Yellowstone GuideSpring 2023 |
The Spring edition of the Yellowstone Visitor Guide for Yellowstone National Park (NP) in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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Yellowstone Visitor Guide
Spring 2023
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
1st Edition
Welcome to Yellowstone National Park
Spring in Yellowstone is a time of change. Cold and snow
slowly retreat. With the thaw comes fresh life: flowing water,
budding plants, and frolicking youth, like the bison calves
shown here. Nicknamed "red dogs" for their color, they're
born as early as late April.
Travel Alerts
SPRING ROAD OPENING
Most park roads are closed to vehicles until
at least April 21. They then begin opening in
stages as weather allows, with the highest
elevation areas (Dunraven Pass and the
Beartooth Highway) opening last.
See maps on back page.
DELAYS POSSIBLE — PLAN AHEAD
Traffic, wildlife on the road, construction,
and harsh weather can all create road
delays or closures.
Plan ahead, leaving plenty of time to travel
to destinations in the park.
ROAD STATUS UPDATES
You have multiple options to learn about
the current status of park roads.
Hotline
Online
Mobile alerts
307-344-2117
go.nps.gov/YELLroads
text 82190 to 888-777
See back page for details
Inside This Issue
Keep Wildlife Wild
Contact Info, Facilities and Services Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Yellowstone is an incredible
place to view wildlife. All the
large mammals present when
Yellowstone became a park in
1872 are here today: grizzly and
black bears, wolves, mountain
lions, elk, bison, pronghorn,
moose, and bighorn sheep.
Safety and Regulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Things to Do
Camping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Backcountry Camping, Boating, Fishing, Stock Animals, Swimming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Day Hiking, Photography, Bicycling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Junior Ranger, Park Heritage, Authorized Guides. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Trip Planning Ideas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Learn About the Park
Hydrothermal Features, Wildfire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Wildlife. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Detailed Area Descriptions, Facilities, and Services
Old Faithful Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Canyon Village, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Lake Village, Fishing Bridge, Bridge Bay, West Thumb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Mammoth Hot Springs, Fort Yellowstone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Grant Village, Madison, Norris, Tower-Roosevelt, West Yellowstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Translations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Park Roads, Road Opening Schedule, Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
• Wildlife are dangerous.
• Do not approach, encircle,
follow, or feed any animal.
• Bison, bears, and elk injure and kill people.
• Stay at least 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves.
• Stay at least 25 yards (23 m) from all other animals, including bison and elk.
• If an animal moves closer to you, move away to maintain the
appropriate distance.
• Do not stop on or block a road.
• Use pullouts; stay in your car to watch animals.
• Store food and trash securely. Backpacks are not secure.
• Do not feed any animals, even birds and squirrels.
Yellowstone National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Emergency
Information
Park Entrance Radio
Dial 911
307-344-7381
1610 AM
Facilities and Services
Medical Services
Accessibility
Cell Service
Yellowstone emergency response
A printed guide with accessibility information
Cell phone service is very limited in the park
and ambulance service:
is available at visitor centers and park lodges.
and surrounding areas. General cell coverage
Call 911
Info is also available on the park website
areas are shown on the map on the back page
Text 911 is not available in Yellowstone.
(go.nps.gov/YELLaccess) and in the NPS app
of this guide.
(see left).
Park Tip Line
307-344-2132
Medical care, from emergencies to minor
Emergency 911 service by cell phone is only
To report a crime or criminal activity.
needs, is available at STGi clinics:
Qualified service animals are welcome
available in coverage areas. Text 911 is not
Leave as much detail as you can. Remain
• Mammoth Clinic
throughout the park and in all park facilities.
available in Yellowstone.
anonymous, or leave a name and number.
6/1-9/30
8:20a–5p daily
10/1-5/31 8:30a–5p daily
Free National Park Service App
Enrich your Yellowstone
official National Park
10/4-10/11 8:00a–5p W-Su
accessibility information, and detailed site
Your provider may or may not roam on networks
in Yellowstone.
As a courtesy to others, silence your mobile
307-242-7241
• Old Faithful Clinic
device while enjoying Yellowstone.
4/17-5/12 varies
and service information. You can even
5/13-9/16 7a–7p daily
download the content so you can use the
9/16-10/15 varies
app offline.
307-545-7325
Follow @YellowstoneNPS
During peak hours and periods of heavy visitation, the cellular network may be very slow.
• Lake Clinic
5/15-10/1 8:30a–8p daily
provides self-guided audio tours,
control at all times.
307-344-7965
experience with the free,
Service app. The app
However, they must be leashed and under your
Wi-Fi
Available for free:
To learn more or make an appointment,
• Albright Visitor Center
visit stgiatyellowstone.com.
in Mammoth Hot Springs
Data speeds are very limited outside of
Mammoth Hot Springs.
