If we had to choose a famous national park in the United States and even in the world, without a doubt, it would be Yellowstone.
Yellowstone National Park has earned its popularity not only for being the first of its kind in the world, established in 1872, but also because it is the perfect combination of unique geology, impressive biodiversity, and a spectacle of wildlife.
A few days ago, we had the opportunity to explore this enormous park located between Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming for 4 days, and it completely exceeded our expectations.
Its grandeur and diversity in vegetation, wildlife, and even geological formations make this park a magical treasure.
Today, I want to share with you the most iconic points of this park so you can get to know it when you decide to visit.
For us, there was no better way to enjoy the park than by immersing ourselves in it. That’s why we decided to camp in one of its campgrounds equipped for visitors.
The campground where we stayed is called Madison and is only 20 minutes by car from the west entrance of the park and the town of West Yellowstone.
Sleeping in one of the park’s campgrounds is a great option to enjoy the attractions from early morning until sunset, if you wish.
However, it is important to know that if you want to stay in one of them, you must reserve the space at least six months in advance on the official website because they are very popular.
This campground can accommodate 6 people per site, has restrooms, and a bear-proof box to store all your food, kitchen, and any items that might attract animals.
However, this campground does not have electrical hookups or showers, but around the park, you can find showers and laundromats that you can use for a few extra dollars. Likewise, you can find several stores with souvenirs and even places to eat.
Yellowstone has thousands of kilometers of land and water bodies and dozens of attractive points to see and enjoy.
We tried to make the most of our 4 days and visit some of the most iconic spots.
On the first day, we decided to start with one of the park’s most popular attractions called the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
I was breathless admiring the impressive canyon walls, carved by the Yellowstone River over thousands of years, and the force of the water rushing freely through the waterfall. Without a doubt, it is a place you cannot miss.
The view from the top of Brink of the Upper Falls, 308 feet (93.9 m), truly left us speechless.
Then we continued exploring the park by car and stopped at other major attractions such as Gibbon Falls, Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Kepler Cascades, Fountain Paint Pot (Lower Geyser Basin), and Black Sand Geyser.
At the end of the afternoon, we took a stop at the Grant Village Visitor Center, where we took a shower (well-deserved) and even dried some of our clothes that had gotten wet from the rain.
To end our tour with a golden touch, we took advantage of the fact that many people had already left the park to visit another of the most popular attractions known as the "Grand Prismatic Spring" located in the Midway Geyser Basin of Yellowstone.
The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world, followed by Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica.
The vibrant colors in the prismatic spring are the result of pigmented bacteria in the biofilms that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich waters.
The bacteria produce colors ranging from green to red. The deep blue color of the water in the center of the spring is the result of the intrinsic blue color of the water, due to the selective absorption of red wavelengths of visible light by the water.
Although this effect is responsible for making all large bodies of water blue, it is particularly intense in the Grand Prismatic Spring due to the great purity and depth of the water in the center of the spring.
This photo was taken two days after our first visit, where fortunately the weather cleared favorably.
Being so close to this hot spring was truly impressive and left us breathless. It was like being on a canvas painted by nature itself.
In addition to the hot springs, I discovered that Yellowstone is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife. During an animal watching tour, I had the opportunity to see majestic bison, graceful elk, and some other animals (just on the first day).
Each encounter was an exciting experience and reminded me of the importance of protecting these habitats for future generations.
One of the most important lessons I took from Yellowstone was the fragility of the ecosystem and the need to protect it for future generations. The natural beauty I witnessed here is a powerful reminder of our responsibility to be good stewards of the Earth.
My experience in Yellowstone National Park was truly unforgettable. From the impressive geysers to the majestic wildlife, every moment was magical. But beyond the natural wonders, what really impacted me was the connection with nature and the understanding of our role as protectors of this unique treasure on Earth.
So, if you ever have the opportunity to visit Yellowstone National Park, do not hesitate to do so! I am sure you will take away memories for a lifetime and an even deeper appreciation for the beauty and importance of nature in our lives.
Considerations if you visit Yellowstone National Park:
- Pets are not allowed on trails and must be physically controlled at all times.
- Smelly foods are not allowed outside of protected containers, as they attract bears.
- Avoid washing dishes or brushing your teeth at exterior campground faucets.
- Campfires should only be in established fire grates and should not be left burning unsupervised.
- Store your food, utensils, and coolers properly to avoid attracting bears.
- Recycle and keep a clean campsite, disposing of all trash in bear-proof containers.
- Only camp in designated sites, with a maximum of six people per site.
- Cutting or taking wood from trees is not allowed, but dead wood can be used for campfires.
- Wheeled vehicles, including trailers, must remain on pavement.
- Keep pets within 100 feet of roads and parking areas.
If you want to learn more about all the interesting things we saw in Yellowstone, don’t miss our second special article from this park, which we will be publishing very soon.