Help power the National Parks Traveler’s coverage of national parks and protected areas.
The Artist Paint Pots area gets its name from the colorful hues of the geothermal springs and bubbling mud pots. There's a little more topographic relief to this area than the Fountain Paint Pots area, but the views are definitely worth the extra energy expended.
"Elk are the most abundant large mammal found in Yellowstone and are an important species within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Yellowstone provides summer range for an estimated 10,000–20,000 elk (Cervus canadensis) from six to seven herds, most of which winter at lower elevations outside the park.
The milky white and blue colors of the highly acidic thermal pools in Porcelain Basin are from high concentrations of silica (the highest concentrations in Yellowstone) and bring to mind the delicate colors and texture of fine ceramics.
Biscuit Basin is "named for the unusual biscuit-like deposits that used to surround Sapphire Pool ... Biscuit Basin is traversed by an easy 0.6-mile (1-km) lollipop loop boardwalk trail, which leads past many fascinating hydrothermal features, such as Sapphire Pool, Avoca Spring, and Jewel Geyser." Hot spring colors range from green to blue to turquoise, with orange and brown veins of bacterial mats surrounding and leading away from the pools.
Located about 1 mile up the main road from Old Faithful, Black Sand Basin is "named for sand derived from black volcanic glass (obsidian)" and features some beautiful hot springs, including Emerald Pool pictured here. You can also hike the 1 mile to Black Sand Basin starting from Daisy Geyser.
Yellowstone National Park has about 290 waterfalls. The tallest waterfall that's near a road is the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, at a height of 308 feet (94m). There are a number of different view perspectives from which you can see and photograph the Lower Falls. This image was captured during a frosty, snowy sunrise seen from Artist Point.
National Parks Traveler is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
