Yellowstone National Park Parks and Outdoors Vacations

Yellowstone National Park Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Panoramic of the hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Mammoth hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (Adam Jones/Photodisc/Getty)

Yellowstone National Park Parks and Outdoors Highlights

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin
  • Riding a rare "hot spot" in the earth's surface, Yellowstone's turbulent landscape—which remains among the most geologically active lands on the planet, with steam-spewing geysers, gurgling fumaroles, and frequent earthquakes—was protected as the world's first national park in 1872.
  • Don't try to swallow this amazingly diverse place in one gulp. Pick one part of the park, and then walk, or paddle, or ride the extra mile into all the wild country that's still back there.
  • Escape flocks of anglers, and get a bit of a workout hiking into the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone, where wide stretches of river and prolific hatches support a healthy cutthroat and rainbow population. The best stretches are pretty remote, so plan on making a multi-day trip.
  • A great number of stock outfitters are authorized to lead trips inside the park, and the National Park Service can provide you with a list.
  • Some places in the park are extra special for wildlife watching, and the Lamar Valley is one of them. Its inhabitants include grizzlies, wolves, bison, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and eagles. Bring along a good spotting scope or pair of binoculars and head for one of several turnouts between the Tower-Roosevelt intersection and the Northeast Entrance.
  • Camping in the park is the best way to get acquainted with its incredible variety of flora and fauna, steaming geysers and bubbling thermal mud pots, spectacular lakes and river canyons, and extraordinary vistas. Yellowstone has front-country camping facilities at a dozen sites scattered around the park. And backcountry permits are available at most ranger stations and visitor centers.

Yellowstone National Park Overview

Long before you reach the entrance to Grand Teton National Park, your sights will be set on the towering spires of the Teton Range -- those signature hornlike peaks made famous through countless photographs. From afar, Yellowstone is not as dramatic because much of the parkland comprises heavily forested mountains, burn areas, and arid, high-country plateaus. However, at closer glance, Yellowstone's natural marvels...

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Hotels

expert favorite hotel
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
Mammoth Village
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 33.9 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite hotel
Old Faithful Inn
Old Faithful Village
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 40.1 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite hotel
Lake Yellowstone Hotel
Lake Village
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 53.6 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Yellowstone Institute
PO Box 117
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190
Distance: 25.9 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The nonprofit Yellowstone Institute offers... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel Family travel
Quake Lake
Off U.S. 287, 27 miles northwest of West Yellowstone and 43 miles south of Ennis
Three Forks and Ennis, Montana Map
Distance: 0.0 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

Just before midnight on August 17, 1959, a... Read More

Parks Expert Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
Museum of the National Park Ranger
Norris Campground, north of Norris Junction
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190
Distance: 25.9 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The Museum of the National Park Ranger is housed... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel Family travel
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Feature Articles

More Yellowstone National Park Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (11)
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