Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park gives the impression of a stew left on a low boil—full of geysers, hot springs and other thermal features—geological forces are constantly bubbling to the surface. Located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with small areas in Utah and Montana, Yellowstone boasts thousands of years of history and lots of heat. Packed with over three hundred geysers and plenty of wildlife, the park is the ultimate destination for backpackers, bikers and families.

The expansive park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was the world’s first National Park when it was set aside in 1872. Dodge bears, elk, wolves and other beasts—just don’t stumble onto a geyser! Gawk in awe at Old Faithful, the park’s most famous geyser, which erupts about every 91 minutes. Camp out with the family or take a break at one of a dozen dining rooms, restaurants and snack bars.

Hoards of visitors descend on the park every year to see the park’s iconic wildlife. So many grizzly bears, elk and bison roam Yellowstone, even travelers who never leave their cars are likely to snap a photo of bison or bear, and for those willing to hike into the park’s interior, a glimpse of a wolf is a possibility. Despite the occasional crowds, the rugged beauty of the landscape and the richness of the area’s ecology mean few leave disappointed.  

Grand Teton National Park, named for the tallest mountain—over 13,000 feet—in Jackson Hole, Wyoming’s Teton Range. With more than 200 miles of hiking trails, Grand Teton National Park makes up part of the Rocky Mountains.

Just south of Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton celebrates nature daily. The Park’s most popular features are the Jackson Hole Valley, Burned Ridge (glacier) and the Snake River. The mountain climate contributes to a drastic temperature range in the area—from -43 degrees Fahrenheit to 93 degrees. In colonial times, the area served as a major hunting and fur-trading  grounds; but erosion and other geological factors have kept the mountains “under construction.”

Skip the zoo and get a close-up look at some of the park’s diverse plants and wildlife: moose, coyote, black bears, evergreens, reptiles, bison. Take a stroll along some of the park’s trails and enjoy being outdoors.