TrekAmerica
Adventure Holidays Travelling in USA Travelling in America Travelling in Canada Travelling in Alaska Travelling in Mexico Singles Travel Singles Holidays Walking Holidays Family Adventures Adventure Travel for Singles Small Group Adventure Tours Gap Year Travel National Parks of America USA Road Trip Alaska Adventure Tours Grand Canyon Rafting Canada Tours Alaska Tours America Tours Articles	Yellowstone - the pioneering National Park Friday, 16, Oct 2009 12:00 From majestic mountains to expansive stretches of desert and plains which seem to go on for miles, those looking for a sense of nature and adventure during a vacation may wish to consider heading to the United States. Although the country is well renowned for its numerous breathtaking cities such as Las Vegas and New York, those wanting a real US experience may wish to get into the wild. People looking to escape the rat race could well find that visiting the National Parks of America provides the chance to escape from the stresses and strains of modern day living and indulge in breathing in fresh air and staring at a night sky uncluttered with buildings and streetlamps. Although such activities may sound simple, those living in major urban areas may not be able to experience them. Indeed, since the US government established its national park system more than 120 years ago, millions of people - both domestic tourists and those from further afield - have visited parks to observe stunning wildlife, take part in outdoor pursuits and get away from it all. And with hundreds of parks located throughout the country, being able to incorporate a visit to at least one should be a relatively simple task for those on USA trips. However, this could also present a challenge for travellers. With so many to take in, selecting a few - or even just one - could take a significant amount of time. Back to where it all began However, those who may only have time to visit one might wish to head to the country's oldest national park - the majestic Yellowstone. Established in 1872, the park offers a stunning array of natural splendour, perfect for those looking to go camping, observe Mother Nature at her most active or who are visiting as a part of an adventure holidays experience. And those wanting their own space while on vacation are sure to find plenty of room in which to do this. Spanning 3,468 sq miles and straddling the states of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, people wishing to get away from civilisation - if only for a few hours or days - should find that doing so is not too arduous a task. But with plenty of things to see and do in the park, visitors may well find that they are not alone when it comes to taking in Yellowstone's sights. Plenty to do whatever time of year One particular highlight of any trip to Yellowstone should be a visit to the Old Faithful geyser. As its name suggests, this geological gem erupts on a regular basis - around once every 90 minutes - shooting boiling water hundreds of feet into the air. And as the park contains more than half of the world's geysers, checking out some of the other hydrothermal wonders may be advisable, with Riverside, Grand and Daisy among the ones staff can with some accuracy predict when they will erupt. Among the other stunning geographical sights of Yellowstone are the Mammoth Hot Springs and the132-sq mile Yellowstone Lake. Meanwhile, the park's Grand Canyon offers the chance for visitors to take in a stunning gorge which is as deep as 900 feet in some places and half a mile wide. People keen on taking in some wildlife, meanwhile, will find that bison, wolves, deer and bears - of both the grizzly and brown varieties - are among the animals that can be spotted. However, visitors wanting to view smaller - and perhaps less intimidating beasts - may want to keep their eyes peeled for red squirrels, voles and hares. Fishing enthusiasts, meanwhile, will find that rainbow, brook and Yellowstone cutthroat are among the species of trout to be found in the park's numerous lakes. Adventure tourists wanting to do more than just observe nature in action will be pleased to know Yellowstone has plenty for those on an active vacation, with horseback-riding, cycling and boating among the pursuits on offer. Meanwhile, hiking enthusiasts should find that with more than 1,100 miles of trails, there is plenty of chance to stretch their legs. And although such activities may be best suited for travellers taking a trip to the park in the summer months, people visiting Yellowstone during the winter will also find there is plenty for them to do. Indeed, there is the chance to go cross-country skiing or take part in a number of activities led by the park's team of rangers. Meanwhile, visitors will be able to go on snowcoach and snowmobile tours between December and March. With so many highlights - whether it is watching the might of geysers in full flow, observing majestic wildlife or taking an exhilarating bike ride - taking in Yellowstone as part of a tour of America is sure to be the perfect place for adventure enthusiasts and city-dwellers alike to get out there and experience nature at its best.

