The first National Park in the world, Yellowstone, was established in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant. Over the past 150 years, Yellowstone National Park has offered its visitors unforgettable experiences and memories that will last for a lifetime. The adventure in the Wild West is waiting for you in Yellowstone. Explore fun Facts About Yellowstone National Park below!
Explore Yellowstone National Park. It’s a must-see place for all ages. At any time of the year, there are exciting activities to keep everyone entertained. It’s an amazing glimpse into the stunning natural splendor of the west. It offers a breathtaking view of breathtaking landscapes, inspiring nature, and stunning natural surroundings.
Before you plan to visit America’s very premier National Park, make sure to look at these interesting facts that you can give to your loved ones and friends!
FACTS ABOUT YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
- Yellowstone was officially established on March 1, 1872.
- It is the premier National Park.
- It covers 3,472 square miles. It extends 63 miles from north to south and 54 miles from east to west.
- The Park is located in three states, with 96% of the Park in Wyoming and 3 percent in Montana, and one percent in Idaho.
- The highest point of the Park is 11,358′ high at Eagle Peak, and the lowest point is 5,282′ in Reese Creek.
- Yellowstone is bigger than the combined states comprising Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
- Yellowstone has anywhere from 1000 to 3000 earthquakes per year.
- There are over 300 active geysers.
- There are over 290 waterfalls.
- Yellowstone hosts 67 mammal species, 285 birds, sixteen species of fish, six reptile species, five amphibians species, and more than seven nuisance aquatic species.
- Two endangered species have made the Park their home. Two threatened species live in the Park – Canada Lynx and Grizzly bear. Wolverines are considered a threatened species.
- Yellowstone contains more than 1800 archeological sites.
- There are five parks with entrances as well as 466 miles of road.
- It is possible to walk 15 miles along the boardwalk.
- 92 trailheads provide access to approximately 1,000 miles of trail.
- The year 2015 was the most successful for Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park had 4,097,710 visitors – a historical number for the Park.
- Old Faithful is a famous geyser active every 92 minutes, on average.
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9 FUN FACTS ABOUT YELLOWSTONE
YELLOWSTONE IS AN ACTIVE SUPERVOLCANO! Did you realize that Yellowstone is located on one of the world’s biggest volcanoes? This Yellowstone Caldera, left behind by an eruption 640,000 years ago, covers approximately 1000 square miles. This is roughly as big as Rhode Island! But don’t fret because Yellowstone Caldera has not erupted for longer than 640,000 years.
1. YELLOWSTONE IS HOME TO NATURAL PHENOMENA.
Did you know there exist four geothermal elements in Yellowstone? Yellowstone has four geothermal features: hot springs, geysers, mud pots, and fumaroles at the Fountain Paint Pots boardwalk. Famous geysers such as Old Faithful blast out of the sky and run on the supervolcano’s power source!
2. YELLOWSTONE IS THE WORLD’S FIRST NATIONAL PARK!
Did you know that Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone Park Act in 1872, making it the first-ever national Park? Incredibly, there were just three expeditions to explore the region between 1869 and 1871 before Yellowstone became a protected park.
We are grateful for conservation efforts to ensure that we continue to enjoy this beautiful ecosystem for generations to come!
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3. YELLOWSTONE IS HOME TO THE MOST FAMOUS GEYSER ON EARTH!
Did you realize it’s true that the Old Faithful is the most well-known geyser on the planet, yet it’s not the highest geyser found in the parks? Steamboat Geyser is the world’s highest active geyser and is situated within the Norris Geyser Basin, about an hour’s drive (with no buffalo jams) from Old Faithful. But Steamboat’s eruptions are unpredictable, and you’ll need to be extremely fortunate to see its 400-foot-high blast. In contrast, Old Faithful’s eruptions are predictable and adhere to a timetable, hence its well-known name!
4. YELLOWSTONE HAS AN INN THAT IS A CENTURY-OLD!!
Did you consider there was an Old Faithful Inn, built between 1903 and 2004, was an idea of a 29-year-old architect by the name of Robert Reamer? Many of the Park’s hotels constructed in this period were designed to be distinct from the rest of the Park, offering visitors a glimpse of home that could alleviate their worries (if you’ve seen the Yellowstone’s vibrant yellow, styled in the Queen Anne Victorian Lake Hotel, you understand the concept). Not Old Faithful! It seems to be an expansion of the wild itself, and we’re pleased that it turned out in this manner!
5. YELLOWSTONE HAS THE MOST MAGNIFICENT VIEWS!
Did you know there’s no spot in the Park where you could observe two of the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River simultaneously? After falling 109 feet over Upper Falls, the Yellowstone River can make a big S-turn before plunging 308 feet above the Lower Falls. The most popular spot for viewing The Upper Falls – the brink! Our top spot to see at the Lower Falls – is Artist Point.
6. YELLOWSTONE HAS SOME OF THE MOST DIVERSE WILDLIFE BUT IS A YEAR-ROUND HOME TO ELK!
Did you consider that Madison River Valley, just inside the Park’s West Entrance, is home to one of the very few herds of elk who do not leave the Park during the winter months? Most elk travel to lower elevations during the winter months to find food sources and shelter during the calving season. It appears that this valley does provide everything they require to live there all year round and hence the absence of movement!
What’s this to be you? Yellowstone amusing information?!
7. YELLOWSTONE HAS THE LARGEST HIGH-ALPINE LAKE IN NORTH AMERICA!
Did you realize that Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-alpine lake in North America? At 773 feet higher than sea level, the lake is a better place to photograph than swimming. Average summer water temperatures sit at around 45 degrees Fahrenheit! The perfect temperature for a cold plunge into the polar bear in the summer heat!
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8. YELLOWSTONE HAS THE BEST WILDLIFE VIEWING!
Have you realized that two of the most effective spots for spotting wildlife (at the very least, according to our personal view!) are Lamar Valley on the northeast portion of the Park and Hayden Valley in the central portion of Yellowstone? We take our spotting scopes and look for Wolf packs in Lamar and watch lumbering bears on the other side of Hayden Valley. But, you’ll be able to view any of Yellowstone’s wildlife in any valley (and throughout the Park), So keep an eye out!
9. YELLOWSTONE HAS THE 3RD LARGEST HOT SPRING IN THE WORLD!
Did you consider the Grand Prismatic Spring the third-largest warm spring on the planet? The spring is located within the Midway Geyser Basin and is 121 feet deep. This spring is capable of swallowing a 10plus story structure!
Many people use Big Sky as their basecamp for outdoor activities, such as excursions into Yellowstone, or as a stopover point before heading north towards Glacier National Park. Make sure you include Big Sky at the top of your list of places you must visit. Happy Travels!
