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| Minerva
Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs1 |
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As famous for its diverse geological features as its breathtaking scenery,
Yellowstone
National Park is laden with geothermal phenomena, majestic mountains,
expansive vistas and historic significance. From blasting geysers and bubbling
mud pots to historic sites and endless recreational opportunities, this
natural treasure offers a plethora of things for visitors to see and do.
Covering more than 2 million acres (809,356 ha), the bulk of which is in
northwest Wyoming with small
portions extending into Idaho
and Montana, Yellowstone
attracts thousands of visitors traveling by road from Canada
and the United States, as well
as air travelers from around the world. The park has almost 1,000 mi (1610
km) of hiking trails to suit a range of skill levels. Fishing, boating,
wildlife observation, camping and snowmobiling are a few of the other activities
that draw visitors to the park, and of course, many come simply to relax
amidst some of the most varied and scenic landscapes in the country. Yellowstone
is littered with backcountry campsites, allowing backpackers to trek through
the park's many interesting features.
With so much to take
in, the process of choosing the right accommodation for a trip to Yellowstone
can be daunting. The following guide illuminates the attractions and activities
in various areas of Yellowstone, providing visitors with an idea of which
area of the park is of most interest to them. In addition to in-park lodging,
the communities near Yellowstone's entrances offer accommodations that
span the whole palette, from bed and breakfasts, inns, campgrounds and
lodges to resorts, hotels and vacation home rentals. Click on the links
for each specific entrance to read a full article describing area attractions
and accommodations.
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View
From Mt. Holmes in the Gallatin Range2 |
NORTH ENTRANCE
Geothermal wonders,
historic Fort
Yellowstone, Gallatin
National Forest and Paradise Valley beckon visitors to discover this
part of Yellowstone. Mammoth
Hot Springs, one of the park's most popular accommodation areas, boasts
roughly 50 hot springs and many natural features. The Paradise Valley
and Gallatin National Forest are steeped in wildlife and scenic vistas,
offering an ideal backdrop to a myriad of outdoor pursuits. Visitors interested
in park history should take a trip to historic Fort Yellowstone, which
features 19 structures that recall the days when the United States Army
was responsible for the management of Yellowstone National Park. This
area also supports many winter activities, as the road from the North
Entrance to the Northeast Entrance remains open year round. Read
Full Article
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| Bald
Eagles in Lamar Valley3 |
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NORTHEAST ENTRANCE
Access via Yellowstone's
Northeast Entrance places visitors amidst the breathtaking scenery of
Lamar Valley, informally dubbed the American Serengeti due to its diverse
array of wildlife. Several scenic hiking trails allow visitors to experience
the area's rich array of flora and fauna. The Red
Lodge Mountain Resort area attracts skiers and snowboarders eager
to experience 71 downhill trails as well as 11 mi (18 km) of cross-country
trails. Visitors passing through Billings
should be sure to stop at Pictograph
Cave State Park, a historic site with pictographs dating back over
2,000 years. Roughly 20 mi (32 km) inside Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance
is the Yellowstone
Association Institute, which offers field seminars, naturalist-led
tours and backcountry expeditions that illuminate various facets of park
wildlife, ecology and geology. Read
Full Article
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Yellowstone
Lake4 |
EAST ENTRANCE
With convenient access
to the amenities and accommodations at Fishing
Bridge, Bridge
Bay and Lake
Village—all located on the expansive shores of Yellowstone
Lake—the East Entrance serves visitors interested in enjoying
an array of water-related activities. From fishing to water-skiing to
kayaking, Yellowstone Lake is a playground for watersports enthusiasts.
Other popular attractions near the East Entrance include Mud
Volcano and Sulphur Cauldron, bubbling mudpots that draw visitors
interested in witnessing some of the park's fascinating natural phenomenons.
Buffalo
Bill Historical Center in Cody
is an interesting stop on the way to Yellowstone's East Entrance, as it
features five different museums that showcase everything from American
Indian art and artifacts to natural history displays. Read
Full Article
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| West
Thumb Geyser Basin5 |
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SOUTH ENTRANCE
The South Entrance's
most alluring feature is its proximity to Jackson Hole valley and Grand
Teton National Park. Over 200 mi (322 km) of trails are available
for hiking, backpacking and horseback riding amidst the mighty Teton Range.
Inside Yellowstone, at Grant
Village Visitor Center, visitors can learn about the famous fires
of 1988, the most significant natural event to occur in the Yellowstone
area since the massive volcanic eruption roughly 640,000 years ago. Accommodations
at Grant
Village are a convenient jump-off point for all of the area activities,
which include fishing, boating and horseback riding. This area is also
home to one of the park's most scenic geothermal areas, West
Thumb Geyser Basin. Tour hot springs, pools, mud pots, fumaroles and
geysers amid the scenic shores of Yellowstone Lake. Read
Rull Article
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Castle
Geyser6 |
WEST ENTRANCE
Touted as one of the
best snowmobiling destinations in the world, the area around West
Yellowstone and the West Entrance attracts scores of snowmobilers
for the season from mid-December to the end of March. West Yellowstone
is also home to Yellowstone
Historic Center, the site of the 10-acre (4-ha) Oregon Short Line
Terminus, which showcases several early 20th-century structures and a
number of exhibits pertaining to Yellowstone's history. The famous Old
Faithful Inn, sure to impress with its massive log architecture, is
located a short distance inside the West Entrance. Adjacent to the Lodge
is the equally-renowned Old
Faithful Geyser, which sends water blasting into the air every 70
to 90 minutes. The Upper
Geyser Basin houses the largest concentration of Geysers in the world,
including the ancient Castle
Geyser. The Fountain
Paint Pot area offers visitors the chance to experience the four types
of geothermal wonders for which the park is known, including geysers,
steam vents, hot springs and mud pots. Read
Full Article
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| Grand
Canyon of the Yellowstone7 |
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GRAND CANYON OF THE
YELLOWSTONE AREA
The popular destinations
of Canyon
Village, Norris
Geyser Basin and the Grand
Canyon of the Yellowstone are all centrally located in the park and
can easily be accessed from any entrance. Canyon
Lodge at Canyon Village is the most central of Yellowstone's summer
lodges, offering convenient access to many attractions, including the
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Praised for its indelible views, the
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone stretches 4,000 ft (1219 m) across and
reaches depths of 1,200 ft (366 m) in places. Visitors should be sure
to catch a glimpse of the Canyon's magnificent Upper
and Lower
falls. Also located near the center of the park is Norris
Geyser Basin, Yellowstone's hotbed of geothermal activity. There are
several points of interest worth exploring, including Norris
Museum, Echinus
Geyser and Steamboat
Geyser, the largest active geyser in the world. Read
Full Article
PHOTO COURTESY
- National Park Service; Minerva Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs; Wyoming,
USA
- National Park Service; View From Mount Holmes in the Gallatin Range;
Wyoming, USA
- National Park Service; Bald Eagles in Lamar Valley; Montana, USA
- National Park Service; Yellowstone Lake; Wyoming, USA
- National Park Service; West Thumb Geyser Basin; Wyoming, USA
- National Park Service; Castle Geyser; Wyoming, USA
- Pam Cahill Photo; Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; WY, USA
