from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
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| Norris
Geyser Basin1 |
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The
area around the Grand
Canyon of the Yellowstone, located in the north-central portion of the
park, is praised for its scenery and sensational viewpoints. The massive
waterfalls and unique natural features are an obvious draw, and accommodations
at Canyon
Village are an ideal jump-off point for hiking trips and other outdoor
pursuits. Situated just west of Canyon Village, Norris
Geyser Basin features a trail that journeys through several geothermal
sites, including steam vents, geysers and hot springs. A great place to
learn about the many geothermal features of this area is the circa 1930
Norris
Geyser Basin Museum, a national historic landmark with distinctive stone
and log architecture.
ACCESS
Centrally located
in the park, Canyon
Lodge, Norris Geyser Basin and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
are easily accessible from any park entrance. The furthest entrance from
these attractions is the South Entrance, which is roughly 80 mi (129 km),
and the other entrances are much closer.
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Grand
Canyon of the Yellowstone2 |
ATTRACTIONS
Grand Canyon of
the Yellowstone
Often touted as the most breathtaking sight of the park, the Grand Canyon
of the Yellowstone stretches 4,000 ft (1219 m) across and reaches depths
of 1,200 ft (366 m) in places. The Upper
and Lower
falls are a magnificent sight to behold. The Upper Falls, which plunge
109 ft (33 m), can be seen from Brink
of the Upper Falls lookout point and Uncle
Tom's Trail. Dropping 500 ft (152 m) in a series of over 300 stairs
and inclines, Uncle Tom's Trail, though well worth the effort, is not
recommended for beginner hikers. The Lower Falls, crashing down 308 ft
(94 m), are often described as being double the height of Niagara
Falls, although Niagara has a much higher volume of water passing
over the falls. Several vantage points offer views of the Lower Falls,
including Red
Rock Point, Lookout
Point and various other locations on the South
Rim Trail. The Canyon area is home to some of Yellowstone's most impressive
views, as well as great hiking and interesting natural features, such
as Glacial
Boulder, a house-sized granite boulder resting in the middle of a
pine forest.
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| Steamboat
Geyser3 |
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Norris Geyser Basin
Centrally located inside Yellowstone, close to the North and West entrances
is Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone's hotbed of geothermal activity. Two
loop trails depart from Norris Museum, which houses exhibits that uncover
the origins of the Basin's thermal features. Although its large-scale eruptions
are rare (the last major eruption was in 1991), Steamboat
Geyser is the largest active geyser in the world, boasting water blasts
that can reach up to 380 ft (116 m) and a steam phase that can be heard
from miles away. However, the geyser frequently has smaller eruptions, some
of which can reach up to 40 ft and prove quite entertaining to watch. Echinus
Geyser, the largest frequently active acid geyser in the world, also
attracts scores of visitors that wait in anticipation of its rousing eruption.
Predictions for Echinus Geyser eruptions are posted at Norris Museum. Visitors
should also check for closure notices, as access to certain geothermal areas
at Norris Geyser Basin must occasionally be restricted due to the possibility
of dangerous steam explosions.
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Canyon
Cabins4 |
ACCOMMODATIONS
Canyon Lodge & Cabins
The most central of the park's summer lodges, Canyon
Lodge & Cabins are situated near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
and its Lower Falls, an ideal base for hiking and other outdoor activities.
Cabin- and lodge-style hotel rooms are available, each equipped with private
bathrooms. Horseback rides are offered at the nearby corral, and a full-service
restaurant is located on-site.
Canyon Campground
Canyon
Campground is also close to the impressive Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
near the center of the park. Stores, restaurants, pay showers and coin
laundry are among the amenities offered, although utility hook-ups and
a sanitary dump station are not available.
PHOTO COURTESY
- National Park Service; Norris Geyser Basin; WY, USA
- National Park Service; Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; WY, USA
- National Park Service; Steamboat Geyser; WY, USA
- National Park Service; Canyon Cabins; WY, USA
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