Yellowstone National Park 34340 226104001 2008-07-16T21:00:40Z Juliancolton 2793164 /* Forest fires */ {{main}} --> {{see also}} {{Redirect|Yellowstone}} {{Infobox_protected_area | name = Yellowstone National Park | iucn_category = II | image = US_Locator_Blank.svg | caption = | locator_x = 75 | locator_y = 45 | location = [[Park County, Wyoming|Park]] and [[Teton County, Wyoming|Teton]] counties in [[Wyoming]], [[Park County, Montana|Park]] and [[Gallatin County, Montana|Gallatin]] counties in [[Montana]] and [[Fremont County, Idaho|Fremont County]] in [[Idaho]], [[United States|USA]] | nearest_city = [[West Yellowstone, Montana]]; [[Gardiner, Montana]]; [[Jackson, Wyoming]] | lat_degrees = 44 | lat_minutes = 36 | lat_seconds = 0 | lat_direction = N | long_degrees = 110 | long_minutes = 30 | long_seconds = 0 | long_direction = W | area = {{convert|2219789|acre|ha|abbr=on}}<ref name="facts">{{cite web| title =Yellowstone Fact Sheet| publisher = National Park Service| url =http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/factsheet.htm|date=August 10, 2006| accessdate = 2007-03-07}}</ref> | established = [[March 1]], [[1872]] | visitation_num = 3,151,343<ref name="Visitstats">{{citeweb|title=History of total annual visits for Yellowstone NP|work= Park Vistation Report|publisher=National Park Service|url=http://www2.nature.nps.gov/NPstats/select_report.cfm?by=year|accessdate=2008-06-18}}</ref> | visitation_year = 2007 | governing_body = [[National Park Service]] | world_heritage_site = 1978 }} [[Image:Yellowstone Natl Park poster 1938.jpg|thumb|right|288px|Historical poster of Yellowstone from 1938]] '''Yellowstone National Park''', set aside as a [[national park]] on [[March 1]], [[1872]], is located mostly in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Wyoming]], though it also extends into [[Montana]] and [[Idaho]]. The park was the first of its kind, and is known for its [[wildlife]] and [[Geothermal areas of Yellowstone|geothermal features]], especially [[Old Faithful Geyser]], one of the most popular areas in the park.<ref name="facts"/> It has many types of ecosystems, but the Boreal forest is dominant. [[Native Americans in the United States|Aboriginal Americans]] have lived in the Yellowstone region for at least 11,000&nbsp;years. The region was bypassed during the [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] in the early 1800s. Aside from visits by [[mountain man|mountain men]] during the early to mid-1800s, organized exploration did not begin until the late 1860s. The [[U.S. Army]] was commissioned to oversee the park just after its establishment. In 1917, administration of the park was transferred to the [[National Park Service]], which had been created the previous year. Hundreds of structures have been built and are protected for their architectural and historical significance, and researchers have examined more than 1,000 archaeological sites. Yellowstone National Park spans an area of 3,468&nbsp;square miles (8,983&nbsp;km²), comprising lakes, canyons, rivers and [[mountain range]]s.<ref name="facts"/> [[Yellowstone Lake]] is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in [[North America]] and is centered over the [[Yellowstone Caldera]], the largest [[supervolcano]] on the continent. The caldera is considered an active volcano; it has erupted with tremendous force several times in the last two million years. Half of the world's geothermal features are in Yellowstone, fueled by this ongoing volcanism.<ref name="geothermal">{{cite web| title =Geothermal Features and How They Work| publisher = National Park Service| date = February 17, 2007| url =http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/geothermal.htm| accessdate = 2007-04-08}}</ref> [[Lava]] flows and rocks from volcanic eruptions cover most of the land area of Yellowstone. The park is the centerpiece of the [[Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem]], the largest remaining, nearly-intact ecosystem in the Earth's northern temperate zone.<ref name="ecosystem">{{cite web| last=Schullery | first=Paul |url = http://web.archive.org/web/20060925064249/http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/noframe/r114.htm | title = The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem| work = Our Living Resources |publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> Hundreds of species of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have been documented, including several that are either [[endangered species|endangered]] or [[threatened species|threatened]].<ref name="facts"/> The vast forests and grasslands also include unique species of plants. [[grizzly bear|Grizzlies]], [[gray wolf|wolves]], and free-ranging herds of [[American Bison|bison]] and [[elk]] live in the park. [[Forest fire]]s occur in the park each year; in the [[Yellowstone fires of 1988|large forest fires]] of 1988, nearly one third of the park burned. Yellowstone has numerous recreational opportunities, including [[hiking]], [[camping]], [[boating]], [[fishing]] and sightseeing. Paved roads provide close access to the major geothermal areas as well as some of the lakes and waterfalls. During the winter, visitors often access the park by way of guided tours that use either [[snow coach]]es or [[snowmobile]]. ==Early history== The park is located at the headwaters of the [[Yellowstone River]], from which it takes its historical name. In the eighteenth century, [[Coureur des bois#Voyageurs|French Trappers]] named the river "Roche Jaune," which is probably a translation of the [[Mandan|Minnetaree]] name "''Mi tsi a-da-zi''" (Rock Yellow River). Later, American trappers rendered the French name in English as "Yellow Stone." Although it is commonly believed that the river was named for the yellow rocks seen in the [[Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone]], the Native American name source is not clear.<ref name="naming">{{cite web | title = The Origin of the Name “Yellowstone”| work = Yellowstone A Brief History of the Park | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior|date=February 2006| url = http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/Yell257.pdf|format=PDF | accessdate = 2007-04-01}}</ref> The human history of the park begins at least 11,000 years ago when aboriginal Americans first began to hunt and fish in the region. During the construction of the post office in [[Gardiner, Montana]], in the 1950s, an obsidian projectile point of [[Clovis culture|Clovis]] origin was found that dated from approximately 11,000 years ago.<ref>{{cite book |title=Homeland: An archaeologist's view of Yellowstone Country's past |author=Lahren, Larry |publisher=Cayuse Press |date=2006 |pages=p. 161 |id=ISBN 0978925106}}</ref> These [[Paleo-indians]], of the Clovis culture, used the significant amounts of [[obsidian]] found in the park to make such [[cutting tool]]s and [[weapon]]s. [[Arrowhead]]s made of Yellowstone obsidian have been found as far away as the [[Mississippi Valley]], indicating that a regular obsidian trade existed between local tribes and tribes farther east.<ref name="Janetski">{{cite book| last = Janetski| first = Joel C. | title = Indians in Yellowstone National Park| publisher = University of Utah Press | date = 1987| location = Salt Lake City, Utah| id = ISBN 0-87480-724-7}}</ref> By the time [[White people|white]] [[Exploration|explorers]] first entered the region during the [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] in 1805, they encountered the [[Nez Perce]], [[Crow Indians|Crow]] and [[Shoshone]] tribes. While passing through present day Montana, the expedition members were informed of the Yellowstone region to the south, but they did not investigate it.<ref name="Janetski"/> [[Image:Upper Falls IMG 0273.JPG|left|thumb|300px|Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River]] In 1806, [[John Colter]], a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, left to join a group of fur trappers. After splitting up with the other trappers in 1807, Colter passed through a portion of what later became the park, during the winter of 1807–1808. He observed at least one [[Geothermal (geology)|geothermal]] area in the northeastern section of the park, near [[Tower Falls]].<ref name="Haines">{{cite web| last = Haines| first = Aubrey L.| title = The Lewis and Clark Era (1805–1814)| work = Yellowstone National Park: Its Exploration and Establishment | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior| url = http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/haines1/iee1a.htm| date = 2000|accessdate = 2006-11-14}}</ref> After surviving wounds he suffered in a battle with members of the Crow and [[Blackfoot]] tribes in 1809, he gave a description of a place of "fire and brimstone" that was dismissed by most people as delirium. The supposedly imaginary place was nicknamed "[[Colter's Hell]]." Over the next forty years, numerous reports from mountain men and trappers told of boiling mud, steaming rivers and [[Petrifaction|petrified]] trees, yet most of these reports were believed at the time to be myth.<ref name="Haines2">{{cite web| last = Haines| first = Aubrey L.| title = The Fur Trade Era (1818–42)| work = Yellowstone National Park: Its Exploration and Establishment | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior| date = 2000| url = http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/haines1/iee1b.htm| accessdate = 2006-11-15}}</ref> After an 1856 exploration, mountain man [[Jim Bridger]] reported observing boiling springs, spouting water, and a mountain of glass and yellow rock. These reports were largely ignored because Bridger was known for being a "spinner of yarns". His stories did arouse the interest of explorer and geologist [[Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden]], who, in 1859, started a two-year survey of the upper [[Missouri River]] region. Bridger and United States Army surveyor W.F. Raynolds acted as guides. After exploring the [[Black Hills]] region in what is now the state of [[South Dakota]], the party neared the Yellowstone River, but heavy snows forced them to turn back. The [[American Civil War]] hampered further organized explorations until the late 1860s.<ref name="Haines3">{{cite web| last = Haines| first = Aubrey L.| title = The Exploring Era (1851–63)| work = Yellowstone National Park: Its Exploration and Establishment | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior| date = 1975| url = http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/haines1/iee1c.htm| accessdate = 2006-11-14}}</ref> The first detailed expedition to the Yellowstone area was the [[Folsom Expedition]] of 1869, which consisted of three privately funded explorers. The Folsom party followed the Yellowstone River to Yellowstone Lake.