Yellowstone National Park
(Please check the National Park Service Website for up-to-date information regarding Yellowstone National Park road closures and status.)
Spanning the states of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, Yellowstone National Park stands as a testament to the raw, untamed beauty of the American West. Primarily situated in the northwest corner of Wyoming, this vast preserve encompasses 3,470 square miles of unparalleled natural wonders. As the world’s first national park, established in 1872, Yellowstone draws millions of visitors each year, eager to witness its geothermal features, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes. This seasonal destination offers a plethora of activities, ensuring an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages and interests.
The story of Yellowstone National Park is inextricably linked to the cataclysmic forces that shaped its dramatic terrain. Approximately 640,000 years ago, a supervolcanic eruption of unimaginable magnitude reshaped the landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the environment. This colossal event ejected a vast volume of ash and debris, blanketing much of the western United States, the Midwest, northern Mexico, and even extending to areas along the eastern Pacific Coast. The eruption resulted in the formation of a volcanic depression, a caldera, measuring roughly 30 miles wide and 45 miles long. Early American pioneers, witnessing the bubbling mud pots and steaming vents, dubbed this region "the place where hell bubbles up," a testament to the powerful geothermal activity that continues to define Yellowstone.
At the heart of Yellowstone National Park lies a sleeping giant: one of the world’s largest active volcanoes. While currently dormant, the Yellowstone volcano is known to have erupted approximately every 600,000 years, a cycle that scientists continue to monitor closely. The park’s remarkable geothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots, serve as surface manifestations of the intense heat emanating from the magma chamber beneath. Old Faithful, perhaps the park’s most iconic feature, is a prime example of this geothermal activity, erupting with predictable regularity and drawing crowds of onlookers. While these spectacular displays enthrall and mystify visitors, they are a constant reminder of the immense power that lies beneath the surface. Scientific estimates suggest that the last major eruption of the Yellowstone volcano may have drastically reduced the global population, potentially dwindling to as few as 10,000 individuals.
The name "Yellowstone National Park" itself is derived from the distinctive yellow hue of the rocks found in the rocky cliffs along the northern portion of the Yellowstone River. This coloration is due to the presence of iron in the rocks, which imparts a yellow tint to the landscape. Native American tribes, who inhabited the region for millennia, referred to the river as "Mitzi-a-dazi," meaning "River of Yellow Rocks." French fur trappers, who later explored the area, translated this name to "Yellow Rock" or "Yellow Stone," which eventually became the official name of the park.
Archaeological evidence indicates that Native Americans have inhabited the Yellowstone National Park region for at least 12,000 years. These early inhabitants were primarily hunter-gatherers, relying on the abundant resources of the land for sustenance. Obsidian, a volcanic glass found in the park, was a particularly valuable resource, used to create cutting tools, weapons, and other implements. Archaeological finds, including arrowheads made of Yellowstone obsidian, have been discovered as far away as the Mississippi Valley, suggesting a robust trade network between the tribes of Yellowstone and those further east. It is also believed that some of these early inhabitants engaged in limited farming activities.
The exploration of the Yellowstone National Park region by European Americans began in the early 19th century. In 1806, John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, left the group to join a party of fur trappers. Colter is credited as the first non-Native American to venture into the Yellowstone region and establish contact with the local tribes, including the Sheepeaters, a band of Shoshone who subsisted by hunting bighorn sheep and fishing the rivers of the area. During the winter of 1807-08, Colter traversed the region, trapping, exploring, and encountering the wonders of Yellowstone. He later journeyed into what is now known as Jackson Hole and crossed the Grand Teton range into Idaho. In the fall of 1808, Colter was captured by Blackfeet Indians but managed a daring escape. Upon his return to Missouri, Colter’s accounts of steaming earth and boiling mud were met with skepticism and ridicule, earning Yellowstone the moniker "Colter’s Hell."
Decades later, in 1857, mountain man Jim Bridger led an expedition to Yellowstone National Park, further fueling the rumors and legends surrounding the area. Bridger, known for his penchant for telling "tall tales," returned with stories of boiling springs and spouting water, which were largely dismissed due to his established reputation.
Despite the skepticism, the tales of Colter and Bridger piqued the interest of explorer and geologist Dr. Ferdinand V. Hayden. In 1859, Hayden initiated a survey of the upper Missouri River region, accompanied by U.S. Army surveyor W.F. Raynolds and Jim Bridger as a guide. Unfortunately, heavy snow prevented the party from reaching the Yellowstone region. The Civil War then interrupted further exploration efforts, and Hayden was unable to resume his mission for another eleven years.
Before Hayden’s return, a group of Montanans organized their own expedition in 1870. This group, known as the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition, was led by Montana surveyor-general Henry Washburn. Nathaniel P. Langford, who later became known as "National Park Langford" and served as the first superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, was also a member of the expedition. Over the course of a month, the group explored the region, naming many of the iconic sites that are still in use today.
In the meantime, Dr. Hayden had been working with the government to sponsor a second expedition to Yellowstone National Park, and discussions were underway to establish Yellowstone as a National Park. In early 1871, the U.S. Geological Survey sponsored Hayden’s second trip to the park. His team included naturalists, geologists, a landscape artist, and two photographers.
Following closely on the heels of the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition, Hayden’s group compiled a comprehensive report on Yellowstone National Park, including photographs and paintings that played a crucial role in convincing the U.S. Congress to create Yellowstone National Park on March 1, 1872.
Nathaniel P. Langford was appointed as the first superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. However, the lack of funding for a salary forced him to seek employment elsewhere. During his five-year tenure, he only visited the park twice: once as a guest on another Hayden Expedition in 1872, and the second time to evict a man claiming ownership of Boiling River, a natural spring within the park.
Philetus Norris, the second superintendent, volunteered for the position and reported on the problems he witnessed firsthand. Finally, Congress provided funds for a salary and a minimal amount to operate the park. Despite this, understaffing led to the destruction of Yellowstone’s natural resources, as poachers killed animals, souvenir hunters broke off geological formations, and developers established tourist camps.
In response to these issues, the U.S. Army was called upon to manage Yellowstone National Park. In August 1886, the army arrived and maintained a military presence in Yellowstone for over 30 years. After enduring five cold winters in temporary frame buildings at Camp Sheridan, the Army requested funds from Congress to establish a permanent post. Fort Yellowstone was completed by late 1891, and additional buildings were constructed to accommodate the troops. At its peak in 1910, Fort Yellowstone housed 324 soldiers. The Army managed the park until 1918 when the newly established National Park Service assumed responsibility.
Today, Yellowstone National Park remains one of the most beloved national parks in the United States. Visitors can marvel at the park’s hot springs, canyons, geysers, lakes, and abundant wildlife. Popular activities include fishing, boating, hiking, and camping, as well as wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot buffalo, moose, bighorn sheep, elk, and other iconic species.
Lodging options, ranging from hotels to cabins, are available at eleven locations within the park boundaries.
(Please check the National Park Service Website for up-to-date information regarding road closures and status.)
Contact Information:
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190-0168
307-344-7381
