Visiting Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is a vast wilderness of staggering proportions. It spans three states, covering a territory of 8,983 km², which is larger than the island of Corsica at 8,677 km². This park has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978, and its establishment in 1872 makes it the oldest national park in the world.
It possesses rare geological features. The center of the park is the crater of a supervolcano whose activity has never completely ceased. This makes it one of the few places where you can walk inside a crater that remains geologically active.
A majestic landscape
Yellowstone National Park sits on a plateau surrounded by mountains, with the highest point being Eagle Peak at 3,462 meters. The name Yellowstone is no coincidence. Immense stretches of land have been tinted with vivid colors by the iron deposits from its thermal waters, a sight that consistently surprises visitors.
Yellowstone Lake, located at an altitude of 2,350 meters, measures 352 km². That is a larger surface area than the cities of Paris and Marseille combined. You can also admire more than 300 waterfalls within the park, the highest of which measures 94 meters. This park contains 200 geysers and 10,000 hot springs, providing undeniable evidence of its underground activity. You will also find the world's tallest active geyser, Steamboat Geyser.
Wildlife and flora
Yellowstone National Park is not defined by its geology alone. You can discover 1,900 species of plants, but more importantly, wildlife that is rarely seen in the wild elsewhere. During your trip, you will almost inevitably cross paths with bison or elk. With some luck, you might spot a gray wolf, a lynx, a mountain lion, a grizzly bear, or an American black bear. Yellowstone National Park is an immense preserve where you can observe a landscape that is both untamed and remarkable.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
If you love hiking and wide-open natural landscapes, this park is made for you. Very diverse scenery, clear horizons, and well-maintained trails that let you knock out the miles without getting hurt.