YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — Summer brings the crowds to Yellowstone National Park (YNP), but winter brings its own jaw-dropping beauty to the legendary vistas.
“Exploring thermal basins is extra magical during winter with the stark contrast between hot and cold,” YNP posted to social media this week. “Steamy geysers, icy crystals, snow-covered landscapes, and colorful thermophiles galore!”
“Be sure to stay on boardwalks and wear traction aids on your shoes, especially since boardwalks can become snow-packed and icy,” the post advised.
YNP encourages visitors to enjoy the major sights as well as the minor ones, like feathery frost collecting on the boardwalk.
“Geyser basins often have the perfect conditions for the formation of beautiful, feathery snow crystals,” YNP posted. “Cold, clear nights with high humidity promote the growth of glistening forests of crystals on the snow surface. The steam constantly coming from the features in geyser basins gives the surrounding air extra moisture allowing the crystals to grow. They are as fragile as they are beautiful.”
The thermal features aren’t the only showstoppers in the park, of course.
YNP’s resident bison, which are well-suited for winter survival, enhance any landscape.
