Yellowstone Pictures

Inspiration Point in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone earned its name for the kaleidoscopic colors you can see. Stephanie Sawyer Getty Images
Old Faithful, Yellowstone's most famous attraction, earned its name from its highly predictable eruption schedule. pawel.gaul Getty Images
Keep your eyes peeled for a myriad of fascinating creatures (think: bison, wolves and coyotes) that graze serene meadows and punctuate Hayden Valley's hillly landscape. JREden Getty Images
The colors in Grand Prismatic Spring are caused by pigmented bacteria that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The colors change depending on the water's temperature. lorcel Getty Images
Located near the South Entrance of the park, Moose Falls is just a short hike from the road. Sparty1711 Getty Images
To get up close to some of Yellowstone's more dangerous critters, head to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana. Levente Siklsi / EyeEm Getty Images
The Old Faithful area's geysers may be the main reason you visit Yellowstone, but no trip would be complete without seeing the park's oldest and hottest geothermal region, Norris Geyser Basin. Fyletto Getty Images
For fewer crowds and a starry sky as your backdrop, check out Old Faithful at night. Gary Weathers/Tetra Images Getty Images
Arrive in the peak summer months and you'll share Yellowstone's untamed terrain with about 10,000 to 20,000 elk. Bull elk (pictured above) feature distinctive antlers and can be found in areas like Hayden Valley. YinYang Getty Images
When driving through the park's Northeast Entrance, you'll pass through the picturesque Lamar Valley. JurgaR Getty Images
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center houses a few wolf packs, some of which howl back and forth with one another. bkilzer Getty Images
Yellowstone Lake features 141 miles of shoreline and is home to an abundance of wildlife and marine life, including elk, moose and trout. SeanXu Getty Images
No matter where you turn in this national park, prepare to be wowed by picturesque mountain vistas. You may even spot some animals roaming nearby. Michael H Spivak Getty Images
Mammoth Hot Springs' terraces are formed by calcium deposits left by the movement of hot water. The terraces are constantly changing shape. Yves Marcoux / Design Pics Getty Images
Grand Prismatic Spring's array of colors are best viewed from above. Marie-Louise Mandl / EyeEm Getty Images
More than 900 miles of hiking trails are available inside Yellowstone. rozdemir01 Getty Images
One of the most unique critters you may spot in Lamar Valley is the pronghorn, an antelope-like creature that's faster than any other land mammal in North America. Yiming Chen Getty Images
The Firehole River – named by early trappers for the steam that makes it appear to be smoking, as if on fire – follows the Continental Divide through the Upper Geyser Basin. Anna Gorin Getty Images
As the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening, Yellowstone's brilliant colors are on full display. tonda Getty Images
Coyotes are harder to spot in Hayden Valley than larger animals like bison and elk. But if you bring a pair of binoculars, you may find one lurking in the grass. Alan Vernon. Flickr
Yellowstone Lake – which occupies the heart of the park – is a popular gathering place for Yellowstone's year-round residents. 1001Love Getty Images
For prime photo ops at Norris Geyser Basin, visitors say you should arrive around sunrise or sunset. kwiktor Getty Images
The park's very own Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone was formed by the rushing waters of the Yellowstone River. Fyletto Getty Images
Even in the winter you can count on Old Faithful erupting approximately every hour and a half. JudiLen Getty Images
Though the focal points of the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center are its grizzly bears and wolves, birds of prey like bald eagles can also be seen here. Joseph McCowie Flickr
During the winter, temperatures typically range from the 10s to 30s. The park also sees an average of 150 inches of snowfall each year. KenCanning Getty Images
Even before it rains, Hayden Valley's landscape is breathtaking. Kevin A Scherer Getty Images
Mammoth Hot Springs is the only major thermal area found outside the Yellowstone Caldera, which takes up most of the park's northwest corner. Daniel Viñé Garcia Getty Images
Drive through Lamar Valley and you may share the road with several bison. Daniel Viñé Garcia Getty Images
Depending on the temperature of the water, you may see blue, green and yellow hues at Grand Prismatic Spring. Westend61 Getty Images
Canary Spring is known for its striking yellow hues. Venture along the Upper Terrace Loop Drive to take in Canary Spring's brilliant colors, then continue terrace-hopping along Mammoth Hot Springs' many boardwalks. Lidija Kamansky Getty Images
Elk are regularly spotted grazing near Mammoth Hot Springs. barbaraaaa Getty Images





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