Yellowstone National Park stretches across the secluded north-west corner of Wyoming, reaching into Idaho and Montana. Founded in 1872, Yellowstone was the world’s first national park and now hosts over four million adventurers each year.

A 12-hour drive from Seattle or a five-hour from Salt Lake City, there is no doubt that it is an expedition to get there, but the moment you step foot in this vast park, you will realize it is worth every mile. With interminable green prairies, breathtaking mountain ranges, and abundant wildlife, Yellowstone is the very best of North American wilderness, wrapped up into a 2-million-acre gift for nature lovers.

Yellowstone is a geothermal extravaganza that sits atop a slumbering super volcano, which has violently erupted over 60,000 years ago. Geologists have long debated the caldera’s origins, and theories abound as to when the next big eruption is due. Anyway, do not let the merchants of doom put you off! The seismic activity is closely controlled to keep visitors out of danger.

One of the best places to witness the geothermal activity bubbling beneath Yellowstone is at Grand Prismatic Spring, just under 25 miles from the park’s west entrance. The vivid pool from afar is admirable but forget the idea of jumping in! These steaming waters can reach temperatures near boiling. In the south, we can see Old Faithful, one of the most visited geysers in the world. Old Faithful punctually spews boiling water and steam into the sky every 60 to 90 minutes.

Yellowstone is not only an impressive display of geothermal activities; it is also laced with lush forests, rivers, and lakes. Yellowstone Lake is the tranquil heart of the park, and outdoor enthusiasts come together here for all sorts of recreational activities. Visitors can cast a line in the icy and high-altitude waters; venture out in a kayak; or explore the lapping shores on foot.

The park is not only rich with legends and precious views; it is also teeming with wildlife. Yellowstone has long been a natural habitat for America’s native animals, and the park’s greatest success story is the establishment of the mighty bison. Today, Yellowstone hosts the largest remaining wild herd in the world. In Hayden Valley, a close encounter with the robust beast is likely to happen. So, keep your eyes open!

One of the most dramatic sights in the park is the Yellowstone River. Flowing from Yellowstone Lake, the river heads north before plunging 300 feet off Lower Falls and into the Yellowstone Grand Canyon. Leave your worries behind and embark on the short hike to the Artists' Park – one of the best places to sit and marvel at the immensity of this natural wonder!

Still in the park’s north, dense trees open out into rolling prairies in Lamar Valley. Its lush fields are watered by babbling brooks and framed by a backdrop of snowcapped peaks. Bringing binoculars is recommended to catch a closer glimpse of more wild bison, along with the Yellowstone’s other native animals.

When evening sets in, each visitor is offered a chance to set up a tent at one of the many campsites or to head out of the park’s north entrance to Gardiner. This gateway town is the perfect haven for weary travelers. To make your visit unforgettable, you can warm yourself with a hearty meal at one of the many saloons before continuing you epic Yellowstone adventure.

Sources: Britannica, Yellowstone National Park