Wyoming National Parks

The state of Wyoming is comprised of two National Parks, two National Monuments, and a National Historic Site. The two parks are Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park - both of which are situated on the northwestern side of the state. One of the national monuments is Devils Tower National Monument - which is located on the north eastern side of the state. The other national monument is Fossil Butte National Monument in southwest Wyoming. The land mass of these national treasures cover approximately 3830 square miles, or just short of 4% of Wyoming's land. That is almost the size of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

Yellowstone National Park is 3468 square miles of mountains, lakes, rivers, and canyons. Approximately 96% of Yellowstone National Park is in the state of Wyoming, 3% is within Montana, and the remaining 1% in Idaho. The first National Park established in the United States, Ulysses S. Grant in 1872 signed The Act of Dedication that offically created Yellowstone National Park.

Located to the south of Yellowstone National Park is Grand Teton National Park. This park is highlighted by an often photographed mountain range that rises out of the floor of the Jackson Hole area, for a 40 mile stretch. The range really has no foothills, making it look that much more impressive. Linking Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton National Park is the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, land that is also managed by the National Park Service.

Devils Tower National Monument is the first national monument in the United States, declared as such in 1906. Devils Tower is located in northeastern Wyoming along the Belle Fourche River. An impressive rock formation that stands some 1267 feet above the nearby river, Devils Tower is considered by American Indians to be a place for prayer and renewal. For the avid rock climber, Devils Tower plays host to a unique and premier climbing challenge. In 1995, a June voluntary climbing closure was advocated by the National Park Service to encourage respect for American Indian tribes sacred view of the tower.

Fossil Butte National Monument is located near Kemmerer Wyoming. Some of the best preserved fossils in the United States, if not the world, are located in Fossil Butte. The fossils are thought to be around 50 million years old, and range from fish, insects, alligators, turtles, to even small horses.