Issues: Wildlands

The result of catastrophic volcanic activity that began millions of years ago, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, situated in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, contains world-renowned geysers, hot springs, the spectacular Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, and rugged mountain scenery.

The American bison, grizzly and black bears, the reintroduced wolf, and the trumpeter swan are among the wildlife species that make their homes in this park, the heart of an ecosystem that includes one other National Park, Grand Teton, and seven national forests. Totaling 3,400 square miles, Yellowstone is a true wilderness, one of the few large natural areas remaining in the United States outside Alaska.

Photo: Charles Clusen