WYOMING'S YELLOWSTONE AND GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARKS
When Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872 by US President Ulysses S Grant the government was particularly impressed by its vast number of geo-thermal features – a large section of the park sits atop a magma chamber that features steam-spouting fumaroles, vividly-coloured mud volcanoes and majestic geysers, the most famous being Old Faithful, which erupts up to 185 feet into the air every 44 minutes to two hours. Then there's serene Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, fed by a spectacular waterfall twice the height of Niagara Falls and best viewed from Inspiration Point. Watch out, too, for wildlife such as bears, grey wolves, bison, elk, and bald eagles.
As the park's splendid Old Faithful Inn and Yellowstone Lake Lodge and surrounding cabins are frequently sold out, it is wise to book well ahead or to look for accommodation outside the park.
To its south is another spectacular National Park, Grand Teton, home of peaks jutting up about 7,000 feet straight from the valley floor, eight pristine alpine lakes, and herds of moose and elk. You can explore one of the numerous hiking trails – you might even see remnants of pioneer habitation along the way – take a boat trip down the Snake River, and in the winter, ski down the mountains surrounding the valley-based Jackson Hole resort. Accommodation is also to be found in historic Hotel Jackson, which is sited in the lively city of Jackson on the eastern edge of the park.
A LARGE SECTION OF THE PARK SITS ATOP A MAGMA CHAMBER THAT FEATURES STEAM-SPOUTING FUMAROLES, VIVIDLY-COLOURED MUD VOLCANOES AND MAJESTIC GEYSERS, THE MOST FAMOUS BEING OLD FAITHFUL, WHICH ERUPTS UP TO 185 FEET INTO THE AIR EVERY 44 MINUTES TO TWO HOURS.