On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law S.392 establishing Yellowstone as the first national park. In the 150 years since, countless Americans and visitors from abroad have descended on “Wonderland” to appreciate and experience its remarkable landscapes and inhabitants – wildlife from grizzly bears to bison, and natural features from geysers and hot springs to the falls of the Yellowstone River in its own “Grand Canyon.” I have had the privilege of visiting Yellowstone on a dozen occasions spanning winter, summer and autumn. In this photo diary I will share some favorite images from those visits. In a separate diary celebrating Yellowstone’s 150th birthday, I write about the story behind it becoming the first national park.
While I’ve visited Yellowstone many times, I’ve only scratched the Park’s surface – my explorations have been limited to day hikes along the edges of its vast wilderness. If others who have ventured into other portions of the park would share their reflections and images in the comments, I will be most grateful.
While the National Park designation 150 years ago was an important step in preserving Yellowstone for future generations, it is also important to recognize the indigenous people whose stewardship of these lands extends long before. Yellowstone includes portions of the traditional lands of the Shoshone-Bannock, Apsaalooké (Crow), Eastern Shoshone, and Cheyenne nations.