Yellowstone National Park - Parque Nacional de Yellowstone

yellowstone[1] is a national park of U.S it is a UNESCO World Heritage. It was the world's first national park, created in 1872 to preserve the vast amount of geysers, hot springs and other hot springs, as well as the incredible amount of wildlife and stunning beauty of the area. Most of the park is in the Wyoming, but it also occupies part of the states of the Idaho It's from Montana.

Understand

Yellowstone is the first and oldest national park in the world and covers 8987 km², most of which included in the Wyoming. The park is famous for its many geysers, hot springs, and other hot springs. It is home to grizzly bears, wolves, bison and uapitis.

History

The Grand Geyser, Yellowstone's largest predictable geyser, which can squirt boiling water up to a height of 150 feet.

Long before any human presence was recorded in Yellowstone, a huge volcano spewed out a huge amount of ash that covered the western part of the U.S, much of Midwest, O north of Mexico, and some areas of the east coast of the Pacific. The eruption left a huge caldera. Yellowstone typically erupts every 600,000-900,000 years, with the last eruption occurring 640,000 years ago. Its eruptions are among the largest that have ever occurred on Earth, causing drastic climate changes. Although it is assumed that the name comes from the stones (stones) yellow (yellow) from the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the park's name comes from the Yellowstone River, which runs through the park, which gets its name from some sandstone cliffs that lie further down the river in the eastern part of the park. Montana.

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the world's first National Park, by order of President Ulysses S. Grant. In 1978 it was declared UNESCO World Heritage[2].

Landscape

The park's geological features are the basis of an ecosystem. In Yellowstone, the interaction between volcanic, hydrothermal and glacial processes and the distribution of flora and fauna is complex and unique. The topography of the Yellowstone Territory is the result of millions of years of hotspot influence. Some scientists believe the Yellowstone Plateau is the result of volcanism due to a hotspot.

Flora and fauna

Birds of prey such as bald eagles (pictured), golden eagles, and hawks are common in the park. This bald eagle was photographed while hunting near Mammoth Hot Springs in the northern part of the park.

The park is the center of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest temperate ecosystems in the world. Inside the park you can find black bears, grizzly bears, deer, uapitis, bison, wild sheep.

thermal activity

All over the park you can see geysers, hot springs and fumaroles, which exist because of the still active Yellowstone volcano on top of which they sit. These are formed by water over-heated by the volcano. If the pressure is too intense, it is released through hundreds of liters of water squirted into the air; if not, hot springs are formed. The various colors these fonts have are due to the different types of bacteria that grow there. A good way to learn about Yellowstone's spa activity is through the Young Scientist program. Talk to the Rangers at Old Faithful Information Center.

Climate

the weather in Yellowstone can change quickly, from hot and sunny to cold and rainy, so it's important to wear multiple layers of clothing that can be worn as needed.

• Summer - Daytime temperatures hover around 25°C and occasionally 30°C at low elevations. Nights are usually cool and temperatures can drop below 0°C on top of some mountains. Storms are common in the afternoon.

• Winter - Temperatures are often between -20°C and -5°C during the day. During the night it is common for temperatures to drop below -20ºC. The lowest temperature ever recorded is -54°C. Snowfall is highly variable. While the average is 3.81 meters per year, it is not uncommon for high mountains to snow twice that amount.

• Spring autumn - Daytime temperatures range from 0° to 20°C with temperature drops at night (-5 to -20°C). It is common to snow in spring and autumn with accumulations of 30 cm of snow in a 24-hour period. At any time of year, prepare for the sudden changes that characterize Yellowstone's climate. Always bring a wide variety of clothing. Always bring a warm jacket and a raincoat, even in summer.

To arrive

By airplane

Official map of the National Park Service.

Yellowstone is located far from any major airport. The main airport that serves the park is the Jackson Hole Airport (IATA: JAC) [3], located in the Grand Teton National Park. There are direct flights to Jackson Hole from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City. Most flights are seasonal.

As flights to Jackson Hole Airport are infrequent and expensive, a better way to get into Yellowstone is to fly into Salt Lake City, [4] (It receives many flights from various domestic and international destinations) and drive to Yellowstone via I-15 and US 20 — a distance of about 515km or 5-6 hours.

