Because of the expense of long-distance travel, the pre-1880 Yellowstone area was visited and enjoyed mainly by the upper middle class of tourists. After the Northern Pacific Railroad reached Gardiner, Montana, access to the park became easier and attracted a greater number of visitors. The impressive scenery, thermal activity, and proximity to wildlife helped propel Yellowstone into a popular destination; greater numbers of sightseers traveled the distance to “do Yellowstone.” This included early photographers and painters who used their creative arts to capture some of the majesty of the area.



Popular pressure compelled park authorities to remove the ban on private automobiles in 1915, and rather than relying on expensive concessioner companies, people were allowed to tour the area at their leisure and with less expense.