Yellowstone National Park is America’s first national park. Named more than 40 years before the National Park Service was officially created, the expansive park was set aside to protect its unique geological features. As part of my quest to see 100 National Parks sites in a year for the centennial celebration of the parks, I knew I wanted to see our first National Park.

Our campsite near Yellowstone Lake provided a nice, yet chilly, base camp for our adventures over the three days we spent in the park.

On day one we visited the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and hiked to the top of Mount Washburn. Various pull outs and hikes along the north and south rim of the canyon offered beautiful vistas. Along Uncle Tom’s trail, 356 steps led down to a beautiful view of the lower falls in the canyon. The exposed staircase was much better than the rope ladders original explorers used to bring tourists into the canyon. Even so, my fear of heights kicked in and I made it only three-fourths of the way down as little kids zoomed past.

After lunch, we hiked three miles up more than 1,000 feet of climb (and a whole lot of wind!) to the top of Mt. Washburn, the highest peak in the park sitting at 10,219 feet. This was the longest hike I had ever done but the view at the top made the strenuous climb (and constantly looking out for bears) worth it. From that point, you can view the entire 37-mile wide caldera that sits in the middle of Yellowstone. This mountain was once part of a super volcano that sat where the caldera is now.

On the second day, we explored geysers and springs throughout the caldera. Good timing and accurate predictions from rangers put us at the famous Old Faithful geyser just before it erupted. We hiked up to a viewpoint to see other geysers and watch Old Faithful again, away from the crowds gathered on the boardwalk at the main viewing site. Brilliant pools were abundant along multiple geyser basins, some gleaming in light teal and others dark black. Through the clear water you could see into the earth below.

The Grand Prismatic pool was the most stunning with it’s many vibrant colors. The colors reflected on the steam, causing rainbows above the pool. Seeing the many steaming, bubbling, erupting and gurgling features is amazing even today and was one of the many reasons early explorers knew this place should be protected and open to all.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner at the historic Lake Hotel, the oldest hotel at the oldest national park, which was celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The beautiful yellow hotel sits right along the lake and wild life, including bison, wandered around outside the building.

Other highlights included a beautiful natural bridge, lots of bison sightings, a walk along Yellowstone Lake’s volcanic sand, a thermal spring-fed swimming hole, and the beautiful view of the falls from Artists Point. Legend has it that one year on August 25, it snowed in the park so every year the employees celebrate Yellowstone Christmas. As we packed up to head back east, the campgrounds were decorated with lights, garlands, bows and santas hanging from campers. In the gift shops, Christmas music played as employees wore t-shirts that said “We wish you a very merry Yellowstone Christmas.” For Yellowstone, August 25th is more than the National Parks Service anniversary.

Our original plan had us visiting Grand Tetons national park and then ending this quest in Yellowstone, our nations first national park. A wild fire in the Tetons prevented our visit, so in true explorer-fashion we switched gears and continued on for stop 100 at Devils Tower in eastern Wyoming.