Nearly three times the size of Rhode Island
Across three states – Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
It became the world’s first national park in 1872 when
Congress and President Ulysses S Grant created Yellowstone National Park.
Five Entrances to the Park
Northeast Entrance – closest to Cook City and Silver Gate, Mont.
North Entrances is five miles from Gardiner, Mont.
East Entrance – is fifty-three miles from Cody, Wyo.
South Entrance – fifty-seven miles from Jackson, Wyo.
West Entrance – this entrance is the busiest at West Yellowstone, Mont.
Wildlife in the Park
At the last headcount, 94 wolves roam the park in eight packs. The packs can be seen in Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, Canyon area, Willow Flats, and Blacktail Deer Plateau. The best time to see them is at dawn and dusk.
The elk population during winter months is about 5,000 and increases to 10,000-20,000 during summer months. Adult bull elk weigh up to 700 pounds, while the females weigh 500 pounds.
Moose are striking in appearance because of their towering size, black or brown coloring, long legs, pendulous muzzle, dangling hairy dewlap, and the immense, wide, flat antlers of old bulls.
Grizzly Bears have a massive head with a prominent nose, rounded, inconspicuous ears, small eyes, a short tail, a large, powerful body, and a noticeable hump above the shoulders. The claws on the front feet of adults are about 4 inches long and slightly curved. Grizzly Bears range widely in color and size. For viewing, go to Lamar, Hayden, and Pelican Valley.
The American bison is the largest surviving terrestrial animal in North America. They are broad and muscular with shaggy coats of long hair. Adults grow up to 6 feet 11 inches in height and 11 feet 6 inches in length. American bison can weigh from around 880 to 2,800 pounds. Bison are nomadic. The bulls leave the herds of females at two or three years of age and join a horde of males, which are generally smaller than the females. Mature bulls rarely travel alone.
Hiking in the Park
Avalanche Peak
This 4.5-mile hike to the 10,600-foot dramatic summit gains 2,070 feet in elevation. As a result, this hike is steep and rugged.
Trout Lake
This short, 1.2-mile uphill trail through a Douglas-fir forest to the lake gains 200 feet in elevation.
Storm Point
Storm Point Loop is a 2.5-mile moderately trafficked loop trail with an elevation gain of 98 feet, through a meadow and lodgepole pine forest – home to bison, bears, and eagles.
Wraith Falls
A popular 6-mile round trip with spectacular views fr
This easy, short, 0.9-mile trail passes through sagebrush meadows, marshland, and mixed conifer forest to the base of 79-foot Wraith Falls on Lupine Creek.
Mount Washburn
Mt. Washburn is a popular 6-mile round trip with spectacular views from the summit fire tower at the top of a 10,243-foot peak. It is heavily trafficked and a reward, with spectacular 360-degree views from the top, including families of bighorn sheep who frequent the mountainside.
The hike is strenuous and not recommended for those with heart and respiratory problems.
Fairy Falls
There are two heavily trafficked trails: a 4.8-mile round-trip out-and-back trail. At 220-feet-high, Fairy Falls, Yellowstone’s most spectacular waterfall, is the tallest waterfall in the park.
You will walk 1.6 miles through a young lodgepole pine forest to the falls. Continue 0.6 miles to Spray, and Imperial geysers will add 1.2 miles to your hike.
Mammoth Hot Springs
The volcanic heat source at Mammoth Hot Springs remains somewhat of a mystery. Scientists have proposed two sources: the giant magma chamber underlying the Yellowstone Caldera or a minor heat source closer to Mammoth.
At Mammoth, a network of fractures and fissures forms the plumbing system that allows hot water from underground to reach the surface. The water comes from rain and snow falling on the surrounding mountains and seeping deep into the earth, where it is heated. In addition, small earthquakes may keep the plumbing open.
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