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NATIONAL PARK TRIP PLANNER

Travel RoutesHeading to the park through Wyoming or Montana? No mat-ter which route you choose, we have an itinerary for you.

Trip LogisticsHow to get to Yel-lowstone National Park, plus information on gateway towns, transportation and entrance fees.

ParkMapGet oriented before your trip with this overview map of the park, highlighting Yellowstone’s major areas to explore.

Where to SleepInformation on all the park’s hotels, from rustic cabins to luxuri-ous lodges, and an overview of Yellow-stone campgrounds.

Natural WondersLearn about bears, moose, elk, bison, wolves and other all-star wildlife species. Plus discover where to spot each one.

The Experts in National Park

Travel

MAP ILLUSTRATION BY PETER SUCHESKIMAP ILLUSTRATION BY PETER SUCHESKI

ALL-AMERICAN ROAD TRIP Miles 3,319This epic route encompasses the pioneer legends, natural wonders and historic sites of seven states, from the Midwest to Yellowstone and back. You’ll enjoy South Dakota’s top sites—including Badlands National Park, Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City, and Deadwood/Lead—then travel across northern Wyoming to see Devils Tower, Thermopolis and Cody. After touring Yellowstone, head over the Beartooth Highway to Red

Lodge, Mont., and east to North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

BIG SKY HIGHWAY Miles 2,049From epic peaks to peaceful hot springs, this classic tour from Seattle to Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park has it all. From Seattle, head north to Port Angeles and into Olympic National Park. Then drive east and enter Glacier country with a spin up to Glacier National Park. Drive

across the park and head south via Great Falls, Helena and Bozeman before arriving in Gardiner and then Yellowstone. On your return route, don’t miss Big Sky and Missoula, Mont.

GEM STATE SAMPLER Miles 964Idaho’s �nest attractions include outdoor thrills, cultural treasures and superb mountain scenery. See them on this route starting in Boise and cruising on to Pocatello and the Shoshone-Bannock

tribes’ Fort Hall Reservation. Visit Idaho Falls and West Yellowstone en route to Yellowstone National Park. Then head south for the wildlife and high peaks of Grand Teton National Park. Swing through Jackson before reentering Idaho for Craters of the Moon National Monument, Sun Valley and Stanley on the way back to Boise.

SAND AND SKY LOOP Miles 1,140Pair desert scenery with Yellowstone on this tour through Utah and Wyoming.

Kick it o� in Salt Lake City before driving north into Wyoming and visiting Jackson and Grand Teton National Park. Explore Yellowstone and then swing south through the Wind River Range to Fossil Butte National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, and Flaming Gorge Recreation Area. Finish with a trip to the charming ski town of Park City before returning to Salt Lake City.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH LOOP Miles 1,379

Trace the spine of North America, from Colorado’s central Rockies to Wyoming’s Wind River Range, on this Yellowstone-bound trip. From Denver, explore Rocky Mountain National Park. Then head to Cheyenne and Laramie. Drive through the Wind River Range, over the scenic Togwotee Trail and into Grand Teton National Park. Explore Yellowstone before exiting the park via the East Entrance to visit Cody, Thermopolis and Casper en route to Colorado.

YELLOWSTONE ROAD TRIPSSee the best the West has to offer on our top five driving routes to and from Yellowstone National Park. For more details on these and other routes, visit yellowstonepark.com.

GlacierNational Park

OlympicNational Park

Craters of the MoonNational Park andPreserve

Grand TetonNational Park

Flaming GorgeNationalRecreation Area

Dinosaur NationalMonument

Rocky MountainNational Park

BadlandsNational Park

Theodore RooseveltNational Park

Devil’s TowerNational Monument

GREAT FALLS

ESTESPARK

75

21

84

90

90

9389

7994

25

40

All American Road Trip

Big Sky Highway

Gem State Sampler

Sand and Sky Loop

Rocky Mountain High

GETTING TO YELLOWSTONEHere’s everything you need to know about Yellowstone’s five entrances, the towns near them and park fees. For more travel essentials, visit yellowstonepark.com.

PHOTO BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE

FIVE ENTRANCES TO THE PARKYellowstone is located in northwestern Wyo-ming with small sections in Idaho and Montana. There are �ve entrances. Most are open from May to November.

