Yellowstone National Park could very well be among the most renowned sites in the entire U.S., even known to people abroad. Its prominence extends into movies and pop culture due to its stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and vastness. The blockbuster movie “2012” also acknowledged this place as an ideal spot for families—albeit before depicting global catastrophe unfolding.
The park spans several areas. It is primarily located in Wyoming, though
Montana
and
Idaho
It can also lay claim to hosting a portion of this phenomenon. Yellowstone is widely recognized as a volcanic region (we’ll delve deeper into that shortly) and is famed for its numerous geysers, with the most renowned being Old Faithful.
However, that’s merely an overview. To uncover the truly intriguing details about Yellowstone National Park, one needs to delve further. Let us discover 21 captivating truths about this cherished national and global gem.
21 Fascinating Facts About Yellowstone National Park
1. Yellowstone was the first park officially designated as a national park worldwide.
It appears to be somewhat of a
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
In fact, Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first officially designated national park established by a government. This claim is supported by most recognized official documents.
President Ulysses S. Grant signed the legislation into law in March 1872, several years following the conclusion of the Civil War. At that time, much of the area was still unspoiled wilderness, home to various Native American tribes.
The two million acres encompassed by the Yellowstone National Park Preservation Act aimed to safeguard the wilderness from development and maintain an aspect of the untouched natural splendor found within the U.S.
2. Yellowstone National Park Is Large… Extremely Large
Currently, Yellowstone spans approximately 3500 square miles. In terms of size, this area exceeds the total land of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.
Side note:
Yellowstone is not the largest national park globally; that title belongs to one in Greenland. To put it into perspective, if Northeast Greenland National Park were considered a nation, it would rank as the 31st largest country in the world, covering an area of approximately 375,000 square miles.
3. Even Though It Is Large, The Park Has Only Five Entry Points.
Even though it’s large, the entryway to the park is unexpectedly restricted when it comes to accessing the park area efficiently. There are five main gates, each offering distinct benefits based on your interests within the park.
The West Entrance
Here’s how you can reach Geyser City. Many casual tourists ensure they visit the geysers at Yellowstone, and this location provides the easiest access via the impressive geyser base.
Unsurprisingly, this serves as the most bustling “commercial” gateway to Yellowstone, featuring numerous shops, crowds of people, and various eateries. The nearby town of West Yellowstone is typically teeming with tourists.
The North Entrance
Enter the park through Gardiner, Montana. This might be the most convenient path if you’re traveling from the West Coast. Additionally, this is the sole access point to reach the park’s northeast corner during winter months.
The South Entrance
What sets apart the distinctive charm of the South Entrance is its closeness to the Grand Teton National Park. If your journey takes you through this entry point into Yellowstone, consider visiting both parks during your travels. While exploring the area, make sure to include a stay in Jackson, Wyoming as part of your itinerary.
The Northeast Entrance
If you enjoy observing animals in their natural habitat – particularly the
majestic bears
And for the wolves, you might want to explore this part at the edge of the park. Before heading into the park, your final stops will be Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana.
The East Entrance
Are you heading to the lake? Yellowstone Lake is a key attraction for tourists, and accessing the park through the eastern entrance will bring you there. Additionally, nearby landmarks include Old Faithful geyser and the WestThumb Geyser Basin.
Of particular appeal to both children and historians alike, your final destination before reaching the park along this route is Cody, Wyoming. This charming town was established by the renowned figure Buffalo Bill.
4. Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho Collaborate on Host Responsibilities
If you’ve noticed, Yellowstone covers territory across three distinct U.S. states. An intriguing aspect of Yellowstone National Park is that approximately 96% lies within Wyoming’s borders, with around 3% situated in Montana and the last 1% occupying land in Idaho.
5. Yellowstone boasts an extensive variety of wildlife.
The whole park was created with the aim of conserving nature, and it succeeded admirably. Yellowstone boasts an extensive array of wild animal species. In fact, it holds the record for having the greatest concentration of fauna across the contiguous 48 states within the U.S.
