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.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park Quick Facts

Fact	Detail
Established	March 1, 1872
Location	Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
Area	3,472 square miles (8,991 km²)
Famous For	Geysers, hot springs, wildlife, and natural beauty
Old Faithful	One of the most predictable geysers, erupts every 90 minutes
Wildlife	Bison, elk, bears, wolves, moose, and more
Geothermal Features	Over 10,000 including geysers and hot springs
Lakes & Rivers	Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone River
Highest Point	Eagle Peak (11,372 feet or 3,466 meters)
UNESCO Status	World Heritage Site since 1978
Visitors per Year	Over 4 million
Supervolcano	Yellowstone Caldera is a dormant supervolcano

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.