It’s been a big year forYellowstone National Park.

America’s first national park celebrated its 150th anniversary on March 1, 2022.

The occasion followed a banner visitation year at Yellowstone, which welcomed4.9 millionvisitors in 2021.

Spring time view of waterfall in canyon of Yellowstone

Credit: Sawitree Crowe/Getty Images

It was enough to temporarily pause but not stop what was destined to be a big year for Yellowsone.

It would take more than a flood to stop the nation’s oldest park.

1 national park in the U.S. inTravel + Leisure’s2022 World’s Best Awardssurvey.

Steam rising from a geyser at Yellowstone National Park

Marcia Straub/Getty Images

2 spot on the list.

In fact, overhalf of the world’sactive geysers are found within the park.

And then there’s the wildlife.

Bison Roaming in Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park

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The park has long protected some ofthe nations most revered endangered species.

And because these animals all live within the park, Yellowstone has become synonymous with once-in-a-lifetime wildlife sightings.

It’s proof that 150 years or careful preservation can lead to great rewards.