<ref name="Haines4">{{cite web| last = Haines| first = Aubrey L.| title = The Folsom Party (1869)| work = Yellowstone National Park: Its Exploration and Establishment | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior| date = 2000| url = http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/haines1/iee2b.htm| accessdate = 2007-10-09}}</ref> The members of the Folsom party kept a journal and based on the information it reported, a party of Montana residents organized the [[Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition]] in 1870. It was headed by the surveyor-general of Montana [[Henry D. Washburn|Henry Washburn]], and included [[Nathaniel P. Langford]] (who later became known as "National Park" Langford) and a U.S. Army detachment commanded by Lt. Gustavus Doane. The expedition spent about a month exploring the region, collecting specimens, and naming sites of interest. A Montana writer and lawyer named Cornelius Hedges, who had been a member of the Washburn expedition, proposed that the region should be set aside and protected as a National Park; he wrote a number of detailed articles about his observations for the ''Helena Herald'' newspaper between 1870 and 1871. Hedges essentially restated comments made in October 1865 by acting Montana Territorial Governor [[Thomas Francis Meagher]], who had previously commented that the region should be protected.<ref name="Haines5">{{cite web| last = Haines| first = Aubrey L.| title = Cornelius Hedges| work = Yellowstone National Park: Its Exploration and Establishment | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior| date = 2000| url = http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/haines1/iee4a.htm#hedges| accessdate = 2007-10-09}}</ref> Others made similar suggestions. In an 1871 letter from [[Jay Cooke]] to Ferdinand Hayden, Cooke wrote that his friend, Senator [[William D. Kelley]] had also suggested "[[United States Congress|Congress]] pass a bill reserving the Great Geyser Basin as a public park forever".<ref name="Cooke">{{cite web| last = | first = | title = The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone| work = American Studies at the University of Virginia| publisher = University of Virginia| date = | url = http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA96/RAILROAD/ystone.html| accessdate = 2007-05-16}}</ref> ==Park creation and later history== [[Image:Hayden Survey by W.H.Jackson.jpg|right|thumb|In this 1871 painting by [[William Henry Jackson]], the [[Hayden Survey]] is depicted exploring a lake in Yellowstone]] In 1871, eleven years after his failed first effort, F.V. Hayden was finally able to make another attempt to explore the region. With government sponsorship, Hayden returned to Yellowstone with a second, larger expedition. He compiled a comprehensive report on Yellowstone, which included large-format photographs by [[William Henry Jackson]], as well as paintings by [[Thomas Moran]]. His report helped to convince the U.S. Congress to withdraw this region from public auction; on [[March 1]], [[1872]], President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] signed a bill into law that created Yellowstone National Park.<ref name="grant">{{cite web| last = | first = | title = History & Culture| work = General Grant National Memorial | publisher = National Park Service| date = July 25, 2006 | url =http://www.nps.gov/gegr/historyculture/index.htm| accessdate = 2007-04-23}}</ref> [[Image:NathanielPLangford.JPG|thumb|left|(1870) Portrait of Nathaniel P. Langford, the first superintendent of the park.<ref>''Nathaniel P. Langford-The Vigilante, the Explorer, the Expounder and First Superintendent of the Yellowstone Park'' by Olin D. Wheeler 1912 text of speech to Montana Historical Society</ref>]] Nathaniel Langford was appointed as the park's first superintendent in 1872. He served for five years but was denied a salary, funding, and staff. Langford lacked the means to improve the land or properly protect the park, and without formal policy or regulations, he had few legal methods to enforce such protection. This left Yellowstone vulnerable to poachers, vandals, and others seeking to raid its resources. In 1875, Colonel [[William Ludlow]], who had previously explored areas of Montana under the command of [[George Armstrong Custer]], was assigned to organize and lead an expedition to Montana and the newly established Yellowstone Park. Observations about the lawlessness and exploitation of park resources were included in Ludlow's ''Report of a Reconnaissance to the Yellowstone Nation Park.'' The report included letters and attachments by other expedition members, including naturalist and mineralogist [[George Bird Grinnell]]. Grinnell documented the poaching of buffalo, deer, elk and antelope for hides. "It is estimated that during the winter of 1874–1875, not less than 3,000 buffalo and mule deer suffer even more severely than the elk, and the antelope nearly as much."<ref name="Punke">{{cite book| last =Punke| first =Michael| title =Last Stand: George Bird Grinnell, the Battle to Save the Buffalo, and the Birth of the New West| publisher =Smithsonian Books| date =2007| location =| pages =102| url =| doi =| id = | isbn = 9780060897826}}</ref> As a result, Langford was forced to step down in 1877.<ref name="langford">{{cite web| last = | first = | title = Yellowstone National Park's First 130 Years|work = Yellowstone History| publisher = National Park Service| url = http://windowsintowonderland.org/history/army&nps/page3.htm| accessdate = 2007-02-28}}</ref><ref name="norris">{{cite web| last = Rydell| first =Kiki Leigh| coauthors =Mary Shivers Culpin| title =The Administrations of Nathaniel Langford and Philetus Norris| work =A History of Administrative Development in Yellowstone National Park, 1872–1965| publisher = Yellowstone National Park| url =http://64.241.25.110/yell/pdfs/history/administration/chapter1.pdf| format =PDF| date =July 5, 2006|accessdate = 2007-04-01}}</ref> Having traveled through Yellowstone and witnessed land management problems first hand, [[Philetus Norris]] volunteered for the position following Langford's exit. Congress finally saw fit to implement a salary for the position, as well as to provide a minimal funding to operate the park. Norris used these funds to expand access to the park, building numerous crude roads and facilities.<ref name="norris"/> Norris hired [[Harry Yount]] to control poaching and vandalism in the park. Today, Harry Yount is considered the first national park ranger.<ref name="yount">{{cite web| last = | first = | title = Yellowstone National Park's First 130 Years|work = Yellowstone History| publisher = National Park Service| url = http://windowsintowonderland.org/history/army&nps/page6.htm| accessdate = 2007-04-01}}</ref> However, these measures still proved to be insufficient in protecting the park, as neither Norris, nor the three superintendents who followed, were given sufficient manpower or resources. [[Image:Fort Yellowstone-750px.jpg|thumb|right|Fort Yellowstone, formerly a U.S. Army base, now serves as park headquarters]] The [[Northern Pacific Railroad]] built a [[train station]] in [[Livingston, Montana]], connecting to the northern entrance in the early 1880s, which helped to increase visitation from 300 in 1872 to 5,000 in 1883.<ref name="tour">{{cite web| last = | first = | title = Yellowstone National Park's First 130 Years|work = Yellowstone History| publisher = National Park Service| url = http://windowsintowonderland.org/history/army&nps/page16.htm| accessdate = 2007-04-01}}</ref> Visitors in these early years were faced with poor roads and limited services, and most access into the park was on horse or via [[stagecoach]]. By 1908 visitation increased enough to also attract a [[Union Pacific Railroad]] connection to West Yellowstone, though rail visitation fell off considerably by [[World War II]] and ceased around the 1960s. Ongoing poaching and destruction of natural resources continued unabated until the U.S. Army arrived at [[Mammoth Hot Springs]] in 1886 and built Camp Sheridan. Over the next 22 years the army constructed permanent structures, and Camp Sheridan was renamed [[Fort Yellowstone]].<ref name="army">{{cite web| last = Rydell| first =Kiki Leigh| coauthors =Mary Shivers Culpin| title =The United States Army Takes Control of Yellowstone National Park 1886–1906| work =A History of Administrative Development in Yellowstone National Park, 1872–1965| publisher = Yellowstone National Park| date =July 5, 2006| url =http://64.241.25.110/yell/pdfs/history/administration/chapter3.pdf| format =PDF| accessdate = 2007-04-01}}</ref> With the funding and manpower necessary to keep a diligent watch, the army developed their own policies and regulations that permitted public access while protecting park wildlife and natural resources. When the National Park Service was created in 1916, many of the management principles developed by the army were adopted by the new agency.<ref name="army"/> The army turned control over to the National Park Service on [[October 31]], [[1918]].<ref name="nps2">{{cite web| last = Rydell| first =Kiki Leigh| coauthors =Mary Shivers Culpin| title =The National Park Service in Yellowstone National Park 1917–1929| work =A History of Administrative Development in Yellowstone National Park, 1872–1965| publisher = Yellowstone National Park| date =July 5, 2006| url =http://64.241.25.110/yell/pdfs/history/administration/chapter5.pdf| format =PDF| accessdate = 2007-04-01}}</ref> By 1915, 1,000 automobiles per year were entering the park, resulting in conflicts with horses and horse driven transportation. In subsequent years horse travel on roads was eventually prohibited.<ref name="cars">{{cite web| last = | first = | title = Yellowstone National Park's First 130 Years|work = Yellowstone History| publisher = National Park Service| url = http://windowsintowonderland.org/history/army&nps/page17.htm| accessdate = 2007-04-01}}</ref> Between 1933 and 1941, the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] built the majority of the early visitor centers, campgrounds and the current system of park roads. During [[World War II]], staffing and visitation both decreased, and many facilities fell into disrepair.