››The North Entrance is the only year-round entrance to the park. It’s 56 miles south of Livingston, Mont., on US 89. The North En-trance is accessed via the town of Gardiner, a small lively town that lies just 5 miles from Yellowstone’s steaming terraces of Mam-moth Hot Springs, one of the park’s many natural wonders. Gardiner’s authentic western atmosphere, friendly inhabitants and iconic Roosevelt Arch built in 1903 are big draws.

The arch is named after President Teddy Roosevelt who happened to be vacationing in the park and spoke at the ceremony to lay the arch’s cornerstone. Thanks to new pull-o�s and sidewalks, you can safely walk to the arch

on a path dotted with interpretive panels, spin-ning the history of Gardiner, Yellowstone and the National Park Service.

››The South Entrance is the closest one to Jackson, Wyo. Take one part historic cowboy charm, add a healthy dash of modern glamour, and �nish with a heaping portion of world-class mountain scenery, and you’ve got Jackson.Situated on the doorstep of Grand Teton National Park and 57 miles from Yellowstone’s South Entrance, Jackson’s (Jackson Hole refers to the entire valley) fantastic dining, outdoor recreation and cultural attractions make it more than worth a visit in its own right.

››The East Entrance is located about 50 miles west of Cody, Wyo., along US 14. Cody is the closest town to the entrance and is home to the Bu�alo Bill Center of the West made up of �ve museums with incredible exhibits. Cody

has the longest running outdoor rodeo in the United States, and during the summer, there is a rodeo every day. Stop by the 1902-built Irma Hotel for a cold Bu�alo Bill Beer or to spend the night.

››The West Entrance is just outside of West Yellowstone, Mont., on US 20. It’s the closest option to Big Sky, Mont., and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Yellowstone’s West Entrance is the park’s busiest, so visitors will �nd several square blocks of co�ee shops, casual dining spots and gift shops selling Yellowstone National Park memorabilia.

Catch a show at the Playmill Theater, or visit the Yellowstone IMAX for a rotating series of movies about Yellowstone, wildlife and pio-neer history. The Yellowstone Historic Center has exhibits on park history, stagecoach travel, trains and famous bears. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center o�ers an up-close look at two of Yellowstone’s most iconic species (the animals here are rescues or captive-born).

››The Northeast Entrance provides access to the park via Cooke City and Silver Gate in the summer. Travelers can reach Cooke City from the east via the Beartooth Highway. The two tiny towns are tucked between Yellow-stone’s Northeast Entrance and the imposing Beartooth Mountains.

Cooke City gives you great access to Yellow-stone’s legendary Lamar Valley where grizzlies, black bears, bison and wolves roam. Stop at one of the valley’s many pull-o�s, get out your bin-oculars and look for the wildlife that has made Yellowstone famous. Although Cooke City’s downtown spans only a few blocks, you’ll �nd dining and lodging options. In winter, the only way into Cooke City is through Yellowstone’s North Entrance near Gardiner, Mont.

ENTRANCE FEESAdmission to the park is good for seven days and costs $30 per private vehicle (it’s also $30 for entry to Grand Teton National Park, but you can buy a pass for both for $50); $25 per motorcycle; and $15 per person who enters via bike, foot or ski. An annual pass to Yellowstone is $60.

Planning in visiting more than one park this year? Consider the America the Beautiful Pass for $80. The Access Pass is free lifetime admission for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with lifelong disabilities. The Senior Pass costs $10 for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are 62 and older.

Don’t forget fourth graders and their fami-lies get in for free. To get a complimentary one-year pass, print out a paper voucher at everykidinapark.gov and present the voucher at a national park entrance station.

DOWNTOWN JACKSON, WYO.

PARK MAPYellowstone is an enormous park. Get oriented with this at-a-glance guide.

MAP ILLUSTRATION BY PETER SUCHESKI

MAJOR PARK THOR-OUGHFAREThe Grand Loop Road is a 154-mile, �gure-eight cor-ridor connecting Yellow-stone’s attractions to the

�ve entrance roads. Most

park roads close in the

winter, although some are

groomed for commercial

snow travel.

PARK AREASMammothLocated in the park’s northwest side, Mammoth features the striking traver-tine terraces of Mammoth

Hot Springs, plus lodging,

dining and hiking trails to

peaks and lakes. Mammoth

Hot Springs Hotel rooms

are closed until summer

2018.

