Those who decide to explore Yellowstone National Park are in for a real treat. The oldest national park in the world and one of the largest in the United States, it is visited annually by over 4 million people, despite its incredibly rural and sometimes hard to reach location.
This is due to an incredible collection of naturally beautiful landscapes, stunning wildlife, and world-famous features that make Yellowstone National Park one of the most unique places on earth.
With that in mind, allow me to take you on a virtual tour of Yellowstone National Park.
I’ll explain a little more about Yellowstone National Park itself, go through some of its top attractions, and give you pointers on things like the best way to get there, how long to stay, and what to see in the surrounding area.
This should help you to plan the perfect Yellowstone itinerary for when you go and explore Yellowstone National Park yourself.
Facts & Figures About Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park was founded by President Ulysses S. Grant on the 1st of March 1872. It was the first National Park to be designated in America and is also widely considered the oldest national park in the world.
While Native Americans inhabited the Yellowstone area for around 11,000 years, organised exploration of the area didn’t occur until the 1860’s. As a result, Yellowstone National Park is full of rich native history, with archaeological sites and monuments abundant in the both the park and the wider area.
From 1886 to 1916, control of the park was overseen by the U.S Army from Fort Yellowstone.
Many of the practices and procedures they put in place during this time were used to found the National Park Service we know today, which began operations in August 1916 and took control of Yellowstone National Park a year later.
Located in the American west, Yellowstone National Park covers 3468 square miles, making it the second largest National Park in the contiguous United States (behind Death Valley National Park), and 8th largest overall.
While the vast majority of Yellowstone National Park is located in Wyoming, small sections overlap into eastern Idaho and southern Montana. Its 4 million annual visitors make it the 6th most visited national park in the country.
The Wildlife & Landscape Of Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is well-known for its geothermal features.
Venting geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and bubbling thermal pools, all powered by the Yellowstone Caldera supervolcano at the heart of the park, offer a unique and exciting landscape for visitors to marvel at.
Surrounding them are towering mountains, sprawling forests, and lush meadows. Winding rivers flow down cascading waterfalls and into immense lakes.
These all combine to form a beautiful landscape reminiscent of the old west seen throughout history in cowboy movies and works of art.
Yellowstone National Park is also home to an incredible collection of wildlife.
Big horn sheep, bison, black bears, elk, grey wolves, grizzly bears, and around 320 species of birds and fish live wild in the park. This makes it a dream for nature lovers and photographers to explore.
Top Attractions In Yellowstone National Park
While everyone who comes to explore Yellowstone National Park will have their own list of things they want to see, there are a few highlights that you simply can’t miss during your trip.
Old Faithful Geyser & The Old Faithful Inn
A large cone geyser first discovered in 1870, its name comes from how predictable it is. With an eruption every 1 to 2 hours, it ensures every visitor has the opportunity to witness some volcanic activity during their visit if they so choose.
Capable of shooting 8,400 US Gallons 185 feet in the air, with eruptions lasting up to 5 minutes, it’s an incredible experience and one of the sights Yellowstone National Park is best known for.
The nearby Old Faithful Inn not only gives guests a place to stay right in the thick of the action, but it’s also an attraction in its own right. Designated a National Historic Landmark, it is the largest wooden structure in Yellowstone National Park and the largest log hotel in the world.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States and third largest in the world, with a diameter of 370ft. Its vibrant colours feature the whole spectrum of the rainbow, with its blues, greens, oranges and yellows the most iconic parts of its aesthetic.
Mammoth Hot Springs
A large collection of hot springs and calcium carbonate deposits. They create a stunning yet rugged landscape that looks like something from another world, giving visitors a chance to break up some of the more traditionally attractive sections of the park.
Fort Yellowstone
Constructed in 1981, just outside Mammoth Hot Springs, Fort Yellowstone was established to house the members of US Army that oversaw the running of Yellowstone National Park. Listed on the National Register Of Historic Places, it is considered the birthplace of the National Park Service.
Yellowstone River
The principal tributary of the Missouri River, the Yellowstone River runs for 692 miles, from the Rocky Mountains to southern Montana. It is known as one of the greatest trout streams in the world and is an incredible location for fans of fishing and boating.
Yellowstone Falls
A pair of stunning waterfalls, located on the Yellowstone River. Known individually as Upper Yellowstone Falls and Lower Yellowstone Falls, they have heights of 109 feet and 308 feet respectively.
Grand Canyon Of The Yellowstone
Located on the Yellowstone River, the Grand Canyon Of The Yellowstone runs for 24 miles and ranges between 800 and 1,200 feet in depth. It features a selection of creeks and tributaries, offering stunning views of both the river and Yellowstone National Park as a whole.