<ref name="ww">{{cite web| last = Rydell| first =Kiki Leigh| coauthors =Mary Shivers Culpin| title =Mission 66 in Yellowstone National Park 1941–1965| work =A History of Administrative Development in Yellowstone National Park, 1872–1965| publisher = Yellowstone National Park| date =July 5, 2006| url =http://64.241.25.110/yell/pdfs/history/administration/chapter7.pdf| format =PDF| accessdate = 2007-04-01}}</ref> By the 1950s, visitation increased tremendously in Yellowstone and other national parks. To accommodate the increased visitation, park officials implemented [[Mission 66]], an effort to modernize and expand park service facilities. Planned to be completed by 1966, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service, Mission 66 construction diverged from the traditional log cabin style with design features of a modern style.<ref name="Allaback">{{cite web| last = Allaback| first = Sarah| title = Mission 66 Visitor Centers| work = | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior| date = 2000| url = http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/allaback/| accessdate = 2007-02-28}}</ref> During the late 1980s, most construction styles in Yellowstone reverted back to the more traditional designs. After the enormous forest fires of 1988 damaged much of Grant Village, structures there were rebuilt in the traditional style. The visitor center at Canyon Village, which opened in 2006, incorporates a more traditional design as well.<ref name="center">{{cite web| last = | first = | title = Canyon Area NPS Visitor Facilities| work = | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior| date = August 22, 2006| url = http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/canyonvc.htm| accessdate = 2007-04-08}}</ref> [[Image:Yellowstonenorth.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Roosevelt Arch]] is located in [[Gardiner, Montana|Montana]] at the North Entrance. The arch's [[cornerstone]] was laid by [[Theodore Roosevelt]]. The placard reads '' '''"For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People."''' '']] The [[1959 Yellowstone earthquake]] just west of Yellowstone at [[Hebgen Lake]] damaged roads and some structures in the park. In the northwest section of the park, new geysers were found, and many existing hot springs became turbid.<ref name="earthquake">{{cite web | url = http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/states/events/1959_08_18.php | title = Largest Earthquake in Montana | format = | work = Historic Earthquakes | publisher = U.S. Geological Survey |date=January 24, 2007| accessdate = 2007-03-20}}</ref> It was the most powerful earthquake to hit the region in recorded history. The [[wildfire]]s during the summer of 1988 were the largest in the history of the park. Approximately {{convert|793880|acre|sqmi ha|0}} or 36% of the parkland was impacted by the fires, leading to a systematic reevaluation of fire management policies. The fire season of 1988 was considered normal until a combination of drought and heat by mid-July contributed to an extreme fire danger. On "Black Saturday," [[August 20]], [[1988]], strong winds expanded the fires rapidly, and more than {{convert|150000|acre|ha sqmi}} were consumed.<ref name="fires">{{cite web | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20061007110423/http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/fire.htm | title = Wildland Fire in Yellowstone | format = | work = | publisher = National Park Service |date=July 26, 2006| accessdate = 2007-02-28}}</ref> The expansive cultural history of the park has been documented by the 1,000 [[archeology|archeological]] sites that have been discovered. The park has 1,106 historic structures and features, and of these [[Obsidian Cliff]] and five buildings have been designated [[National Historic Landmarks]].<ref name="facts"/> Yellowstone was designated an [[International Biosphere Reserve]] on [[October 26]], [[1976]], and a [[United Nations]] [[World Heritage Site]] on [[September 8]], [[1978]]. ==Geography== [[Image:lakeyellowstonebig.jpg|left|thumb|220px|Yellowstone Lake on an autumn morning]] Approximately 96 percent of the land area of Yellowstone National Park is located within the state of Wyoming. Another 3 percent is within Montana, with the remaining 1 percent in Idaho. The park is 63&nbsp;miles (102&nbsp;km) north to south, and 54&nbsp;miles (87&nbsp;km) west to east by air. At {{convert|2219789|acre|ha sqmi}}, Yellowstone is larger than the states of [[Rhode Island]] and [[Delaware]] combined. Rivers and lakes cover 5 percent of the land area, with the largest water body being Yellowstone Lake at {{convert|87040|acre|ha sqmi}}. Yellowstone Lake is up to 400&nbsp;feet (122&nbsp;m) deep and has 110&nbsp;miles (177&nbsp;km) of shoreline. At an elevation of 7,733&nbsp;feet (2,357&nbsp;m) above sea level, Yellowstone Lake is the largest high altitude lake in North America. Forests comprise 80 percent of the land area of the park; most of the rest is [[prairie|grassland]].<ref name="facts"/> The [[Continental Divide]] of North America runs diagonally through the southwestern part of the park. The divide is a [[topography|topographic]] feature that separates [[Pacific Ocean]] and [[Atlantic Ocean]] water drainages. About one third of the park lies on the west side of the divide. The origins of the Yellowstone and [[Snake River]]s are near each other but on opposite sides of the divide. As a result, the waters of the Snake River flow to the Pacific Ocean, while those of the Yellowstone find their way to the Atlantic Ocean via the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. [[Image:Lewis Falls.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Lewis Falls on the Lewis River]] The park sits on the [[Yellowstone Plateau]], at an average altitude of 8,000&nbsp;feet (2,400&nbsp;m) above [[sea level]]. The plateau is bounded on nearly all sides by [[mountain range]]s of the [[Rocky Mountains|Middle Rocky Mountains]], which range from 9,000 to 11,000&nbsp;feet (2,743 to 3,352&nbsp;m) in elevation. The highest point in the park is atop [[Eagle Peak (Wyoming)|Eagle Peak]] (11,358&nbsp;ft/3,462&nbsp;m) and the lowest is along Reese Creek (5,282&nbsp;ft/1,610&nbsp;m).<ref name="facts"/> Nearby mountain ranges include the [[Gallatin Range]] to the northwest, the [[Beartooth Mountains]] in the north, the [[Absaroka Range]] to the east, and the [[Teton Range]] and the [[Madison Range]] to the southwest and west. The most prominent summit on the Yellowstone Plateau is [[Mount Washburn]] at 10,243&nbsp;feet (3,122&nbsp;m). {{-}} Yellowstone National Park has one of the world's largest [[petrified forest]]s, trees which were long ago buried by ash and soil and transformed from wood to mineral materials. There are 290 [[waterfall]]s of at least 15&nbsp;feet (4.5&nbsp;m) in the park, the highest being the [[Yellowstone Falls|Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River]] at 308&nbsp;feet (94&nbsp;m).<ref name="facts"/> [[Image:Yellowstone Vert Pan2revised.jpg|thumb|left|350px|Yellowstone mountain range]] Two deep canyons are located in the park, cut through the volcanic tuff of the Yellowstone Plateau by rivers over the last 640,000&nbsp;years. The [[Lewis River (Wyoming)|Lewis River]] flows through [[Lewis Canyon]] in the south, and the [[Yellowstone River]] has carved the colorful [[Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone]] in its journey north. [[Image:Grand canyon of Yellowstone and Yellowstone fall.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Yellowstone Fall]] ==Geology== {{main|Geothermal areas of Yellowstone|Yellowstone Caldera|Supervolcano}} [[Image:Columnar basalt closeup near Tower Fall in Yellowstone.JPG|thumb|right|Columnar basalt near Tower Falls. Large floods of basalt and other lava types preceded mega-eruptions of superheated ash and pumice.]] Yellowstone is at the northeastern end of the [[Snake River Plain]], a great U-shaped arc through the mountains that extends from [[Boise, Idaho]] some {{Convert|400|mi|km|-1}} to the west. This feature traces the route of the [[North American Plate]] over the last 17 million years as it was transported by [[plate tectonics]] across a stationary [[mantle (geology)|mantle]] [[hotspot (geology)|hotspot]]. The landscape of present-day Yellowstone National Park is the most recent manifestation of this hotspot below the [[crust (geology)|crust]] of the Earth.<ref name="snake">{{cite web| url = http://tapestry.usgs.gov/features/34snakeriver.html | title = The Snake River Plain| work = | publisher = U.S. Geological Survey | date = March 12, 2001 | accessdate = 2007-03-12|abbr=on}}</ref> [[Image:Upper Terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs.jpg|thumb|200px|Upper Terraces of [[Mammoth Hot Springs]]|left]] The [[Yellowstone Caldera]] is the largest volcanic system in North America. It has been termed a "[[supervolcano]]" because the caldera was formed by exceptionally large explosive eruptions. The current caldera was created by a cataclysmic eruption that occurred 640,000&nbsp;years ago, which released 240&nbsp;cubic miles (1,000&nbsp;km³) of ash, rock and [[pyroclast]]ic materials. This eruption was 1,000 times larger than the [[1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens]].<ref name="volcanic">{{cite web| url = http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs100-03/| title = Tracking Changes in Yellowstone's Restless Volcanic System| work = | publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| date=January 19, 2006|accessdate = 2007-03-12}}</ref> It produced a [[Volcanic crater|crater]] nearly a two thirds of a mile (1&nbsp;km) deep and 52 by 28&nbsp;miles (85 by 45&nbsp;km) in area and deposited the [[Lava Creek Tuff]], a [[Tuff#Welded tuff|welded tuff]] [[geologic formation]]. The most violent known eruption, which occurred 2.1&nbsp;million years ago, ejected 588&nbsp;cubic miles (2,450&nbsp;km³) of volcanic material and created the rock formation known as the [[Huckleberry Ridge Tuff]].<ref name="volcanic history">{{cite web| url = http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/history.html| title = Volcanic History of the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field| work = Yellowstone Volcano Observatory| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| date = February 2, 2007 | accessdate = 2007-03-12}}</ref> A smaller eruption ejected 67&nbsp;cubic miles (280&nbsp;km³) of material 1.2&nbsp;million years ago, forming the [[Island Park Caldera]] and depositing the [[Mesa Falls Tuff]].<ref name="volcanic"/> [[Image:Grand prismatic spring.jpg|left|thumb|Wooden walkways allow visitors to closely approach the [[Grand Prismatic Spring]]]] Each of the three climax eruptions released vast amounts of ash that blanketed much of central North America falling many hundreds of miles away. The amount of ash and gases released into the atmosphere probably caused significant impacts to world weather patterns and led to the [[extinction]] of many species, primarily in North America.