History
In the world's first national park, the land, wildlife, vistas and famous attractions, including Old Faithful, are as wondrous as ever. President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law the bill to create Yellowstone National Park in 1872. Located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, Yellowstone is a true American wilderness – 97 percent of the park's 3,400 square miles (2.2 million acres) remains pristinely undeveloped.
Yellowstone both influences and is influenced by the inhabitants and events I of a much broader landscape than that which exists within the park's boundaries. The name "Yellowstone" is recognized worldwide, even if it is often confused with other parks and places. Jackson Hole, the Tetons, and other spectacular ', landscapes surrounding the park are often ' thought to be part of Yellowstone, and although they are not part of Yellowstone National Park, they are part of the same ecosystem.
In the last decade, increasing effort has been made to take a more holistic view of this greater Yellowstone. For ecologists, inflexible boundaries have long conflicted with their documentation of animals' herd movements, territory boundaries, and habitat requirements. Hydrologists work along lines of river drainages and topographic barriers, while ethnographers look for patterns among human tribes and cultures. Firefighters, law enforcement officers, and environmental educators are often called upon to cross jurisdictions in order to perform their jobs. And those who make a living in the region often express frustration that the opinions of citizens from around the nation can influence park policy as much as those who are geographically closer to the park.
As Yellowstones neighbors have become more insistent about having a voice in how the park is managed, park managers and other government agencies have recognized the need to cooperate in the sharing of information, resources, and decision-making. In 1986, the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service formed the Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee to provide a higher level of public service than they could offer separately. Interagency groups bring together park, forest, and state employees to discuss resources of mutual interest, whether trumpeter swans, grizzly bears, or air Quality. Government workers join with owners of private lands and businesses to address management challenges such as weeds and garbage. Park representatives participate in tourism conferences and attend chamber of commerce meetings. And when emergencies strike, the park, other governmental neighbors, and local communities have cooperated—to rebuild after fire burned the school in Gardiner, Montana: to help prevent and clean up spring flood damage along the Yellowstone River north of the park; and to search for avalanche and drowning victims and downed planes in the adjacent forests.
Yet despite good deeds done neighbor-to-neighbor, there are plenty of unintended oversights and honest disagreements among those who want a say in how the park is managed. More needs to be done to build lines of communication and understanding across the park boundaries, even if consensus is not always an expected outcome. To maintain a greater Yellowstone for the future, those who care about it must continue to share their knowledge and discuss their views on goals, constraints, and options.
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Old Faithful
While Old Faithful, the most widely recognized geyser, serves as the park's signature steam, there are more than 10,000 other geothermal features in Yellowstone, including geysers, hot springs, mudpots and fumaroles. In recent years some geysers which had been dormant began spouting off again. Cold water has a major role to play in the pleasuring grounds of the park as well. The Yellowstone River drops over 400 feet in two waterfalls cutting a grand canyon deep into the golden-hued rock that gives the park its name.
Family Trips
Family adventures in Yellowstone are boundless. Touring motor-coach excursions run several routes from late May through September. One- and two-hour horseback trail rides are available from Mammoth Hot Springs, Roosevelt Lodge and Canyon Village. Stagecoach travel is an option out of the Roosevelt Lodge area where the popular Old West Cookout completes the day from mid-June through early September. If you are in need of water, take a scenic cruise on Lake Yellowstone. Guided fishing trips on a cabin cruiser can yield great catches. Row boat and outboard rentals are provided mid-June to mid-September.
Things To Do
Backcountry Hiking & Camping
Bicycling
Boating
Camping
Concessioner-led Activities & Tours
Day Hikes
Fishing
Horseback Riding and Llama Packing
Park Education
Picnicking
Viewing Historic Points of Interest
Viewing Natural Points of Interest
Wildlife Viewing
Scenic Overview
Picture-perfect photo safaris set out from Lake Hotel, the Old Faithful area and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Lamar Valley wildlife excursions add to the park's endless learning experiences. Might you see a wolf? With the proper insight, more and more people are. In Yellowstone, you will see bison, elk and many other wild creatures.
Yellowstone National Park Lodging
There are nine different lodging options available in Yellowstone National Park. All are non-smoking and none have televisions, radios, air conditioning, or Internet hook-ups. more...
Yellowstone National Park Recreation
Yellowstone National Park offers a number of ways to relax and have fun. Bring your own equipment, rent equipment from concessionaires, or book an all-inclusive package. more...
Yellowstone National Park Wildlife
The world’s oldest national park is a total environment of plants and animals living together in a 2.2-million-acre biotic community, in which each form of life plays a role in the existence of the other. more...
Yellowstone National Park in Winter
The world’s first national park – and America’s second largest – offers winter visitors unparalleled beauty. It is an entirely different experience, and park, than during the summer months. Gone are the crowds, cars and lines. They are replaced by a thick, white blanket of glittering powder snow, which contrasts with azure blue skies. more...
Winter never passes Wyoming by. Locals and visitors treasure cold crisp air, sparkling snow, abundant scenic beauty, real Western authenticity and an astonishing absence of crowds. Excellent places for a winter getaway are the smaller towns offering a rare combination of outdoor adventure, tranquility and off-season bargain prices. read more
The Wyoming we see today was sculpted in the blink of an eye, geologically speaking. The landscape is the result of an erosive process triggered by a massive uplift of the western part of the North American continent. All of this has taken place within the past three million years.
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