Yellowstone National ParkCity/Region: Jackson, Wyoming
The world's first national park, Yellowstone was established in 1872 and despite its popularity today, most of the park still remains an undeveloped wilderness of magnificent mountain scenery, waterfalls, alpine lakes and rivers. It is renowned for its geothermal wonders and abundance of wildlife. Spilling over into
Montana and
Idaho, the enormous park is situated on top of the Yellowstone Caldera, a collapsed volcanic crater that was formed 600,000 years ago and holds within it the greatest geothermic area in the
world. This unique environment includes features such as exploding geysers, thousands of steaming fumaroles, hot springs and bubbling mud pools, and is where the park's most famous attraction, the Old Faithful Geyser is to be found, drawing thousands of tourists to witness its regular eruption of steaming water. Yellowstone is also home to the largest concentration of wildlife in lower
USA, including grizzly and black bears, wolves, moose, and large herds of bison and elk. The two narrow waterfalls of the
Grand Canyon of the
Yellowstone River cut a striking picture in the yellow-colored rock that gives the park its name, with superb views and hiking trails for all abilities. The large alpine
Yellowstone Lake fills the eastern part of the caldera and offers opportunities for boating and fishing expeditions in summer. All places of interest are accessible along the loop roads, but the intensity of visitors in summer, especially between July and August, means that one needs to hike away from the main paths to experience the true wilderness of
Yellowstone National Park.
Phone Number: (307) 344 7381 (recorded information)
Website: www.nps.gov/yell
Transport: A bus service from
Bozeman, Montana to
West Yellowstone, Montana is available all year. A bus service directly from Idaho to West Yellowstone operates during the summer months. Commercial transportation from Bozeman to
Gardiner, Montana is available during the winter and summer seasons. Commercial transportation to the park from Cody and Jackson is available during the summer season. There is no public transportation within the park, but many commercial businesses offer tours
Hours: Most visitor centers are open in summer only, from 8am to 7pm daily, except Albright Visitor Center which is open year-round. The North Entrance remains open year-round to traffic. Some areas and roads are not accessible during winter, see website for details.
Admission: $25 (vehicle), $12 (individual hiker or cyclist). The entrance fee is valid for seven days and covers both Yellowstone and
Grand Teton National Parks
Grand Teton National ParkCity/Region: Jackson, Wyoming
Occupying the valley of
Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park's identifying feature is the sharp granite peaks of the impressive Teton Range, with the dramatic Cathedral Group known as 'Les Trois Tetons' or 'The Three Beasts' towering above the valley floor. At their center is the Grand Teton, the 13,770-foot (4,197m) peak that defines the skyline and dominates almost every view within the park. The mountains are popular with climbers and hikers, as well as photographers who can capture a variety of different angles from the park's scenic winding road or on one of its numerous trails that forms part of a vast network of hikes starting from the valley floor. Beneath the Teton Range lie a string of lakes and the scenic
Snake River that meanders the length of the park, offering numerous opportunities to kayak, fish and raft. The stunning scenery can be easily seen and enjoyed from a drive through the park, but taking to the mountain trails or waterways is the best way to appreciate the spectacular views and experience the beautiful backcountry. A great abundance of large wildlife roams the valley floor, including moose, elk, bison, and grizzly and black bears.
Phone Number: (307) 739 3300
Website: www.nps.gov/grte
Transport: Private transport is essential
Hours: The park is open year-round but facility hours vary seasonally, see website for details.
Admission: $25 (7 days), $5 day passes available in winter.
Buffalo Bill Historical CenterCity/Region: Cody
The
Buffalo Bill Historical Center is an immense complex containing five world-class museums and a research library, including the
Buffalo Bill Museum,
Plains Indian Museum,
Cody Firearms Museum, Whitney Gallery of Western Art, and the
Draper Museum of Natural History. The Buffalo Bill Museum focuses on the personal and public lives of William '
Buffalo Bill' Cody within the American West, with artifacts tracing the years of the Pony Express, Indian Wars, Civil War and his Wild West Shows. The Cody Firearms Museum contains the most complete collection of American weapons in the world, the Whitney Gallery features masterworks of the West, and the ecosystem of the Yellowstone area is presented at the Natural History Museum. The
Plains Indians Museum highlights the story of the lives of the Plains Indian people, their culture, history, values and traditions, and their lives today through one of the country's largest and finest collections of art and artifacts.
Address: 720 Sheridan Avenue
Phone Number: (307) 587 4771
Website: www.bbhc.org
Hours: November to March, 10am to 5pm (Thursday to Sunday); April 10am to 5pm daily; May to 15 September, 8am to 6pm daily; 16 September to October, 10 am to 5pm daily.
Admission: $15 (adults), $10 (children 5-12). Children under 5 are free; other concessions are available. Fees include admission to all five museums, valid for two consecutive days
