Yellowstone is one of the largest and most unique destinations in the United States. Widely held as the first-ever national park worldwide, it gave birth to the concept around 150 years ago.
In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed an act, which created The Yellowstone National Park. This enormous area of fantastic geological monuments, majestic wildlife, and breathtaking views has much to offer to its visitors. Let’s dive in.
1. Yellowstone Lake
Only 5% of the national park area is covered with water, and Yellowstone Lake is the largest body among all others. In North America, it’s also the biggest among the high-elevation lakes. It freezes in winter, to thaw again closer to June.
Tourists like to visit the water for its views and geothermal features. One of them is called the Fishing Cone. It’s a geyser right in the middle of the cold lake, where fishermen used to ‘cook’ their catches. Fascinating, isn’t it?
2. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River
The Canyon holds the waters of Yellowstone River and goes on for 24 miles. Here, you can take in the beauty of the Lower Falls. It’s twice as high as Niagara Falls.
Most people mistake the Grand Canyon in Yellowstone with the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
3. Wildlife
During a usual drive across the park, you’ll likely see the most prominent members of its wildlife: bison, grizzly bears, elks, and wolves. However, you can choose among specialized guided tours to go exploring more rare specimens.
● The park’s lakes and rivers host 16 types of fish
● 300 species of birds soar free above the traveler’s head
● The park boasts the largest number of mammal species in the lower 48 states
4. Geysers and Pools
Yellowstone National Park contains almost half of all the geysers on Earth – nearly 500 to be precise. One of the most scenic basins is the West Thumb. Located on the lake’s shore, it contains one of the deepest pools with almost-boiling water. The Abyss is 52.5 feet deep, and the water temperature reaches 181 °F.
5. Steamboat Geyser
Steamboat isn’t the most well-known geyser in Yellowstone National Park. However, reaching 300-400 feet, it’s the tallest in the world. Its activity increased in 2018, setting a new record of 48 eruptions.
6. Old Faithful
As the name suggests, this one is the most consistent and, thus, most famous among Yellowstone geysers. Its eruption frequency reaches up to 90 minutes.
7. Grand Prismatic Spring
The Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most photographed areas in the park. The thermal feature hosts various heat-loving bacteria, which ‘paint’ the boiling pool with all the colors of the rainbow.
Online Presence
According to Click Intelligence, an online marketing agency,excellent content drives high follower engagement. Well, Yellowstone’s digital team has done a great job of this and turnsfantastic sights, long years of scientific research, and unique features into a reference point on social media.
Here, everyone can join the active community of nature-enthusiasts by giving them a follow.
Bonus Fact
Yellowstone is a supervolcano with three known eruptions in the last 3 million years. The latest one happened 664,000 years ago.
Despite the 3000 earthquakes yearly, the volcano is very unlikely to erupt in our lifetime. However, if it did, the results would be deadly. Nearly all of the USA would be covered with lava. The ashes would even reach as far as Miami.