National Geographic Travel Guide: Yellowstone National Park

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Yellowstone National Park

An image of the Yellowstone River’s Lower Falls

Though filled with an astonishing array of geologic wonders—geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, canyons, waterfalls—Yellowstone is perhaps most remarkable as a wildlife sanctuary. Protected here are bison, elk, bears, moose, mountain lions, eagles, trumpeter swans, and a host of other animals. The world’s first national park, Yellowstone covers more than two million acres (810,000 hectares) and draws thousands of visitors a year.

Photo: The Yellowstone River’s Lower Falls drop more than 300 feet (91 meters) into the park’s Grand Canyon. Photograph © David Muench/Corbis.

Things to See and Do
Suggestions from National Geographic Guidebooks

Park Tours

- The Geyser Basins: Old Faithful to Mammoth Hot Springs
- Yellowstone Lake & River: Canyon to West Thumb

Driving Tours

- Bozeman to Yellowstone
- Mesa Falls Scenic Byway
- Custer Country
- North Fork of the Shoshone Scenic Drive

Bird-watching Tours

- Yellowstone National Park Bird-watching

Also Nearby

- Shoshone National Forest
- Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Also From nationalgeographic.com

On Our Web site

- Flags and Facts: Wyoming
- Flags and Facts: Montana
- Flags and Facts: Idaho
- Kids: Fantastic Journeys Yellowstone
- Books: Park of the Month, Yellowstone
- Travel with our Experts to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

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