NorrisHome to Norris Geyser Basin and close to other thermal hotspots, Norris o�ers waterfalls and an info station.

Tower-RooseveltThis is the gateway to the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley and o�ers rustic lodging, horseback riding, dining and waterfalls.

CanyonAnchored by the stunning Grand Canyon of the Yel-lowstone, this area also has a large newly renovated lodging complex, several dining choices and trails leading to canyon views, thermal features and wild-life habitat.

Lake AreaOn the north shore of Yel-lowstone Lake, head here for boat tours and paddling. It o�er elegant lodging, dining and trails into prime grizzly bear habitat.

Grant VillageThe closest developed area to the South Entrance, Grant Village has lodging and dining near Yellow-stone Lake and access to the West Thumb Geyser Basin.

Old FaithfulThe mecca for geysers (there are hundreds in several basins), Old Faithful is home to the historic Old Faithful Inn, more lodging and dining and trails.

NORTH

Mammoth HotSprings Hotel

AlbrightVisitorCenterLower

Terraces

UpperTerraces

Y E L L O W S T O N E N A T I O N A L P A R K

MammothHot Springs

Norris

Madison

Tower-Roosevelt

CanyonVillage

Old Faithful

Grant Village

LakeVillageLower

GeyserBasin

UpperGeyserBasin

MidwayGeyser Basin

SHOSONE LAKE

WESTTHUMB

YELLOWSTONELAKE

HAYDEN VALLEY

LAMAR VALLEY

NorthEntrance

SouthEntrance

EastEntrance

NortheastEntrance

WestEntrance

YELLOWSTONE

LAKE

Grant Village

LakeVillage

Bridge Bay

Fishing Bridge

Approximate Caldera Bou

nd

ary

Co

nt inental D iv id e

Continental Divide

G R A N D T E T O NN A T I O N A L P A R K

FishingBridge

To North Entrance

and Gardiner

To Old Faithful via Norris and Madison

To SouthEntrance

To EastEntrance

GET PACKING, HIKING AND CAMPING TIPS ALONG WITH DETAILS ON WINTER TRAVEL ONLINE AT yellowstonepark.com

GARDINER COOKE CITY

TO CODY(53 MILES)

WEST YELLOWSTONE

TO JACKSON(64 MILES)

LODGING, CAMPING & MOREWhether you want to sleep under the stars in a developed campground or relax in a luxurious hotel, you’ll find what you need in Yellowstone.

LODGINGVisit yellowstonenationalparklodges.com for details and to book a room. Lodges are very popular and �ll quickly, so reserve at least six months in advance.

Canyon Lodges & Cabins: After a two-year renovation ending fall 2016, �ve sustainably renovated lodges await along with cabins and restaurants. $144-$514

Grant Village: Two lodges on the southwest-ern shore of Yellowstone Lake; two restaurants, lounge and gift shop. $237

Lake Lodge Cabins: Western cabins with cafeteria, �replace and gift shop; located on the northern shore of Yellowstone Lake. $90-$209

Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins: 1920s-style resort with upscale restaurant on north shore of Yellowstone Lake. Also has a cof-feeshop and gift shop. $162-$711

Mammoth Hot Springs Lodge & Cabins: Grand lodging complex near limestone terraces and historic Fort Yellowstone site. Only car-accessible lodging open in winter. $99-$270

Old Faithful Inn: The park’s most popular place to stay, this rustic inn dates back to 1904 and is next to Old Faithful Geyser. It features a restaurant, deli and gift shop. $118-$590

Old Faithful Lodge Cabins: 1920s cabins and cafeteria-style lodge with bakery and gift shop near Old Faithful. $91-$151

Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins: This complex is accessible only by snowcoach in the winter (also open in summer); restaurant, gift shop and ski/snowshoe rentals. $117-$293

Roosevelt Lodge Cabins: This rustic lodg-ing and dining complex is located in the Tower-Roosevelt area. $91-$145

CAMPGROUNDSFive of Yellowstone’s 12 developed camp-grounds accept reservations; the remaining seven are �rst-come, �rst-served and usually �ll up as early as 9 a.m. in the summer. To reserve a site, visit yellowstonenationalparklodges.com or call (866) 439-7375.

