How big is Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park is one of the most iconic and expansive protected areas in the world, spanning an impressive 2.2 million acres (8,983 square kilometers). Established in 1872 as the world’s first national park, it stretches across three U.S. states—Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho—though the vast majority of the park (about 96%) is located in Wyoming. The sheer size of Yellowstone makes it a landscape of remarkable geographical diversity, from vast mountain ranges to rolling plateaus, lakes, rivers, canyons, and geothermal features.
Land Area and Boundaries
Yellowstone’s land area is roughly 3,472 square miles (8,991 square kilometers), which makes it larger than some U.S. states like Delaware and Rhode Island combined. The park’s boundaries extend approximately 63 miles from north to south and 54 miles from east to west. Although the park spans into Montana and Idaho, only about 3% of the park lies in Montana and 1% in Idaho, with the remaining territory being in Wyoming. This geographical spread makes Yellowstone an important ecological region in all three states.
Geographical Features
Yellowstone National Park is not only vast in terms of land area but also in its geological and ecological complexity. It sits atop the Yellowstone Plateau, which has an average elevation of around 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level. Within the park's boundaries are extensive wilderness areas and a variety of natural features that contribute to its size and uniqueness:
1. Mountain Ranges: Yellowstone contains parts of major mountain ranges, including the Absaroka, Gallatin, and Beartooth ranges. These ranges help form the dramatic topography of the park, with peaks like Electric Peak (10,969 feet) in the Gallatin Range towering over the landscape.
2. Rivers and Lakes: Yellowstone has over 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) of rivers and streams, including iconic waterways like the Yellowstone River, the only major river in the continental U.S. that flows unimpeded by dams. Yellowstone Lake, the largest high-altitude lake in North America, covers about 136 square miles (352 square kilometers) and reaches depths of up to 430 feet (131 meters). It is one of the park’s defining features and adds to the overall size and allure of the region.
3. Geothermal Features: Yellowstone is renowned for its geothermal features, including more than 10,000 thermal features such as geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots. The park contains approximately half of the world’s geysers, concentrated mostly in the Upper Geyser Basin. The largest and most famous geyser, Old Faithful, is located in this region, though the park’s geothermal activity extends across many other areas, making it a global geothermal hotspot.
4. Canyons: The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is another striking feature, with its multicolored walls and powerful waterfalls. The canyon is about 24 miles (39 kilometers) long and up to 1,200 feet (366 meters) deep, offering breathtaking views of the Yellowstone River and adding to the park’s geographic diversity.
Ecosystem and Wildlife Habitat
The sheer size of Yellowstone allows it to support a vast array of wildlife. The park is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth, spanning approximately 22 million acres (89,000 square kilometers) when including adjacent wilderness areas and national forests. This makes Yellowstone a critical haven for biodiversity and large-ranging species such as grizzly bears, gray wolves, and elk. Its vastness ensures these species have enough territory to roam freely, contributing to the park’s ability to support a thriving wildlife population.
Yellowstone’s varied elevation and topography also create distinct ecosystems within the park, ranging from lush meadows and expansive forests to alpine tundra. Over half of the park is covered by forest, with lodgepole pines being the dominant tree species, while large swaths of grasslands and meadows support herds of bison, elk, and other ungulates.
Roads and Infrastructure
Despite its enormous size, Yellowstone has a well-developed system of roads and trails that allow visitors to explore its natural wonders. The Grand Loop Road, a 142-mile (229-kilometer) route that forms a figure-eight, connects many of the park’s major attractions, including geyser basins, waterfalls, and wildlife viewing areas. While this road network allows visitors to experience the park’s vastness, it only scratches the surface in terms of accessibility. The backcountry areas, which make up the majority of the park, remain largely wild and untouched by development, further emphasizing its size and pristine nature.
Comparisons to Other Parks and Regions
Yellowstone’s size is often compared to other large national parks in the U.S. While it is smaller than Alaska’s national parks, such as Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, which spans 13.2 million acres, it is much larger than most of the parks in the lower 48 states. For example, it is nearly three times the size of Grand Canyon National Park (1.2 million acres) and more than four times the size of Yosemite National Park (748,436 acres).
Impact of Size on Visitor Experience
Yellowstone’s immense size offers visitors unparalleled opportunities for solitude and adventure, especially in its more remote areas. Hiking, backpacking, and backcountry camping are popular activities, and with over 900 miles (1,448 kilometers) of trails, the park provides ample space for exploration. Many visitors flock to the more accessible areas along the Grand Loop Road, but those willing to venture farther into the backcountry will find vast, untouched wilderness. The park's size means that even during peak tourist season, it is possible to find quiet spots away from the crowds, where the wilderness feels boundless.
Conclusion
Yellowstone National Park’s size is not just measured in square miles, but in the diversity of landscapes, ecosystems, and experiences it offers. Spanning over 2.2 million acres, the park is a microcosm of the natural wonders that make the American West so unique. Its size allows it to serve as a sanctuary for wildlife, a treasure trove of geothermal features, and a haven for adventurers. Whether visitors are exploring its geyser basins, hiking in its backcountry, or simply driving along its scenic roads, the sheer magnitude of Yellowstone's natural beauty is impossible to overlook. The park’s vastness is one of the many reasons why it remains a crown jewel of the U.S. National Park System and a symbol of the importance of conservation on a global scale.
