Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its stunning peaks and clear lakes. Hot springs are surrounded by colorful pools, lush woods wind through wide-open meadows, and erratic geysers shoot streams of scorching water into the air. It's understandable why everyone thought John Colter, a scout for explorers Lewis and Clark, was exaggerated when he first described Yellowstone's geothermal oddities in 1807.

With so much unspoilt natural beauty. Today, there is no denying the park's exceptionality. Be prepared to share the trails with year-round dwellers like buffalo, elk, and occasionally even grizzlies as you trek through its more than 3,000 square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers, and waterfalls.

Even though Yellowstone has more than 4 million people each year, you probably won't see many of them unless you spend the entirety of your trip at Old Faithful. There is a lot of uncharted land to explore on Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, which extend from the northwest corner of Wyoming towards the borders of Idaho and Montana. Set aside a day or two to enjoy the scenery at Mammoth Hot Springs and Yellowstone Lake.

But set aside some time for the paths that lead through less well-known areas, such as the West Thumb Geyser Basin's hot springs and the Lewis River Channel and Dogshead Loop's untamed fauna. Even though the sheer quantity of routes and opportunities for animal viewing may initially appear overwhelming, keep in mind that you can always return.

• #1 in Best Summer Vacations in the USA
  
  
• #1 in Best Adventure Vacations in the U.S.
  
  
• #1 in Best Cheap Family Vacations
  
  
• #1 in Best Places to Visit in May
  
  
• #1 in Best Family Summer Vacations
  
  
• #2 in Best National Parks in the World
  
  
• #2 in Best Places to Visit in the USA
  
  
• #2 in Best U.S. National Parks
  
  
• #2 in Best Family Vacations in the USA
  
  
• #3 in Best Places to Hike in North America
  
  
• #4 in Best Fall Vacations
  
  
• #5 in Best Cheap Summer Vacations
  
  
• #9 in Best Spring Vacations
  
  
• #9 in Best Cheap Honeymoons in the U.S.
  
  
• #14 in Best Summer Vacations
  
  
• #26 in World's Best Places to Visit

Country: USA