Yellowstone's Best Cowboy Stew

In 1872, a bold and unprecedented idea changed the way the world viewed natural landscapes. With the signing of the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act, Yellowstone National Park became the first national park in the United States—and the first in the world. What began as a remote and mysterious wilderness would soon become a global symbol of conservation.

Interest in the region grew during the early 19th century as explorers pushed westward. Although the Lewis and Clark Expedition did not travel directly through the park, members of the expedition heard astonishing reports from trappers and frontiersmen about steaming rivers, boiling mud, and towering waterfalls. Many people at the time dismissed these stories as myths.

Serious exploration began in the late 1860s. The turning point came with the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition. This privately organized survey mapped the area, named many of its features, and documented its geothermal wonders in detail. Expedition member Nathaniel P. Langford later gave lectures that captured national attention, helping build support for preservation rather than commercial development.

On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the act officially setting aside more than two million acres as public land “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” Unlike other public lands at the time, this area would not be sold or settled. Instead, it would be protected for its natural beauty and scientific value.

One of the park’s most famous features is Old Faithful, named for its consistent eruptions. The park sits atop a massive volcanic hotspot, which powers thousands of hydrothermal features including geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles. Beneath the landscape lies the Yellowstone Caldera, one of the largest active volcanic systems in the world.

In its early decades, the park faced significant challenges. Poaching, vandalism, and lack of funding threatened its resources. In 1886, the U.S. Army stepped in to manage and protect the area until a more permanent system could be established. That system arrived in 1916 with the creation of the National Park Service, which assumed responsibility for Yellowstone and other growing parklands.

Yellowstone’s establishment inspired a worldwide conservation movement. Its success demonstrated that extraordinary landscapes could be preserved not for profit, but for public enjoyment and future generations—a legacy that continues to shape environmental protection efforts today.

If you want something fun and definitely entertaining, make sure to follow the National Park Service on Instagram. Trust me - they are hilarious. https://www.instagram.com/nationalparkservice/

Beef or Bison Cowboy Stew

2 pounds stewing meat (like chuck), trimmed and cubed 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

2 bay leaves-whole

½ teaspoon koshersalt

½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper3 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil, more as needed

Do NOT use canola oil

1 white onion chopped

6 cups beef broth (I like Kitchen Basics brand)

½ cup red wine

1 pound potatoes, peeled and cubed

3-4 carrots cut into 1-inch pieces

3 tablespoons tomato paste

 ½ teaspoon thyme

2 tablespoons cornstarch or as needed

2 tablespoons water or as needed

1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Instructions 

Combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss beef in flour mixture—heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Shake off any excess flour from the beef and brown in small batches. Remove and set aside in a bowl.

Add the onions to the pot, adding more oil as needed, and cook until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes.

Add beef broth and red wine while scraping up any brown bits in the pan.Stir in browned beef, garlic, onion, bay leaves, thyme and tomato paste. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour. Add potatoes and carrots, and cook until vegetables are just tender. Remove bay leaves. 

Make a slurry of cornstarch and add to thicken as needed. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. 

Garnish with parsley. Serve with rustic bread. Enjoy!