Choose Yellowstone Motels To Be Close To It All

By Essie Osborn


There are many unforgettable places in the United States, from the Niagara Falls to the Grand Canyon. The Rocky Mountains and the wide open spaces of states like Wyoming and Montana have a special magic too. For an opportunity to be within a few minutes of one of the most unforgettable experiences in the United States, though, choose a stay in one of several Yellowstone motels.

Founded in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is not only the oldest of its kind in the world but is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers an area of almost 3,500 square miles. The park is located mostly in Wyoming but since it's in the northwestern corner of the state, its boundaries cross state boundaries so that Montana and Idaho have their own bits of parkland too.

The most iconic feature of the park is Old Faithful. As its name suggests, this volcanic geyser erupts faithfully every 91 minutes or so. On average the boiling water shoots about 145 feet up in the air during an eruption, which lasts several seconds. It may not be the park's most impressive geyser but it's certainly the one you're guaranteed to see erupt. The park's visitor center has the estimated times for eruptions.

Old Faithful may be the park's most famous geyser but there are many, many more. They just don't erupt that regularly. Because Yellowstone is really a volcanic caldera, there are huge areas of geothermal activity. Boardwalks have been built for visitors to walk on, since the earth's crust can be deceptively thin and it's very easy to fall down into a boiling hot pool of mud or water.

The thermal pools and geysers great reasons to visit but the popular park also offers much, much more. The landscape here is astonishingly beautiful and a favorite among landscape photographers. You'll be able to admire and take dramatic pictures of mountains, meadows, rivers, canyons, lakes, waterfalls and a petrified forest, among others.

Hiking is a popular activity, especially in summer. You can also explore on horseback and for one week in spring the entire park is car free, making it a haven for cyclists too. Wildlife abounds and some of the species you may be able to spot are wolves, bears, bison, deer, elk, pronghorn and mountain lions, along with a wide variety of birds.

The national park offers various accommodation facilities but these become fully booked very quickly, especially in the summer months. However, the towns of Gardiner and West Yellowstone, both in Montana, are just outside park boundaries. Gardiner lies on the northern side and has a few motels in a small-town atmosphere. West Yellowstone lies to the west and has a museum, an airport and a wide selection of motels and other accommodation options.

The busiest time to visit is during the summer months and you'll have to book your accommodation well in advance. Fall and winter are less crowded but winter can be very cold. However, visiting during this time means that you can also try snow sports such as skiing.




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