<ref name="sciamerican">{{cite web|last= Bindeman |first=Ilya N.| title = The Secrets of Supervolcanoes| work = | publisher = Scientific American|url = http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=1&articleID=0006E0BF-BB43-146C-BB4383414B7F0000| date = June 2006 | accessdate = 2007-04-12}}</ref> A subsequent minor climax eruption occurred 160,000 years ago. It formed the relatively small caldera that contains the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. Later, two smaller eruptive cycles, the last one ending about 70,000 years ago, buried much of the caldera under thick lava flows.<ref name="volcanic history"/> Each eruption is in fact a part of an eruptive cycle that climaxes with the collapse of the roof of a partially emptied [[magma chamber]]. This creates a crater, called a caldera, and releases vast amounts of volcanic material, usually through fissures that ring the caldera. The time between the last three cataclysmic eruptions in the Yellowstone area has ranged from 600,000 to 900,000 years, but the small number of such climax eruptions cannot be used to make a prediction for future volcanic events.<ref name="time">{{cite web| url = http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/faqsfactivity.html#eruptagain| title = Questions About Future Volcanic Activity | work = Yellowstone Volcano Observatory| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| date = February 2, 2007 | accessdate = 2007-04-08}}</ref> [[Image:Crepuscular rays and Dead trees at Mammoth Hot Springs.jpg|thumb|right|[[Steam]] [[Crepuscular rays]] at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_areas_of_Yellowstone#Mammoth_Hot_Springs Mammoth Hot Springs] ]] Between 630,000 and 700,000&nbsp;years ago, Yellowstone Caldera was nearly filled in with periodic eruptions of [[rhyolite|rhyolitic]] lavas such as those that can be seen at [[Obsidian Cliff]]s and [[basalt]]ic lavas which can be viewed at [[Sheepeaters Cliff]]. Lava strata are most easily seen at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where the Yellowstone River continues to carve into the ancient lava flows. The canyon is a classic [[V-shaped valley]], indicative of river-type erosion rather than erosion caused by [[glacier|glaciation]]. The most famous geyser in the park, and perhaps the world, is [[Old Faithful Geyser]], located in [[Upper Geyser Basin]]; the park also contains the largest active geyser in the world&mdash;[[Steamboat Geyser]] in the [[Norris Geyser Basin]]. There are 300 geysers in Yellowstone and a total of at least 10,000 geothermal features altogether. Half the geothermal features and two-thirds of the world's geysers are concentrated in Yellowstone.<ref name="un">{{cite web| url = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/28| title = Yellowstone National Park | work = World Heritage Sites| publisher = UNESCO World Heritage Centre| date=April 23, 2007 | accessdate = 2007-04-23}}</ref> In May 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey, Yellowstone National Park, and the [[University of Utah]] created the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO), a partnership for long-term monitoring of the geological processes of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field, for disseminating information concerning the potential hazards of this geologically active region.<ref name="yvo">{{cite web| url = http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/yvo.html| title = Information about the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory| work = Yellowstone Volcano Observatory| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| date= February 2, 2007|accessdate = 2007-03-12}}</ref> [[Image:Old Faithful Geyser Yellowstone National Park.jpg|thumb|left|[[Old Faithful Geyser]] erupts approximately every 91 minutes.]] In 2003, changes at the Norris Geyser Basin resulted in the temporary closure of some trails in the basin. New [[fumarole]]s were observed, and several geysers showed enhanced activity and increasing water temperatures. Several geysers became so hot that they were transformed into purely steaming features; the water had become superheated and they could no longer erupt normally.<ref name="geyserbasin">{{cite web| url = http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/2003/NorrisTherm03.html| title = Notable Changes in Thermal Activity at Norris Geyser Basin Provide Opportunity to Study Hydrothermal System | work =Yellowstone Volcano Observatory | publisher = U.S. Geological Survey|date=March 16, 2005| accessdate = 2007-03-12}}</ref> This coincided with the release of reports of a multiple year United States Geological Survey research project which mapped the bottom of Yellowstone Lake and identified a structural dome that had uplifted at some time in the past. Research indicated that these uplifts posed no immediate threat of a volcanic eruption, since they may have developed long ago, and there had been no temperature increase found near the uplifts.<ref name="uplift">{{cite web| url = http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/new.html| title =Frequently asked questions about recent findings at Yellowstone Lake | work =Yellowstone Volcano Observatory | publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| accessdate = 2007-03-12}}</ref> On [[March 10]], [[2004]], a biologist discovered 5 dead bison which apparently had inhaled toxic geothermal gases trapped in the Norris Geyser Basin by a seasonal atmospheric inversion. This was closely followed by an upsurge of earthquake activity in April 2004.<ref name="news">{{cite web| url = http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/NewsArchive.html| title =Archive of Stories About the Yellowstone Volcanic System | work =Yellowstone Volcano Observatory | publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| date= February 2, 2007|accessdate = 2007-03-12}}</ref> In 2006, it was reported that the Mallard Lake Dome and the Sour Creek Dome&mdash; areas that have long been known to show significant changes in their ground movement&mdash; had risen at a rate of 1.5 to 2.4&nbsp;inches (4 to 6&nbsp;cm) per year from mid&ndash;2004 through 2006. As of late 2007, the uplift has continued at a reduced rate.<ref>{{cite news | last =Stark| first =Mike| title =Yellowstone domes rising at 'really pronounced' pace| publisher =Billings Gazette| date = December 15, 2006| url =http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/12/15/news/state/25-dome.txt| accessdate = 2007-03-12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last =Smith | first =Robert B. | coauthors =Wu-Lung Chang, Lee Siegel | title =Yellowstone rising: Volcano inflating with molten rock at record rate | work =Press release, University of Utah Public Relations | pages = | language = | publisher =EurekAlert! (American Association for the Advancement of Science) | date =2007-11-08 | url =http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-11/uou-yr103007.php | accessdate = 2007-11-09 }}</ref> These events inspired a great deal of media attention and speculation about the geologic future of the region. Experts responded to the conjecture by informing the public that there was no increased risk of a volcanic eruption in the near future.<ref>{{cite journal| last =Lowenstern| first =Jake| title =Truth, fiction and everything in between at Yellowstone| journal =Geotimes| publisher = American Geologic Institute| date = June 2005| url =http://www.agiweb.org/geotimes/june05/feature_supervolcano.html| accessdate =2007-03-12}}</ref> [[Image:Yellowstone Castle Geysir Edit.jpg|thumb|right|Castle Geyser eruption.]] Yellowstone experiences thousands of small earthquakes every year, virtually all of which are undetectable to people. There have been six earthquakes with at least [[Moment magnitude scale|magnitude]] 6 or greater in historical times, including a 7.5 magnitude quake that struck just outside the northwest boundary of the park in 1959. This quake triggered a huge [[landslide]], which caused a partial dam collapse on [[Hebgen Lake]]; immediately downstream, the sediment from the landslide dammed the river and created a new lake, known as [[Quake Lake|Earthquake Lake]]. Twenty-eight people were killed, and property damage was extensive in the immediate region. The earthquake caused some geysers in the northwestern section of the park to erupt, large cracks in the ground formed and emitted steam, and some hot springs' normally clear water turned muddy.<ref name="earthquake"/> A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck inside the park on [[June 30]] [[1975]], but damage was minimal. For three months in 1985, 3,000 minor earthquakes were detected in the northwestern section of the park, during what has been referred to as an earthquake swarm, and has been attributed to minor subsidence of the Yellowstone caldera.<ref name="volcanic"/> Beginning on [[April 30]], [[2007]], sixteen small earthquakes with magnitudes up to 2.7 occurred in the Yellowstone Caldera for several days. These swarms of earthquakes are common, and there have been 70 such swarms between 1983 and 2006.<ref name="swarms">{{cite news | title =More Than A Dozen Earthquakes Shake Yellowstone| publisher =KUTV News| date =May 6, 2007| url =http://web.archive.org/web/20070526111246/http://kutv.com/national/local_story_126175405.html| accessdate = 2007-05-07 }}</ref> Seismic activity continues as evidenced by the magnitude 4.2 quake occurring on [[March 25]] [[2008]].<ref>[http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Quakes/uu00013060.php USGS earthquake report]</ref> ==Biology and ecology== {{main|Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem}} [[Image:Antilocapra americana.jpg|right|thumb|[[Pronghorn]] are commonly found on the grasslands in the park]] Yellowstone National Park is the centerpiece of the 20&nbsp;million acre/31,250&nbsp;square-mile (8,093,712&nbsp;ha/80,937&nbsp;km²) Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, a region that includes [[Grand Teton National Park]], adjacent [[National Forest]]s and expansive [[wilderness]] areas in those forests. The ecosystem is the largest remaining continuous stretch of mostly undeveloped pristine land in the United States outside of [[Alaska]] and is considered to be the world's largest intact ecosystem in the northern temperate zone<ref name="ecosystem">{{cite web| last=Schullery | first=Paul | url = http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/noframe/r114.htm | title = The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem| work = Our Living Resources | publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> (although the area is mostly not [[temperate]] but [[subalpine]], and all the national forest lands surrounding the National Park are not intact). With the successful [[wolf reintroduction]] program, which began in the 1990s, virtually all the original faunal species known to inhabit the region when white explorers first entered the area can still be found there. ===Flora=== 1,700 species of trees, plants, lichens and other vascular plants are native to the park. Another 170 species are considered to be [[exotic species]] and are non-native. Of the eight [[conifer]] tree species documented, [[Lodgepole pine]] forests cover 80% of the total forested areas.