|
HomeTopics...Us Vacation SpotsYellowstone National Park
Sights and Activities at Yellowstone National ParkLooking for a wild vacation destination this year? Yellowstone National Park is a combination of wondrous geology, abundant biology, and spectacular scenery that is sure to amaze. It's located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, extending into Idaho on the west and Montana to the north.
The world's oldest national park, Yellowstone attracts about 3 million visitors a year. It is an open refuge for wildlife, including grizzly bears, elk, American bison, moose and wolves. The park is also a geologist's dream, featuring an active volcano, over 300 geysers, 290 waterfalls, and one of the world's largest calderas. Although most people think of wildlife viewing and roaring geysers as the main reasons to visit Yellowstone National Park, there are also a host of recreational activities for the whole family to enjoy. Here are some of the many options to consider when planning your vacation to Yellowstone National Park:
Old FaithfulYellowstone boasts almost sixty percent of the world's geysers, with the most famous of them all, Old Faithful. An Old Faithful eruption is an impressive affair. At regular intervals, some 3,700 to 8,400 gallons of steaming water gushes upward about 130 to 140 feet. The water temperature at the vent has been measured at 204°F, and the steam temperature can exceed 350°F. A stop at Old Faithful is definitely a necessity when visiting Yellowstone National Park.
The name Old Faithful is a bit misleading, as the geyser does not erupt as predictably as some may believe. The actual interval depends on the duration of the previous eruption and can range anywhere between 30 and 120 minutes. Harry M. Woodward first described a mathematical relationship between the duration and intervals of the eruption, but over the recent years, earthquakes have made the relationship inaccurate. The interval between eruptions has increased, but Old Faithful has become much more predictable ("faithful"), with eruptions occurring every sixty to ninety minutes. While you're in the area, be sure to take in these surrounding highlights:
Safety PrecautionsRemember that in a wild animal refuge such as Yellowstone National Park, the animals are truly wild. This means they can be unpredictable, particularly mothers with their young.
Be sure to keep a safe distance from all of the wildlife. Make use of roadside pullouts and binoculars or telephoto lenses to get a close up view. This allows you to view the animals without disturbing them. By being sensitive to their needs, you're likely to get a better view of them. Yellowstone National Park prohibits approaching a bear within 100 yards on foot, and prohibits approaching all other wildlife within 25 yards. Every year people are injured by the wildlife at Yellowstone National Park because they approach an animal too closely. Play it safe, and don't be one of them.
|
|
