Yellowstone is anything but ordinary. Diverse may be a better one-word description of this iconic park. Huge is another good contender.
At 3,472 square miles, Yellowstone is more than two times larger than the entire state of Rhode Island. Even the massive volcanic caldera that gives rise to its signature hot springs and geysers still only represents about 40% of the park. The rest is covered by seemingly endless miles of natural beauty that is more typical of what we’ve come to expect from our national parks.
The Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River is just one of 290 waterfalls in the park measuring fifteen feet or higher.
While the Lower Falls, the tallest in Yellowstone, rises almost twice as high as Niagara.
Lewis Lake, seen here at sunrise, is just one of more than 240 lakes and ponds in the park.
67 species of mammal call Yellowstone home, including this bison whose humped back prevented him from successfully rolling over for a scratch.
And looked none too pleased after the failed attempt.