<ref name="facts"/> Other conifers, such as the [[douglas fir]] and [[whitebark pine]], are found in scattered groves throughout the park. As of 2007, the whitebark pine is threatened by a [[fungus]] known as [[Cronartium ribicola|white pine blister rust]]; however, this is mostly confined to forests well to the north and west. In Yellowstone, about seven percent of the whitebark pine species have been impacted with the fungus, compared to nearly complete infestations in northwestern Montana.<ref name="whitebark">{{cite web| last=Kendall|first=Katherine| url = http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/SNT/noframe/wm147.htm| title = Whitebark Pine| work = Our Living Resources | publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> [[Aspen]] and [[willow]] are the most common species of [[deciduous]] trees. The aspen forests have declined significantly since the early 20th century, but scientists at Oregon State University attribute recent recovery of the aspen to the reintroduction of wolves which has changed the grazing habits of local elk.<ref name="aspen">{{cite web|title = Presence Of Wolves Allows Aspen Recovery In Yellowstone | url = http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070726150904.htm | accessdate = 2007-08-01}}</ref> There are dozens of species of flowering plants that have been identified, most of which bloom between the months of May and September.<ref name="flowers">{{cite web| last=|first=| url = http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/upload/286wildflowers.pdf| format = PDF | title = Where Are the Bloomin' Wildflowers?| work = | publisher = National Park Service|date=February 2004| accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> The [[Yellowstone Sand Verbena]] is a rare flowering plant found only in Yellowstone. It is closely related to species usually found in much warmer climates, making the sand verbena an enigma. The estimated 8,000 examples of this rare flowering plant all make their home in the sandy soils on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, well above the waterline.<ref name="verbena">{{cite web| url = http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/verbena.htm| title = Yellowstone Sand Verbena|work = Nature and Science| publisher = National Park Service| date=July 20, 2006|accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> In Yellowstone's hot waters, [[bacteria]] form mats of bizarre shapes consisting of trillions of individuals. These bacteria are some of the most primitive lifeforms on earth. Flies and other [[arthropod]]s live on the mats, even in the middle of the bitterly cold winters. Initially, scientists thought that microbes there gained sustenance only from [[sulfur]]. In 2005, researchers from the [[University of Colorado at Boulder]] discovered that the sustenance for at least some of the diverse [[hyperthermophilic]] species is [[hydrogen|molecular hydrogen]].<ref name="bacteria">{{cite web| url = http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2005/30.html| title =Microbes In Colorful Yellowstone Hot Springs Fueled By Hydrogen, CU-Boulder Researchers Say |work = | publisher = University of Colorado at Boulder| date=January 24, 2005|accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> [[Thermus aquaticus| ''Thermus aquaticus'']] is a bacterium found in the Yellowstone hot springs produces an important [[enzyme]] that is easily replicated in the lab and is useful in replicating DNA as part of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process. The retrieval of these bacteria can be achieved with no impact to the ecosystem. Other bacteria in the Yellowstone hot springs may also prove useful to scientists who are searching for cures for various diseases.<ref>{{cite web| title =The Yellowstone Thermophiles Conservation Project| work =| publisher =World Foundation for Environment and Development| date =| url =http://www.wfed.org/projects/yellowstone/project.htm| date=April 27, 2004|accessdate = 2007-03-15}}</ref> Non-native plants sometimes threaten native species by using up nutrient resources. Though exotic species are most commonly found in areas with the greatest human visitation, such as near roads and at major tourist areas, they have also spread into the backcountry. Generally, most exotic species are controlled by pulling the plants out of the soil or by spraying, both of which are time consuming and expensive.<ref name="exotic">{{cite web| last=|first=|url = http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/upload/ExoticVeg_2_1_06.pdf| format = PDF | title =Exotic Vegetation Management in Yellowstone National Park|work = Nature and Science| publisher = National Park Service| date=February 1, 2006|accessdate = 2007-03-13}}</ref> ===Fauna=== {{main|Animals of Yellowstone|Wolf reintroduction}} [[Image:Bison near a hot spring in Yellowstone.JPG|thumb|right|[[American Bison|Bison]] graze near a hot spring]] Yellowstone is widely considered to be the finest [[megafauna]] wildlife habitat in the [[contiguous United States|lower 48 states]]. There are almost 60 species of [[mammal]]s in the park, including the [[endangered species|endangered]] [[gray wolf]], the [[threatened species|threatened]] [[lynx]], and [[grizzly bear]]s.<ref name="facts"/> Other large mammals include the [[American bison|bison]] (buffalo), [[American black bear|black bear]], [[elk]], [[moose]], [[mule deer]], [[mountain goat]], [[pronghorn]], [[bighorn sheep]] and [[mountain lion]]. The relatively large bison populations are a concern for ranchers, who fear that the species can transmit [[bovine]] diseases to their domesticated cousins. In fact, about half of Yellowstone's bison have been exposed to [[brucellosis]], a [[bacterium|bacterial]] disease that came to North America with [[Europe]]an cattle that may cause [[cattle]] to [[miscarriage|miscarry]]. The disease has little effect on park bison, and no reported case of transmission from wild bison to domestic livestock has been filed. However, the [[Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service]] (APHIS) has stated that Bison are the "likely source" of the spread of the disease in cattle in Wyoming and [[North Dakota]]. Elk also carry the disease and are believed to have transmitted the infection to horses and cattle.<ref name="aphis">{{cite web| title =Brucellosis and Yellowstone Bison| work =Brucellosis| publisher =Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service| url =http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahps/brucellosis/cattle.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-16}}</ref> Bison once numbered between 30 and 60 million individuals throughout North America, and Yellowstone remains one of their last strongholds. Their populations had increased from less than 50 in the park in 1902 to 4,000 by 2003.<ref name="bison2">{{cite web| title = Frequently Asked Questions About Bison | work =Nature and Science| publisher =National Park Service| date=August 9, 2006|url =http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/bisonqa.htm| date=August 9, 2006 |accessdate = 2007-04-01}}</ref> The Yellowstone herd is believed to be one of only four free roaming and genetically pure herds on public lands in North America. The other three herds are in the [[Henry Mountains]] of [[Utah]], [[Wind Cave National Park]] in [[South Dakota]] and on Elk Island in [[Alberta, Canada]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Prettyman| first = Brett| coauthors = | title = Moving Bison| work = | pages = | language = | publisher = [[Salt Lake Tribune]]| date = January 10, 2008| url = http://www.sltrib.com//ci_7924854?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com| accessdate =2008-01-12 }}</ref> To combat the perceived threat, national park personnel regularly harass bison herds back into the park when they venture outside of the area's borders. During the winter of 1996–97, the bison herd was so large that 1,079 bison that had exited the park were shot or sent to slaughter.<ref name="aphis"/> [[Animal rights]] activists argue that this is a cruel practice and that the possibility for disease transmission is not as great as some ranchers maintain. Ecologists point out that the bison are merely traveling to seasonal grazing areas that lie within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that have been converted to cattle grazing, some of which are within National Forests and are leased to private ranchers. APHIS has stated that with vaccinations and other means, brucellosis can be eliminated from the bison and elk herds throughout Yellowstone.<ref name="aphis"/> After the wolves were extirpated from Yellowstone, the [[coyote]] then became the park's top canine predator. However, the coyote is not able to bring down large animals, and the result of this lack of a top predator on these populations was a marked increase in lame and sick megafauna. Starting in 1914, in an effort to protect elk populations, the U.S. Congress appropriated funds to be used for the purposes of ''"destroying wolves, prairie dogs, and other animals injurious to agriculture and animal husbandry"'' on public lands. Park Service hunters carried out these orders, and by 1926 they had killed 136 wolves, and wolves were virtually eliminated from Yellowstone.<ref name="dow">{{cite web | title= Defenders of Wildlife| work= A Yellowstone Chronology| url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070607214843/http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/wolf/ynpchro.html| accessdate=2007-03-19}}</ref> Further exterminations continued until the National Park Service ended the practice in 1935. With the passing of the [[Endangered Species Act]] in 1973, the wolf was one of the first mammal species listed.