Being the oldest and one of the largest, Yellowstone National Park, which is situated in the United States, is an authentic site to behold. It was established as the first national park in the United States by the US Congress on March 1, 1872.
An interesting fact about Yellowstone is that the area it’s located in has been volcanically and seismically active for tens of millions of years. Yellowstone holds a plethora of beautiful sites, making it a tourist’s fantasy. When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?
This article seeks to answer that question and more.
Why Should You Visit Yellowstone National Park?
Here are some of the features that make this park overflow with tourists all year round.
1.Physical Features
Yellowstone National Park consists of a variety of physical features. There are the broad volcanic plateaus that cover most of the area.
Furthermore, it consists of three mountain ranges, namely the Gallatin Range, Teton Range, and Absaroka Range, which happen to be the tallest mountains in the park. The park also consists of spectacular deep glacier-carved valleys, not forgetting the fossil forests, eroded basaltic lava flows, and the black obsidian mountain, all this residing within the Yellowstone National Park!!
The largest water body is Yellowstone Lake, with Shoshone Lake coming in second place, not to mention that both the lakes are situated in calderas. The park also has a river called Yellowstone River, which covers a vast area. The river’s erosive activity led to the formation of a gorge known as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone; what’s more, the walls of the Grand Canyon have colored hues of red, pink, yellow, lavender, and white, making it attractive.
There’s also a waterfall known as the Yellowstone Falls. Aside from that, around half of all known hydrothermal features worldwide are found in Yellowstone.Some of these features include hot springs, geysers, mud pots, fumaroles, and travertine terraces, among others.
2.Plant and Animal Life
A large part of Yellowstone National Park is forested, about four-fifths. There are countless types of thriving wildflowers. For flower enthusiasts, the best time to visit Yellowstone would be in April and September when the wildflowers blossom. Some species that thrive in the park are phlox, lupines, cinquefoils, larkspurs, and Indian paintbrushes.
The park also consists of large mammals, the largest being the bison, which, after being saved from near extinction, now constitute a vast number. Other mammals in this park include mule deer, black bears, foxes, coyotes, lynx, and pumas. Some of the smaller mammals are badgers, martens, weasels, river otters, hares, and rabbits.
Bird enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that Yellowstone National Park has been identified to have over 300 different species. As for the reptile and amphibian species, the cold and dry climate highly favors their existence.
Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park
The best time to visit Yellowstone depends on several factors including the availability of wildlife, seasons, and flow of people. Here are the best times to visit Yellowstone.
1.During winter
Visiting during winter can be the best time to visit Yellowstone due to a variety of factors.
For instance, the park will have fewer visitors, reducing crowding. There will also be various winter activities one can engage in, such as dog sledding, sleigh riding, sledding, and downhill skiing, among others. The snowy landscapes would provide beautiful backgrounds for winter photography.
However, you might miss the hibernating bears. The roads might be closed due to heavy snowing, and not forgetting that you’ll have to withstand the cold temperatures.
2.During spring
Spring also offers excellent opportunities for photography due to the bright, green terrain. If you’re into bears, then spring is a great time to visit since the bears start coming out of hibernation. The beautiful spring flowers bloom, and wildlife starts giving birth to their offspring. You’ll see the black bear cubs, bison calves, and the white-spotted elk calves.
The downside of visiting during spring is that the fun activities can be affected since it might be too snowy for summer activities and not snowy enough hindering winter activities.
3.During summer
There are a plethora of activities one can do at the park to keep them busy during this time. More wildlife is seen, and the wildflowers begin to bloom. The weather is also favorable as there are warm mornings and sunny afternoons, and the park is easily accessible.
There are, however, large crowds during this season as families usually flock to Yellowstone during summer when schools are closed. People might also experience afternoon thunderstorms during this time.
4.During Fall
During this season, animals look strong and healthy after summer grazing, browsing, and feeding on the park’s vegetation. This can be a great time to see the Bull elk, moose, and deer. If you get the timing just right, you’ll walk away with a piece of beautiful photography. There will also be a decrease in visitors compared to summer.
The disadvantages of visiting during this time are that the trails can be muddy or snowy, the weather may change unpredictably, and roads are shut down for the season.
Conclusion
There is no definite answer as to when the best time to visit Yellowstone should be. Yellowstone has its perks and can be visited all year round. For Yellowstone, the best time to visit depends on when you see fit to do so, according to the seasons.
It could be winter, spring, summer, or fall; it’s up to you to decide. So, next time when picking your next tourist destination, why not consider Yellowstone National Park as an option?
