Yellowstone may be the most famous National Park in the US, and when I googled best National parks, it was first on the list. This park spans over Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, and is made up of so many natural wonders. From hot springs and geysers to waterfalls and a vast wilderness, Yellowstone is a huge park with so much to explore.
As mentioned above, one of the main attractions of the park are the natural geysers, the most famous being Old Faithful because it erupts so regularly. People flock to the park at the times when the geysers are predicted to go off, and sometimes arrive early and stay for hours just to ensure they get the chance to see them shoot up into the air. Less than 1,000 geysers exist in the whole world, and almost half of these are found in Yellowstone National Park. Geysers are made as a result of a unique tunnel system underground. One study described geyser eruptions as “sending steam and hot water hundreds of feet into the air, and often releasing a frightening screech and the stench of rotten eggs — because of a series of loops and side chambers hidden deep below the surface that allows water to boil first at the top and then cascade downward” (Hall). The geysers are a bit of a mystery in the world of geology, but they are fascinating to see explode out of the ground.
While geysers draw many people to Yellowstone, there is much more that the park has to offer. Another popular attraction is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. With stunning views, this 20 mile long, thousand foot deep canyon is a sight to see. The Yellowstone River, the longest undammed river in the US, runs through the bottom of the canyon, and is the source of the erosion that has built up over thousands of years to form the massive canyon. There are also many hiking trails around the canyon, and even one that ventures to the bottom of the canyon.
This is another park that is more rugged than most. People often go camping, but it is important to be aware of your surroundings. Many visitors suffer injuries from being unprepared for the intense weather, or becoming victims of animal attacks. There is an abundance of wildlife in the park including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, buffalo, and many more large, potentially dangerous animals. It is stressed that visitors follow all safety guidelines and know what to do in the case of an attack.
While the park can be dangerous, this definitely does not stop people from hiking. There are many trails, including the Mystic Falls Trail. This is a beautiful hike that leads to a famous waterfall. You can even climb to the top for a fantastic view of the surrounding park. This is a shorter, less strenuous hike, so it is great for people of all hiking abilities. There are endless trails throughout Yellowstone, many of which are very long and difficult, but this is a great one to try to get great views without going for an intense all day outing. I can’t wait to visit Yellowstone one day!
Citation:
Hall, Shannon. “Why Do Geysers Erupt? It Boils down to Plumbing.” LiveScience, Purch, 2 Mar. 2015, https://www.livescience.com/49985-geysers-plumbing-eruption
Yellowstone is on my bucket list! It would be so cool to see a natural geyser go off. Although I am afraid of heights, I would love to see the Yellowstone Grand Canyon. You would probably like the hike down!! I agree that it is extremely important to take safety measures when visiting any national park–especially this one. I hope you get there one day!
Yellowstone is a dream of mine and many others – it has anything you could want in one park. Geysers do smell bad, but they are amazing to see go off in person! I would love to visit the Grandy Canyon, as well, although I have known a few people who overdid themselves while hiking it and came back injured. As you said, it is incredibly important to be prepared for all situations and respect the wildlife.