<ref name="dow"/> [[Image:WolfRunningInSnow.jpg|right|thumb|A reintroduced gray wolf in Yellowstone National Park]] By the 1990s, the Federal government had reversed its views on wolves. In a controversial decision by the [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]] (which oversees threatened and endangered species), [[Mackenzie Valley Wolf|Mackenzie Valley wolves]], imported from [[Canada]], were reintroduced into the park. Reintroduction efforts have been successful with populations remaining relatively stable. A survey conducted in 2005 reported that there were 13 wolf packs, totaling 118 individuals in Yellowstone and 326 in the entire ecosystem. These park figures were lower than those reported in 2004 but may be attributable to wolf migration to other nearby areas as suggested by the substantial increase in the Montana population during that interval.<ref name="rmw">{{cite web| title =Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2005 Interagency Annual Report| work =| publisher =U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nez Perce Tribe, National Park Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Idaho Fish and Game, and USDA Wildlife Services| date =| url =http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/wolf/annualrpt05/2005_WOLF_REPORT_TOTAL.pdf| format = PDF |date=2006| accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> Almost all the wolves documented were descended from the 66 wolves reintroduced in 1995–96.<ref name="rmw"/> The recovery of populations throughout the states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho has been so successful that on Feb 27, 2008 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf population from the endangered species list.<ref name="delisting">{{cite web| last =| first = | title = Final Rule Designating the Northern Rocky Mountain Population of Gray Wolf as a Distinct Population Segment and Removing This Distinct Population Segment From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife| publisher = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service| date = February 27, 2008 | url = http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=09000064803cae39| accessdate = 2008-06-11}}</ref> An estimated 600 grizzly bears live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, with more than half of the population living within Yellowstone. The grizzly is currently listed as a threatened species, however the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that they intend to take it off the endangered species list for the Yellowstone region but will likely keep it listed in areas where it has not yet recovered fully. Opponents of delisting the grizzly are concerned that states might once again allow hunting and that better conservation measures need to be implemented to ensure a sustainable population.<ref name="geographic">{{cite news | last =Mott| first =Maryann| title =Bald Eagle, Grizzly: U.S. Icons Endangered No More?| publisher =National Geographic News| date = July 2, 2004| url =http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0628_040628_baldeagle.html | accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> Population figures for elk are in excess of 30,000&mdash;the largest population of any large mammal species in Yellowstone. The northern herd has decreased enormously since the mid-1990s, and this has been attributed to wolf predation and causal effects such as elk using more forested regions to evade predation, consequently making it harder for researchers to accurately count them.<ref name="elk count">{{cite news | title =2006–2007 Winter Count of Northern Yellowstone Elk|publisher =National Park Service| date =January 16, 2007| url =http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/nycwwg.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> The northern herd migrates west into southwestern Montana in the winter. The southern herd migrates southward, and the majority of these elk winter on the [[National Elk Refuge]], immediately southeast of Grand Teton National Park. The southern herd migration is the largest mammalian migration remaining in the U.S. outside of Alaska. In 2003, the tracks of one female lynx and her cub were spotted and followed for over 2&nbsp;miles (3.2&nbsp;km). Fecal material and other evidence obtained were tested and confirmed to be those of a lynx. No visual confirmation was made, however. Lynx have not been seen in Yellowstone since 1998, though [[DNA]] taken from hair samples obtained in 2001 confirmed that lynx were at least transient to the park.<ref name="lynx">{{cite web| last =Potter| first =Tiffany| title =Reproduction of Canada Lynx Discovered in Yellowstone| work =Nature: Year in Review| publisher =National Park Service| date =April 13, 2004| url =http://www2.nature.nps.gov/YearinReview/yir2003/07_E.html| accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> Other less commonly seen mammals include the mountain lion and [[wolverine]]. The mountain lion has an estimated population of only 25 individuals parkwide.<ref name="lion">{{cite web| last =| first =| title =Mountain Lions| work =| publisher =National Park Service| date =July 26, 2006| url =http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/mtlions.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> The wolverine is another rare park mammal, and accurate population figures for this species are not known.<ref name="wolverine">{{cite web| last =Marquis | first =Amy Leinbach| title =Wolverines in Yellowstone| work =| publisher =National Parks Conservation Association| date =| url =http://www.npca.org/magazine/2006/summer/rare_endangered.html| accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> These uncommon and rare mammals provide insight into the health of protected lands such as Yellowstone and help managers make determinations as to how best to preserve habitats. Eighteen species of fish live in Yellowstone, including the core range of the [[Yellowstone cutthroat trout]]&mdash;a fish highly sought by [[fishing|anglers]].<ref name="facts"/><ref name="fish">{{cite web| title =Fishing in Yellowstone National Park| work =| publisher =National Park Service| date =April 4, 2007| url =http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> The Yellowstone cutthroat trout has faced several threats since the 1980s, including the suspected illegal introduction into Yellowstone Lake of [[lake trout]], an [[invasive species]] which consume the smaller cutthroat trout.<ref name="lake trout">{{cite web| title =The Yellowstone Lake Crisis: Confronting a Lake Trout Invasion| work =| publisher =National Park Service| date =| url =http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/laketrout2.pdf| format = PDF |date=1995| accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> Although lake trout were established in Shoshone and Lewis lakes in the Snake River drainage from U.S. Government stocking operations in 1890, it was never officially introduced into the Yellowstone River drainage.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kendall |first=W. C. |title=The Fishes of the Yellowstone National Park |publisher=Department of Commerce, Bureau of Fisheries |location=Washington D.C. |pages=22–23 |year=1915 }}</ref> The cutthroat trout has also faced an ongoing drought, as well as the accidental introduction of a parasite&mdash;[[Myxobolus cerebralis|whirling disease]]&mdash;which causes a terminal nervous system disease in younger fish. Since 2001, all native sport fish species caught in Yellowstone waterways are subject to a catch and release law.<ref name="fish"/> Yellowstone is also home to 6 species of [[reptiles]], such as the [[painted turtle]] and [[rattlesnake|western rattlesnake]], and 4 species of [[amphibians]], including the [[Boreal Chorus Frog]].<ref name="reptiles">{{cite web| title =Vital Habitats: Wetlands and Wildlife| work =| publisher =National Park Service| date =| url =http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/upload/vitalhabitats.pdf| format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> 311 species of birds have been reported, almost half of which nest in Yellowstone.<ref name="facts"/> As of 1999, twenty-six pairs of nesting bald eagles have been documented. Extremely rare sightings of [[whooping crane]]s have been recorded, however only three examples of this species are known to live in the Rocky Mountains, out of 385 known worldwide.<ref name="eagle">{{cite web| last = | first = | title =Threatened and Endangered Species| work =| publisher =National Park Service| date =July 26, 2006 | url =http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/endangeredbirds.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> Other birds, considered to be species of special concern because of their rarity in Yellowstone, include the [[common loon]], [[harlequin duck]], [[osprey]], [[peregrine falcon]] and the [[trumpeter swan]].<ref name="concern">{{cite web| last = | first = | title =Species of Special Concern| work =| publisher =National Park Service| date =July 28, 2006| url =http://www.nps.gov/yell/naturescience/specialconcern.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-19}}</ref> ==Forest fires== {{see also|Yellowstone fires of 1988}} [[Image:Yellowstonefire.jpg|right|thumb|Fire in Yellowstone National Park]] [[Wildfire]] is a natural part of most ecosystems, and plants found in Yellowstone have adapted in a variety of ways. [[Douglas fir]] have a thick bark which protects the inner section of the tree from most fires. [[Lodgepole pine]]s &mdash;the most common tree species in the park&mdash; generally have cones that are only opened by the heat of fire. Their seeds are held in place by a tough resin, and fire assists in melting the resin, allowing the seeds to disperse. Fire clears out dead and down wood, providing fewer obstacles for lodgepole pines to flourish. [[Whitebark pine]] and other species tend to grow in colder and moister areas, where fire is less likely to occur. Aspen trees sprout new growth from their roots, and even if a severe fire kills the tree above ground, the roots often survive unharmed because they are insulated from the heat by soil.<ref name="fireecology">{{cite web| last = | first = | title =Fire Ecology | work =Yellowstone Wildland Fire| publisher =National Park Service| date =October 25, 2006| url =http://web.archive.org/web/20070209144441rn_1/www.nps.gov/archive/yell/technical/fire/ecology.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> The National Park Service estimates that in natural conditions, grasslands in Yellowstone burned an average of every 20 to 25 years, while forests in the park would experience fire about every 300 years.