Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a special place in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with parts also in Montana and Idaho. It became the very first national park in the United States and the world on March 1, 1872, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law to protect it.

The park is famous for its wild animals and amazing hot springs, especially Old Faithful, a geyser that shoots water into the air regularly. People have lived in the Yellowstone area for thousands of years.

The park covers a huge space of 3,468.4 square miles, with lakes, rivers, and mountains. One of its most interesting features is Yellowstone Lake, which sits on top of a giant super volcano called the Yellowstone Caldera. This volcano has erupted powerfully in the past but is now quiet.

Yellowstone is home to many animals, including grizzly bears, wolves, and large herds of bison and elk. The park offers many things to do, like hiking, camping, and watching the beautiful geysers. Every year, visitors come to see the wild nature and learn about the Earth’s powerful forces.

Name

The Yellowstone area has many names in Native American languages. For example, it is called pashaka, meaning "white mountain country," in Assiniboine. In Crow, it is known as aw' pawishe, which means "land of steam." Another name, memut neespah, meaning "boiling earth," comes from the Nez Perce language. The English name "Yellowstone" comes from a term used by the Hidatsa people for the Yellowstone River. This term was translated as "Yellow Stone" by explorer David Thompson.

History

Pre-Columbian era

Native Americans have used the Yellowstone area for a very long time. Archaeologists found old tools and camp signs from thousands of years ago. People followed animal herds and used resources from the land. They also used fire to help manage the land and attract animals.

A special stone from Obsidian Cliff became important around 1000 BC to 1000 AD. This stone was carried far away for special ceremonies. Some signs suggest people may have visited Yellowstone even earlier.

Late Native use and Western exploration

When horses came to the area, they changed how people lived and traveled. New groups began exploring the region. The first written description of Yellowstone’s unusual features was by a traveler named John Colter in the early 1800s. He talked about boiling water and strange smells, which people thought were just stories at first.

The first national park

The idea of protecting special places as national parks began in the 1800s. Artists and writers talked about saving nature for everyone. In 1869, a group of explorers journeyed through Yellowstone and shared what they found. Their reports helped leaders decide to protect the area.

On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law making Yellowstone the world’s first national park. This protected the land for everyone to enjoy.

Early civil and military administration

The first person in charge of Yellowstone had no money or help, making it hard to protect the park. Later, the U.S. Army helped manage the park and protect its wildlife. They built buildings and roads and made rules to keep the park safe.

Over time, more people began visiting Yellowstone. New roads and facilities were built to welcome tourists. Even during difficult times, people kept coming to see the park’s wonders.

Automobiles and further development

As more people started using cars to visit Yellowstone, the park had to change. New roads and entrances were built to welcome visitors from all directions. Workers helped develop trails, campgrounds, and visitor centers.

Big fires in 1988 caused damage, but the park was rebuilt. Earthquakes, like the one in 1959, also changed parts of the park. Through all these changes, Yellowstone remains a special place for people to explore nature.

Geography

See also: Mountains and mountain ranges of Yellowstone National Park, Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park, and Plateaus of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is in the northwest part of Wyoming, with small parts in Montana and Idaho. Most of the park is in Wyoming. The park is very big — it is larger than the whole state of Rhode Island or Delaware!

The park has many forests, some grasslands, and a few rivers and lakes. The biggest lake is Yellowstone Lake. There are also many waterfalls, deep canyons, and special stone forests. The land is mostly flat with tall mountains around it.

Geology

Main articles: Geothermal areas of Yellowstone, Yellowstone Caldera, and Yellowstone hotspot

Volcanism

Yellowstone's landscapes are shaped by a hotspot under the North American tectonic plate. This hotspot has created many volcanoes over time. The biggest is the Yellowstone Caldera. These volcanoes have filled the area with layers of rock and ash.

The hotspot is one of the largest volcanic systems in the world. It is sometimes called a supervolcano because of its huge eruptions. One big eruption happened 640,000 years ago. Even bigger eruptions happened millions of years ago.

Geysers and the hydrothermal system

See also: List of Yellowstone geothermal features

Old Faithful is perhaps the most famous geyser in the world. It erupts about every 90 minutes. Steamboat Geyser is the tallest active geyser on Earth. Yellowstone has more geysers than any other place in the world. The park also has many hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles.

Earthquakes

Yellowstone has many small earthquakes each year. Most are too small for people to feel. Some bigger earthquakes have happened in the past. These earthquakes help scientists learn about the park's active geology.

Biology and ecology

Main articles: Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Ecology of the Rocky Mountains

Yellowstone National Park is the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, a very large area that includes Grand Teton National Park, nearby forests, and wild lands. This ecosystem is one of the biggest natural areas left in the United States. Because wolves were brought back to the park in the 1990s, many animals and plants that lived there long ago are still there today. The park is also a great place for scientists to learn about nature.

Over 69,000 kinds of plants grow in the park, including trees like lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, and aspen. Some plants, like the rare Yellowstone sand verbena, grow only in the park. In the park’s warm waters, special tiny living things called bacteria create colorful mats, and these have helped scientists make important medical tools.

