Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Yellowstone National Park has numerous natural features worthy of visiting. The park is located in the northwest of Wyoming, and has been a national park for more than a century. The government felt the trees, animals, and land should all be saved from deforestation or residential growth. Yellowstone has half of the worlds geysers located within its boundaries, several lakes, hot springs, and more. One of the most amazing areas of Yellowstone is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is not nearly as large as the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It is 30 miles wide and 45 miles wide, and can reach over 1,200 feet in certain areas. The canyon was formed when volcanic eruptions 600,000 years ago emptied an underground magma chamber. Part of the chamber became Yellowstone Lake, while the other half was left as a canyon when the roof fell. Volcanic substances were spread over thousands of square miles like lava rock, which helped to create pitting along the canyon walls.

The lava did not just disappear when it helped form the canyon. Instead the lava remained creating Canyon Rhyolite flow about 590,000 years ago. The flow eventually weakened and the basin of the canyon was created. Other lava blocked the natural chambers rerouting lava and water flow, creating underground rivers. Glaciers that formed and then melted helped create lakes until the canyon eventually emptied, leaving behind its present form 10,000 years ago. Wind, water, earthquakes and other natural occurrences have helped to continue to form the canyon.

The canyon is along Yellowstone River between Tower Roosevelt and Canyon. There are two waterfalls that run through the canyon allowing the water to come from the higher elevations and feed the lake. Artist's Point, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom's Trail, and other pathways will take visitors to scenic points to view the falls and the canyon.

Visitors are also able to take the Canyon of the Yellowstone trail. This trail runs from Inspiration Point through the park. Glacial Boulder is one stop on this tour. The boulder came from Beartooth Mountains when Pinedale Glacier began to melt, allowing it to drop near the north rim about 80,000 years ago. Inspiration Point allows visitors to lookout over the canyon to see the walls rising from below.

This will lead tourists to Silver Cord Cascade Overlook, where it is possible to see the trail as it moves into the canyon where the creek flows. As tourists continue they will come upon one of the falls at Lookout Point. Visitors can watch the water plunge into the canyon and create a plume of spray. Red Rock Point is another lookout point to see the falls from. It was named for the red rocks near Lower Falls. Iron oxide is found in the rocks, which has caused the irregular color. The tour will eventually take visitors around to the brink of the Lower Falls, where the water flows over the high canyon wall.