Must See in Yellowstone National Park

Six hundred forty thousand years ago, a volcanic eruption magnitudes greater than eruption of Mount Saint Helens in 1980 formed area now known as Yellowstone National Park. Considered by many National Park vacationers as Crowning Jewel of United States’ National Park System, land known as Yellowstone, was first National Park protected by law in 1872 by then President Ulysses S. Grant. Many natural wonders can be found within confines of Yellowstone National Park. Probably best known of these is geyser Old Faithful but, Old Faithful is by no means only site worth seeing during your vacation in Yellowstone National Park. There are many must see attractions to consider during your trip to this well known National Park.

The Old Faithful Area

Old Faithful is without a doubt most well known natural attraction in Yellowstone National Park and arguably most well known attraction in United States’ National Park System. Sixty percent of world’s geysers are located in Yellowstone Park. The largest number of geysers is located in Upper Geyser Basin. In fact, over one hundred fifty geysers are located within a one square mile area in Upper Geyser Basin. Yellowstone naturalist staff is able to predict eruption of at least five of major geysers in this small area including Castle, Grand, Daisy, Riverside, and of course Old Faithful. Many other smaller geysers may frequently erupt in this area as well. You can also view numerous hot springs and a recently developed mudpot. The Old Faithful Inn is a great place to stay while visiting Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful. The lobby of hotel features a sixty five foot ceiling, a huge fireplace, and railings made of lodgepole pine. Three hundred twenty seven rooms await vacationers visiting this area of Yellowstone National Park. If you prefer cabin-style accommodations, your best bet is Old Faithful Lodge. The lodge features a cafeteria, gift and coffee shops. Guests can check in at front desk. A popular resting place for visitors is Knotty Pine Porch. It provides a great view of Geyser Hill and is oldest building at Old Faithful. This building was built for F. Jay Haynes as a photo studio in 1897.

Where Lewis and Clark Stopped in Montana.

In addition to main objective of finding and mapping a new route to Pacific Ocean, President Thomas Jefferson had 3 other tasks for explorers Lewis and Clark to complete. The first was to make contact with Native Americans. Secondly explorers were to obtain specimens of flora and fauna for further study. Lastly Lewis and Clark were charged with keeping full and detailed records of their activities during their expedition in search of a new route to Pacific Ocean. Their trek through wild, unsettled Montana provided some of most challenging and interesting experiences in their long, arduous adventure. Near Billings Montana From July 13th to July 26th, 1806, near Billings Montana, Captain William Clark’s exploration team watched as smoke billowed into deep blue Montana sky from neighboring Crow nation. While floating down Yellowstone River, Clark went ashore and carved his name on a giant sandstone pillar he named “Pompy’s Tower in honor of Sacagawea’s young baby. Nearby at Buffalo Mirage Access they constructed two canoes to continue their trip down Yellowstone River. From there they traveled onward via a 149 mile segment from what is now Kipp State Park, upstream to Fort Benton. For those wanting an exciting vacation in beautiful Montana, this route has changed little since Lewis and Clark explored it in 1805 and 1806. Commercial boat trips are available for interested vacationers. In June 1805, explorers made camp for nine days along Marias River and determined that Marias is not main tributary of Missouri river. Vacationers will find an interpretive sign, nearby in Loma, Montana. Visitors to historic town of Fort Benton will find an impressive statue of Lewis, Clark, Sacagawea and her son. The Bureau of Land Management there also has a visitor center featuring explorers. The Two Medicine Fight Sight, which may be accessed by gaining permission from private landowner, is site where Meriwether Lewis and three of his men fought with eight members of Blackfoot Indian tribe. Lewis’s men killed two of Blackfoot Warriors. Another stop for Lewis and Clark Expedition, interestingly named Camp Disappointment, is northernmost point reached by explorers on their exploration of Marias River. Montana Vacationers will find an interpretive sign for this site on U.S. Highway 2, about 22 miles west of Cut Bank. Here also, access is allowed through private property. For those vacationers wishing to stay, local realtors may have listings for beautiful home sites on these historic lands.