Smaller airports with rare/seasonal flights are:

Montana

• Billings (IATA: BIL) [5]
• Bozeman (IATA: BZN) [6]
• Butte (IATA: BTM) [7]
• West Yellowstone (IATA: WYS)

Idaho

• Idaho Falls (IATA: outward) [8]

Wyoming

• Cody (IATA: COD) [9]

These airports may have fewer flights than Jackson Hole.

By car

The park has five entrances. The cities closest to these entrances are indicated.

• North - Accessible from Gardiner (Montana) via US Route 89 (90 km from Livingston). This entrance is open all year and takes you to the park's headquarters in Mammoth Hot Springs, about 8 km from the park entrance. the iconic Roosevelt's Arch is located at this entrance.
• North East - Accessible from Silver Gate and Cooke City via US Route 212. The entrance and road to Cooke City are open year round, but Route 212 beyond Cooke City is closed in winter (mid-October to late May).
• This one - Accessible from Cody (85 km) via US Route 14/16/20. This entry is closed in winter (beginning of November-beginning of May).
• South - Accessible from the Grand Teton National Park via US Route 89/191/287. This entry is closed in winter (from early November to mid May).
• West - Accessible from West Yellowstone via US Route 20/191/287 (97 km from Ashton (Idaho). This entrance is closed in winter (beginning of November to end of April).

Fees and Permissions

All vehicles and people entering the park pay admission and can stay in the park for seven days. For this price you can enter either Yellowstone Park or Grand Teton Park. Admission is $25 for non-commercial vehicles, $12 for cyclists and pedestrians, and $20 for motorcycles and snowmobiles.

You can also buy one-year passes. The Annual Park Pass costs $50 and provides admission to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks. The Interagency Annual Pass costs $80 and is admission to most federal recreational sites in the country, including Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

circle

By car

Most visitors use a car to move around the National Park. There is no public transport available in the park. Roads can become full of traffic when people stop to see wildlife; pull over, and be respectful to other drivers to avoid traffic jams.

For a price, these classic buses take passengers on a guided tour of the Grand Loop Road.

By bus/bus

THE Xanterra Resorts[10] operates a tour bus service during the summer. The Lower Loop Tour only departs from locations in the southern part of the park. The Upper Loop Tour departs from the Lake Hotel, Fishing Bridge RV Park Motorhome Park, and Canyon Lodge and runs through the northern section of the park. The Grand Loop Tour departs from Gardiner and the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and travels across the park in one day. During winter these buses are replaced by snowmobiles that depart from various locations in the park. Call (307) 344-7311 for information and/or reservations.

In addition to these, during the summer some companies take guided tours of the park, which start in many of the towns in the area. During winter, some companies operate tourist snowmobiles for most park roads and tour buses for the roads from Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City.

By bike

Cycling in the park can be a very rewarding experience, but due to the great distances, you have to plan your day to ensure you have a place to sleep every night. The park reserves some camping sites for cyclists, but during the busy summer season, it's best to reserve those sites, or you risk running out of sleep.

Look

Yellowstone is world famous for its natural heritage and beauty - and the highest concentration of hot springs in the world, with over 10,000 examples. In Yellowstone you can see over 300 geysers (like "Old Faithful"), hot springs, and an impressive amount of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, bison and uapitis, all atop the caldera of the world's largest super volcano. world.

mammoth

• Mammoth Hot Springs (Mammoth Hot Springs) - Mineral-laden thermal waters flow from springs, depositing calcite and other substances in their path. As time passes, these deposits form large terraces and other limestone formations. Some of the terraces grow several centimeters a day.
• Fort Yellowstone - A former US Army base when he was in possession of the national park. It currently serves as the headquarters of Yellowstone National Park.
• Bunsen Peak - The hike to the top of this 2599 m peak takes approximately three hours there and back. The peak has good views over former Fort Yellowstone, but some parts of the path are steep. Bring water and something to eat.
• Boiling river (boiling river) - This small river is one of the few places in the park where you can soak in naturally heated water. It's usually full of people, so if you're visiting the park in high season, try to visit it early in the morning.

Norris

Looking like an image from space, cyanobacteria abound in the scalding waters of the Biscuit Basin.

