By Act of Congress on March 1, 1872 Yellowstone National Park was "dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and "for the preservation, from injury or spoilation, of all timber, mineral deposits, natural curiosities, or wonders. . . and their retention in their natural condition."

Yellowstone is the first and oldest National Park in the world. The commanding features that initially attracted interest, and led to the preservation of Yellowstone as a National Park, were geological: the geothermal phenomena (there are more geysers and hot springs here than in the rest of the world combined), the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, fossil forests, and the size and elevation of Yellowstone Lake. Be sure to get a Yellowstone Travel Packet!

Click on one of the following "countries" for attraction information.

• Canyon Country • Geyser Country • Lake Country •
Mammoth Country • Roosevelt Country