Sitting astride the Continental Divide, high up in the northern Rockies at the northwest corner of Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park is one of the true wonders of the natural world. A veritable greatest hits of Mother Nature, the park is packed full of burbling geysers, magnificent canyons, raging waterfalls, and still-wild wildlife. The country’s (and the world’s) oldest national park, established in 1872, Yellowstone was first explored by frontiersman John Colter, who passed through in 1808; it’s also one of the largest parts of the lower 48 states never to be farmed or fenced.
You probably already know something about what Yellowstone has in store for you: The one essential Yellowstone sight is Old Faithful Geyser, in the southwest quarter of the park. One of the world’s most famous natural features, Old Faithful is known for its clockwork eruptions, in which some 5,000 gallons of boiling water are sent 150 feet into the air, forming a solid, steamy column. Hundreds of people line up around the geyser waiting for it to blow, and rangers are able to predict it with a good deal of accuracy—the visitors center will list the expected times of the day’s eruptions, which occur roughly every 75 minutes and last for another two to five minutes. In between eruptions, take the chance to wander around to the dozens of other features in the Old Faithful basin, including a number of other geysers (the Old Faithful area has the greatest concentration in the world), as well as colorful pools and other geothermal features, all linked by well-marked boardwalks and trails along the Firehole River.
The other main sight is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, where a pair of powerful waterfalls cascade into a 20-mile-long, half-mile-wide, and 1,000-foot-deep canyon of eroding yellow stone. Parking areas line the north and south rims of the canyon, allowing access to trails along the edge of the gorge. A personal favorite is Uncle Tom’s Trail, leaving from the south side of the falls. More a staircase than a trail, this route zig-zags steeply down the walls of the canyon, bringing you face to face with the falls. Farther along the south rim is Artist’s Point, which gives the classic view of the canyon. Also, two “Brink of the Falls” routes lead from the north side down to where the waters plunge.
Along with these two main attractions, there are many more sights to see, so take the time to visit the visitors centers, talk to the rangers, and find out what other wonders await. Covering a roughly 100- by 100-mile square, Yellowstone is a big place, plenty big enough to absorb the many tourists who come here during the peak summer season. Whatever you do, don’t try to see it all in a day or two; if time is tight, choose one or two places and spend all your time there. Get out of the car, hike a few trails, and enjoy.
