Yellowstone National Park became America’s original National Park on March 1, 1872. Yellowstone’s unique geothermal features make it unique from any other place in the world. There is also the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This canyon is a deep gorge with a bright copper color, which is widely believed to have given the park its name. The Yellowstone Lake and Gallatin River are also main attractions at the park.
Yosemite Park covers an area roughly 3,500 sq. miles in size and includes three different states within it’s borders. The park is wonderfully diverse from one border to the next, from wide-open valley meadows with steaming geysers and flowing rivers to forest covered mountains and jagged canyons, Yellowstone is anything but ordinary. Lower Yellowstone Falls descends from the Canyon Rhyolite lava flow, and is nearly twice as high as Niagara.
The park is open year-round, and each season brings it’s own unique atmosphere and activities. However July and August are by far the most popular months to visit Yellowstone. Summers average in the 70 to 80 degree range during the daytime, with much cooler evenings and nights. Spring and Fall range from 30 to 60-degrees, and nighttime often drops into the single digits. Winter can get very cold with daytime temps hovering between 0 and 20 degrees and nights dropping below zero. The higher the elevation, the lower the temperature and the more snow, especially in the mountain ranges surrounding the park.
Old Faithful is just one of more than 10,000 geothermal features found within the park. It erupts about every hour and a half from the Upper Geyser Basin, which has the most geothermal activity in the park. There are more than 300 other geysers throughout Yellowstone, making up two-thirds of those found on earth.
Other geothermal wonders include many multi-colored hot springs such as the Grand Prismatic Spring. Which is one of the largest thermal springs on the planet, with striking colors and features. Mammoth Hot Springs too is a popular destination in Yellowstone. This area features several unique features like the mammoth hot springs terraces as well as hot springs along the river where you can soak and relax. Yellowstone National Park has even hotter natural features including bubbling mudpots and fumaroles that emit boiling steam and gases from below the earth.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is located on the Yellowstone River. This V-shaped valley averages 900 feet deep and a half mile wide. It was caused by erosion and flooding after the eruption of the “Yellowstone Supervolcano” hundreds of thousands of years ago. It is believed that the golden colored rocks on the sidewalls of the canyon, caused by iron compounds in the rock which rusted under heat, is where the name “Yellowstone” came from.
Flora and fauna thrives at Yellowstone Park, due in large part to its diverse ecosystem. Almost three-fourths of the park is forested, providing habitat for many birds and other species. About 60 types of mammals live in the park. Elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, deer, and bears are among the most commonly seen. There also are more than 1,350 native plant species. The forests are made up of a combination of spruce, fir, aspen, and pine trees. An abundance of wildflowers bloom in the spring and summer.
Many outdoor adventures are available for people visiting Yellowstone National Park. There are more than 1,100 miles of hiking and backcountry trails visitors can take advantage of. People also horseback ride, llama pack, and mountain bike. Water sports are popular because of the park’s many lakes and rivers. Yellowstone Lake and Lewis Lake are popular places for boating. Many rivers including the Madison, Yellowstone, and Gallatin Rivers are where fishers and anglers catch varieties of trout. There are companies near the park that offer whitewater rafting and scenic float trips. Visitors also enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and paddling on the park’s waterways.
In winter Yellowstone Park becomes a completely different world of fun and adventure, catering to snowmobillers, cross-country skiiers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Snowmobiles are a primary way people get around the park in the winter, and snowmobile rentals are widely available. Snowcoach guided tours of the park are also very popular. There are also several downhill ski-resorts within the area where you can perfect your carves on your choice of easy, intermediate and double diamond runs.
Yellowstone’s unique landscape, wildlife and unusual geothermal features have made it one of America’s and the worlds most beloved national parks. It is a place of mystery, wonder and adventure which attracts over 3million visitors each ear.
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