Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the United States. First established in 1872, the park encompasses more than 2.2 million acres across Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, Yellowstone's dazzling scenery, diverse wildlife and geothermic marvels make it an awe-inspiring experience for visitors. WorldMark West Yellowstone in Montana is a stunning resort destination located just one block from the park's west entrance. Geothermal activity is one of Yellowstone's main attractions. Home to the world's largest number of active geysers, the park spotlights more than 10,000 geothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, fumaroles and mudpots. The geyser known as Old Faithful is a well-known Yellowstone superstar, erupting with predictable frequency and shooting steam and water to heights of up to 180 feet. Another star attraction is Mammoth Hot Springs, a collection of more than 60 thermal springs that reach temperatures of up to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Each of the park's main geothermal features are accessible by well-maintained boardwalks, many of which are wheelchair accessible. Yellowstone's winding rivers, lush valleys, vast lakes, epic canyons, and roaring waterfalls make for astonishing scenery. The Yellowstone River has two spectacular waterfalls, the Upper and Lower Falls — the Lower are nearly twice as high as Niagara Falls. Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-altitude freshwater lake in the U.S., and is known for its abundant fishing. The park is famous for its diverse wildlife, and Lamar Valley is the best place for wildlife viewing. Home to herds of bison, elk, bald eagles, badgers, coyotes, wolves, and grizzlies, Lamar Valley is ground zero for snapping photos of furry and feathered friends (from a safe distance). There are more than 900 miles of hiking trails in Yellowstone, ranging from easy to strenuous. The Mount Washburn Trail is one of the most popular hikes, featuring an abundance of wildflowers and bighorn sheep grazing on the slopes. Yellowstone National Park is open year-round, but four of the park's five entrances close from mid-October to early May because of winter weather conditions. Each season offers a different experience in Yellowstone. Spring is a time of lower crowds, but expect limited services and be prepared for muddy hiking trails. Summer is peak season, and the park will be full of visitors so expect traffic, both vehicular and on foot. The fall colors are beautiful in Yellowstone and the crowd volume drops post-summer, but by late fall weather-related closures are common. Winter is a beautiful time to visit, as the park will be blanketed in snow, however many attractions are only accessible by snowmobile or snowcoach and many of the services will be closed for the season. An entrance pass is required for entry into Yellowstone National Park. Entrance passes can be purchased online or at any of the park's five main entrances. Choose from a seven-day pass, an annual pass, or a lifetime pass. Visitors with a permanent disability, active-duty military, military veterans and gold star family members are entitled to a lifetime entry pass free of charge. Make sure you visit the National Park Service website, nps.gov, before your trip to Yellowstone National Park. It's full of great information and useful resources that will help you to plan a memorable trip.