Yellowstone Vacation

Away from the noisy clumsy cities and pollution, far away from the hustle and bustle of day to day chores, away in the lap of mother nature with thundering waterfalls, crystalline lakes and steaming geysers. Welcome to Yellowstone National Park - the world's first national park. It is America's most popular park and for fine reason. Situated in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone National park is known for its wildlife and geological marvels that exist no where else in the world.

Yellowstone is situated in the northwest corner of Wyoming. Take a dip in a hot spring, join a photo safari, go for exploratory dog sledding, wander down a historic trial - there is no dearth of activities while on a Yellowstone vacation. Learn more about the Yellowstone volcano. What are the options for accommodation in Yellowstone? Experience 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness and nature's wonders at their best!

Yellowstone National Park

In the year 1872 March, the Congress declared Yellowstone National Park as a public park. The imposing features of the Yellowstone national park that paved the way to its safeguarding and conservation were the multihued Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone national park, fossil forests and the magnitude and altitude of the Yellowstone Lake.

Since 1872, the number of visitors to Yellowstone National Park jumped up to 1,000 people every year. Cars started to ply in the year 1917 and in 1950 Yellowstone boasted of excellent facilities for nature lovers and vacationers. At present the number of visitors enjoying a Yellowstone vacation has reached 3 million per year.

Reaching Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone national park is situated in the northwest corner of Wyoming. During summer all the five entries are open. Yellowstone is served by the Delta, United and Sky west, Northwest, American, Horizon and Alaska airlines. You can choose to drive down to Yellowstone National Park from Denver (563 miles) or Cheyenne, WY (462 miles). Buses are not a good option and two wheelers are not advisable as there are hardly any bike lanes and no bicycle tracks on narrow winding roads. Bicycles are forbidden on all backcountry trails.

Yellowstone volcano

The largest super volcano is found in the Yellowstone Park. The last eruption is said to have transpired 60,000 years ago and was so powerful that it resulted in the creation of the great geyser basin area in Yellowstone. The Yellowstone volcano is still active and the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) monitors its activities.

The volcanic heart is located deep inside the Earth in a hot spot. While you are on a holiday in Yellowstone, don't miss the mud volcano area in Wyoming and the numerous hot springs in Montana. The mud volcano is a remarkable place with unique geothermal features. It is understood that over 6, 00,000 years in the past, one eruption was so powerful that it gusted lava across the continent.

Yellowstone geysers

60% of the world geysers can be found here and they are the most active ones. Yellowstone Park is home to 10,000 geysers and hot springs in Montana, Wyoming and the total Yellowstone region. 250-300 geysers erupt all through the year. The upper geyser basin is the biggest geyser basin and the world's largest single focus of hot springs. The upper geyser basin is very well-known in America and was discovered in 1870 by the Washburn mission. It is named Old Faithful because of its repeated eruptions.

The midway geyser basin is located between the upper and lower geyser basin. The Norris geyser basin is the hottest and the most exhilarating. The adventure of inspecting enormous quantities of super-charged water coming up bursting out like a rocket will certainly set your heart leaping.

Grand Canyon and the park waterfalls are so enchanting that they will leave you flabbergasted. You can see pristine beauty of the lower falls (308 ft) and lower falls (109 ft). The canyon is 4000 ft wide and 1,200 ft deep in places. Its spectacular colors inspired the famous artist; Thomas Moran.

Yellowstone vacation

A Yellowstone vacation is the best retreat for an animal lover. Grizzly bears, nearly 600 in number and many more black bears have made Yellowstone National Park their home. Elks are 40,000 in numbers and can be fond in Lamar valley, Gibbon River, Norris junction, Elk Park and Mammoth hot spring areas. Bison, also called as American buffalo range can also be spotted while on a Yellowstone vacation. The last set of animals in the region took shelter in Yellowstone national park. You will find them in Pelican valley, Lamar and Hayden valleys.

Pelicans are natural elegant swimmers and are so striking to look at. You will find them between fishing bridge and Hayden valley. Trumpeter swans are the largest water fowls and the biggest and worlds heaviest flying birds. You can catch a glimpse of them near seven mile bridge. Lamar valley has abundant number of wolves and moose.

There are quite a lot of rodeos planned in the course of the year. Wyoming, the cowboy state is the most excellent place to attend a rodeo. Cheyenne Frontier day hosts the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. The Buffalo bill historical center at Cody has 5 museums under one roof. The entire place is a museum. There are a lot more like Teton flood museum at Rexburg, World museum of mining at Montana that speak of the rich culture of the past.

Yellowstone vacation activities

• Taking a raft journey is the best way to see the Yellowstone country sides. Various rafting companies offer picturesque, white water trips. You can thump through the rapid picket waves and relax while you slide through the charming sights of the Yellowstone national park.
  
  
• Familiarize yourself with Yellowstone while you can choose to hike on either of the 1300 miles of hiking trails. 98% is backcountry and only 2% is developed area in Yellowstone National Park. Ensure that you pick up your permit while you go hiking in the backcountry.
  
  
• Horse back riding is the most satisfying activity that all families visiting Yellowstone enjoy. The wild flowers, animals, soaring cliffs, mountain streams and plummeting water falls are a grand treat to the eyes.
  
  
• Camping is another activity while you are at Yellowstone Park. The solitude and the sights to be seen will be of a great attraction to all. Do not forget to carry your permit along.
  

Yellowstone accommodation

Since Yellowstone vacations can be taken probably at any time of the year, it is essential to plan your holiday and make Yellowstone accommodation bookings in advance. Yellowstone National Park is located adjacent to Grand Teton National Park, another famous holiday spot. The area has several gateway communities that offer lodging for Yellowstone vacationers.

Be it Jackson Hole or Lodge cabins dating back hundreds of years, you can choose from various accommodation options. Look up online booking sites for Yellowstone accommodation in summer and winter. Classic hotels, snow lodges or log cabins - you can find them all. There are camping sites and RV parking grounds too. 'In Park' accommodation and camping facilities can be availed of.

Pets are not permitted inside the hotels and are not permitted in the park too. You can choose to visit Yellowstone in spring when the green meadows and rolling hills beckon or in autumn to experience the wildlife. Take a guided fishing trip and look for fine trout or relax and take in the scenic Absaroka mountain range view. Winter vacation in Yellowstone promises a blanket of snow and special winter events and activities.