Yellowstone Lake
The largest freshwater lake in North America with an elevation over 7,000ft, it covers 136 square miles, with 110 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 394ft.
Abundant with different species of fish, it offers a fabulous opportunity to take in some nature, go for a swim, or enjoy a boat ride.
During the winter, Yellowstone Lake is covered by ice around three-feet thick. This allows for additional activities like snowmobiling and ice fishing, as well as the chance to go ice shoe trekking and take some photos from some new and unique angles.
Old West Dinner Cookout
Operated by the Roosevelt Lodge located within the park, the Old West Dinner Cookout gives visitors to Yellowstone National Park the chance to spend a night like a cowboy.
A guide will take you to spend the evening sitting round a campfire, sipping coffee and dining on traditional wild west foods like beans and barbequed meats.
Things To See And Do Near Yellowstone National Park
While you may be coming to explore Yellowstone National Park, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty for you to do and see in the surrounding area as well.
The following is a list of some of the best locations in the Yellowstone area to keep you occupied outside of the park, as well as in it.
Grand Teton National Park
The 8th most visited national park in the United States, Grand Teton National Park is filled with incredible wildlife and mountain ranges. It offers the perfect place to experience the region’s natural beauty, with fewer tourists around than you’ll find in Yellowstone National Park.
Cody
Named after legendary frontiersman Buffalo Bill Cody, the town is known as the “rodeo capital of the world”.
It hosts the largest rodeo in the country, the Cody Stampede Rodeo, over the 4th of July weekend, as well as the Cody Night Rodeo every night from the 1st of June to the 31st of August.
It also boasts the Buffalo Bill Center Of The West. Considered the most comprehensive collection of wild west exhibits, as well as one of the most remarkable museums in America, it is the perfect place to learn about the history of the region and its iconic inhabitants.
Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole is a picturesque valley to the south of Grand Teton National Park that is also home to the town of Jackson.
A traditional wild west town, Jackson will let you transport yourself back in time to the old west, while the largest elk herd in the United States lives on the outskirts of the town.
Beartooth Mountains
A rugged mountain range, the Beartooth Mountains feature the highest peak in the state of Montana. They offer scenic views, beautiful hikes, stunning wildlife, and, in the winter months, the opportunity to partake in winter sports like skiing.
National Forests
Yellowstone National Park is surrounded by a selection of National Forests that includes Custer, Gallatin, and Shoshone. They provide plenty of opportunities to get lost in nature and spend some time in the wilderness.
How To Get To Yellowstone National Park
The closest major airports to Yellowstone National Park are in Salt Lake City, Utah and Denver, Colorado, located 5 and 8 hours away, respectively.
Bozeman, Cody, Jackson, and West Yellowstone all have airports that are much closer to the park, however these are significantly smaller, regional airports. As a result, flight times will be much more restrictive, and may even cease completely at certain times of year.
This makes it a good idea to explore Yellowstone National Park as part of a road trip. You can fly into one of the larger airports and take the opportunity to explore some of the many fabulous attractions located around the park.
How Many Days To Spend In Yellowstone National Park
With a park as large and famous as Yellowstone National Park, it is understandably a location you will want to spend a greater amount of time at.
Considering the amount of effort it takes to reach, this is probably better anyway, so you feel like you are getting maximum value out of your journey.
At the bare minimum, visitors will want to allow 3 entire days to explore Yellowstone National Park. This will give you time to see all of the most famous attractions, travel between them, and fit in a couple of walks to really take in the spirit of the park.
However, for a more involved trip, 5-7 days is the optimal length of time. Not only will you be able to explore Yellowstone National Park in its entirety, but you will be able to go for longer hikes and trips, discovering the more remote side of the park off of the beaten path.
Best Time To Visit Yellowstone National Park
The best time to explore Yellowstone National Park for most people will be between early June and late September.
This time of year provides the warmest climate, with temperatures averaging between 54- and 65-degrees Fahrenheit. As such, it is the most enjoyable time to explore the park, while also giving you the best chance of seeing its abundant wildlife.
While Yellowstone National Park experiences extremely harsh winters, it does offer up a small range of additional options for fans of winter sports. Activities including snow mobiling, ice fishing, snowshoe hiking, and skiing are available in and around the park.
This means some people may want to visit in both seasons, so they can experience what the park is like year-round.
Conclusion
Yellowstone National Park is truly one of the most incredible natural locations on earth.
Unspoiled by development and with its remote location stopping it from attracting the number of people it otherwise would, it gives visitors the opportunity to experience the wild beauty of the west in the flesh.
Hopefully, you will now have a much better idea of what to see, where to stay, and all the other finer details you need to cover to ensure your trip is a success when you come to explore Yellowstone National Park for yourself.