7 Facts About Yellowstone You Probably Didn’t Know

If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone Bear World and some of the other best Yellowstone attractions, there are some cool facts regarding the park you can learn more about before you get here. By learning about more about Yellowstone and what makes it unique, you can make your trip far more engaging and memorable. Here are a few facts you might not have known about Yellowstone:

Yellowstone was the World’s First National Park

Established in 1872, Yellowstone was the world’s first national park. Other national parks that followed Yellowstone include Arcadia, Yosemite, and Zion national parks.

Yellowstone is in Three States

Most of the park – 96 percent, in fact – is in Wyoming. Three percent of the park’s area is in Montana and 1 percent is in Idaho.

The Park is Larger than Two States

Yellowstone National Park is 63 miles north to south and 54 miles east to west. That’s larger than our country’s two smallest states, Delaware and Rhode Island, combined!

Yellowstone has the Most Geysers in the World

There are more than 300 geysers in Yellowstone National Park and more than 10,000 thermal features. Old Faithful, perhaps the most popular geyser in the park, draws crowds when it erupts approximately every 92 minutes. Other famous geysers in the park include Castle and Grand geysers.

Humans have Been in Yellowstone for More than 11,000 Years

The earliest evidence of human activity in Yellowstone National Park dates back 11,000 years. This evidence is a clovis-type spear found near the park’s north entrance. The spear is made of obsidian, a material found in the park that Native Americans mined and traded. It was used to create spears and other tools, and obsidian tools linked to the quarry in Yellowstone have been discovered as far east as Ohio.

The United States Army Ran the Park for Three Decades

From 1886 to 1918, the United States Army managed Yellowstone National Park. This was partially because in the park’s early days, tourists would regularly vandalize its natural features and poach the wildlife for whom the park was meant to be a sanctuary. The Army worked to keep squatters and poachers out of the park, preserving it and its inhabitants for visitors to enjoy then and today. In 1918, the National Parks Service was established. This agency took control of the park and has managed it ever since.

You Can Meet Wild Bears Up Close and Personal

At Yellowstone Bear World, you can come close to bears and other wild animals from the safety of your car. Yellowstone Bear World is a drive-through attraction that brings visitors into wild animals’ habitats so they can see them in their most natural state.

Come Learn More About Yellowstone Today

Contact Yellowstone Bear World today to learn more about our hours of operation, our admission rates, and what you can expect from your visit to the park. Our friendly staff is happy to answer any questions you have and help you get the most out of your visit.