Earlier this year, MSN released a list of the most stunning national parks in the world. These parks each feature remarkable landscape, history, and wildlife – and each one truly deserves their spot. It may come as no surprise that Wyoming’s two national parks both made the list – they are among the most treasured places on Earth.
Can you spot a young moose in the photo above, taken on a chilly morning at Schwabacher’s Landing (GTNP)?
Visit at dawn or dusk to have a chance of spotting wolves and bears, two of the most notorious predators in the parks.
There are so many American Bison in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that now it’s a common occurrence to get caught in a traffic “bison jam” and wait for these beasts to clear the road.
In 2021, a photographer was accused of feeding foxes in order to draw them closer for staged photos. Because of ongoing actions like this, some foxes have gotten habituated to humans, and begin to cause trouble. Though it is no fault of their own, this often ends in the animal’s euthanization. Shortly after the photographer incident, a fox was put down. The sleepy vixen pictured above had lost her mate.
Stories like this one are the tragic outcome of humans disregarding rules within the park, so if you do visit, please be sure to keep your distance from wildlife and follow Leave No Trace principals.
Moose are fascinating to watch from a distance. Did you know they shed their antlers in the fall, so by winter time both cows and bulls have bare heads?
This includes Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts on a predictable schedule, and Steamboat Geyser, which is harder to predict but shows off the largest geyser eruptions in the world.
Despite well-maintained infrastructre, some tourists who ignore the rules and warnings and wander off the boardwalks have fallen to their death into these superheated springs. Remember, park rules are there for your safety!
Today, the remnants of the eruption are everywhere. You can even see the caldera rim from many places in the park, and landmarks like Pumice Point on Yellowstone Lake (pictured) and the Petrified Trees in Lamar Valley show how the forces permanently shaped the landscape
There are dozens of waterfalls within the park boundaries. Some, like Undine Falls, are easy to locate, while others require backcountry treks.
It was built in 1903 and to this day remains the largest log cabin in the world. Book a room here or visit for a delicious dinner.
The famous Moulton Barns on Mormon Row are among the most popular landmarks in the park.
Other historic structures in the park include the Menors Ferry district and the Chapel of the Transfiguration.
Adams was one of the world’s most famous photographers. He captured scenes from the American West, including iconic depictions of the Snake River and Teton Range.
It supports a great number of species and provides recreation and fishing opportunities for visitors. You can book a scenic float trip or whitewater trip from local outfitters in the town of Jackson.
It begins with a boat ride across beautiful Jenny Lake. When you get to the other side of the lake, the Tetons tower above you.
Many hikers continue on through the Canyon and camp at Lake Solitude, located about seven miles from the lake shore.
More adventurous hikers and climbers can summit Disappointment Peak, Buck Mountain, and all three of the Tetons – South, Middle, and the Grand. Other than the Grand Teton, which requires alpine experience and is best done with a guide, the summits listed above are not particularly technical, and can be reached with some scrambling.
We are so lucky to have these wonders in our own backyard!
Before visiting Yellowstone, Grand Teton, or any of the National Parks on the list, be sure to review Leave No Trace principles. It is extremely important to become a good steward of the landscape!
It’s also important to note that while we think of these places as “pristine” and “untouched” wild areas, they have been home to indigenous tribes for far longer than we often realize. To learn more about the Indigenous history of Yellowstone, read here. For information about the Shoshone native to the Grand Teton area, visit this website.
onlyinyoursate.com
Address: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
Address: Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA