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PO Box 168, Yellowstone, WY 82190
Phone: 307-344-7381
Open All Year
Overview. After his expedition west with Lewis and Clark, John Colter decided to travel home by way of the Rocky Mountains. In 1807 he happened upon the Yellowstone basin, and was probably the first white man to see its geysers and mudpots, but his reports were rejected as ridiculous by the press of the day. The area was dubbed "Colter's Hell" and dismissed as the hallucination of a crazy mountain man. Colter's account was verified again and again, though, as more trappers and explorers traveled through the area. In 1871, Dr. Ferdinand Hayden led a surveying expedition into Yellowstone, and included painter Thomas Moran and photographer William H. Jackson on his team. The release of Hayden's findings, coupled with the stunning photographs and paintings of the fantastic landscape, piqued the public interest, and paved the way for Yellowstone to be designated as the first national park in the world in 1872.
Yellowstone's amazing concentration of geysers and other thermal features is the result of a "hot spot" in the earth's mantle. Several enormous volcanic eruptions, the last only 600,000 years ago, formed the caldera in which the geyser basins and Yellowstone Lake are located. Old Faithful, one of the most predictable geysers in the world, is the most popular thermal feature of the park, but there are about 10,000 other geysers, pools, and fumaroles for you to see. Each of Yellowstone's geyser basins has its own character, and each one is worth a visit.
Geysers are only part of the attraction of Yellowstone. It is prime wilderness area, preserved as it has been for centuries. Herds of elk and American bison are protected within the park boundaries, as are its black and grizzly bear populations, and several reintoduced wolf packs. These are by no means the only species that call Yellowstone home. Numerous other mammals, birds, and fish, including the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, find a haven in the park, making it one of the best places in the nation to observe wildlife.
Add to this the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, with its breathtaking views of Upper and Lower Falls, the lofty mountains of the Gallatin and Absaroka Ranges, the travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, and many other scenic features, and you come up with one of the most rewarding national park experiences in the world. Yellowstone is recognized as a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site.
What to see and do. The 142-mile-long Grand Loop Road winds in a figure eight past the most popular attractions in the park and connects with all highways into and out of Yellowstone. Ask for a schedule of events, obtainable at any visitor center, so you can make the most of your visit. A three-day stay will allow you to tour the park's major attractions at a leisurely pace. Should you only have one day to spend in Yellowstone, park personnel suggest you concentrate on one or two aspects of the park that most interest you, and spend several hours at each site. Please note that traffic in the park moves slowly in peak season, so budget plenty of time to reach your destination. (A rule of thumb: double the mileage and you'll get the number of driving minutes a route will take, or about 30 mph.)
The major attractions are Old Faithful Geyser, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake, and Mammoth Hot Springs. The more remote areas, such as the eerie moonscape of Norris Geyser Basin, home to Steamboat, Yellowstone's largest active geyser, and Echinus, popular with "geyser gazers," can offer an equally rewarding Yellowstone experience. Visit Midway Geyser Basin to see the polychromatic display of Grand Prismatic Spring, or check out the Fountain Paint Pots as they burble pastel mud in the Lower Geyser Basin. See the petrified remains of a redwood forest up on Specimen Ridge, or take a walk on the boardwalk past Old Faithful to visit Grand Geyser, Morning Glory Pool, and a host of other thermal features. If you long to see wildlife in their natural habitat, don't miss Hayden or Lamar Valleys.
You can certainly see the highlights of Yellowstone National Park without venturing very far from your vehicle. But the park offers a full range of recreational activities, from boating, canoeing, and fishing (park license required for all three), to hiking, horseback riding, and every type of camping experience. There are close to 1,000 miles of trails in Yellowstone; some lead deep into the park's backcountry wilderness, and some are scenic loop trails that take visitors right to the edge of sparkling hot springs or breathtaking canyons.
Ranger stations are located at or near all park entrances and at several other places around the park. Albright Visitor Center and Park Headquarters are located at Mammoth Hot Springs. You will find other visitor centers at Old Faithful, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, and Grant Village. There is a Museum of the National Park Ranger at Norris Geyser Basin and another museum facility at the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce, Public Land's Desk. There are information stations at Madison and at West Thumb. Because of Yellowstone's high elevation, snow closes all but one of the park entrances by early November. This doesn't mean the park closes, though. Once the snow is deep enough, main roads in the park are groomed for snowmobiles and snow coaches, and a number of trails are groomed for cross-country skiing. Mammoth Hot Springs remains open all winter, and is accessible by car. Old Faithful Snow Lodge can only be reached by snow vehicle, but is the starting point for many ski and snowshoe treks. Concessions within the park and in the gateway towns provide snowmobile rentals and snow coach tour reservations.
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Archeological Sites |
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Bicycle Trails |
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Bird Watching |
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Boat Launching |
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Cross-country Skiing |
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Fishing |
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Food Service |
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Geological Sites |
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Gift Shop |
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Guided Tours |
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Hiking/Nature Trails |
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Historic Sites |
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Horse Trails |
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Motor Boating |
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Museum/Exhibits |
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Non-motor Boating |
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Picnic Sites |
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Programs/Talks |
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Self-guided Tours |
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Snowmobiling |
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Visitor Center |
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Wildflower Viewing |
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Wildlife Viewing |
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Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
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