Did You Know?

Did you know that the largest national park in the United States is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska? Covering an area of approximately 13.2 million acres, it is larger than the country of Switzerland. The park features stunning mountains, glaciers, and diverse wildlife.

Did you know that the most visited national park in the United States is Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the park attracts millions of visitors each year. It is known for its lush forests, scenic drives, and abundant wildlife.

Did you know that the Grand Canyon is not only a natural wonder but also a national park? Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona offers breathtaking views of the iconic, massive canyon formed by the Colorado River. It is one of the most famous and visited national parks in the United States.

Did you know that the United States was the first country in the world to establish a national park? Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, was the first national park in the United States and the world. It is renowned for its geothermal features, including the famous Old Faithful geyser.

Did you know that the national park system in the United States encompasses a diverse range of landscapes and ecosystems? From the towering cliffs of Yosemite National Park to the pristine beaches of Virgin Islands National Park, the national park system protects a wide variety of natural wonders, historical sites, and cultural treasures.

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Yellowstone National Park

This park became more widely known when cartoon character, Yogi Bear, parodied it as “Jellystone” and declared it home turf. But there’s nothing soft or wobbly about the rock formations in this Wyoming park. It opened in 1872 and has since been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site; it sits in the south-central Rocky Mountains and is home to bison, grizzly bears and elk. Recently, wolves were reintroduced to the park, rebalancing an ecosystem that had run amok without them.

The world’s largest active geyser — Steamboat Geyser — explodes in Yellowstone, but it is Old Faithful, with its blast every 90 minutes that has captured the imagination and drawn visitors; the park is littered with geysers of many sizes and frequencies. Also dotted with lakes, rivers, canyons and mountains, rugged, beautiful Yellowstone sits among volcanoes, some dead, some still geologically active.

Fires, as well as volcanoes, threaten Yellowstone; the last major burn occurred in 1988 and destroyed about one-third of the park. But the trees and vegetation are growing back.

The park is open year round, but the sub-alpine climate makes winters a tough time to visit. There are, besides camping facilities, numerous lodges and cabins, which make for a wonderful getaway any time of year.