• Norris Geyser Basin (Norris Geyser Basin) - One of the many spectacular thermal areas in the park, where the Steamboat Geyser is located (Steamboat Geyser), the world's largest geyser, which can squirt water up to 90 meters high when it erupts. The Norris area is the hottest, most acidic and most variable in the park.
• Mount Roaring (Roar Mountain) - A collection of fumaroles and hot springs that create noises ranging from inaudible to roars that can be heard miles away. It's right by the park road.
• Gibbon River (Gibbon River) - The Gibbon River is born in Lake Wolf (Lake of the Wolf), meanders throughout the park, through the Virginia Cascades, flowing into the Madison River. It is very popular for trout fishing.
• Virginia Cascades (Virginia waterfalls) - An impressive 18 meter waterfall, part of the Gibbon River.

Madison

• Artist Paint Pots (Artist's Paint Puddles) - A half-mile walk (approximately 800 meters) takes you through a lot of hot springs and fumaroles.
• Monument Geyser Basin (Monument Geyser Basin) - Although it is mostly extinct, the Monument Geyser Basin contains several travertine structures and offers great views from its access path (about 1.6 km).
• Gibbons Falls (Gibbon waterfalls) - These 25.5 meter waterfalls cascade down rock formations in the shape of a stairway - easy to see from the park's highway.
• Madison River - This river creates a canyon with steep rock walls on both sides, covered with trees. Although you can fish here, the fish has to be caught and released, it is impossible to keep it.
• Terrace Springs (Terrace Fountains) - A collection of little-known bubbly hot springs. It's by no means the park's most popular or interesting attraction, but if you have a lot of time to spare you can visit.
• Firehole Falls (Firehole Cascade) - A waterfall visible from Firehole Canyon Drive (Firehole Canyon Road). Although there are much smaller waterfalls in the park, it's still impressive.
• Mount National Park (National Park Mountain) - The mountain where the Firehole and Madison rivers meet. By all accounts, this is where the idea of ​​declaring Yellowstone a National Park came from.

geyser basins

• Upper Geyser Basin (Upper Geyser Basin) - Of the most popular areas of the park, the Upper Geyser Basin has the most geysers in the park, with over 100 in an area of ​​one square mile. The most interesting areas can be accessed via several wooden walkways. do not leave the bridges; the surface here is thin and unstable and there is a high possibility of falling into a pool of boiling water if you walk where you shouldn't.
  • old faithful (old faithful) - Probably the most famous geyser in the world, with large eruptions that occur, on average, every hour and a half. Despite the reputation that their eruptions have for being very regular, the time between each eruption has been increasing in recent decades. Rangers can predict geyser eruptions with a margin of error of 10 minutes, as long as the duration of the previous eruption is known.
  • Other Upper Geyser Basin geysers that are known enough to be predictable are the grand geyser (great geyser; probably the best predictable geyser in the park), the Castle Geyser (Castle Geyser), Daisy Geyser (Daisy Geyser), it's the Riverside Geyser (riverside geyser). Go to the Old Faithful Information Center to find out about eruption predictions, which ones will have unexpected delays or advances, etc.
• Lower Geyser Basin (Lower Geyser Basin) - Unlike the Upper Basin, the most active areas of this one are accessible by car. O Great Fountain Geyser (Great Source Geyser) is the largest geyser of this group, easily accessible by car, and is sufficiently understood to be predictable; go to the Old Faithful Information Center, and when you go to the geyser, look at the bulletin board, because its behavior allows for updates of information about forecasts.

The Grand Prismatic Spring, seen from above. There is a trail that runs along the back of the fountain and lets you go up to approximately 120 meters, and see the entire basin at once. For a closer view, there are walkways that pass right by the fountain and neighboring ponds.

• Midway Geyser Basin (Middle Geyser Basin) - This geyser basin is located on a hill overlooking the Firehole River. Some of its fountains drain water into the river, leaving the earth through which they flow colored. Absolutely awesome!
  • Grand Prismatic Spring (Large Prismatic Fountain) - The best known attraction of this basin, and perhaps even of the park, this is an impressive blue water lagoon with shades of yellow and orange in the land around it. This fountain is over 95 meters wide.
  • Excelsior Geyser (Excelsior Geyser) - It had such violent eruptions that it blew itself out. This geyser has not erupted in decades, but it continues to flow more than 15130 liters of water into the nearby Firehole River.
• Lone Star Geyser Basin (Lone Star Geyser Basin) - This and the next are more like "to do" than to "see" because it needs some walking to get there. The walking trail starts from Loop Road south of the Upper Geyser Basin and follows an old and currently closed road through mountains for a total of 5 km. A good walk for families.
• Shoshone Geyser Basin (Shoshone Geyser Basin) - You need to walk a lot to reach this specific basin, which is beyond the Lone Star Geyser Basin, a good 12 km from the beginning of the trail that takes you there.

