Inside Yellowstone National Park: World’s oldest national park

Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, is the world’s first national park, and automatically, the oldest too. The park is a 2.2-million-acre wonderland of geothermal marvels, rugged yet scenic landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Yellowstone National Park is spread across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and most interestingly, it sits atop a massive supervolcano. This is the reason behind the iconic geysers. Here are six most distinctive features that make Yellowstone National Park unlike any other place on Earth.

Named Old Faithful, this iconic geyser is predictable to say the least. It shoots water up to 180 feet, roughly every 90 minutes. It’s truly a sight to see. Ever since its discovery in 1870, over 1 million eruptions have been recorded. This attraction is loved by many, and one will always find viewers waiting patiently at the viewing area for the next eruption.

This is the largest hot spring in the U.S. The spring looks magnificent with its rainbow colours. The colourful look is because of the thermophilic bacteria thriving at different temperatures. It’s truly a living piece of art. The spring is approximately 370 feet in diameter, and has a boardwalk to get closer to the spring. There’s also the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail from which one can get a good aerial view of the spring and the neighbouring areas.

Lamar Valley is also known as the “Serengeti of North America.” This valley is a great spot for wildlife lovers. This is where you can spot bison, wolves, grizzly bears, and elk in a vast, open landscape. Interestingly, wild wolves were reintroduced here in 1995. For best experiences, get yourself a guided tour of Lamar Valley.

These travertine terraces are formed by calcium carbonate deposits from hot water, creating a surreal, stair-like landscape that constantly evolves. Interestingly, the terraces grow by approximately 1 inch every year due to mineral deposits. The hot springs are best viewed from the boardwalks around the Lower and Upper terraces.

This is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America. Sitting at 7,732 feet above sea level, this lake is a pristine body of water with geothermal features like hot springs along its shores. And because of this reason only, even at such altitude, the lake remains partially unfrozen. Visit West Thumb Geyser Basin for the best view of the lake.

Did you know that Yellowstone National Park is home to one of the last free-roaming bison herds in the U.S.? There are around 4,800 of these majestic animals roaming in the wild and they make for a great wildlife viewing experience. Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley are some of the best places to spot these truly majestic creatures. There are guided tours available.