National Parks REGIONS Yellowstone Destinations GEOTHERMAL FEATURES WATERFALLS GALORE WY INDEED “ Yellowstone is unlike any other park,” says Jacob Frank, avid photographer and audiovisual production specialist at Yellowstone National Park. “With the thermals and the wildlife, you never know what you’re going to see when you wander out. It’s a different park every single day.” Volcanism fuels Yellowstone’s wealth of geysers, boiling pools and bubbling mud pots — a result of the active magma chamber underneath the area. In the Upper Geyser Basin, you can view more than 150 geysers, hot springs and fumaroles (openings in the earth’s crust that emit steam and other gases), including the famous Old Faithful geyser. GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING There are about 350 identified waterfalls in Yellowstone, many of which can be viewed from roadside trails. The Yellowstone River rumbles through the heart of the majestic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and down two of the park’s most iconic cascades. Within the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Lower Falls is the tallest waterfall in the park, towering at 308 feet. AMAZING WILDLIFE WATCHING KEEP IN MIND GETTING THERE The Yellowstone Regional Airport is about three miles outside of Cody near the park’s east entrance and offers service from Salt Lake City, Denver and Chicago. Jackson Hole Airport is about 60 miles south of the park and offers service from different cities depending on the season (see a full list at jacksonholeairport.com ). Car rentals and shuttle services to the lodges inside the park, nearby towns and hotels are available from both airports. This tie-dyed beauty is the largest hot spring in the U.S. and credits its brilliant colors to microscopic colonies of pigmented bacteria that thrive around the edges of the pool’s mineral-rich water. Try the new trail and overlook south of the popular attraction for prime views of the spring’s colors. Hayden and Lamar valleys are hubs for viewing Yellowstone’s famous wildlife, which includes nearly 300 species of birds and 67 species of mammals. Hayden Valley, framed by forested hills, is home to the world’s largest herd of free-roaming bison, while wolf packs, bald eagles, deer and pronghorn are just a few common sights in Lamar Valley. YELLOWSTONE IS BIG Don’t expect to see everything in one trip. With more than 1,000 miles of backcountry trails for hiking and more than 300 active geysers and 350 waterfalls to admire — there’s so much to do within the park’s 2.2 million acres. LEFT TO RIGHT: GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING, NICHOLAS ROEMMELT, GETTY IMAGES; HIKING IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE/JACOB W. FRANK. where to Stay (Book early) LODGES, CABINS & HOTELS OUTSIDE THE PARK WEATHER Temperatures vary by elevation. Dress in layers and be prepared for anything from warm summer temperatures to snow as late as June. From the storied Old Faithful Inn to the Roosevelt Lodge inspired by Teddy himself, there are nine different lodging facilities in Yellowstone. CAMPGROUNDS There are five reservation campgrounds with more than 1,700 sites and seven first-come, first-served campgrounds with more than 450 sites. Backcountry sites are also available with a special permit. Whether you’re seeking a bed-and-breakfast hideaway, snug cabin or a western-inspired inn, there are dozens of accommodation options within the gateway communities of Jackson (60 miles south), Cody (50 miles east) and Dubois (80 miles southeast). Learn more at TravelWyoming.com/places-to-stay or p. 107. ENTRANCE FEES It’s $30/vehicle to visit Yellowstone for one to seven days and $50 to visit both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks for one to seven days. TRAFFIC Roads through the national parks are shared with wildlife, so traffic is often heavy and speed limits are low. Learn more at nps.gov/yell. TravelWyoming.com 61
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