In 1807, when John Colter (a scout for explorers Lewis and Clark) first described the wonders of what is now Yellowstone National Park, everyone suspected that he was embellishing. But there is no doubt now that the park is indeed extraordinarily beautiful. If you’re looking for the ultimate outdoorsy getaway, this would be it. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails meander through forests, along streams and up mountains. But be prepared to share the road with Yellowstone’s more permanent residents like buffalo, elk and sometimes even grizzlies. Steaming geysers, bubbling mud pits and multicolored pools are sure to renew your interest in geology, while more than 3,000 square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers and waterfalls are sure to inspire the nature-lover in you.

Although Yellowstone attracts about three million visitors every year, chances are — unless you spend your entire trip at Old Faithful — you won’t see much of them. Yellowstone’s 2,221,766 acres sweep from the northwest corner of Wyoming onto the edges of Idaho and Montana, offering plenty of untouched territory to explore. And while that may seem daunting at first, just remember that you can always come back.

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