It is believed to house approximately 285 different species.
birds
And it includes at least 1150 indigenous plant species. This number doesn’t include the alien species discovered since then—which I’ll discuss later.
6. At Least Two Wildlife Species in Yellowstone Are Endangered
Unfortunately, some of Yellowstone’s most beloved residents could be facing danger.
Canada
Lynxes are extremely uncommon—so feel fortunate if you manage to spot one. Despite this rarity, they can still be found in Yellowstone, and we all pray that they remain there for countless generations to follow.
Grizzly
bears
Have been on the list for four decades now. Currently, there is significant discussion about whether their population has rebounded enough to warrant removing them from the list. However, it remains rather disheartening that they face such threats at all.
Until the 1980s, the Black-Footed Ferret was thought to be extinct. However, this changed when a farmer’s dog brought one back home, which came as a surprise to researchers. Despite their precarious status, these ferrets still face endangerment; however, a limited group can be found living in Yellowstone National Park.
Another notable attraction at Yellowstone is the gray wolf. Although their situation is much improved compared to the grizzly bears, these wolves remain endangered in certain areas. Fortunately, Wyoming believes they have recovered sufficiently not to be considered an urgent concern anymore.
Pikas are rodent-like mammals that are currently teetering on the brink of becoming an endangered species. The primary danger they face is climate change, since they are highly sensitive to changes in temperature.
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7. Encountering Bison Herds Is an Incredible Experience
The biggest bison herd globally can be found in Yellowstone National Park, with an approximate population of 5000 individuals. This number might seem modest considering that formerly millions of buffalo and bison wandered freely across this region. However, witnessing such a group remains quite awe-inspiring.
Unfortunately, certain bison need to be regularly removed to manage diseases. However, these same bison exact a form of retaliation by creating massive traffic jams on Yellowstone’s roadways.
8. The Behavior of Yellowstone’s Elks Is Peculiar
The group of elk residing within Yellowstone National Park possesses an distinctive trait: they do not undertake seasonal migrations. Consequently, visitors have the opportunity to observe these animals throughout the entire year. It seems they find this place quite appealing.
9. It boasts a profound archaeological heritage.
Yellowstone boasts significant historical depth. Studies suggest human activity dates back as far as 11,000 years. The park contains numerous archaeological sites and discoveries. Some of these finds have been documented and reported.
National Registry of Historical Sites
.
10. Nearly a Thousand Miles of Trails Are Available for Hiking
If you’re thinking about hiking in Yellowstone, go ahead! With 900 miles and 300 trails available, your options are vast. Whether you prefer multi-day treks, leisurely day hikes, or strolling along 15 miles of boardwalks, there’s something here for every preference. Plus, the park offers numerous accessible paths suitable for wheelchairs as well as paved routes. This stunning area truly caters to all who wish to experience its natural splendor.
11. Thermal Baths and Stacked Cascades
The best-known geyser at Yellowstone is Old Faithful. However, it isn’t the sole one you can see. To understand how significant the geothermal activity is for Yellowstone, check out Mammoth Hot Springs. As noted earlier, the boardwalks offer trails that wind through these areas.
hot springs
And you can explore the historic Fort Yellowstone nearby.
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12. Old Faithful Isn’t Actually as Predictable as You Might Think, Either
The story about the Old Faithful suggests that it is a dependable and highly predictable geyser. While this holds true to a certain extent, the time gaps between eruptions can be somewhat inconsistent. It has been established that it typically erupts approximately 20 times daily, with each eruption lasting roughly one to 1.5 minutes.
Typically, it stands at about 130 feet tall but can grow up to an impressive 180 feet. The time gaps between eruptions vary widely from 60 to 110 minutes. However, the calculated mean duration for these intervals is approximately 74 minutes.
