Created in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first and one of its most famous national parks. The park’s legendary geothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, and bubbling pools, are powered by a slumbering supervolcano that underlies the park. Fortunately, the last eruption of the volcano occurred 631,000 years ago, creating the more than 1,500-square-mile Yellowstone Caldera at the heart of the 3,468-square-mile park. Bison, bears, elk, and wolves share the park with the millions of people who visit each year. Visitors come to see postcard attractions like Old Faithful but also to venture into the park’s canyons, climb its mountains, hike, camp, and—in winter—tour by snowmobile and snow coach.
West Yellowstone, Montana, United States