Grant Village

• West Thumb Geyser Basin (West Thumb Geyser Basin) - With some imagination, Lake Yellowstone looks like a left hand stretching south. This thermal area is on the edge of the western section of the lake, which resembles a thumb. It contains several geysers and hot springs (including some that are only a few inches wide!), including the following attractions:
  • abyss pool (Abyssal Lagoon) - An optical illusion makes this sapphire blue water pond appear to have no bottom.
  • fishing cone (fishing cone) - In the past, it was customary to catch fish in Lake Yellowstone and then cook it by dipping it in this partially submerged hot spring. Currently this is no longer allowed.
• Shoshone lake (Shoshone Lake) - The largest lake without a road to get there in the United States of America, on whose shores is located the Shoshone Geyser Basin. Here rises the River Lewis, which lies entirely within the park's boundaries.

Lake Area (Lake Area)

• yellowstone lake (yellowstone lake) - This is the largest freshwater lake in the country at an elevation of 2500 meters. It has a width of 32.19 km and a length of 48.28 km. The Yellowstone River flows into this lake.
• Mud Volcano/Sulphur Cauldron (Mud Volcano / Sulfur Cauldron) - This area of ​​the park has mud ponds that are constantly boiling and bubbling.
  • Mud Volcano (Mud Volcano) - Mud Volcano was once situated on top of a hill that used to squirt mud into neighboring trees during its eruptions. A particularly large eruption blew up the Mud Volcano, leaving a hot, bubbling pool at the base of the hill.
  • Dragon's Mouth Spring (Dragon's Mouth Fountain) - Steam and hot water emerge from inside an underground cave, creating waves on the surface of the mud pond. The mud and steam inside the cave reverberate and make loud roaring sounds.
  • Sulfur Cauldron (Sulfur Cauldron) - This huge thermal spring is very acidic thanks to the action of microorganisms.

canyon

Dead trees near the summit of Mt. Washburn. These trees were victims of a massive forest fire in 1987 that burned over 30% of the park's forest.

• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (Great Yellowstone Canyon) - Chemical processes have left, over time, layers of rock of different colors in this canyon. Parts of the canyon reach 240-370 meters deep. There are paths along the north and south edges of the canyon, but while traversing the entire trail in one day is possible, this day is long and tiring. It is better to take two shorter walks (approximately 3 hours) in two days. If you like photography, plan your walks so that the sun illuminates the other side of the canyon and you can take great pictures.
• Artist Point (Artist's Point)- Great place to see the Grand Canyon (see above) and the Lower Falls (see below). Although this attraction is not as famous as the geysers, the view is as impressive or more impressive than Old Faithful!
• Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone (Yellowstone Upper and Lower Cascades) - These are the two largest waterfalls in the park. The Upper Falls are 33 meters high and create a small canyon. The Lower Falls are larger, with a height of 94 meters, and create the Grand Canyon (see above).
• Hayden Valley - According to some, it is the best place to observe bison in Yellowstone. The Hayden Valley has a lot of animals, and includes the famous Mud Volcano.
• Mount Washburn - One of the best places in the park to observe wild sheep, with a trail that climbs the mountain to a viewpoint near the 3 116 meter summit. Altitude can affect some travelers, so it's best to be used to high elevations before attempting this hike. Bring extra layers of clothing, even in summer, because the top can be windy and cold.

Tower-Roosevelt

• Specimen Ridge (Specimen Cup) - The Specimen Ridge stands at a height of 2613 meters and is approximately 13.7 km long. Here you can find many petrified trees and have beautiful views of the park.
  • Petrified Forest (Petrified Forest) - Here you can find a large group of petrified trees. It is easily accessible using the motorway.
• tower fall (tower waterfall) The waterfall of more than 1900 meters falls through a cliff, creating a narrow gorge and a fast stream. You can reach the base of the waterfall via a trail.
• calcite springs - A great place to observe the effects of heat and water on the rock. It has great views of the Yellowstone River.

