In the US a “wilderness” is a large area completely devoid of documented human infrastructure.
Yellowstone’s publicly accessible areas have very well-developed infrastructure. The vast majority of the park is meant to be explored by vehicle on paved roads and by walking paved trails. But, even the dirt trails are so “well maintained” that they’re like a wide dirt sidewalk with an occasional root or rock. There’s non-public areas inside Yellowstone that are almost devoid of infrastructure and maintenance, almost wilderness.
Why is Yellowstone not wilderness?
In the US a “wilderness” is a large area completely devoid of documented human infrastructure.
Yellowstone’s publicly accessible areas have very well-developed infrastructure. The vast majority of the park is meant to be explored by vehicle on paved roads and by walking paved trails. But, even the dirt trails are so “well maintained” that they’re like a wide dirt sidewalk with an occasional root or rock. There’s non-public areas inside Yellowstone that are almost devoid of infrastructure and maintenance, almost wilderness.