Yellowstone National Park

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Yellowstone National Park is one of those famously popular destinations that exceeds expectations; no wonder so many people flock to it.

Yellowstone National Park

Natural wonders

The Old Faithful geyser, right, has become the emblem of this famous Park, and seeing it blow its stack at a predictable time is definitely a high point; yet other natural wonders are more beautiful. The Mammoth Terraces and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone get votes in the Visual Splendors category.

Lodgings

This Park has man-made beauties, too, with three unique historic inns: the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel; the magnificently rustic Old Faithful Inn; and the classy Lake Yellowstone Hotel. 

Wildlife

More elusive, but thrilling when spotted, are the Park's living creatures. With luck, you'll glimpse a wolf or grizzly bear. Certainly, you'll see elk and herds of bison.

But perhaps the real emblem of the world's first national park should be its massive gate, engraved with the words "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People." 

Yellowstone National Park's creation by President Ulysses Grant in 1872 marked a turning point in how nature was viewed by people.  Those words, "Benefit and Enjoyment of the People" were weighty ones: before 1872, an expanse of land like Yellowstone would have benefited only the few guys who discovered and got rich from it. Dedicating a huge park for "the People" was a true breakthrough.

This giant gate, leading into the National Park's 2.2 million acres, is a kind of Statue of Liberty for the environment. 

continue to Yellowstone National Park photos and info:
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Park lodgings: introduction	Yellowstone Lake Hotel	Mammoth Terraces
geothermal wonders	wildlife	Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

All Images (c) by Teresa Plowright. 

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