Sheepeater Cliff – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming - Atlas Obscura
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Sheepeater Cliff

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Around half a million years ago, these magnificent columnar basalt cliffs were formed from cooling lava.  

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Malcolm Manners (mmmavocado) (Creative Commons)
Malcolm Manners (mmmavocado) (Creative Commons)
Sign explaining history of cliffs julia154brown (Atlas Obscura User)
View of cliffs from picnic area julia154brown (Atlas Obscura User)
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Tucked away in Yellowstone National Park, just off Grand Loop Road, is Sheepeater Cliff. A historic site of the Eastern Shoshone tribe, this cliff was once a safe haven for women and children to hide during raids from other tribes. The columns were composed when basalt lava cooled around 500,000 years ago.

The location includes picnic tables for lunch or a quick snack. Climbing the columns is an easy and fun activity for kids and adults alike. A nearby river and several trails provide additional activities.

rock formations national parks
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julia154brown
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Published
February 21, 2020
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