Yellowstone National Park is a national park located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Part of Yellowstone National Park extends into Montana and Idaho. One of the most popular features of the park is Old Faithful Geyser. Yellowstone is also known for its geothermal features, wildlife, ecosystems, and subalpine forest.
Yellowstone was established as a national park on March 1, 1872. The park is located at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River from which it takes its name. French trappers named the river Roche Jaune near the end of the eighteenth century. Roche Jaune is probably a translation of the Minnetaree name Mi tsi a-da-zi. It is believed that the river was named for the yellow rocks seen in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, but the source of the name is not clear.
Comprised of lakes, canyons, rivers and mountain ranges, Yellowstone National Park spans an area of 3468 square miles. Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America. The park is occupied by hundreds of species of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. There are grizzlies, wolves, herds of bison and elk, too. There are also recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and sightseeing.