<ref name="fireecology"/> About thirty-five natural forest fires are ignited each year by [[lightning]], while another six to ten are started by people&mdash; in most cases by accident. Yellowstone National Park has three [[fire lookout|fire towers]], each staffed by trained fire fighters. The easiest one to reach is atop Mount Washburn, though it is closed to the public. The park also monitors fire from the air and relies on visitor reports of smoke and or flames.<ref name="firelookout">{{cite web| last = | first = | title =Yellowstone Lookouts | work =Yellowstone Wildland Fire| publisher =National Park Service| date =October 25, 2006 | url = http://web.archive.org/web/20061216095608rn_1/www.nps.gov/archive/yell/technical/fire/Suppression/Lookouts.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> Fire towers are staffed almost continuously from late June to mid-September&mdash; the primary fire season. Fires burn with the greatest intensity in the late afternoon and evening. Few fires burn more than 100&nbsp;acres (40&nbsp;ha), and the vast majority of fires reach only a little over an acre (0.5&nbsp;ha) before they burn themselves out.<ref name="firefacts">{{cite web| last = | first = | title =Fire Facts | work =Yellowstone Wildland Fire| publisher =National Park Service| date =October 25, 2006| url =http://web.archive.org/web/20070425202112/http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/technical/fire/factoid.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> Fire management focuses on monitoring dead and down wood quantities, soil and tree moisture, and the weather, to determine those areas most vulnerable to fire should one ignite. Current policy is to suppress all human caused fires and to evaluate natural fires, examining the benefit or detriment they may pose on the ecosystem. If a fire is considered to be an immediate threat to people and structures, or will burn out of control, then fire suppression is performed.<ref name="monitor">{{cite web| last = | first = | title =Fire Monitoring | work =Yellowstone Wildland Fire| publisher =National Park Service| date =October 25, 2006| url =http://web.archive.org/web/20070206135523/http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/technical/fire/monitor.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> [[Image:yellowstonefiredamage.jpg|left|thumb|Fire damage to trees giving way to new growth in Yellowstone.]] In an effort to minimize the chances of out of control fires and threats to people and structures, park employees do more than just monitor the potential for fire. [[Controlled burn]]s are prescribed fires which are deliberately started to remove dead timber under conditions which allow fire fighters an opportunity to carefully control where and how much wood is consumed. Natural fires are sometimes considered prescribed fires if they are left to burn. In Yellowstone, unlike some other parks, there have been very few fires deliberately started by employees as prescribed burns. However, over the last 30 years, over 300 natural fires have been allowed to burn naturally. In addition, fire fighters remove dead and down wood and other hazards from areas where they will be a potential fire threat to lives and property, reducing the chances of fire danger in these areas.<ref name="prescribed ">{{cite web| last = | first = | title =Prescribed Fire | work =Yellowstone Wildland Fire| publisher =National Park Service| date =October 25, 2006| url =http://web.archive.org/web/20070610004917/http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/technical/fire/prescribed.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> Fire monitors also regulate fire through educational services to the public and have been known to temporarily ban campfires from campgrounds during periods of high fire danger. The common notion in early United States land management policies was that all forest fires were bad. Fire was seen as a purely destructive force and there was little understanding that it was an integral part of the ecosystem. Consequently, until the 1970s, when a better understanding of wildfire was developed, all fires were suppressed. This led to an increase in dead and dying forests, which would later provide the fuel load for fires that would be much harder, and in some cases, impossible to control. Fire Management Plans were implemented, detailing that natural fires should be allowed to burn if they posed no immediate threat to lives and property. [[Image:Crown fire Old Faithful.jpg|thumb|right|A crown fire approaches the Old Faithful complex on September 7, 1988]] There was a wet spring in 1988 although by summer, drought began moving in throughout the northern Rockies, creating the driest year on record to that point, courtesy of the [[Droughts of 1988 and 1989]]. Grasses and plants which grew well in the early summer from the abundant spring moisture produced plenty of grass, which soon turned to dry tinder. The National Park Service began firefighting efforts to keep the fires under control, but the extreme drought made suppression difficult. Between [[July 15]] and [[July 21]], [[1988]], fires quickly spread from {{convert|8500|acre|ha sqmi}} throughout the entire Yellowstone region, which included areas outside the park, to {{convert|99000|acre|ha sqmi}} on the park land alone. By the end of the month, the fires were out of control. Large fires burned together, and on [[August 20]], [[1988]], the single worst day of the fires, more than {{convert|150000|acre|ha sqmi}} were consumed. Seven large fires were responsible for 95% of the {{convert|793000|acre|ha sqmi}} that were burned over the next couple of months. A total of 25,000 firefighters and U.S. military forces participated in the suppression efforts, at a cost of 120 million dollars. By the time winter brought snow that helped extinguish the last flames, the fires had destroyed 67 structures and caused several million dollars in damage.<ref name="fires"/> Though no civilian lives were lost, two personnel associated with the firefighting efforts were killed. Contrary to media reports and speculation at the time, the fires killed very few park animals&mdash; surveys indicated that only about 345 elk (of an estimated 40,000–50,000), 36 deer, 12 moose, 6 black bears, and 9 bison had perished. Changes in fire management policies were implemented by land management agencies throughout the U.S., based on knowledge gained from the 1988 fires and the evaluation of scientists and experts from various fields. By 1992, Yellowstone had adopted a new fire management plan which observed stricter guidelines for the management of natural fires.<ref name="fires"/> ==Climate== [[Image:Yellowstonewinter.jpg|right|thumb|[[Winter]] scene in Yellowstone]] Yellowstone climate is greatly influenced by altitude, with lower elevations generally found to be warmer year round. The record high temperature was 98&nbsp;[[Fahrenheit|°F]] (37&nbsp;[[Celsius|°C]]) in 1936, while the coldest temperature recorded is -66&nbsp;°F (-54&nbsp;°C) in 1933.<ref name="facts"/> During the summer months of June through early September, daytime highs are normally in the 70 to 80&nbsp;°F (20 to 25&nbsp;°C) range, while nighttime lows can go to below freezing (0&nbsp;°C)&mdash;especially at higher altitudes. Summer afternoons are frequently accompanied by [[thunderstorm]]s. Spring and fall temperatures range between 30 and 60&nbsp;°F (0 to 15&nbsp;°C) with cold nights in the teens to single digits (-5 to -20&nbsp;°C). Winter in Yellowstone is very cold with high temperatures usually between zero to 20&nbsp;°F (-20 to -5C&nbsp;°C) and nighttime temperatures below zero&nbsp;°F (-20&nbsp;°C) for most of the winter.<ref name="weather">{{cite web| last = | first = | title =Weather| work =| publisher =National Park Service| date =December 20, 2006| url =http://nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/weather.htm| accessdate = 2007-03-20}}</ref> Precipitation in Yellowstone is highly variable and ranges from 15&nbsp;inches (380&nbsp;mm) annually near Mammoth Hot Springs, to 80&nbsp;inches (2,000&nbsp;mm) in the southwestern sections of the park. The precipitation of Yellowstone is greatly influenced by the moisture channel formed by the [[Snake River Plain]] to the west that was, in turn, formed by Yellowstone itself. Snow is possible in any month of the year, with averages of 150&nbsp;inches (3,800&nbsp;mm) annually around Yellowstone Lake, to twice that amount at higher elevations.<ref name="weather"/> [[Tornado]]es in Yellowstone are rare; however, on [[July 21]], [[1987]], the most powerful tornado recorded in Wyoming touched down in the [[Teton Wilderness]] of [[Bridger-Teton National Forest]] and hit Yellowstone National Park. The tornado was classified as an [[Fujita Scale|F4]], with wind speeds estimated at between 207 and 260&nbsp;mph (333 to 418&nbsp;km/h). The tornado left a path of destruction 1 to 2&nbsp;miles (1.6 to 3.2&nbsp;km) wide, and 24&nbsp;miles (38&nbsp;km) long, and leveled {{convert|15000|acre|ha sqmi}} of mature pine forest.<ref name="tornado">{{cite web| last = | first = | title = Severe Weather| work =| publisher =Wyoming Climate Office| date =March 14, 2007| url =http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/wsc/climateatlas/severe_weather.html| accessdate = 2007-03-20}}</ref> ==Recreation== {{main|Trails of Yellowstone National Park}} {{main|Angling in Yellowstone National Park}} [[Image:YellowstoneMap.png|right|thumb|Orientation map of Yellowstone National Park showing many of the major tourist attractions.]] [[Image:Union Pacific Yellowstone National Park Brochure (1921).JPG|thumb|right|[[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacfic Railway]] Brochure Promoting Travel to Park (1921)]] Yellowstone is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Since the mid-1960s, at least 2 million tourists have visited the park almost every year.<ref name="Visitation">{{cite web | title = Historical Annual Visitation Statistics| work = Yellowstone National Park | publisher = U.S. Department of the Interior| url = http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/historicstats.htm|date=August 10, 2006 | accessdate = 2006-12-13}}</ref> At peak summer levels, 3,700 employees work for Yellowstone National Park concessionaires. Concessionaires manage nine hotels and lodges, with a total of 2,238 hotel rooms and cabins available. They also oversee gas stations, stores and most of the campgrounds. Another 800 employees work either permanently or seasonally for the National Park Service.