Although there had been some investigations on Yellowstone before, it was the expedition of Ferdinand Hayden in 1871, which brought evidence that the area should be protected and preserved. In 1872, the President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law, declaring that Yellowstone would forever be "dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people." Today, the Yellowstone National Park is one-of-the-kind ecological systems on our planet with its diversity of natural resources, accumulated in one place.
The first wonder, the Yellowstone Caldera, is the largest volcanic system in North America, termed a "super volcano", for it has been formed by exceptionally large explosive eruptions. Actually, the eruptions were so great that they did not only change the landscape of Yellowstone in the early history, but they are also believed to have caused significant impacts to the world weather patterns (due to ash and gases releases) and led to the extinction of many species at least in North America.
The eruptions and a constant geothermal activity result in such Yellowstone unique phenomena as hot springs, geysers, bubbling mud spots and other peculiar landscape spots. The Yellowstone Great Basin is one of the most spectacular sites of the park. There are deep mineral pools with the temperature of about 200º and geysers, going off at different intervals.
The Yellowstone biology and ecology are as amazing as its geological features. The essential natural processes that have helped to shape the Yellowstone landscape and contributed to the park's ecology are wildfires. Ecologists believe that wildfire is a part of the Yellowstone ecosystem, and if not to allow the fires to run their course, it will result in a sick and decaying forest.
About six hundred species of trees and plants are found in the park, some of which are found nowhere else. The major tree species is Lodge pole pine, while fir, aspen and spruce are also common. Animals, inhabiting in the park, include the majestic American bison (buffalo), grizzly bears, black bears, elks, moose, mule deer, pronghorns, wolverines, bighorn sheep and mountain lions (puma).
Due to the park's diversity of features, the array of activities for visitors is almost unlimited. Backpacking and mountaineering, kayaking and fishing, sightseeing and watching bison, moose, and elks wandering are only a few activities of a memorable Yellowstone visit. The park offers an official Junior Ranger Program for children, aged five - twelve. The aim of the program is to introduce children to the natural wonders of Yellowstone and to show the importance of preserving them for the future. Children attend a Ranger-led program, a hike on a park trail and complete educational activities on diverse park resources, issues and concepts, such as a park wildlife, fire ecology and geothermal ecology.
Within Yellowstone there are several locations, providing the visitors' accommodation, ranging from hotels to cabins. There are also eleven campgrounds and a recreational vehicle park.