What Is the History of Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park is a fascinating combination of raw wilderness and attractive recreation areas. This expansive park stretches across 3,500 square miles above a volcanic hot spot. Located mainly in Wyoming, Yellowstone also extends into Montana and Idaho.
This vast park will offer spectacular canyons, lush green forests, sparkling alpine rivers, healing hot springs, and active geysers, including the celebrated Old Faithful. Guests enjoy sighting nearby bears, bison, and antelope, as revealed in the Yellowstone visitors guide.
Brief History of Yellowstone Park
Yellowstone National Park originated in 1872 and became the first U.S. national park when U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act. Yellowstone started the global practice of protecting areas of natural beauty for their inherent value and public enjoyment.
How to Get To Yellowstone
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Montana is the nearest airport to Yellowstone with global connections. In fact, advertisements for this airport call it the “Gateway to Yellowstone.” Bozeman is the most active airport in Montana, offering nonstop flights to 21 cities across the country.
United, Delta, and American Airlines all offer nonstop flights to Bozeman. This airport is a two-hour drive to the West Entrance of Yellowstone, and this is the park’s busiest entrance, although the North Entrance is the one that is open year-round.
Airlines offering flights to Yellowstone from major U.S. airports include American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta, United, and Sun Country Airlines. These airlines provide flights to Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) in Grand Teton. This is the only commercial airport in the country that is located inside the boundaries of a national park.
The closest Amtrak station to Yellowstone National Park is Salt Lake Central. From this station, Yellowstone’s West Entrance near the geysers is about a five-hour drive away. This information is detailed in the Yellowstone visitors guide.
No public transportation service is available within the park. However, Xanterra Parks Resorts offers bus tours inside the park throughout the summer season. During winter, some local companies offer snow coach tours on most of the park roads. There is also some bus transportation along the Mammoth Hot Springs road toward Cooke City. You can also easily get around the park when participating in one of the Jackson Hole Yellowstone Tours.
When to Visit Yellowstone
The ideal times to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone are from the last week in April through May and from September through early October. During these periods, the weather is relatively mild. There are fewer visitors and very few road closures inside the park.
Visitor volumes peak during July and August since schools are closed, and the weather is warm enough for outdoor sleeping. For this reason, you may wisely decide to visit Yellowstone in June. For more information on schedules for exciting tours and activities, you can consult a representative from Jackson Hole Yellowstone Tours, BrushBuck Wildlife Tours, Yellowstone Geyser Kayak Tours, or Globe Trekkers Tours.
Yet temperatures can plummet into the 30s during summer in the park’s high elevation venues. In winter, temperatures vary greatly, from subzero to upper 20s. But if you and your family members or travel buddies can weather the cold, you can actually witness jets of steam rising high through a blanket of snow and ice while you stay warm RVing Yellowstone.
Where To Stay Near Yellowstone
There are excellent choices for scenic and comfortable accommodations during your visit to Grand Teton and Yellowstone, including the following:
Madison Campground
Named after the nearby Madison River, Madison Campground is located in a beautiful mountain setting with plenty of wildlife. It is in a partially wooded locale at an elevation of 6,800 feet. This campground is 13.4 miles away from Yellowstone National Park.
Close to Old Faithful, this convenient campground is also near the Upper, Midway, and Lower Geyser Basins. This is the perfect location for visitors who love camping in the spectacular, great outdoors or RVing Yellowstone, especially if you visit Yellowstone in June or soon after. Nightly rates start at $29.
Old Faithful Inn
Old Faithful Inn is a national historical landmark offering the most popular guest accommodations in the park. It was constructed of local logs and stone from 1903-1904 and is noted as the largest log structure worldwide. This charming inn is 30.4 miles away from Yellowstone.
The lofty lobby houses a huge stone fireplace plus a handmade clock of wood, copper, and wrought iron. Suites in the East Wing with a window overlooking Geyser Basin have a breathtaking scenic view. Nightly rates start at $229.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins is a charming hotel, named after nearby springs. It warmly welcomes both summer and winter guests who are visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone. The current hotel was built in 1936 and still includes a section of guest rooms that were constructed in 1911. This historic hotel with adjoining cabins is only 4.8 miles away from Yellowstone.
Some guest accommodations and public spaces were recently renovated in keeping with the original style. The hotel’s well-known Map Room displays a large U.S. map made of 15 varied species of wood from nine different countries. Guests often see elk grazing in the hotel’s scenic setting, as explained in the Yellowstone visitors guide. Nightly rates start at $306.
Best Western Weston Inn
This Best Western Weston Inn is popular among leisure travelers. These individuals, couples, families, and groups visiting Yellowstone like convenience and creature comforts. They are delighted with the inn’s business center, pet-friendly policy, complimentary breakfast buffet, and many other amenities. Guests also favor the inn’s location, just five blocks away from the favorite West Entrance to the park.
A major park attraction, the Old Faithful geyser, is just 30 miles away. The friendly, experienced hotel staff supplies visitors with full information about Yellowstone and nearby attractions like the Grand Teton National Park. Nightly room rates start at $370.
Holiday Inn West Yellowstone, an IHG Hotel
The Holiday Inn West Yellowstone is rated as the seventh-best place of value to stay out of 208 different guest accommodations at Yellowstone National Park. Located 16.1 miles from Yellowstone’s West Entrance, this friendly, attractive hotel is near the park for day-trippers and longer-term guests.
This Holiday Inn is a favorite place to stay for many park visitors. It is conveniently located for exploring all areas of Yellowstone. This famous inn offers guests such amenities as a heated indoor swimming pool, hot tubs, a fitness center, and a communal game room. A full-service Montana-style restaurant is on the premises. Nightly room rates start at $352 to $368.
Days Inn by Wyndham West Yellowstone
Located in the center of town, the Days Inn West Yellowstone Hotel provides relaxing and inviting resort-style guest accommodations. This attractive inn is located just 16.1 miles from Yellowstone National Park. Every attractively designed room includes several appealing amenities, and there is something for every age and type of guest.
There is an indoor swimming pool with a 100-foot water slide along with two hot tubs available for guests’ enjoyment. The hotel’s Trapper’s Restaurant starts serving breakfast each day at 6:30 a.m. One call to the excellent staff will schedule and confirm your accommodations while visiting Yellowstone. Nightly room rates start at $218 to $239.
These large commercial hotels and inns often offer special seasonal rates for guests who book long-term stays. Reduced rates may also be available for large group tours of Yellowstone, including accommodations for tour participants.
