In 1872, Yellowstone National Park not only became America's first national park, but also the first national park in the world. The park is one of the world's largest volcanic craters. It is home to the largest collection of geysers in the world, numbering more than 300, as well as over 10,000 thermal features. There are over 290 waterfalls with the park's showpiece being the 308 foot Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. It is also one of the last, nearly intact, natural ecosystems in the Earth's temperate zone. The park covers a massive 2,219,789 acres, with the majority located in the state of Wyoming, and extending into Idaho and Montana. There is an abundance of wildlife with 7 species of hooved mammals, 2 species of bear and 67 other mammals, 322 species of birds, and 16 species of fish. There are over 1,100 species of native plants, more than 200 species of exotic plants and over 400 species of thermopholes.
Yellowstone National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. However, from November to May or June, the park is closed to wheeled vehicles. During these months, access can only be made via snowcoaches and snowmobiles. Road conditions should be checked prior to making your way into Yellowstone, especially from Autumn to Spring.
Average Temperatures you can expect in Yellowstone are listed in the table below.
| Season | Range |
|---|---|
| Summer | 0C to 25C |
| Autumn | -13C to 11C |
| Winter | -17C to -5C |
| Spring | -13C to 11C |
Listed below are some of the mammals animals that can be found in the Park.
Before travelling into bear country, it is recommended that you learn what to do if you come into contact with a bear. Simply click here for further information on Bear Awareness.
Additional information on the Park can be found at the following websites: http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm and http://www.yellowstonenationalpark.com. There are also many other websites available; just use your favourite search engine to discover more about this amazing place.