Yellowstone National Park

 Yellowstone National Park

    In 1872, members of Congress saw photos and paintings of a place in the West. They saw pictures of tall mountains and vast forests. Amazed by the beauty, they saved the land by turning it into a park. It is called Yellowstone National Park. The park is the oldest national park in the country.

    Visitors to this park can hike on mountain trails and swim in clear lakes. They can watch wildlife and take photos of nature. But most agree that the best sights in the park are the geysers. Geysers occur when hot water and steam shoot out of the ground into the air. They form in places where the melted rock deep in the earth rises up to the surface. As the hot rocks rise, they heat the water under the ground. The water begins to boil. Then steam and water burst high up into the air.

    Most of the world's geysers are located in Yellowstone. One of the most famous is called "Old Faithful." People who have seen Old Faithful erupt generally say that they will never forget the sight. Some also like to say thanks to the people who preserve the park.