13. The Planet’s Highest Erupting Geyser is Also Located in Yellowstone
Although Old Faithful isn’t the tallest geyser, nor even the tallest within Yellowstone National Park, that distinction goes to the Grand Geyser, capable of shooting water up to almost 300 feet high. When it comes to regularity in reaching great heights, the Steamboat Geyser takes the lead, often spouting water as high as 200 feet.
14. This is A Highly Seismic Region
If you wobble while walking around Yellowstone, it could be due to an earthquake. However, there’s no need for concern as most earthquakes here go unnoticed by people. The area is highly prone to seismic activity, with anywhere from 700 to 3000 minor tremors occurring annually.
The region rests above a fault line. The tremors result from water and magma shifting beneath the ground.
15. An abundance of waterfalls and water routes can be found here.
The extensive river system meandering through Yellowstone National Park spans nearly the whole nation. Recognized as a crucial national asset, this intricate web of waters formally constitutes part of the country’s natural heritage.
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
.
It is said that there are approximately 600 lakes and ponds within the Yellowstone aquatic network. Furthermore, you can tally around 1000 streams and rivers. This amounts to an extensive amount of water bodies.
16. The Yellowstone River stands as the longest river in the U.S. without a dam.
When discussing rivers, the Yellowstone stands out as it flows for 692 miles without any dams along its course, making it the longest undammed river in the U.S. Meanwhile, the title of the longest river in the country goes to the Missouri, stretching an astounding 2,341 miles.
17. There’s a grand canyon within Yellowstone.
The renowned Grand Canyon is located in
Arizona.
However, you might be astonished to discover that it is not the sole Grand Canyon. Even Yellowstone National Park boasts its very own version of this natural wonder.
The canyon extends approximately 20 miles at a depth of around 1000 feet and was formed due to erosion from the Yellowstone River. The best vista can be found at Artist Point – definitely worthwhile to visit.
18. The lake is also quite impressive.
Yellowstone Lake was previously noted but deserves another mention. It stands as the biggest high-altitude lake in both the U.S. and within the park.
North American
Even with its length of 20 miles and over 140 miles of coastline, it’s astounding that it manages to freeze entirely during each winter.
19. Certain Invasive Species Can Endanger Ecological Systems
As noted earlier, several of Yellowstone’s wildlife species are endangered. However, the park also faces issues with invasive species, some of which pose threats to the fragile ecological balance.
An instance of this issue involves a parasite impacting fish—specifically trout—that has become prevalent in Yellowstone’s aquatic environments. This intruder is known scientifically as Myxobolus cerebralis. Additionally, both the New Zealand mud snail and the Red-rimmed Melania snail pose significant threats due to their prolific reproduction rates; these invasive species compete intensely with indigenous flora for essential resources, thereby jeopardizing local ecosystems.
20. The Supervolcano Beneath the Park
Geologists have frequently discussed the supervolcano located beneath Yellowstone. This massive caldera last erupted around 640,000 years ago. Experts believe that an explosion from this volcano could cover a 1000-mile area with ash and might cause significant long-lasting impacts on worldwide weather patterns.
21. Yellowstone Could Conceal Various Fascinating Scientific Discoveries
There’s plenty to uncover in Yellowstone, including for researchers. Numerous microbes show potential for scientific exploration, potentially yielding medications or key advancements in ecological initiatives. After all, it constitutes a massive ecosystem.
Closing Reflections on Interesting Facts About Yellowstone National Park
Fingers crossed that these 21 fascinating tidbits about Yellowstone National Park have sparked your desire to visit. And if you’ve been there previously, perhaps you’ve gained some new insights into this amazing place.
It’s crucial to recognize the significance of conserving not just a location such as Yellowstone, but also the incredible experience that nature offers overall. Nothing can compare to witnessing grizzly bears and brown bears in their natural habitat within Yellowstone.
Maybe you enjoy strolling along the woodland paths surrounded by pine trees? They’re all right here. Whether it’s winter or summer, the beauty you’ll encounter is likely to surpass anything elsewhere.
Have you visited Yellowstone National Park? Share your experience with us! We’re eager to hear from you.
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