airport: Jackson Hole Airport
Distance from Jackson Town: 7 miles
We recommend opting for a car rental to make your trip to Yellowstone National Park full of comfort and privacy. Many car hire companies such as Budget, Hertz, etc. are available at the given above airports. For your utmost convenience, they provide well-maintained budget-friendly cars. After your trip, you can return the vehicle at the same airport or at any other location you are headed to.
Useful tips to visit Yellowstone National Park
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Plan your trip in advance depending on the season you are traveling in and the type of activities you want to do in the park.
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Carry proper shoes for hiking, jackets and layers, no matter the season.
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As a safety measure while hiking, always go with the crowd.
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Always keep water in your bags as you will need it while hiking.
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Walk only on boardwalks and do not go near geysers as they are extremely hot.
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Look out for road closures during the season you are traveling in.
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Do your research and plan your trip accordingly so that you cover everything in your itinerary without getting exhausted.
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The driving speed in Yellowstone National Park is 45 mph, so drive within the speed limit.
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Stay alert all the time especially when you are hiking.
