Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is a United States national park primarily in Wyoming, with portions in Montana and Idaho. Established in 1872, it is widely regarded as the first national park in the world. The park covers about 2.2 million acres (roughly 3,500 square miles) and protects a diverse landscape of forests, rivers, lakes, and volcanic and hydrothermal features.

Geologically, Yellowstone sits atop a volcanic hotspot and contains a massive caldera formed by past supereruptions. The region remains geothermally active, producing geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots.

Yellowstone hosts more than 10,000 geothermal features and a variety of iconic sites, including Old Faithful Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a prominent scenic feature carved by the Yellowstone River.

Ecologically, the park provides habitat for bison, elk, grizzly bears, gray wolves, and many other species. Reintroduction of wolves in the 1990s helped restore ecological balance. The park is managed by the National Park Service and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (designated in 1978).

Yellowstone is a major destination for recreation and scientific research, attracting millions of visitors each year. Visitors travel via roads and trails, with seasonal access and safety measures in place to protect resources and wildlife.