Yellowstone National Park
So Much to See so Little Time!
Yellowstone is the largest national park in the lower 48 states including 2.2 million acres. This equals 3,472 square miles. I know you are
thinking, "How am I going to see all of this during my visit?" Well we have a solution to your problem. We have designed these pages to let you in on all the hot spots to visit and see. more info
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American National Park Adventures - Snowmobiling
Multiple Yellowstone trip options and destinations with multiday tours. Our guides specialize in Yellowstone wildlife and ecology.
(800) 255-1572
Winter Waterfall
© Vertical Media
Yellowstone is filled with geothermal geysers, hot springs, steam vents, and mud-pots. Elevations in the park range from 5,000 to 11,000 feet. The temperature in the Park can range from 90 degrees F, in the summer to -45 degrees below zero in the winter. All kinds of wildlife live in this vast forested area so keep your eyes open for that buffalo looking at you from behind a tree. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is famous for its colors, shapes, and waterfalls. Rivers, streams, waterfalls and Yellowstone Lake are the major water resources.
Points of Interest
The major scenic attractions are located on the Grand Loop Road (a figure eight shaped road in the center of the park). The entire Loop is 142 miles but due to the maximum speed limit of 45 mph, traffic maybe be slow and heavy, therefore keep this in mind when traveling to a destination.
Geysers and Hot Springs
Yellowstone has an estimated 10,000 thermal features including geysers, hot springs and fumaroles. Only three percent are geysers. Most of the geysers are small bubbling pools that may occasionally splash and make some noise. There are only 100 geysers that erupt 100 feet or higher on a daily basis. The most famous geyser is Old Faithful which erupts approximately every 65 minutes. Geysers are made up of water and steam. This combination can be disrupted very easily. The throwing of sticks, coins, stones or any other foreign material can cause a geyser to disrupt its eruption time or even cause one to die after a period of time. Natural causes such as earthquakes can produce the same effect.
Swans and Bison sharing the winter fog
© Wild by Nature Gallery
The Upper Geyser Basin is where Old Faithful is located. There are many geysers on this loop including Castle, Grand, Riverside, Beehive, Grotto, Beauty Pool and the famous Morning Glory pool. Morning Glory Pool is famous for its elaborate colors and resemblance of the Morning Glory flower. The Lower Geyser Basin includes the Fountain Paint Pots. The paint pots are an elaborate display of colored mud that erupt and bubble just like geysers. If your children made mud pies at some time, this is an excellent opportunity to see mud at its best.
Many of the hot springs have some sort of color. The color is determined by the types of algae that may grow in the springs. Temperature may also have an effect on the color. For example water that is 167 degrees F makes the water look green or blue. This is what makes the hot springs so unique.
Maps are located at Visitors Centers and at the beginning of most trails. A small donation is asked to help cover costs of printing the maps. Everything is on the honesty system so please contribute the small amount. It is greatly appreciated. Littering in the Park is illegal and also in many areas of Wyoming. Please pick up your trash and throw it in the proper containers provided.
Ice Formation
© National Park Service
Wildlife
A wide variety of wildlife live in the Park including bison, elk, mule deer, black bear, grizzly bears, moose, coyotes, pelicans, eagles and many other types of animals. The buffalo is a famous symbol for Yellowstone Park. In the early 1900's the buffalo became nearly extinct due to the hunters of the Plains. Yellowstone was the only place the buffalo could roam and be protected from the hunters. Elk can often be seen off the side of the road grazing in the grassy areas during the summer months. During the winter, many elk find a home on the vast plains of the National Elk Refuge. If the snow becomes too deep or crusty, pelletized alfalfa is provided to help them survive the winter months. When is the best time to see these animals? The early morning and evening hours is the best time to see a moose at a watering hole or an elk peeking through the tall grasses.
Plants
As you enter Yellowstone you will notice the very large lodgepole pine trees that encompass two thirds of the Park. On the Grand Loop Road these trees are the most common species of pine tree. The elk can be easily seen living here in the summer months. The lodgepole pine provides shelter, food, and sunshine for much of the wildlife that lives here, including an abundance of wildflowers in the summer months.
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is 136 square miles at 7,733 feet and is shaped like a man's hand. This is where the Yellowstone River begins which is a major tributary for the Missouri River. The Lake is a fisherman's paradise because it is filled with brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. In the spring many birds migrate here to nest such as the pelicans, cormorants, and gulls. Otters, muskrats, and moose are some of the wildlife that can be seen on the banks of the Lake.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The Grand Canyon was created by Yellowstone River. The river gets its name from the yellow hues that are cast upon the canyon walls. The river carved a canyon 1,000 to 1,500 feet deep and 20 miles long. The best time to see the spectacular colors of the canyon is in the early morning. As the sun rises it shines on certain sections of the canyon walls accenting its uniqueness. The South Rim Trail provides the best scenery of the Canyon. Here one can see The Lower Falls, at 308 feet, which are the highest in the park.
Contact Yellowstone NPS
By Mail
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY
82190-0168
By Phone
Visitor Information
307-344-7381 (recorded information)
By Fax
307-344-2014
Information for the Hearing Impaired (TDD)
307-344-2386
64FOther pages you might find helpful:
Yellow Stone Park Page
Everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Yellowstone Winter Vacations
Experience the wonders of Yellowstone National Park during winter!