Bridge Bay: The park’s largest campground (432 sites) sits on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Open late May to early September; accepts res-ervations. Will �t RVs up to 40’. $24.25

Canyon: 273 sites tucked into the woods. Open late May to early September; accepts reserva-tions. Will �t RVs up to 40’. $29

Fishing Bridge RV: More than 325 sites for hard-sided vehicles only on Yellowstone Lake. Open mid-May to late September; accepts reservations. Fits RVs up to 40’. $47.75

Grant Village: 430 sites on Yellowstone Lake. Open late June to late September; accepts reservations. RV max 35’. $29

Indian Creek: 70-site campground in a forested creek valley. Open mid-June to mid-September. RV max 35’. $15

Lewis Lake: 85 sites on a south-side lake. Open mid-June to early November; all RV sites 25’ or less. $15

Madison: Large (278 sites) campground on the Madison River on the park’s west side. Open late April to October; accepts reservations. Fits RVs up to 40’. $24.25

Mammoth: The park’s only year-round camp-ground has 85 sites near the North Entrance. Fits RVs up to 75’. $20

Norris: 111 sites near Norris Geyser Basin. Open mid-May to late September; limited sites for RVs over 30’. $20

Pebble Creek: Small (27 sites), primitive campground on the park’s northeast side. Open mid-June to late September; a few long pull-through RV sites and walk-in tent sites. $15

Slough Creek: 23-site primitive campground in the Lamar Valley. Open mid-June to early October; no RV generators. $15

Tower Fall: 31-site primitive campground near Tower. Open late May to late September; best for smaller RVs. $15

VISITOR CENTERS

Albright: Open daily year-round. Located at Mammoth Hot Springs 5 miles from the North Entrance.

Canyon Visitor Education Center: Open daily from May to mid-October and for the winter season starting in December, 19 miles south of Tower-Roosevelt. Exhibits on the super-volcano.

Fishing Bridge: Open daily from late May to early October; located 27 miles west of the East Entrance. Backcountry oªces are nearby at Lake Area and Bridge Bay.

Grant Village: Open daily from late May to early October; on the shore of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. A backcountry oªce in Grant Village issues permits for camping and other activities.

Madison Information Station Open daily, late May to early October. Located at Madison Junction, 14 miles from the West Entrance.

Norris Area museums: The Norris Geyser Basin Museum and the Museum of the National Park Ranger are open daily, late May to late September. Both are located 21 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs.

Old Faithful Visitor Education Center: Open daily, April to early November. Located 16 miles south of Madison. An adjacent backcountry oªce issues permits.

West Thumb Information Center: Open daily, late May through early October.

PHOTO BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE

CLIFF GEYSER

WILDLIFE WATCHINGFind out where to see Yellowstone’s majestic animals and how to stay safe in the park.

A Day in the ParkWAKE UP WITH WOLVES For your best chance of spying the park’s wolf packs in action, get up before sunrise and head to the Lamar Valley in the park’s northeast quadrant. Several pullouts on the road let you stop and set up a spotting scope or pull out your binoculars—or look for park volunteers with scopes and ask for a peek. As the sun rises, you might also see bison, badgers, osprey, bears and deer.

EAT A HEARTY BREAKFASTWhen you’re ready for a break, grab breakfast at Roos-evelt Lodge. The rustic restaurant serves up breakfast burritos, hikers’ specials, biscuits and huevos rancheros.

CRUISE TOWER ROADHead south from Roosevelt and stop at 132-foot Tower Fall, a thundering cascade. Continue on to climb the shoulder of 10,243-foot Mt. Washburn. Stop at 8,859-foot Dunraven Pass to enjoy the view and scan for bighorn sheep. If you have time and the weather is nice, consider hiking the 3.1-mile (one-way) trail from here to Washburn’s summit for even better views and wildlife sightings.

GAZE AT THE GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONEDrive through Canyon Village and turn on South Rim Drive for an up-close look at one of the park’s most outstanding natural features: 308-foot Lower Falls and 109-foot Upper Falls, two massive waterfalls in a colorful gorge. Up for a thrill? Head to Uncle Tom’s Point and descend the 328 metal steps bolted into the side of the canyon on Uncle Tom’s Trail. It’s not for the acrophobic, but the up-close view of Lower Falls is worth it.

