Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park
Entrance sign to Yellowstone National Park
Location	Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho
Coordinates	44.6°N, 110.5°W
Area	3,468.4 sq mi (8,983 km²)
Established	March 1, 1872
Visitors (latest)	4.5 million (2023)
Governing body	National Park Service
Website	Official website

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a vast protected wilderness in the western United States, spanning the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It was established on March 1, 1872, making it the **first national park in the world**.

The park is renowned for its **geothermal features**, **wildlife**, and expansive **natural beauty**.

Geothermal Wonders

Yellowstone contains more than half of the world’s geysers, including the iconic:

• Old Faithful – a regularly erupting geyser
• Grand Prismatic Spring – known for its vibrant rainbow-colored waters
• Boiling mud pots, fumaroles, and hot springs

These features sit atop a **supervolcano caldera**, making the park a unique geological hotspot.

Wildlife

Yellowstone is home to an incredible diversity of animals, including:

• Grizzly bears
• Wolves
• Bison – the only place in the U.S. where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times
• Elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles

Geography and Ecosystems

• Over 3,400 square miles of mountains, forests, rivers, and canyons
• Contains the headwaters of the **Yellowstone River**
• Features the stunning **Yellowstone Lake** and **Yellowstone Falls**
• Diverse ecosystems include alpine meadows, pine forests, and volcanic plateaus

Cultural and Historical Significance

• Originally inhabited by Native American tribes for over 11,000 years
• Visited by the **Lewis and Clark Expedition** and later surveyors
• Became a national park through an act of Congress signed by **President Ulysses S. Grant**

Tourism and Accessibility

• Over 4 million people visit annually
• Accessible by car through five entrance gates
• Offers hiking, camping, photography, guided tours, and educational visitor centers

Fun Facts

• The Yellowstone Caldera is one of the largest active volcanic systems in the world
• Old Faithful erupts approximately every 90 minutes
• Yellowstone contains over 290 waterfalls and 900 miles of hiking trails

See Also

• National Parks in the United States
• National Park Service
• Wildlife of the United States
• Geothermal energy
• Grand Teton National Park