Yellowstone National Park Facts
Discover a collection of fascinating facts about Yellowstone National Park. From its groundbreaking establishment as the world’s first national park to its incredible geothermal features, diverse wildlife, and expansive landscapes, Yellowstone offers a wealth of intriguing details. Yellowstone offers a wealth of fascinating facts that highlight its unique geological, ecological, and cultural attributes.
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| Yellowstone National Park |
1. History
Establishment: Founded on March 1, 1872.
Significance: It holds the title of the world's first national park.
2. Geography
Total Area: Approximately 3,472 square miles (8,991 km²).
Acreage: 2,221,766 acres (899,116 hectares).
Size Comparison: Larger than the combined area of Rhode Island and Delaware.
Dimensions:
- North to South: 63 air miles (102 km).
- East to West: 54 air miles (87 km).
State Distribution:
- Wyoming: 96%.
- Montana: 3%.
- Idaho: 1%.
Elevation Extremes:
- Highest Point: Eagle Peak at 11,358 feet (3,462 meters).
- Lowest Point: Reese Creek at 5,282 feet (1,610 meters).
Land Cover:
- Forests: 80%.
- Grassland: 15%.
- Water: Approximately 5%.
3. Precipitation
Annual Range:
- Northern Boundary: 10 inches (26 cm).
- Southwest Corner: 80 inches (205 cm).
4. Temperature
Record High: 99ºF (37ºC) in 2002 at Mammoth Hot Springs.
Record Low: -66ºF (-54ºC) on February 9, 1933, at West Entrance, Riverside Station.
Average Daily Temperature at Mammoth Hot Springs:
- January: 9ºF (-13ºC).
- July: 80ºF (27ºC).
5. Yellowstone Lake
Elevation: 7,733 feet (2,362 meters) above sea level.
Surface Area: 131.7 square miles (341.1 km²).
Shoreline: 141 miles (227 km).
Dimensions:
- North to South: 20 miles (32 km).
- East to West: 14 miles (22 km).
- Average Depth: 138 feet (42 meters).
- Maximum Depth: 430 feet (131 meters).
6. Geology
Volcanic Activity: The park sits atop an active volcano.
Caldera Size: One of the world’s largest, measuring 45 x 30 miles (72 x 48 km).
Earthquakes: Experiences between 1,000 and 3,000 annually.
Hydrothermal Features: Over 10,000.
Geysers: More than 500 active geysers (over half of the world's total).
Waterfalls: Approximately 290, with the tallest near a road being Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River at 308 feet (94 meters).
7. Wildlife
Mammals: 67 species, including seven native ungulates and two bear species.
Birds: 285 species, with 150 nesting in the park.
Fish: 16 species, including five nonnative.
Aquatic Invasive Species: More than seven, with three causing significant harm.
Amphibians: Five species.
Reptiles: Six species.
Threatened Species: Canada lynx and grizzly bears.
8. Vegetation
Conifers: Nine species, with lodgepole pine comprising over 80% of the forest.
Flowering Plants: Over 1,000 native species, including three endemics.
Invasive Plants: 225 species.
Lichens: 186 species.
9. Cultural Resources
Associated Tribes: 27 Native American tribes.
Archaeological Sites: Over 1,800 known sites.
Ethnographic Resources: More than 300, including animals, plants, and sites.
Historic Sites: 25 listed on the National Register of Historic Places; many more are eligible.
Historic Trails: Includes the Nez Perce Trail.
Historic Buildings: Over 840 structures.
Museum Collections: Over 1,000,000 items, including 30 historic vehicles.
Archived Materials: Millions of documents, over 20,000 books (including rare volumes), manuscripts, and periodicals.
10. Facilities
Visitor Centers and Museums: Eleven locations.
Hotels and Lodges: Nine establishments with over 2,000 rooms and cabins.
Campgrounds:
- NPS-operated: Seven campgrounds with over 450 sites.
- Concession-operated: Five campgrounds with more than 1,700 sites.
Other Facilities:
- More than 1,500 buildings.
- 52 picnic areas.
- One marina.
11. Roads & Trails
Park Entrances: Five.
Roads: 452 miles (727 km) of roads, with 310 miles (499 km) paved.
Boardwalks: More than 15 miles (24 km), including 13 self-guiding trails.
Backcountry Trails: Approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 km) of hiking trails.
Trailheads: 92.
Backcountry Campsites: 299 sites.
