Yellowstone National Park—established in 1872—was not only America's first national park, but the first in the world. Spend a few days in the park and you'll quickly see why. Geologically speaking, Yellowstone is incredibly unique. With everything from geysers and hot springs to towering waterfalls and its very own grand canyon, Yellowstone is the perfect place to discover just what Earth is really made of.

Where to Stay

Yellowstone National Park covers nearly 3,500 square miles in three different states (Idaho, Montana and Wyoming—where the majority of the park is situated), so you'll want to decide on a location that's central to the activities you're interested in exploring. Here's an interactive park map to get you started.

• If lodges and hotels suit you best, check out the options here.
• If you're interested in camping in Yellowstone, learn more here.
• If you're looking to stay just outside the park entrances or somewhere between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, start here.

Just remember that the drive time between the various lodges, sites and activities in the park will vary greatly depending on the time of year and how much vehicle traffic is in the park.

Finding Adventure

Yellowstone is such a vast place to explore, but those coming to marvel at the geological wonders inside the park will not be disappointed.

As with other parks, be sure to be smart about wildlife. Those friendly-looking bison along the roadside will charge at you if they feel threatened, so keep a safe distance and use that zoom on your camera if you're looking to get a picture!

Here are a few of my favorite finds in Yellowstone:

• The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Did you know that Yellowstone has its own grand canyon? It does! And it's worth a visit.
• The West Thumb Geyser Basin: If you're interested in checking out some incredible hydrothermal features, this is the place to go.
• Yellowstone Lake: This area is spectacular and offers up several fantastic day hikes and natural points of interest.

Scenic Drives

Just about anywhere you drive in Yellowstone National Park will be scenic. As you tour the park, be sure to really take the time to appreciate the landscape: the sights, sounds and—yes—the smells. I've always thought it looked otherworldly, which makes it easy to appreciate just how unique America's first national park really is.

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Ready to visit Yellowstone's neighbor to the south? Let's head to Grand Teton National Park next...