Knife

• (Car Free Week). Yellowstone opens its roads to cyclists and pedestrians for a week until the roads reopen for cars in spring (usually in April). It's a rare opportunity to see the park's attractions and wildlife without the crowds and traffic. Several West Yellowstone stores rent bicycles. 
• (young scientist). Students ages five and over can learn about Yellowstone's hot springs. Each student receives a tool kit, including an infrared thermometer, a stopwatch, a magnifying glass and other things. 
• (Young Rangers Program). The Jr. Ranger Program gives children ages 5 - 12 the opportunity to earn a Young Ranger badge. Children ages 5-7 can get a wolf badge and kids ages 8-12 get a bear badge. To win a badge, you have to correctly answer a 12-page activity book, which is then checked by a ranger. One of these books costs $3. 

Activities

Many tourists think they can visit all of the 2.2 millions of Yellowstone acres (about 8903km²!) in 1-2 days - without being far from your car or bus. To truly appreciate this vast park, step off the paved roads and paths.

• To walk - If you move only 30 meters away from the main tourist attractions and park roads, you can enjoy the park in a completely different way. Taking a few 3-4 hour hikes on one of the park's established hiking trails is even better, but it still allows you to take a hot shower and sleep in a bed.
• observe wildlife - There is a lot of wildlife to see within the park boundaries. Birds (sea eagles, bald eagles and many, many other species) bison, big cats, deer, wolves, foxes, bears, bighorn sheep, uapitis and other animals can be seen in the park in a short period of time. The more time you spend in the park, the more wildlife you'll see. Some animals such as wolves, bears, and wild sheep cannot be seen from park roads. Don't forget to bring your binoculars so you can see the animals more safely.
• Equestrianism - There are many opportunities to enjoy the park and its landscapes. One is to ride a horse in the park.
• Photography - Yellowstone is a great place to take pictures, with natural landscapes, beautiful hot springs and animals throughout the park. The colors of the hot springs range from plain white (the hottest ones) to yellows and blues, greens and oranges. Some of the fonts are very large, and it can be difficult to find a way to include them all in the photograph. Be creative! They've already taken a lot of pictures in Yellowstone, but there's still plenty to be taken.
• fishing - Fishing has been one of the main activities for tourists to Yellowstone for over a century. Because of its history, fishing continues to be allowed and can complement the purpose of preserving natural ecosystems and native species.
• Swim - Swimming is allowed (but not encouraged) in the Firehole Falls swimming area, a section of the Firehole River that is heated by hot springs. This area, accessible via Firehole Canyon Drive, has a bathroom, but no lifeguard. It also has few parking spaces.

Buy

All the main villages in the park offer food, camping supplies and souvenirs, although all these shops are closed in the winter months. All gift shops are full of knickknacks like small figures of animals, jewelry, sculptures.

Several stores promote local artists and their work by selling original pieces, including paintings, pottery, and other crafts. These are also great memories of the National Park.

There are also many gift shops in the communities at the edge of the park gates that have unique souvenirs. If you're looking for handmade furniture or sculptures, original paintings, or buffalo meat, you can find it in these communities.

You can also find bookstores in the park, all of which are managed by the Yellowstone Association (Yellowstone Association), and all purchases made there directly benefit the park. There are eight bookstores spread throughout the park.

Gasoline and car services can be found at the following locations:

• canyon (end of April to beginning of November) - Gasoline, diesel and workshop.
• fishing bridge (mid May to end of September) - Gasoline, diesel, propane and workshop.
• Grant Village (mid-April to mid-October) - Gasoline, diesel, propane and workshop.
• mammoth (beginning of May to mid-October) - Petrol and diesel.
• Old Faithful (mid April to early November) - Gasoline, diesel and workshop.
• tower junction (from early June to early September) - Petrol.