SEE WILDLIFE IN HAYDEN VALLEYThis grassy valley in central Yellowstone supports huge herds of bison, plus grizzly bears, elk, coyotes, wolves, moose and bald eagles. Stop in one of the numerous pullouts along the road and scan the rolling terrain—you never know what you might spot. Or hike the 10-mile (round-trip) Mary Mountain Trail for even better scoping opportunities.

DINE BY THE LAKEFeast on wild game, fresh �sh or steak in the Lake Hotel’s elegant dining room (reservations recommended). For a more casual evening, head over to nearby Lake Lodge Cafeteria. Must-do: Sip a pint of a local microbrew or glass of wine from a rocking chair on the lakeview front porch.

GET SOCIALFollow us on Facebook to get the latest deals and coupons for Yellowstone travel. Facebook.com/myyellowstonepark

BE BEAR SMARTGrizzly bear encounters are very rare, but visitors should always respect these wild and potentially dangerous animals. Protect yourself (and the bears) on your visit:

On the trail›› Hike in groups of three or more and reduce your risk of surprising a bear by talking or singing. Avoid hiking at dawn and dusk, and never approach a carcass, as bears may be nearby and ready to defend their food.›› Always carry bear spray, a concentrated form of pepper spray that can stop a charging bear. Keep it accessible on your belt or quick-draw holster.

In backcountry camps ›› Store all food and smelly items (like deodorant and toothpaste) in an approved bear canister, bear locker or hung from a food pole whenever you are not using them. ›› Sleep at least 100 yards from where you prepare and store your food. Avoid cooking very smelly meals (tuna �sh, meat).

If you see a grizzly bear›› Back away immediately. Never run.›› In the rare event that the bear charges, stand your ground. Many charges are blu�s, with the bear veering away at the last minute. Deploy your bear spray in a wide cloud, aim-ing slightly downward, when the bear is about 40 feet away.›› Don’t play dead unless the bear knocks you down. In that case, roll on your stomach, put your hands over your neck and lie still.

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS

PHOTO BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE

CUBS CLIMBING

WILDLIFEYellowstone is world-famous for its huge array of incredible animals. Here’s where to find them.

Roughly 4,600 bison roam in Yellowstone. At the turn of the 20th century, America’s wild bison—which at one time numbered 60 million—had dwindled to about two dozen animals. The bison in Yellowstone today are descendants of those survivors. Bison can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, and although they may seem docile, they are unpredictable animals and have been known to charge at visitors who approach them too closely. ›› Where to see them: In Yellowstone, check out the Lamar and Hayden Valleys—both great places to watch bison. Also look for them near Pelican Valley.

As of 2016, about 99 wolves roamed in 10 packs inside Yellowstone and around its borders, with about 450 total wolves in the Greater Yellowstone area. The highly social predators, which mainly hunt elk, deer and bison, have come a long way since 1995-96, when a reintroduction program brought 31 Canadian wolves to the park after decades of hunting had e�ectively wiped the predator out.›› Where to see them: In Yellowstone, the most frequently spotted wolf packs haunt Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, the Canyon area and Blacktail Deer Plateau. Dawn and dusk are the best times to look.

The largest member of the deer family, moose have a long snout, bulbous nose and a dewlap under the throat that distinguishes them from Yellowstone’s other hooved animals. They frequent streams, ponds and marshes where they feed on succulent vegetation. ›› Where to see them: Moose are most heavily concentrated in Grand Teton National Park. Look for them at Willow Flats, Christian Pond and around Oxbow Bend. Look for Yellowstone’s 100 or so moose in Willow Park between Norris Junction and Mammoth, plus Yellowstone Lake, Fishing Bridge, West Thumb and Hayden Valley.

Two types of bears call Yellowstone home: grizzlies (above) and black bears. Grizzly bears may reach 4 feet at the shoulder and can weigh up to 700 pounds. They have a distinctive hump between their shoulders, a long snout and short, fuzzy ears. Black bears are 3-4 feet tall when on all fours and weigh up to 400 pounds; they can be black, blond or brown. The Yellowstone region is home to about 600 grizzlies and many more black bears. ›› Where to see them: Yellowstone’s grizzlies often wander through the Lamar and Hayden valleys, around Yellowstone Lake, Heart Lake and Pelican Valley.

