Yellowstone National Park Wyoming Tourism

The world’s first and favorite national park, Yellowstone is a 3,472 square mile phenomenon. Ninety-six percent of the park is located in Wyoming. This most famous visitor destination was established as a national park in 1872.

As you plan your trip through Yellowstone, whether it’s for one day, a week or longer, it’s important to know that although it is an “all season” park, park entrances carry restrictions depending on the season. During the summer months, all five entrances to the park are open to automobiles, hikers, bicycles, motorcycles and buses. During the winter months, only the north entrance is open to passenger vehicles. The other four entrances are open only to “over-the snow” vehicles.

The five regions of Yellowstone Park or “countries” as they are more commonly known, are each unique in what they offer in attractions and scenic wonders. The best way to describe this most incredible of all national parks is to give you a “tour” through each country.

Mammoth Country is accessible by the north entrance into Mammoth Hot Springs. This hydrothermal area is home to many hot springs and geysers, which for over 8,000 years have created magnificent limestone terraces. You will be witness to this historic process as you watch the hydrothermal activity. Thousands of gallons of water flow from the side of the mountain, depositing up to two tons of limestone resculpting these terraces daily. Norris Geyser Basin, 21 miles south along the Firehole River, is home to “Steamboat,” the world’s tallest geyser. Steamboat reaches up 400 feet and eruptions can last up to 12 hours! Another popular site is Echinus Geyser, which erupts every 20 to 80 minutes.

Roosevelt Country is accessible from the northeast entrance. This area is a photographic delight of rolling hills covered with sagebrush, fir, pine and aspen and bordered by numerous sparkling streams. Among this “country’s” many attractions is the 132 foot Tower Falls, named for its volcanic pinnacle formations which surround the area. Yellowstone’s famous Petrified Forests, or “forests of stone,” are located at Specimen Ridge. Buried in volcanic ash over the ages, these subtropical plants and cold climate trees still stand where they originally grew. The famous Petrified Tree is located approximately one mile west of Roosevelt Lodge. While visiting this area, be sure to traverse down the historical Bannock Trail, an old American Indian route that winds through this breathtaking “country.”

Canyon Country is more commonly known as “The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone” and is accessible from the south through Roosevelt Country, and north from the east entrance. This is the home of the famous 308 foot Lower Falls, which is almost twice as high as Niagra Falls. Other attractions are: Artists Point, with a sheer 700 foot drop; Upper Falls, where the Yellowstone River drops 109 feet; and Inspirational Point, which offers a dazzling view of the Yellowstone River winding through the canyon floor below. On the canyon floor, known as Hayden Valley, it is commonplace to see buffalo, elk and deer in the meadows and swan, blue heron and Canadian geese in the marshes. You can also spot moose roaming through the valley’s rivers and woods.

Geyser Country is easily the most popular “country” in Yellowstone and is accessible from the south entrance or the west from Lake Country. The home of Old Faithful, this country also features Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s largest hot spring. Grand Prismatic Spring is 370 feet in diameter. You can view this wondrous site and the Excelsior Geyser, once the most powerful in the park by following the Midway Geyser Basin Boardwalk. Other famous and spectacular attractions in the area are: Morning Glory Pool, Gem Pool, Emerald Pool, and the Lone Star, Giantess, Plume, Beehive, Riverside and Grotto geysers.

Lake Country is accessible from the south and east entrances. This spectacular “country” houses America’s largest high-mountain lake, Yellowstone Lake, with an altitude of 7,733 feet. Twenty miles long and 14 miles wide, this lake’s shoreline is in excess of 100 miles and boasts abundant cutthroat trout – the only game fish in the lake. In the West Thumb Area of Lake Country you will find Isa Lake, a most unusual natural wonder. The waters from this lake flow into both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Additional attractions in this beautiful country are the Dragon’s Mouth Geyser, Mud Volcano, and numerous colorful hot springs, runoff channels, mud pots and geysers in the West Thumb Geyser Basin.

The entire Yellowstone National Park is a recreational paradise for families or even the independent adventure seeker, and features hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, photography and snowmobiling opportunities. The park is abundant with RV parks, campgrounds, hotels, cabins, restaurants and stores.