With the

Most villages sell food and many offer snack bars. The following restaurants and snack bars are also available:

• , Old Faithful Inn (near Old Faithful), ☎307/344-7311FORMATNOCC. Closed from late October to early May. In one of the most picturesque inns in the park, this restaurant has pine wood walls and a huge stone fireplace. The buffet offers a wide variety of food: bison, chicken, shrimp, salads, soups, and a dessert. You can also choose one of the many starters, including grilled salmon and boiled chicken. For vegetarians, there is at least one vegetarian starter (pasta and/or tofu), in addition to salads and soups. Desserts include Caldera, a chocolate truffle melted in the middle. The park's largest wine list offers more than 50 choices (all American, from $20 to $70 a bottle). 
• , Old Faithful Snow Lodge (near Old Faithful). Geyser Grill is a restaurant of fast food, whose menu includes hamburgers, chicken sandwiches (among others), cheap meals, salads and more. After ordering, look up and enjoy the reliefs that decorate the restaurant. 
• , Old Faithful Lodge (near Old Faithful). It serves reasonably priced lunch and dinner with a good variety. Offers bison meatloaf, roast turkey, barbecue sandwiches, deli sandwiches, salads and much more! And while enjoying your meal, revel in the views of Old Faithful. 
• , Lake Yellowstone Hotel (on the shores of Lake Yellowstone), ☎307/344-7311FORMATNOCC. Closed from early October to mid May. The dining room at this hotel is the most elegant in the park. Great service, menu and quality. The menu includes uapiti medallions, buffalo chops and fettuccine with smoked salmon. The wine list includes wines from California, Oregon and Washington. ~
• , Lake Lodge (on the shores of Lake Yellowstone). It has a rotating menu with daily specials, offering a wide variety. In addition to tasty hot dishes, it also has homemade salads and sandwiches, as well as the cheapest cutlets in the park. 
• , Grant Village. Good pasta with four cheeses, spinach, tomato, bacon, chicken and/or lobster. Other dishes include cutlets and bison meatloaf. 
• , Grant Village. Situated on the shores of the lake, the only thing that is better than the food is the view. The menu includes a wide variety of beef, bison, chicken or black bean burgers. 
• , Canyon Lodge, Canyon. Great breakfast, including omelet of the day ($4.2), bacon ($1.05 for two), hot porridge and other choices. 
• , Canyon Lodge, Canyon. Canyon Lodge Dining Room has a casual setting where you can enjoy delicious meals whenever you like. Breakfast includes an expanded buffet, while lunches are à la carte. A variety of burgers including bison, beef and veggies. For dinner you can have some delicious chops. 
• , Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Mammoth Hot Springs. Casual setting with views of former Fort Yellowstone. It is not uncommon to see uapitis and bison through the window. Dishes include Capellini with American Wild Shrimp and Mini Trout Tacos. 
• , Roosevelt Lodge, Tower-Roosevelt. Situated near Tower Fall, Roosevelt Lodge is a tribute to the Old West. It offers breakfast, lunch and dinner in an Old West atmosphere. The menu includes cutlets, baked beans and crispy fried chicken. 

Drink it

You can buy cocktails at the hotels restaurants and bars, and "lighter" drinks at snack bars throughout the park. Bars here, only in hotels.

sleep

A hot spring bubbles; in the background, the Old Faithful Inn.

accommodation

The hotels in the park fill up very quickly and must be booked in advance. Cancellations are common, so if a particular hotel is sold out, it's a good idea to re-check to see if you already have any free rooms. You can book any of the hotels in the park through the website. Xanterra Parks & Resorts[11] or by calling (307) 344-7311. All hotels in the park are non-smoking and, to be in tune with the park, there are no TVs, radios, air conditioning or internet.

