Yellowstone National Park

America's first national park is just as alluring as it was when John Colter of the Lewis and Clark expedition first spied it in 1807. Colter's descriptions of spewing hot springs and boiling mud were unlike anything the public had ever heard of, and modern visitors still have the same reaction to Yellowstone's incredible geography. Once inside Yellowstone, most travelers see Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon but never venture far enough to see its geyser basins up close. It's an otherworldly journey worth making when you're in Wyoming.

Active Pursuits
Thermal features steam, bubble, boil and hiss throughout Yellowstone National Park. See these curiosities and others on day hikes such as Geyser Hill Loop and Fountain Paint Pot Trail. The popular Lonestar Geyser Trail accommodates hikers and cyclists, follows the Firehole River and doubles as a cross-country ski trail in winter. Fish for cutthroat and other trout species on the Yellowstone River just below Yellowstone's Grand Canyon, a 1,000-foot-deep, 24-mile-long gorge carved in yellows and reds.

Flora and Fauna
For many, the primary reason for visiting Yellowstone is its wildlife: bear, bighorn sheep, bison, elk, river otters, and moose all wander, often within roadside view of travelers. One of the park's largest elk herds grazes near Mammoth Hot Springs, while bighorn sheep maneuver over rocky precipices near Mount Washburn. North America's largest free-roaming bison herd grazes near the Firehole River and in the Hayden Valley, an area also known for its grizzly and black bears.

Camping and Dining
Some of the finest food from the park includes bison prime rib and stuffed trout. The beauty of the famous Old Faithful Inn's log construction, its elk antler chandeliers, and proximity to Old Faithful make this restaurant a good choice. Camping and cooking supplies are readily available in Mammoth Hot Springs, Canyon Village, Grant Village and Yellowstone Lake.