When You Turn 150 Years Old, It's Only Appropriate To Celebrate

One of the most popular destinations on the planet is Yellowstone National Park.

In fact, Yellowstone has never been more popular than it is right now. It seems that coming out of a pandemic, mixed with the popularity of a tv show with the same name has caused people to flock to the park and our region.

Take last year for example, with almost 5 million people visiting the park, it was a record year and it looks like this year is on par to either meet or beat last year's numbers. Plus, this year we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Yellowstone National Park.

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While the celebration will last all season long, there will be a very special event coming up Friday, May the 6th at the Old Faithful Inn. The event will kick off at 11 am and will include remarks from the National Park Service and from Xanterra representatives according to yellowstonenationalparklodges.com.

Photo by Will Myers on Unsplash

Of course, that's not all that's going on. There's a Native American Art Exhibit and marketplace that will run through the weekend. Plus, there will be some fun and free activities taking place as well, including free walking tours of Old Faithful Inn.

Old Faithful Inn is considered to be the largest log structure in the world and is always a must-see for tourists when they visit Yellowstone National Park. Plus, for many, staying at the Inn is a bucket list item. Old Faithful Inn will be open from May 6th through October 10th this year.

Photo by Austin Farrington on Unsplash

However, keep in mind it's the most popular destination in the park as far as lodging goes and sells out in advance.

RANKED: Here are the most popular national parks

To determine the most popular national parks in the United States, Stacker compiled data from the National Park Service on the number of recreational visits each site had in 2020. Keep reading to discover the 50 most popular national parks in the United States, in reverse order from #50 to #1. And be sure to check with individuals parks before you visit to find out about ongoing, pandemic-related safety precautions at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

LOOK: Stunning vintage photos capture the beauty of America's national parks

Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated, though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.

Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.