• . In the Canyon area, this lodge includes Canyon Lodge, Cascade Lodge, and Dunraven Lodge. Cascade Lodge and Dunrave Lodge offer standard hotel rooms, while Canyon Lodge is actually a group of cabins. All rooms (or cabins) have a private bathroom. 
• . Offering several hotel rooms and cabins for families, this hotel complex offers the basics, albeit with less taste than the Old Faithful Inn - prices are, however, lower, and Grant Village may have more availability due to the large number of rooms. There is a post office nearby, as well as a cafe, a Rasca restaurant and a sandwich shop in the complex. There is also a restaurant (reservations required) with local food. Even if you don't eat at the restaurant, go there and see the beautiful photographs. 
• . Situated on the shores of Lake Yellowstone (there is a pier and restaurant right on the lakefront), the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins offers a rustic experience that isn't quite suited to the luxury traveler, but the staff provide the basics - decent rooms, comida razoavelmente boa, e vistas de cortar a respiração. Cuidado com os mosquitos, especialmente se for passear pelo lago no Verão, porque vem em enxames, mas DEET ou um repelente de mosquitos semelhante mantém-os longe. 
• . Aberto todo o ano. O hotel oferece quartos com casa-de-banho privada ou partilhada. Outra opção é ficar numa das muitas cabines perto do hotel, também com casa-de-banho privada ou partilhada. Para campistas que só querem tomar um banho, podem fazê-lo por $3,25 (peça um chuveiro e pague na recepção do hotel). 
• (perto do Old Faithful). Aberto Maio-Outubro. Parte do Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos, este hotel rústico foi originalmente construído inteiramente com madeira de pinheiro, até que se adicionaram duas novas alas no século XX. O magnífico hall tem troncos como pilares e uma gigantesca lareira de pedra. Pode ficar em quartos sem casa de banho privada e chuveiros próximos, ou em suites com casas-de-banho privadas e mini-bares. 
• . Grande janelas no hall com vistas para o Old Faithful. Inclui loja de lembranças, restaurantes e uma padaria. Aberto Maio-Outubro. 

Camping

Vapor azul na Grand Prismatic Spring.

THE Xanterra Parks & Resorts[12] tem parques de campismo em Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village e Madison. Pode fazer reservas no dia ligando para 307-344-7901; se quiser reservar com antecedência, ligue para 307-344-7311 ou escreva uma carta para: Yellowstone National Park Lodges, PO Box 165, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.

As reservas devem ser feitas com muita antecedência e/ou deve arranjar um sítio no parque de campismo o mais cedo possível. Os parques de campismo podem encher rapidamente de manhã cedo, especialmente na época alta (inícios de Julho - fins de Agosto). Veículos recreacionais com mais de 9 metros devem fazer reservas com antecedência, porque existe um número limitado de sítios de auto-caravanas em Yellowstone. Pode encontrar parques de auto-caravanas grandes em Flag Ranch, Fishing Bridge e West Yellowstone.

Os parques de campismo de Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, e Tower Fall são operados pelo Serviço Nacional de Parques e não aceitam reservas; se quiser um sítio em um destes parques, tem que aparecer e esperar que haja um sítio livre.

• . (27 Maio-18 Setembro). 432 sítios de campismo, sanitas com autoclismo. $17 por sítio. 

• . (6 Junho-11 Setembro). 272 sítios de campismo, chuveiros, sanitas com autoclismo. $20,15 por sítio. 

• . (20 Maio-2 Outubro). 344 sítios, chuveiros, sanitas com autoclismo. Só são permitidas auto-caravanas. $31 por sítio. 

• . (21 Junho-2 Outubro). 425 sítios de campismo, chuveiros, sanitas com autoclismo. $19 por sítio. 

• . (10 Junho-19 Setembro). 75 sítios de campismo, latrinas. $12 por sítio. 

• . (17 Junho-6 de Novembro). 85 sítios de campismo, latrinas. $12 por sítio. 

• . (06 Maio-30 Outubro). 277 sítios de campismo, sanitas com autoclismo. $20,35 por sítios. 

• . Check-out: $14 por sítio. (Aberto todo o ano). 85 sítios de campismo, sanitas com autoclismo. 

• . (20 Maio-26 Setenbro). 116 sítios de campismo, sanitas com autoclismo. $14 por sítio. 

• . (3 Junho-26 Setembro). 32 sítios de campismo, latrinas. $12 por sítio. 

• . (27 Maio-31 Outubro). 29 sítios de campismo, latrinas. $12 por sítio. 

• . (20 Maio-26 Setembro). 32 sítios de campismo, latrinas. $12 por sítio. 

In the field

As icónicas Lower Falls vistas desde o Artist Point.

Precisa de uma autorização para dormir fora dos parques de campismo, e as quotas baseiam-se no número de pessoas que usam uma determinada área num determinado período de tempo. O tempo máximo de estada varia de uma a três noites por viagem. Só são permitidas fogueiras nos locais estabelecidos. Na maior parte dos sítios de campismo estabelecidos existe uma plataforma de comida, para que a comida esteja segura e não seja comida por ursos. Não é permitido caçar ou ter armas de fogo em Yellowstone.

