Yellowstone National Park

Major Attractions

NORTH LOOP ROAD

Traveling north from Norris Junction, the North Loop Road passes Nymph Lake, Twin Lakes, Roaring Mountain with its exposed springs and fumeroles (steam vents,) and bear viewing meadows in the springtime. Past such points of interest as Obsidian Cliff, Sheepeater Meadows, and Sheepeater Cliff to the wet meadows of Swan Lake Flats in Gardner's Hole. Part of this route follows the Gardner River which is fishable and occasionally has fish that allow themselves to be caught.

After traversing the HooDoo's the road passes the upper and lower terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs as it enter the park headquarter's complex at Mammoth Village (the old Fort Yellowstone [officially - "CAMP SHERIDAN"], built during the Army Years.)

At Mammoth, the visitor may exit the park by traveling north to the town of Gardner, or continue eastward on the North Loop Road. this option lets the visitor enjoy Udine Falls, Wraith Falls, The scenic beauty of Blacktail Deer Plateau, and view a standing petrified tree. As the visitor continues eastward the road skirts the Yellowstone River Valley and approaches the Tower-Roosevelt junction. The road leading east from this point explores the Lamar Valley and the Lamar River, Slough Creek, Soda Butte Creek, Ice Box Canyon, and leads ultimately to the Northeast Entrance and Silver Gate & Cook City.

South from Tower-Roosevelt Junction the North Loop Road passes Tower Falls of Tower Creek as the river plunges into the lower portions of the Grand Canyon Of The Yellowstone. Continuing south of Tower Falls the road climbs to Dunraven Pass (currently closed for road repairs,) and drops down to Canyon Village.

The north and south loop roads combined are referred to as the Grand Loop Road and encompass only the more popular of the park's many attractions. With an area of over 2,100,000 acres Yellowstone National Park has more area than that of Rhode Island & Delaware combined. It hardly does the park justice to drive the roads, then leave.