If you’ve never been to Yellowstone National Park, here’s a quick look what’s so special about the America’s first national park.
Park history and geographical features
Yellowstone National Park was founded on March 1, 1872 and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant. The park covers three states and 33,472 square miles. That’s bigger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
96 percent of the park’s area is in Wyoming 3 percent in Montana 1 percent in Idaho highest Point: Eagle Peak, elevation 11,358 ft lowest Point: Reese Creek, elevation 5,282 ft
In addition to mountains, rivers, lakes and forests, the park boasts these spectacular features:
an active volcano more than 290 waterfalls, including the 300 foot lower falls of the Yellowstone River over 10,000 thermal features including hot springs, steam vents, mud pots and geysers more than 300 geysers
Wildlife
More than 400 species of wildlife inhabit Yellowstone National Park. Bison and grizzly bears tend to get top billing, but the park is also home to:
322 species of birds 7 species of ungulates such as bison, elk, deer and moose 2 species of bear, grizzly and black 16 species of fish 10 species of reptiles and amphibians
Attendance
3.4 million guests visited Yellowstone in 2011, down only slightly from 3.6 million in 2010. Month of highest attendance: more than 900,000 guests visited in July Month of lowest attendance: 16,509 visitors in December
Visitor Facilities
Here’s a list of attractions and creature comforts for your trip to Yellowstone.
5 entrance gates 466 miles of road 9 hotels with more than 2,000 rooms 15 miles of boardwalks 12 National Park Service or concession-operated campgrounds with more than 2,000 campsites. 300 additional campsites are available for back-country hikers 9 museums and visitor centers 1,600 archeological sites over 900 historic buildings 24 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places 52 picnic areas 92 trailheads with 1,000 miles of hiking trails
Planning a trip? Book now.
If you’re thinking about a trip to Yellowstone, make your reservations now. The park’s hotels and campsites can be sold out up to a year in advance.
The daughter of two teachers, Karen W. Wyman has spent her summers camping since she was a toddler. Her writing covers U.S. state and national parks, gear reviews and family-friendly outdoor adventures.
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