Yellowstone may be world-famous now, but back in the early 19th century, the first American to discover it was written off a as a madman. John Colter was a former explorer with Lewis and Clark, and the world couldn't believe that the hot springs and geysers he claimed to have seen on his way back from the expedition were real. It actually took 50 years for an organized expedition to fully explore the area, and they were certainly stunned to find that the legends of fire and brimstone were true. In 1872, it was protected as the America's first National Park. Every inch of this natural wonderland is worth exploring, from its geysers and hot springs to its canyons and forests.
4213 Sioux Circle, Island Park, ID, United States
The hike along Fountain Paint Pots Trail is super easy, it's only about a half a mile long loop, and it takes you past some wild mud pots and fumaroles. It's especially nice if you're with kids, etc. since it's short and on a boardwalk...plus the mysteriously bubbling mud is always interesting for kids to see.
Morning Glory is a hot spring that's famous for its unusual colors, caused by bacteria that inhabit the water. However, over the years, it's changed colors thanks to vandalism and pollution, it used to be almost entirely blue. It's still one of the park's most unusually beautiful features, though.
One of the park's most iconic features, Old Faithful is a geyser that launches boiling hot water over 100 feet into the air several times a day. The amount of time in between eruptions varies, but the NPS is good about posting predicted times in most buildings, but it usually happens about 17 times a day, so you have plenty of chances to see it happen. It can get crowded, so get there early for a good spot.
4213 Sioux Circle, Island Park, Idaho, United States
The coolest features of Yellowstone aren't all geothermal, and the imposing waterfall in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a great example of this. The Yellowstone River tumbles down two waterfalls in this 24-mile-long canyon that at points is nearly a mile wide. It's an incredibly popular wonder to photograph. TIP: Head to Inspiration Point for a gorgeous photo of the canyon in all its glory.
The best time of year to visit Yellowstone National Park: There's really no bad time to visit Yellowstone. During the winter, some roads and lodges close, but the park is no less beautiful covered in snow, and it's nice to kind of have the place to yourself. Spring and fall mean beautiful colors, and summer is, of course, always incredibly popular. But, if you plan to visit between May and September, make sure to plan and book everything well in advance.