Yellowstone National Park

On a chilly, sunny morning, coyote parents nip and bark at a thick-haired, fiercely-black wolf, attempting to steal the coyote's pups. With forceful eyes, the unsuccessful 130-lb. wolf then lingers towards a cow-elk across the road amidst the crisp, fresh-smelling air.

In fact, Yellowstone is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the contiguous 48 states and is America's first national park. The park, more than 130 years old, covers parts of three states -- Wyoming, Montana and Idaho -- and is roughly the size of Connecticut. More than three million visitors annually come to view Yellowstone's natural wonders, including hot springs and geysers. Whether tourists drive through Yellowstone, take bus tours or hike in the backcountry, activities exist for every visitor.

"It's a place to see nature in its most raw form," said Cheryl Jones, 48, who visits Yellowstone four to six times a year. "You have to be really lucky. But when you experience it, [it's] something you remember forever."

Yellowstone is the only national park that rests atop a volcano, yet Judy Knuth Folts, long-term park manager, said visitors are not deterred.

"I think they're fascinated … they are standing on a live volcano," said Knuth Folts, the Park's Deputy Chief for Education. "I have no reason to believe it's going to erupt anytime soon."

Early August through November is one of the best times to travel to Yellowstone because it coincides with the bison and elk mating season. Remember to never get too close to the animals.

Beside wildlife, a main attraction at Yellowstone is Old Faithful, a seven-thousand-foot geyser that erupts nearly every 90 minutes, giving viewers an impressive show.

Tina Chester, 44, said, "TV doesn't do it justice."

The Manchester, N.J. native added, "It's in a class all its own."

Visitors have other favorite spots in the park, too.

Jason Rogers, 27, of Seattle came back to Yellowstone 10 years after his first visit in 1997.

For a week, Rogers camped at the Norris Geyser Basin, a less-crowded area, which he described as the size of Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

"It's like being on the surface of the moon. All you have around you is …all that parched land and earth, sulfur [and] whatever else is coming out of the [pools of] water," he said.

"It always struck me as the hottest, most out of this world place in Yellowstone Park."

While Rogers recommends staying at least a week to explore Yellowstone, other visitors find a shorter vacation more suitable.

First-timers such as Chester spent a day driving around and saw many sites, including her favorite, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

"Seeing it doesn't compare to anything you see in a book," she said. "[It's] untouched [and] wide open … no signs of civilization--just natural."

She described the waterfalls as sounding like a train riding by, and the different colors in the canyon were vivid and amazing, making her feel excited and overwhelmed.

"[It was] a life-changing experience … realizing how important it is to preserve things untouched by man," she said. "[There's] nothing man has done to make it like that."

Rick Hoeninghausen of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, which owns the lodging areas inside the Park, explained the Yellowstone experience.

"Other [hotels] have televisions, swimming pools," he said. "You can look out the window of your room and be right in the middle of a wildlife show."

One of the best rewards for visitors, in addition to meeting strangers, is spending time with family in Yellowstone.

"We see … people who visited as children … back with their children or grandchildren to show them the same wonders," said Knuth Folts. "It had such special meaning for them when they were children."

Visiting the park leaves a "lasting impression, lasting love of Yellowstone," said Katy Duffy, Park Ranger at Old Faithful.

"Being in Yellowstone is often very soothing and relaxing to people … time where the whole family is away from technological gadgets and instead experiencing the natural world together," she said.