Geysers that shoot plumes of water high in the air...
Columns of rock created by lava flowing millions of years ago. Petrified forests that include magnolia and palm trees ... Yellowstone - what a place to live!
Yellowstone is home to 90% of the world's thermal features.Geysers, hot pools, mud pots, paint pots, and steam vents are fun to watch, listen to, and even smell! Boardwalks allow visitors to safely explore these alien-looking lands. The sudden eruption of a geyser, the brilliant colors of hot pools and paint pots, the quirky bubbling noise of the mud pots, and even the stinky smell that comes from some sulfur rich features - all add to their intrigue! A volcanic eruption over 650,000 years ago produced not just our geyser basins, but also massive basalt column walls formed by lava being squeezed into the air.
Yellowstone Lake also has historic ties to the volcanic eruption! Find out what secrets the
lake recently revealed and why its trout population is changing.
Petrified trees provide evidence of Yellowstone's past, as well. Take a short walk to the "Petrified Tree" near Tower
Junction, or a steep hike to the petrified forest on Specimen Ridge,
where you can also glimpse rock imprints of plant and sea life from an early geological era.
Visitor Centers, operated by the National Park Service, feature educational displays,
films and activities that help visitors understand and appreciate what is around them.
Rangers lead walking tours through areas of interest, explaining what visitors are seeing and
pointing out details easily overlooked. Self guided walks and reference material provide
more learning opportunities.
Our partnership with Yellowstone Association will offer
even more avenues of exploration and knowledge.
Natural history in the park is endless, and students of science love working in Yellowstone.
Whether working toward a degree or pursuing a personal interest in earth science and
the natural world around them, many employees spend their time off learning from the hands-on
experiences available to them here.
Be sure to read about Outdoor Adventures
and Art & Photography in this "Play Here" section.
And go to Travel Yellowstone for more.
That's not all...
Water flowing over rock for thousands of years formed deep canyons. Reflecting the
sun's rays, the park's deepest canyon glows with yellows and reds. The "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone"
is only one of many accessed by viewpoints or hidden in the backcountry. Almost 100 miles north of
the park, native americans and early settlers lived near great yellow-colored cliffs
and rocks on the banks of the river, aptly named Yellowstone. These rocks and river gave our
park it's name.
Learn What causes...
...these unusual features and find out why Yellowstone is always changing!
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