Yellowstone National Park has been a site for people's enjoyment and recreation for over 150 years. Originally nicknamed “Wonderland,” Yellowstone is home to some of the most exciting destinations in the US and probably worldwide.
Most people know Yellowstone for its Old Faithful- a supervolcano-powered geyser that erupts every 35-120 minutes. But what other unique things about Yellowstone National Park do you know?
Here are 10 fascinating Yellowstone National Park facts to know as you prepare for the best Wild West adventures.
Let’s start these fun facts about Yellowstone National Park with something most people don’t know.
Established in 1872, Yellowstone is considered the first national park in the US. However, the claim that Yellowstone is the oldest park in the world may not be exactly true. That title goes to Bogd Khan Uul Biosphere Reserve in Mongolia, declared a protected area in 1778 (almost a century before Yellowstone).
Speaking of protected areas, Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove, which later merged to form Yosemite National Park, were the first protected areas in the US (1864). That’s why Yosemite is typically considered unofficially older than Yellowstone.
One of the most intriguing Yellowstone facts is that its formation was a result of one profit-oriented corporation seeking to block other entities from the area.
It all started when the Northern Pacific Railroad Company made plans to expand its railway line to Montana. The railroad was the only way of accessing the interior wild west back then. Upon realizing the tourism potential near the Wonderland area (presently Yellowstone), the railroad company advocated for its protection from private development. Thanks to this endeavor, coupled with priceless photographs by artists William Jackson and Thomas Moran, the nation’s first national park was born.
Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest national parks in the US, at 3,472 square miles. For perspective, it is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
Yellowstone is spread across three states. Wyoming hosts the bulk of the park (96%), while Montana and Idaho get 3% and 1%, respectively.
Of all Yellowstone National Park’s interesting facts, one that may surprise you is that most of the park sits on a sleeping super volcano. A supervolcano implies an eruption that can spread molten material as far as 240 cubic miles.
Is it a ticking time bomb? Yellowstone National Park’s history shows that its last eruption was 70,000 years ago. While another eruption is possible, the odds of it happening any time soon are pretty low. Plus, supervolcanos don’t happen without warning, meaning they are easy to catch.
Yellowstone National Park features more than 10,000 hydrothermal features tied to its volcanic geology. These include hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles, travertine terraces, and more than 500 geyser basins. The best adventures in Yellowstone involve exploring its geysers, the most popular being Upper Geyser Basin with Old Faithful, Midway Geyser Basin, Lower Geyser Basin, and Norris Geyser Basin.
Geysers are among the rarest hydrothermal features because they require a specific set of conditions to occur. That’s why there are fewer than 1,000 geysers scattered around the world. One of the coolest Yellowstone Park facts is that it’s home to more than half of the geysers on Earth.
Steamboat Geyser, which spews water up to 200 feet into the air, is the tallest active geyser in the world. Lone Start blasts hot water only 45 feet high, but it’s undoubtedly the most photogenic. On the other hand, Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is among the most photographed hot springs in the world, thanks to its turquoise blue water surrounded by crazy bright rainbow colors.
Yellowstone National Park information from the NPS website shows that there are 350 identified waterfalls in the park. This is the highest number of waterfalls in all national parks and further adds to Yellowstone’s fun facts. The Lower Yellowstone River Falls is the most famous owing to its dramatic 308-foot drop. Undine Falls is an excellent option for visitors who seek Yellowstone adventures with a bit of solitude.
Among the most popular Yellowstone fun facts is a geyser that erupts faithfully every 35-120 minutes, hence its unique name, Old Faithful. However, geological reports show that the iconic geyser shut down for decades in the 13th and 14th centuries. This occurrence is believed to have been caused by a megadrought as a result of severe weather conditions during the Medieval Warm Period.
The North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park takes you right through the famed Lamar Valley. This corner of Yellowstone is renowned for its scenic beauty and unbeatable wildlife viewing opportunities. Lamar Valley allows visitors to see almost all animals that reside in this park, including grizzly bears, wolves, pronghorn, badgers, bald eagles, and bison. As such, it has been aptly nicknamed the Serengeti of North America.
Another addition to Yellowstone National Park’s fun facts is that it experiences 1000-3000 earthquakes annually. This may spark fear among some visitors considering Yellowstone’s volcanic system. But there’s nothing to worry about since most of these earthquakes are too small to feel. The latest significant quake in Yellowstone was on March 30, 2014, and had a magnitude of 4.8 on the Richter scale.
Yellowstone is an absolute must-see for any nature lover! But considering its vastness and lengthy list of best things to do, it can be overwhelming. Here are tips for getting the most out of your Yellowstone National Park adventures.
When to visit
Yellowstone National Park is open year-round. So, the best time to visit will come down to personal preference, the experience you’re looking for, and other factors, such as your job and having school-going kids.
May is the best month to visit Yellowstone for wildlife and fewer crowds if you don't mind wintery weather. Towards the end of May through June, most roads in the park are open, and the grizzlies and bison are coming out of hibernation. For relatively fair weather and less crowds, plan your visit between September and early October.
Yellowstone is busiest in summer for good reason. The entire park is open, and most facilities are functional. The wide-open skies also grace the park with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
Where to stay
Most visitors prefer camping or staying inside Yellowstone as it decreases travel times between major attractions. Staying inside the park will also benefit your stay if you enjoy early morning wildlife viewing.
Drive or book a bus tour?
One of the cool facts about Yellowstone is that simply traversing through this high alpine country reveals so much about its natural beauty. If you want to experience all about Yellowstone National Park without feeling hurried, we recommend driving. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the scenery as someone else struggles with the hassle of traffic jams, then book a bus tour.
What not to miss
Yellowstone National Park offers so many things to do, from hiking to boating, fishing, stargazing, and watching wildlife. You could visit this park several times and have a different experience each time.
Here are a few of its must-do things during your first visit:
Yellowstone National Park is one of those places on our planet that everybody should see. Anyone who’s set foot there will tell you that this is more than a park. It's an unusual place that rumbles, hisses, and steams. But that’s what makes it a true wonderland.
Featured image by: Billy McDonald.
Yellowstone Lake is 390 feet deep at its deepest spot. It’s also among the largest high-altitude lakes in North America at 7730 feet above sea level.
Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Lamar Valley heavily contest the slot for the most popular attraction in Yellowstone.
Yellowstone National Park is owned by the federal government and run by the US National Park Service (NPS).
Yellowstone National Park is special because of its diverse geothermal features, dormant supervolcano, and wildlife species.
Yellowstone is world-renowned for being home to more than half of the earth’s geysers and hot springs.
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