Yellowstone - the pioneering National Park

Friday, 16, Oct 2009 12:00

From majestic mountains to expansive stretches of desert and plains which seem to go on for miles, those looking for a sense of nature and adventure during a vacation may wish to consider heading to the United States.

Although the country is well renowned for its numerous breathtaking cities such as Las Vegas and New York, those wanting a real US experience may wish to get into the wild.

People looking to escape the rat race could well find that visiting the National Parks of America provides the chance to escape from the stresses and strains of modern day living and indulge in breathing in fresh air and staring at a night sky uncluttered with buildings and streetlamps. Although such activities may sound simple, those living in major urban areas may not be able to experience them.

Indeed, since the US government established its national park system more than 120 years ago, millions of people - both domestic tourists and those from further afield - have visited parks to observe stunning wildlife, take part in outdoor pursuits and get away from it all.

And with hundreds of parks located throughout the country, being able to incorporate a visit to at least one should be a relatively simple task for those on USA trips. However, this could also present a challenge for travellers. With so many to take in, selecting a few - or even just one - could take a significant amount of time.

Back to where it all began

However, those who may only have time to visit one might wish to head to the country's oldest national park - the majestic Yellowstone.

Established in 1872, the park offers a stunning array of natural splendour, perfect for those looking to go camping, observe Mother Nature at her most active or who are visiting as a part of an adventure holidays experience.

And those wanting their own space while on vacation are sure to find plenty of room in which to do this. Spanning 3,468 sq miles and straddling the states of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, people wishing to get away from civilisation - if only for a few hours or days - should find that doing so is not too arduous a task. But with plenty of things to see and do in the park, visitors may well find that they are not alone when it comes to taking in Yellowstone's sights.

Plenty to do whatever time of year

One particular highlight of any trip to Yellowstone should be a visit to the Old Faithful geyser. As its name suggests, this geological gem erupts on a regular basis - around once every 90 minutes - shooting boiling water hundreds of feet into the air. And as the park contains more than half of the world's geysers, checking out some of the other hydrothermal wonders may be advisable, with Riverside, Grand and Daisy among the ones staff can with some accuracy predict when they will erupt.

Among the other stunning geographical sights of Yellowstone are the Mammoth Hot Springs and the132-sq mile Yellowstone Lake. Meanwhile, the park's Grand Canyon offers the chance for visitors to take in a stunning gorge which is as deep as 900 feet in some places and half a mile wide.

People keen on taking in some wildlife, meanwhile, will find that bison, wolves, deer and bears - of both the grizzly and brown varieties - are among the animals that can be spotted. However, visitors wanting to view smaller - and perhaps less intimidating beasts - may want to keep their eyes peeled for red squirrels, voles and hares. Fishing enthusiasts, meanwhile, will find that rainbow, brook and Yellowstone cutthroat are among the species of trout to be found in the park's numerous lakes.

Adventure tourists wanting to do more than just observe nature in action will be pleased to know Yellowstone has plenty for those on an active vacation, with horseback-riding, cycling and boating among the pursuits on offer. Meanwhile, hiking enthusiasts should find that with more than 1,100 miles of trails, there is plenty of chance to stretch their legs. And although such activities may be best suited for travellers taking a trip to the park in the summer months, people visiting Yellowstone during the winter will also find there is plenty for them to do.

Indeed, there is the chance to go cross-country skiing or take part in a number of activities led by the park's team of rangers. Meanwhile, visitors will be able to go on snowcoach and snowmobile tours between December and March.

With so many highlights - whether it is watching the might of geysers in full flow, observing majestic wildlife or taking an exhilarating bike ride - taking in Yellowstone as part of a tour of America is sure to be the perfect place for adventure enthusiasts and city-dwellers alike to get out there and experience nature at its best.

TrekAmerica

Yellowstone - the pioneering National Park