Trumpeter swans are the biggest birds in Yel-lowstone—in fact, they’re the largest waterfowl in North America. Males’ wingspans can reach 7 feet, and they can weigh up to 30 pounds (heavier than eagles). Trumpeter swans have been known to live almost 30 years in the wild, though typical lifespan is 15 to 25 years. ›› Where to see them: In Yellowstone, the best place is near Seven Mile Bridge between Madison Junction and the West Entrance of the park. Also look for them south of Mammoth Hot Springs on Swan Lake and on the Yellowstone River between the Fishing Bridge area and Hayden Valley.

In summer, Yellowstone houses about 10,000- 20,000 elk; the population drops to about 5,000 in winter. Adult bull elk weigh up to 700 pounds while adult females may weigh up to 500 pounds. Their rear ends are white and often give them away to passerbys looking for elk in dry, brush-covered areas. Elk congregate at lower elevations during the rut from September to October, making fall the best time to spot them.›› Where to see them: Elk are commonly spotted throughout Yellowstone, but chances are especially good in Lamar Valley, Gibbon River, Norris Junction, Mammoth Hot Springs and Madison Junction.

BISON

BEARS

WOLVES

MOOSE

TRUMPETER SWANS

ELK

PHOTOS BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE

PHOTO BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE

WHICH TRAIL SHOULD I HIKE?Choose your perfect hike and find trail details at yellowstonepark.com/which-trail-should-i-hike.

The high country above treeline

Amazing thermal features

Stunning waterfalls

WHAT DO YOU MOST WANT TO SEE IN YELLOWSTONE?

7. Trout Lake6. Storm Point

5. Wraith Falls3. Mt. Washburn 4. Fairy Falls2.Avalanche Peak

1. Mammoth Hot Springs

A beautifulmountain lake

How far do you want to hike today?

2.3 miles 1.2 miles

Isn't the elevation

tough enough?

How hard do you want to

work?

I love short,

steep trails with scree

slopes.

Which area of the park?

NorthSouth

GUIDE TO THE GEYSERSLearn more about Yellowstone’s marvelous thermal features.

Geysers 101A visit to the thermal zones o�ers a lot more than spouting geysers: You’ll see boiling water, bubbling mud, hissing steam vents and unique, milky-white rock formations, too.

Yellowstone is one of the world’s most active geothermal areas, home to hundreds of geysers, hot springs, mud pots and steam vents. Why? One word: heat. The park sits on top of an enormous supervolcano, and the immense heat from its underground magma powers the geyser basins. Don’t worry—the volcano’s last major eruption was 640,000 years ago, and there’s no evidence it will blow again anytime soon. When water from precipitation seeps into the ground, it meets the superheated earth near the underground magma chamber. Heat and pressure build until the water is forced back to the surface in one of these dramatic ways.

HOT SPRINGS These colorful pools form where superheated water encounters no obstacles on its way back to the surface. The water rises, cools down on the surface, sinks and fresh hot water rises to replace it. Some of Yellowstone’s springs are literally boiling at 199°F (the boiling point at

this elevation). Hot springs owe their bright colors to two factors: the scattering of sunlight to re®ect blue wavelengths and the growth of colorful, extremely heat-tolerant bacteria.

GEYSERS Yellowstone’s most famous features are hot springs with some kind of constriction in their underground “plumbing.” Water rises, pressure builds at the choke points, and finally, the liquid flashes into steam and shoots upward, carrying the water above it along for

the ride. Some geysers, usually the ones that have their own plumbing systems, erupt at predictable intervals. Others share “pipes” with adjacent geysers and erupt much more erratically.

FUMAROLES Also called steam vents, fumaroles appear in places where underground temperatures are so high that all the water boils away before reaching the surface, leaving only steam to escape. Some fumaroles can get as hot as 238°F, and the park’s hottest, Black Growler Steam Vent

in Norris Geyser Basin, has reached almost 300°F.

MUD POTS These gurgling pools of mud form under acidic condi-tions, which break down the surrounding rock into clay and mud. Steam and gases rising from below the pots seep through, making the mud bubble.

TERRACES Mammoth’s travertine terraces owe their existence to the area’s limestone geology. Here, hot water rises through ancient limestone. When it reaches the surface, the water deposits calcium carbonate minerals to build rippled, stair-step terraces.

