By Kimberly Reid
Yellowstone National Park is famous for its geothermal features, waterfalls, canyons and wildlife. Two-thirds of the world's geysers are in Yellowstone. The park is vast, with plenty of activities to offer: camping, picnicking, hiking, biking, fishing and horseback riding.
History
President Ulysses S. Grant established Yellowstone in 1872 as the first national park in the world. Before white men came to the region, Native Americans called Yellowstone home for 11,000 years.
Size and Location
Yellowstone is 63 miles from north to south and 54 miles from east to west. Most of the park is in northwestern Wyoming, with some areas extending into Idaho and Montana.
Features
Half of the world's geothermal features---hot springs, mudpots, and geysers---are in Yellowstone. Old Faithful is the most famous geyser because it erupts on a predictable schedule, but Steamboat is the biggest geyser and shoots water 400 feet high.
Wildlife
Keep an eye out for bison, grizzly bears, elk, coyotes and wolves. For your safety, the National Park Service recommends observing wildlife from a safe distance and not shining flashlights on animals.
Fees
A seven-day pass for one vehicle is $25, $20 for a snowmobile or motorcycle, and $12 for a visitor on foot, bicycle, or skis. Keep in mind that most roads close for the winter in Yellowstone except the north and northeast entrances in Montana. Prices are as of March 2009.
Resources
About the Author:
Kimberly Reid graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's degree in English. Following graduation, she worked as a magazine editor for six years and now work for an academic journal. When she is not editing, she enjoys writing fiction and traveling.