<ref name="facts"/> Park service roads lead to major features; however, road reconstruction has produced temporary road closures. Yellowstone is in the midst of a long term road reconstruction effort, which is hampered by a short repair season. In the winter, all roads aside from the one which enters from [[Gardiner, Montana]], and extends to [[Cooke City, Montana]], are closed to wheeled vehicles.<ref name="roads">{{cite web| title =Road Construction Delays and Closures| publisher =National Park Service|date=April 9, 2007| url=http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm|accessdate = 2007-04-23}}</ref> Park roads are closed to wheeled vehicles from early November to mid April, but some park roads remain closed until mid-May.<ref name="hours">{{cite web| title =Operating Hours & Seasons| publisher =National Park Service|date= April 22, 2007|url=http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hours.htm|accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> The park has 310&nbsp;miles (499&nbsp;km) of paved roads which can be accessed from 5 different entrances.<ref name="facts"/> There is no public transportation available inside the park, but several tour companies can be contacted for guided motorized transport. In the winter, concessionaires operate guided [[snowmobile]] and [[snow coach]] tours.<ref name="winter">{{cite web| title =Winter Services in Yellowstone| publisher =National Park Service| url=http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/winterser.htm|accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> Facilities in the Old Faithful, Canyon and Mammoth Hot Springs areas of the park are very busy during the summer months. Traffic jams created by road construction or by people observing wildlife can result in long delays. [[Image:IMG 0302.JPG|thumb|left|Old Faithful Inn.]] The National Park Service maintains 9 visitor centers and museums and is responsible for maintenance of historical structures and many of the other 2,000 buildings. These structures include National Historical Landmarks such as the [[Old Faithful Inn]] built in 1903–04 and the entire [[Fort Yellowstone|Fort Yellowstone - Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District]]. A historical tour is available at Fort Yellowstone which details the history of the National Park Service and the development of the park. Campfire programs, guided walks and other interpretive presentations are available at numerous locations in the summer, and on a limited basis during other seasons. [[Camping]] is available at a dozen campgrounds with more than 2,000 campsites.<ref name="facts"/> Camping is also available in surrounding National Forests, as well as in Grand Teton National Park to the south. [[Backcountry]] campsites are accessible only by foot or by [[horseback riding|horseback]] and require a permit. There are 1,100&nbsp;miles (1,770&nbsp;km) of [[hiking]] trails available.<ref name="hikes">{{cite web| title =Hiking in the Park| publisher =National Park Service|date=August 17, 2006| url=http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hiking.htm|accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> The park is not considered to be a good destination for [[mountaineering]] because of the instability of volcanic rock which predominates. Visitors with pets are required to keep them on a leash at all times and are limited to areas near roadways and in "frontcountry" zones such as drive in campgrounds.<ref name="pets">{{cite web| title =Regulations Regarding Pets| publisher =National Park Service|date=July 12, 2006| url=http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/pets.htm|accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> Around thermal features, wooden and paved trails have been constructed to ensure visitor safety, and most of these areas are handicapped accessible. The National Park Service maintains a year round clinic at Mammoth Hot Springs and provides emergency services throughout the year.<ref name="safety">{{cite web| title =Information Every Visitor Needs to Know| publisher =National Park Service|date= March 6, 2007|url=http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm|accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> [[Image:YellowstoneBears.jpg|thumb|left|Vintage photo of visitors feeding bears in spite of the danger.]] [[Image:Bear dinner 1922.jpg .jpg|thumb|right|Park Superintendent [[Horace M. Albright]] and dinner guests, 1922]] [[Hunting]] is not permitted, though it is in the surrounding National Forests in season. [[Fishing]] is a popular activity, and a Yellowstone Park fishing license is required to fish in park waters<ref name="fishing">{{cite web| title =Fishing in Yellowstone National Park| publisher =National Park Service| date=April 4, 2007|url=http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing.htm|accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref>. Many park waters are [[fly fishing]] only and all native fish species are [[catch and release]] only<ref name=YNPFishReg>[http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/upload/fishreg06.pdf 2007 Yellowstone National Park Fishing Regulations]</ref>. Boating is prohibited on rivers and creeks except for a 5&nbsp;mile (8&nbsp;km) stretch of the Lewis River between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes, and it is open to non-motorized use only. Yellowstone Lake has a marina, and the lake is the most popular boating destination.<ref name="boating">{{cite web| title =Boating in Yellowstone National Park| publisher =National Park Service|date=September 18, 2006| url=http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/boating.htm|accessdate = 2007-03-21}}</ref> In the early history of the park, visitors were allowed, and sometimes even encouraged, to feed the bears. The bears had learned to beg for food, and visitors welcomed the chance to get their pictures taken with them. This led to numerous injuries to humans each year. In 1970, park officials changed their policy and started a vigorous program to educate the public on the dangers of close contact with bears, and to try to eliminate opportunities for bears to find food in campgrounds and trash collection areas. Although it has become more difficult to observe them in recent years, the number of human injuries and deaths have taken a significant drop and visitors are in less danger.[http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/yellowstoneindepth/episode3transcript.htm] Other protected lands in the region include [[Caribou-Targhee National Forest|Caribou-Targhee]], [[Gallatin National Forest|Gallatin]], [[Custer National Forest|Custer]], [[Shoshone National Forest|Shoshone]] and Bridger-Teton National Forests. The National Park Service's [[John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway]] is to the south and leads to Grand Teton National Park. The famed [[Beartooth Highway]] provides access from the northeast and has spectacular high altitude scenery. Nearby communities include [[West Yellowstone, Montana]]; [[Cody, Wyoming]]; [[Red Lodge, Montana]]; [[Ashton, Idaho]]; and [[Gardiner, Montana]]. The closest air transport is available by way of [[Bozeman, Montana|Bozeman]]; [[Billings, Montana]]; [[Jackson, Wyoming|Jackson]]; [[Cody, Wyoming]] or [[Idaho Falls, Idaho]].<ref name="directions">{{cite web| title =Directions| publisher =National Park Service|date=January 4, 2007| url=http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/directions.htm|accessdate = 2007-01-04}}</ref> [[Salt Lake City]], 320&nbsp;miles (515&nbsp;km) to the south, is the closest large metropolitan area. ==References== {{reflist|3}} ==External links== {{Commons|Yellowstone National Park|Yellowstone National Park}} *[http://www.nps.gov/yell/ Yellowstone National Park Official site] *[http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/interactivemap/index.htm An Interactive Yellowstone Map] Includes Points of Interest *[http://www.rcn.montana.edu/resources/features/features.aspx?nav=11 Database of Yellowstone's Thermal Features] *[http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/history.html USGS: Volcanic History of the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field] *[http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs100-03/ ''Tracking Changes in Yellowstone's Restless Volcanic System''], U.S. Geological Survey, Fact Sheet 100-03, 2004 *{{wikitravel|Yellowstone National Park}} ;Webcams *[http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm Old Faithful Geyser] *[http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/tours/livecams/mammoth/mammothcam2.htm Mammoth Hot Springs] *[http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/tours/livecams/mtwashburn/index.htm Mount Washburn] {{National parks of the United States}} {{World Heritage Sites in the United States of America}} {{featured article}} [[Category:1872 establishments]] [[Category:Geysers of Wyoming]] [[Category:History of Wyoming]] [[Category:National parks in Idaho]] [[Category:World Heritage Sites in the United States]] [[Category:U.S. Route 20]] [[Category:Yellowstone|Yellowstone]] [[Category:National parks in Montana]] [[Category:National parks in Wyoming]] [[Category:Hot springs of Wyoming]] [[Category:Federal lands in Wyoming]] [[Category:Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem]] [[Category:Regions of Wyoming]] {{Link FA|fr}} {{Link FA|fi}} {{Link FA|he}} [[ar:منتزه يلوستون الوطني]] [[bg:Йелоустоун (национален парк)]] [[ca:Parc Nacional de Yellowstone]] [[cs:Yellowstonský národní park]] [[da:Yellowstone National Park]] [[de:Yellowstone-Nationalpark]] [[et:Yellowstone'i rahvuspark]] [[es:Parque Nacional Yellowstone]] [[eo:Nacia Parko Yellowstone]] [[eu:Yellowstoneko Parke Nazionala]] [[fa:پارک ملی یلوستون]] [[fr:Parc national de Yellowstone]] [[gl:Parque Nacional de Yellowstone]] [[ko:옐로스톤 국립공원]] [[hr:Nacionalni park Yellowstone]] [[id:Taman Nasional Yellowstone]] [[is:Yellowstone-þjóðgarðurinn]] [[it:Parco nazionale di Yellowstone]] [[he:הפארק הלאומי ילוסטון]] [[lv:Jeloustonas nacionālais parks]] [[lt:Jeloustouno nacionalinis parkas]] [[hu:Yellowstone Nemzeti Park]] [[nl:Nationaal park Yellowstone]] [[ja:イエローストーン国立公園]] [[no:Yellowstone nasjonalpark]] [[pl:Park Narodowy Yellowstone]] [[pt:Parque Nacional de Yellowstone]] [[ro:Parcul Naţional Yellowstone]] [[qu:Yellowstone mamallaqta parki]] [[ru:Йеллоустоун (национальный парк)]] [[sq:Jelloustoun]] [[simple:Yellowstone National Park]] [[sk:Yellowstonský národný park]] [[sl:Narodni park Yellowstone]] [[sr:Јелоустоун]] [[fi:Yellowstonen kansallispuisto]] [[sv:Yellowstone nationalpark]] [[ta:யெல்லோஸ்டோன் தேசியப் பூங்கா]] [[th:อุทยานแห่งชาติเยลโลว์สโตน]] [[vi:Vườn quốc gia Yellowstone]] [[tr:Yellowstone Milli Parkı]] [[uk:Єллоустонський національний парк]] [[zh:黃石國家公園]]