2015 Map of Crystal Falls

About this map

Yellowstone National Park reveals its geothermal and hydrologic complexity on this 2015 survey of the central plateau. The landscape is defined by the descent of the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River and the nearby Crystal Falls, where the river cuts through volcanic terrain. Movement through this wilderness is documented by a network of historic thoroughfares, including the Grand Loop Rd and the Norris Canyon Rd, which connect the major falls to the high backcountry. To the south, the expansive Hayden Valley provides a contrasting topography of open meadows and thermal features like Violet Springs and Terrace Hot Spring. High-altitude lakes including Wolf Lake and Grebe Lake feed the headwaters of the Gibbon River, illustrating the delicate water systems that define the park's interior.