The Best Active Adventures To Do In Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone national park is one of the most famous recreational areas in the U.S. The 3,500 miles stretching from Wyoming to Montana and Idaho are also among the most visited. This year, until April 24, you'll get to visit Yellowstone, and all national parks, for free. It's National Parks Week.

Yellowstone was the very first national park established in the world. Founded to preserve the magnificent geysers and other geothermal wonders abundant in the area, the park is also haven for threatened and endangered species.

But Yellowstone is also an amazing destination for active adventures. You'll explore volcano's power, hot springs, geysers, mountains, forests, and lakes.

Watch geysers erupt

Yellowstone is the largest active geyser field in the world and is home to its the most renowned geyser, Old Faithful. The eruptions, which occur about every 90 minutes, reach as high as 130 feet, clearing 180 feet. One way to see the geyser's power is to join the crowds of tourists. Another is to go to the less crowded place in the dining room of the nearby Old Faithful Inn, a rustic log hotel constructed during the winter of 1903. The thrill-seekers may want to consider the mile-long hike out to Observation Point for a bird's-eye view of the Upper Geyser Basin.

See grizzly bears in their natural habitat

The national park has more wild animals than almost anywhere else in the country, according to its site. Visitors are likely to see a number of animals, including grizzly bears, freely roaming the landscape undisturbed. Other wild animals you are likely to see is the world's largest wild bison herd, bald and golden eagles, trumpeter swans, moose, and wild horses. The grizzly bears move across the boundaries.

Hike the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon in Yellowstone was formed as a result of thousands of years of erosion. It's by far the most popular place for hiking in the park. The trail is about 20 miles long. The river is about 600 miles long, making it the longest undammed river in the U.S. The golden cliffs are an amazing sight. The Grand Canyon is about 40 miles north of Yellowstone's East Entrance.

Rafting

Do you feel like going on an adventure through Yankee Jim Canyon? If you are an experienced in whitewater rafting, go for it. There are other options as well. You can go on a two-hour float on the calm waters of the Yellowstone River with a guide. He or she will also tell you a lot about the rich history and geology of the area.

Be a cowboy

You won't have to far to play a real-life cowboy for a day in Yellowstone – almost every town has one. You can watch or participate if you dare to test your skills of handling bulls and broncs.

Fish in Yellowstone Lake

Fishing there is a on the bucket list of almost every fisherman. Try the trout waters north, south and west of Cody, filled with native Yellowstone cutthroat, brown trout, rainbow trout and brook trout larger than most anglers can imagine. Pass by the gold and fish Carbon County's Miracle Mile or try the waters of Casper, the #1 Big Fish Destination.

More readings: 

Bats, Volcanos, Crocs: 15 Hair-Raising National Park Adventures

16 Most Spectacular National Parks to Visit this Spring

The Most Dangerous Places in National Parks