PHOTOS BY GRANT ORDELHEIDE

WHERE TO SEE GEYSERS BLOWActive thermal features can be found all over the park. Here are a few of our top spots.

Upper Geyser Basin: More than 150 geysers can be found here, and it’s the world’s greatest concentration of hot springs. Old Faithful is the most famous geyser here but also keep an eye out for Castle Geyser, Grand Geyser and Beehive Geyser.

Norris Geyser Basin: Yellowstone’s oldest, hottest thermal zone has two distinct basins featuring hot springs, fumaroles and pools.

Midway Geyser Basin: Home to Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, the park’s single largest spring at 370 feet across and 125 feet deep, and Excelsior Geyser crater.

Lower Geyser Basin: Nearly 100 thermal features can be found here, including the multicolored Fountain Paint Pots and Great Fountain Geyser.

Shoshone Geyser Basin: Experienced backcountry travelers can escape the crowds in this remote backcountry basin, accessible via an 18-mile (round-trip) trek from the Lone Star Geyser Trail. More than 80 geysers cluster here, and bison herds frequent the area.

SUNSET AT CASTLE GEYSER IN THE UPPER

GEYSER BASIN

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TOP 6 ROAD TRIPS

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO A DREAM

YOSEMITE VACATION

SPECIAL YOSEMITE NATIONAL

PARK POSTER INSIDE

BONUS!

The Experts in National Park

Travel

BEST OF THE BEACHFROM WINE TRAILS TO WHALES, DISCOVER 32 HIDDEN GEMS ALONG CALIFORNIA’S COAST.

NATIONAL PARK JOURNALNATIONAL PARK JOURNAL

Yosemi e 8 Gorgeous GetawaysSTAY ON A FARM | HIKE TO A WATERFALL PHOTOGRAPH HALF DOME | BIKE THROUGH WINE COUNTRY | SKI IN YOSEMITE

8

REGIONAL TRIP PLANNERWHERE TO STAY, EAT AND EXPLORE IN WYOMING, IDAHO, UTAH, COLORADO, MONTANA AND SOUTH DAKOTA.

6 EPIC ROAD TRIPS

DAILY ITINERARIES

AND MAPS INCLUDED!

GRAND TETON

NATIONAL PARK

SEE WILDLIFE, GET WET AND

ESCAPE THE CROWDS

The Experts in National Park

Travel

YEARS OF NATIONAL PARKS!

CENTENNIAL EDITION

100

NATIONAL PARK JOURNAL

Plan Your Dream GetawayGetaway

SIGHTSEEING SECRETS TO WILDLIFE, GEYSERS,

HIKES AND FAMILY FUN67

Yellows one

READ NATIONAL PARK JOURNAL ON YOUR IPAD!

Each new issue of National Park Journal is available as an iPad app, Kindle and Nook. Download them today!

TOP 6 ROAD TRIPS

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO A DREAM

YOSEMITE VACATION

SPECIAL YOSEMITE NATIONAL

PARK POSTER INSIDE

BONUS!

The Experts in National Park

Travel

BEST OF THE BEACHFROM WINE TRAILS TO WHALES, DISCOVER 32 HIDDEN GEMS ALONG CALIFORNIA’S COAST.

NATIONAL PARK JOURNALNATIONAL PARK JOURNAL

Yosemi e 8 Gorgeous GetawaysSTAY ON A FARM | HIKE TO A WATERFALL PHOTOGRAPH HALF DOME | BIKE THROUGH WINE COUNTRY | SKI IN YOSEMITE

8

REGIONAL TRIP PLANNERWHERE TO STAY, EAT AND EXPLORE IN WYOMING, IDAHO, UTAH, COLORADO, MONTANA AND SOUTH DAKOTA.

6 EPIC ROAD TRIPS

DAILY ITINERARIES

AND MAPS INCLUDED!

GRAND TETON

NATIONAL PARK

SEE WILDLIFE, GET WET AND

ESCAPE THE CROWDS

The Experts in National Park

Travel

YEARS OF NATIONAL PARKS!

CENTENNIAL EDITION

100

NATIONAL PARK JOURNAL

Plan Your Dream GetawayGetaway

SIGHTSEEING SECRETS TO WILDLIFE, GEYSERS,

HIKES AND FAMILY FUN67

Yellows one