Rugged and Wild: Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park. The name conjures up images of the wild and rugged country of the old west. As the world's first national park, Yellowstone holds an important place in the history of the United States that continues to evolve as time passes. As an active volcano, the geology of the area presents a living and growing history of the earth in the rocks and geological features found in the park. The park is home to one of the world's largest calderas with over 10,000 thermal features and more than 300 geysers. It has one of the world's largest petrified forests. It has over 290 waterfalls with the 308' Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River as its showpiece. Old Faithful, the most famous geyser, erupts every 45 to 90 minutes daily. www.yellowstonenationalpark.com

A wide range of accommodations are available in the Yellowstone area. Lodging inside Yellowstone National Park is seasonal and the reservations fill up in advance Many visitors make the most out of their trips by planning what they want it see that day and resting over in one of the nearby gateway communities for the evening. This method of sightseeing is recommended to make the most out what the park has to offer. Lodging accommodations range from rustic cabins to luxury suites. Lodging inside Yellowstone National Park is operated by Xanterra. There are 12 campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park. Seven of these campgrounds are operated by the National Park Service. Sites at these campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Dining facilities are available throughout the park, ranging from fine dining to snack shops and cafeterias. Dinner reservations are required at the fine dining facilities. yellowstonenationalpark.com

Costs involved in a visit to the park vary depending upon the type of accommodations, activities planned, and length of stay. A seven-day pass good for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton is just $25; a pass good for entrance to any national park for an entire year is just $80. Accommodations, dining, and a variety of activities exist to match your budget. The links below contain information to help you plan your trip making the most of your time and budget. Tours, golfing, boating, skiing, hiking, camping, and white river rafting are just a few of the activities available both within the park itself and in the five gateway communities.

http://www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/index.html best link

http://www.wyomingtourism.org/overview/Yellowstone-National-Park/4796

http://www.parkpartners.org/Special-Offers-for-2010.html