Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho:

Yellowstone National Park forms the core of the largest intact ecosystem in the continental United States. It is perhaps the only place in the lower 48 where one can catch a glimpse of what North America was like thousands of years ago when primordial nature reigned supreme, unspoiled by the machinations of Euro-Americans. The world's first National Park preserves an astonishing array of natural phenomena. Yellowstone contains the greatest concentration of geothermal features in the world - from hot springs and geysers to fumaroles and mud pots.

The park is also famous for its unique collection of wildlife which includes many large mammals like bison, grizzly bears, black bears, moose, pronghorn antelope, elk, and wolves. You are guaranteed to see numerous wild animals on your visit. The magnificent bison herd consists of approximately 5000 animals and is the only completely free-roaming herd of genetically pure bison in the United States.

Situated on a high-elevation plateau and surrounded by mountains, Yellowstone features many other outstanding elements of nature - waterfalls, canyons, huge lodgepole pine forests, lakes, and rivers. Not surprisingly, the outdoor wonderland know as Yellowstone National Park has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Despite its reputation as a wilderness of supreme distinction, Yellowstone can be easily explored via car along a paved road system that brings vistors to many of the parks' most memorable sights. But unless you get out of your car and explore the park on foot, you will miss much of what this magical place has to offer. There are many short day hikes that make for a great outdoors experience. One of the better hiking guides is Yellowstone Day Hikes (Farcountry Press) by former rangers Roger Anderson and Carol Shively Anderson. It decribes 29 day hikes located throughout the park. I found it extremely useful for exploring this vast place.

Recommended Day Hikes:
Mount Washburn
Round Trip Length: 6 miles
Trailhead location: parking area for the Dunraven Pass trailhead off the Canyon-Tower road
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Attractions: Possibly the best day hike in Yellowstone, it offers fantastic panaromic views of much of the park

South Rim of Yellowstone Canyon
Round Trip Length: 4.5 miles
Trailhead location: Wapiti Lake Picnic Area and trailhead off Artist Point road
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Attractions: Memorable close-up views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Bunsen Peak
Round Trip Length: 4 miles
Trailhead location: Bunsen Peak trailhead off the Mammoth-Norris road
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: Expansive views of the Northern portion of Yellowstone Park, including Mammoth Hot Springs

Pebble Creek/Upper Meadows
Round Trip Length: 4 miles
Trailhead location: Warm Creek trailhead off the Northeast Entrance road (not far from Cooke City, MT)
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: Quiet and solitude amid some of the best mountain scenery in the park; hike finishes up in a scenic glacial valley

Petrified Trees
Round Trip Length: 3 miles
Trailhead location: There is a pullout 5.3 miles east of Tower Junction and 0.2 miles west of the Lamar River bridge on the Northeast Entrance road
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: Fossil forest, magnificent views of the Lamar Valley, mountains, and a high-elevation plateau

Recommended Points of Interest:
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone which includes spectacular waterfalls; Mammoth Hot Springs; Norris Geyser Basin; Yellowstone Lake; Hayden Valley; Lamar Valley; Midway Geyser Basin which includes Grand Prismatic Spring; Upper Geyser Basin which includes Old Faithful; Tower-Canyon road for excellent panaromas

Helpful travel tips and observations
There are grizzly bears in the park, so carry bear spray and hike in a group if possible. Make sure you educate yourself about wilderness etiquette and wildlife (preferably at a vistor center) before setting foot on one of the hiking trails. Bison and elk are dangerous, do not approach them. Avoid summer crowds and traffic jams; visit during the fall or spring. More information: http://www.nps.gov/yell/

URL to article: http://www.northamericanparks.com/yellowstone.asp