P A R K S tj|tl|in|ca|st
P A R K S
tj|tl|in|ca|st

Y E L L O W S T O N E   N A T I O N A L   P A R K

Northwestern Wyoming

Thursday, August 5, 2004 to
Saturday, August 7, 2004

Park: #4

Established: 1872 (first national park)

Acres: 2,219,791

Annual Budget: $28,116,000 (FY 2004)

Visitors: 2,900,971 (FY 2004)

Highlights: Active volcano, unique geothermal activity, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Canyon.

Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Hours: Open year round.

Phone: (307) 344-7381

Fees: Individual - $10 (7 days), Single Vehicle - $20 (7 days), $40 Annual

Link: Official Website

Top Pics: 64 Images

Rating:   (5 max)


Yellowstone National Park is a tortured place, sitting atop "the place where hell bubbles up", as described by one writer long ago who attempted to explain the strange beauty of the area. Eons ago, a massive volcanic eruption created a 30 by 45 mile caldera where Yellowstone now sits today. Located deep below the surface, volcanic activity continues on in heated tradition, producing geothermal wonders that manifest as geysers, fumeroles, hot springs, and other assorted oddities.

Are you interested in checking out this hotbed of volcanic activity? I know I am. I've heard so much about this park and now I'm actually here. Come with me and together we'll check out all the popular sights. Before we go, look here, there are just loads of things on my agenda.

Yellowstone is an interesting and multifacited park, offering 7 primary sights, including:

Mammoth Hot Springs - A unique glimpse into the hydrothermal world of natural hot springs and multicolored travertine terraces. The sight is traversed entirely by boardwalk and climbs 300 feet up and over the multiple terraces.


Norris Geyser Basin - An extensive boardwalk tour of the Park's hottest and most dynamic hydrothermal area. The two basins provide great opportunities to experience geysers, natural hot springs, and fumeroles up close and personal. Frequent earthquakes shake the area, keeping it constantly active and unpredictable. New hotsprings and geysers appear, others become dormant.


Fountain Paint Pot Area - A unique mix of mudpots, geysers, and fumaroles.


Old Faithful Area - The largest concentration of geysers in the world, the area offers five of the Park's largest geysers. Eruption times are predicted and posted in the Old Faithful Visitor Center.


West Thumb Geyser Basin - Overlooking Yellowstone Lake, the largest lake at high elevation in North America, the basin contains a multitude of hot springs, geysers and even a few fumaroles. An interesting feature not found anywhere else in the Park are three geysers that line the Yellowstone Lakeshore.


Mud Volcano - Interesting views of turbulent pools of hot and muddy water, hillsides strewn with steam-cooked trees, and bizzare, barren landscapes. All topped off with unusual and abundant odors emitted by the geological processes that are very active in this region.


Canyon Area - A mini-version of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone's Canyon Area is filled to the brim with awe inspiring views. It is here the Yellowstone River majestically spills over both an upper and lower falls in its northeasterly passage out of the park. Artist Point, a wonderful viewpoint looking downstream of the canyon-hugged falls, is probably the most photographed sight in the park.


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