AS autorizações só podem ser obtidas em pessoa e a menos de 48 horas de antecedência, embora possa reservar sítios de campismo por correio por uma quantia de $20. Para reservar um sítio, faça o download do formulário de reserva no site da Backcountry Trip Planner [13], ligue para o (307) 344-2160, ou escreva uma carta para Backcountry Office, PO Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.

Durante a época de Verão (Junho-Agosto), as autorizações estão disponíveis 7 dias por semana entre as 8h00 e as 16h30 nos seguintes locais:

• Posto de Guardas-florestais de Bechler;
• Centro de Informações/Posto de Guardas-florestais de Canyon;
• Centro de Informações de Grant Village;
• Posto de Guardas-florestais do Lago;
• Centro de Informações/Posto de Guardas-florestais de Mammoth;
• Posto de Guardas-florestais do Old Faithful;
• Posto de Guardas-florestais da Entrada Sul;
• Posto de Guardas-florestais de Tower
• Posto de Guardas-florestais da Entrada Oeste.

Para além destes locais, por vezes é possível obtê-las junto de guardas-florestais na Entrada Este e no Posto de Guardas-florestais de Bridge Bay. No entanto, estes guardas-florestais tem outras responsabilidades e podem não estar sempre disponíveis.

Durante a primavera, outono, e inverno, os postos de guardas-florestais e centros de informações não tem horário fixo. Para conseguir a autorização durante estas estações do ano, veja os horários no centro de informações ou posto de guardas-florestais mais próximo.

Safety

As finas crostas de travertino cedem, deixando um turista descuidado cair nas águas a ferver de uma fonte termal.

Embora muitos animais do parque estejam habituados a ver humanos, a fauna continua a ser selvagem e não deve ser alimentada ou perturbada. Fique a pelo menos 100 metros de distância de ursos e a 25 metros de qualquer outro tipo de animal selvagem! Bisontes, uapitis, alces, ursos, e quase todos os grandes animais podem atacar! Para quem duvida o Serviço Nacional de Parques pôs uma série de vídeos de ataques animais [14] no seu site - estes animais são grande, selvagens e potencialmente perigosos, por isso dê-lhes espaço.

Tenha também cuidado com os odores, que atraem ursos e outros animais, por isso evite trazer ou cozinhar comidas "fedorentas" e deixe o seu sítio de campismo limpo; não cozinhe ou guarde comida na sua tenda. Toda a comida, lixo, e outras coisas fedorentas usadas para preparar ou cozinhar comida devem ser mantidas afastadas de ursos (por exemplo, numa plataforma de comida). Todos os produtos cheirosos, como o sabão, o desodorizante e outros artigos de casa-de-banho devem ser tratados da mesma maneira. Não deixe sacos com comida sem vigilância, mesmo que seja por poucos minutos. Animais que comem comida dada por humanos podem tornar-se agressivos e dependentes de comida humana, e podem ficar doentes ou mortos por comer algo não-nativo.

Ao acampar, filtre, ferva ou purifique toda água que vá beber. As águas do parque podem ter sido poluídas por dejectos animais e/ou humanos, e infecções intestinais devido a água poluída são cada vez mais comuns.

Em áreas termais, fique sempre nos passadiços de madeira. Debaixo das finas e frágeis crostas de travertino existem águas escaldantes das fontes termais; estas estão a ferver ou perto disso. Todos os anos visitantes que viajam por fora dos passadiços ficam com queimaduras graves, e já houve pessoas que morreram devido à água escaldante. Não é permitido nadar nas fontes termais.

O tempo pode mudar abruptamente sem aviso. Um dia quente e solarengo pode rapidamente tornar-se um dia frio, chuvoso ou mesmo de neve. A hipotermia é um problema. Prepare-se para uma grande variedade de tempos e traga roupa apropriada. Os raios podem magoar ou mesmo matar pessoas no parque, por isso olhe para o céu e procure abrigo se ouvir um trovão.

Leave

• Parque Nacional de Grand Teton - O vizinho sul de Yellowstone é famoso pelas suas dramáticas paisagens montanhosas e lagos alpinos. A entrada para Grand Teton está incluída no preço da entrada do parque de Yellowstone. No entanto, a estrada que liga os dois parques fecha nos invernos (inícios de Novembro a meados de Maio).