Yellowstone By the Book

Guidebooks were often the primary source of information about Yellowstone, whether read at home by armchair travelers or in tents by first-time visitors to the park. Although some were written by authors who never actually visited Yellowstone, all of these publications included fantastic images and elaborate descriptions of geysers, mineral pools, waterfalls, and other landmarks. Featuring titles such as The Great Divide (1876), Rambles in Wonderland (1878), and Our Western Empire (1893), these travel guides captured the public imagination in the decade immediately after Yellowstone became America’s first national park. Completed in 1883, the Northern Pacific Railroad’s “Yellowstone Branch” connected the park’s northern boundary to Livingston, Montana. The Yellowstone Branch allowed travelers to reach “Wonderland” with greater ease. It also stimulated dramatic growth in both visitation and the production of promotional literature.

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Although some were written by authors who never actually visited Yellowstone, all of these publications included fantastic images and elaborate descriptions of geysers, mineral pools, waterfalls, and other landmarks.

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Although many guidebooks promoted the lingering ruggedness of the park experience, artists were quick to capitalize on Yellowstone’s evolving image. As its reputation as a remote frontier began to fade, Yellowstone was often pictured as the ultimate destination, promising both the adventure and comfort that tourists had come to expect.