Yellowstone is a home for many animals, such as wolves, coyotes, elk, bison, and bears. The park has the largest herd of bison in the United States. Their numbers have grown from just a few in 1902 to around 6,000 today. The park is also one of the few places in the United States where black bears and grizzly bears live together. Other animals like lynx, cougars, and wolverines live in the park too, though they are seen less often.

Sometimes, bison leave the park and go to areas where people raise cattle. To help keep the bison safe and protect the cattle, park workers guide the bison back into the park when they wander out.

Wolves almost disappeared from Yellowstone, but in the 1990s, wolves from Canada were brought back to the park. Now, there are around 108 wolves in the park, and they help keep the numbers of other animals balanced.

Black bears are common in Yellowstone and have been a symbol of the park for many years. Grizzly bears also live in the area, and their numbers have changed over time. Today, there are about 150 grizzly bears in and around the park.

Elk are one of the most common animals in Yellowstone, with more than 30,000 in the park. Their numbers have changed because wolves hunt elk, and because elk now hide more in forests to stay safe.

The park is home to many fish, birds, and reptiles. A special fish is the Yellowstone cutthroat trout, which faces threats from other fish and diseases. Birds like bald eagles and trumpeter swans live in Yellowstone, along with many other kinds of birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Forest fires

See also: Yellowstone fires of 1988 and 1988–89 North American drought

Wildfires are a natural part of Yellowstone National Park. Plants in the park have special ways to survive fires. For example, Douglas-fir trees have thick bark to protect them, and lodgepole pines have cones that only open when a fire heats them up. Fires help clear out old wood, giving new plants space to grow.

Each year, about thirty-five fires start naturally from lightning, and a few more are started accidentally by people. Park staff watch for fires closely during the busy fire season from late June to mid-September. Most fires stay small and go out on their own. Park rules now allow natural fires to burn if they don’t danger people or buildings. Sometimes, controlled burns are used to safely remove dead wood and prevent bigger fires.

In 1988, a very dry summer led to big fires that spread quickly across Yellowstone. Though many structures were lost and the fires caused damage, no visitors were hurt. After this event, fire management policies were updated to better protect people and allow natural fires to help the land.

Climate and weather

Yellowstone's climate changes a lot because of its high altitude. The warmest day ever was 99 °F (37 °C) in 2002, and the coldest was −66 °F (−54 °C) in 1933. Summers from June to September usually have daytime temperatures between 70 °F and 80 °F (21 to 27 °C), but nights can get below freezing, especially in higher areas. Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms. Spring and fall temperatures are between 30 °F and 60 °F (−1 and 16 °C), with nights often very cold. Winters are cold, with daytime temperatures usually between 0 °F and 20 °F (−18 and −7 °C) and nights below 0 °F (−18 °C).

Rain and snow in Yellowstone change a lot. Some places get only 15 inches (380 mm) of rain each year, while others get up to 80 inches (2,000 mm). Snow can happen any month but is most common from November to April. The amount of snow around Yellowstone Lake averages about 150 inches (3,800 mm) each year, and even more at higher elevations.

Yellowstone sometimes has tornadoes, but they are very rare.

In June 2022, the park had to close because of very heavy rain. This caused some damage, and the park reopened later.

Cultural impact and heritage

Yellowstone National Park has a rich history. You can see this at 1,000 archeological sites and 1,106 historic buildings. Two special places, Obsidian Cliff and five buildings, are recognized as important National Historic Landmarks. In 1976, the park became an International Biosphere Reserve, and in 1978, it was named a United Nations World Heritage Site.

Visitors can learn more at the Heritage and Research Center near Gardiner, Montana. This center has a museum, archives, a library, and labs for studying plants and history. It holds many important records about Yellowstone and the National Park Service.

Recreation

Main articles: Trails of Yellowstone National Park and Angling in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most popular parks in the United States. Many people visit the park each year. July is the busiest month. During summer, many workers help run hotels, gas stations, stores, and campgrounds.

Roads in the park lead to many famous places, but sometimes they close because of construction. In winter, most roads close to cars except one from Gardiner, Montana to Cooke City, Montana. The park has many paved roads and five entrances. There are no buses inside the park, but tour companies offer rides, including self-guided trips. In winter, special tours using snowmobile and snow coach are available.

Yellowstone offers many ways to have fun, but it’s important to stay safe. The park has visitor centers and museums, and many old buildings to see. There are campsites, hiking trails, and special paths near hot springs to keep visitors safe. Fishing is popular, and a special fishing license is needed. Some areas only allow catching fish and letting them go. Boating is only allowed in a few places.

Nearby, there are other beautiful places like national forests and parks. Close to Yellowstone are towns such as West Yellowstone, Montana; Cody, Wyoming; and Gardiner, Montana. The nearest big airports are in Bozeman, Montana; Billings, Montana; and Jackson, Wyoming.