Established on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park is the first and oldest national park in the world. It is known for its famous geysers and abundant wildlife.
Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful Geyser and some 10,000 hot springs and geysers, the majority of the planet's total. These geothermal wonders are evidence of one of the world's largest active volcanoes; its last eruption created a crater or caldera that spans almost half of the park. An outstanding mountain wildland with clean water and air, Yellowstone is home of the grizzly bear and wolf, and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. It is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet. The human history of the park dates back 12,000 years. The events of the last 130 years of park history are reflected in the historic structures and sites associated with various periods of park administration and visitor facilities development. Jackson to South Gate of Yellowstone National Park . . . 60 miles.
More on Old Faithful:
Named in 1870 by the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition, Old Faithful was the first geyser in the park to receive a name and has since become one of the most iconic landmarks in National Park history. Described by the team at first sight as, "the perfect geyser" Old Faithful became somewhat of a washing machine for early expeditions and traders who would put their clothes in and let the force and heat of the water spouting rid their garments of dirt.
Eruptions of Old Faithful can shoot 3,700 to 8,400 gallons (14,000 - 32,000 litres) of boiling water to a height of 106 - 185 feet (30 - 56 m) in a blast that can last from one and a half to five minutes. Despite National Park lore that the geyser shoots steaming water every hour, eruptions usually occur about 90 minutes apart, but intervals can vary from 45 to 125 minutes. Old Faithful is also not the tallest or largest geyser in the park. Steamboat Geyser garners this title.
Click on the image below to expand a map of Yellowstone National Park.
Map courtes of the National Park Service.
Rates
Interagency Senior Pass $10 One-time purchase allows lifetime entrance to all National Park System areas to American citizens 62 years old or older: non-transferable.
Interagency Annual Pass $80-Annual Allows entrance to all National Park System areas for 12 months from date of purchase: non-transferable.
Park Annual Pass $50 Annual Allows entrance to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks for 12 months from date of purchase: non-transferable.
Single Entry $25 7 Days Good for both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks: $25 per vehicle/family. $12/person for single hiker or bicyclist, $20/motorcycle.
Interagency Access Pass FREE! Allows lifetime entrance to all National Park System areas to American citizens who can provide proof of permanent disability: non-transferable.
ACREAGE - FY 2002
Gross Area Acres - 2,219,791
VISITATION - FY 2002
Total Recreation Visits - 2,969,868
DESIGNATIONS
National Park - March 1, 1872
International Biosphere Reserve - October 26, 1976
World Heritage Site - September 8, 1978