Wolf near Mammoth Hot Springs in late April.
Lodging, Dining, and Tours
As one of Yellowstone's official concession
companies, Yellowstone National Park Lodges
offers lodging, dining, camping, and a
variety of tours and activities.
Visit YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com
for the most up-to-date information.
For reservations and information,
ask at park hotels, or contact
Yellowstone National Park Lodges:
Phone
307-344-7311, 866-439-7375
Online
YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
2 Yellowstone Visitor Guide
Safety and Regulations
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Watch Wildlife Safely
Store Food Securely
Park Safely
Looking for Wildlife?
• To conserve energy, most wildlife are active in the
cool of dawn or dusk.
• Animals are everywhere in the park, but it is easier to
see them in open meadows and sagebrush than in
dense forest.
• Find a place with a broad view for your binoculars or
spotting scope, and be prepared to wait.
Do not feed any wildlife, including small mammals
and birds. Eating human food is unhealthy and encourages aggressive behavior.
Stopping, parking, or standing in the road is dangerous. Large vehicles have limited visibility. Other
drivers may be distracted by wildlife and scenery.
Stay aware of traffic at all times.
All food, trash, and scented items must be kept inaccessible to bears at all times. Tents, truck beds, and
picnic tables are not secure. In some areas, ravens
have learned to unzip packs and scatter the contents.
None of these items, even if clean and empty, may
Protect Yourself and the Animals. Obey Park Rules. be left unattended at any time:
• Spotlighting—viewing animals with artificial light— • Water and beverage
• Food, including condiments,
is illegal.
containers
even if in containers
• Calling to attract wildlife is illegal. You may not bugle • Cooking or eating utensils
• Cosmetics and toiletries
to elk, howl at wolves, or make bird calls of any kind.
• Stoves and grills
• Pet food and bowls
• Tracking wildlife with electronic equipment is not • Coolers and ice chests
• Pails, buckets, wash basins
permitted.
• Garbage, bagged or not
• Use pullouts to stop.
• Park with all four tires fully to the right of the
white line.
• When your vehicle is moving, keep doors closed
and arms, cameras, and children inside.
• Do not stop your vehicle in the road
or block traffic in any way.
• Do not stand in the road or block it with
tripods, chairs, or other objects.
• If wildlife are nearby, stay inside your vehicle.
Enjoy watching Yellowstone’s animals but STAY SAFE. They are WILD and DANGEROUS.
Bison, elk, and other wildlife
Bears and wolves
25 yards (23 m)
Drones
100 yards (91 m)
Firearms
Pets
Launching, landing, or operating unmanned
Firearms are allowed in national parks pursuant to state
Pets are not allowed on trails or boardwalks, in the back-
aircraft (drones) on lands and waters administered by the
and federal regulations. They are prohibited in facilities where
country, or in hydrothermal basins. Where allowed, pets must
National Park Service is prohibited.
signs are posted, such as visitor centers, government offices, and
be leashed and remain within 100 feet (30.5 m) of a road or
some concession operations. Discharge of firearms is prohibited.
parking area.
?
Lost and Found
Possession and use of weapons, such as air guns, bows and arrows, spears, and slingshots, is also prohibited. Details are avail-
Do not leave a pet unattended, tied to an object, or without
able at go.nps.gov/yell-laws.
adequate food, water, shade, ventilation, or other basic needs.
Call 307-344-5387 to report or retrieve items lost in lodging
Owners must bag and dispose of pet waste. We recommend that
facilities. In other parts of the park, call 307-344-2109 or look
someone in your group remain with your pet at all times to per-
online: go.nps.gov/lost-and-found.
sonally ensure their well-being.
Spring 2023 3
Things to Do
Camping
Yellowstone offers many campgrounds with a variety of sites.
During the park's busy season, from
the beginning of May through the fall,
all campsites must be reserved ahead
of time.
Due to high demand, we recommend
making reservations as early as possible.
A campsite at Pebble Creek Campground.
No Overflow Camping
No camping or overnight vehicle
parking is allowed in pullouts, parking
areas, picnic grounds, or any place
other than a designated campground.
If you don’t have a campground reservation, the nearest campsite or hotel
room may be hours away.
Check-In and Check-Out
Yellowstone National Park Lodges
campgrounds: check-in at 1p, checkout at 11a.
National Park Service campgrounds:
check-out at 10a.
Length of Stay
Camping is limited to 14 days from
July 1 through Labor Day (first Monday in September) and to 30 days the
rest of the year.
Group Camping
Group camping (tents only) is available
at Bridge Bay, Grant, and Madison
for organized groups with a designated leader. Fees range from $165 to
$475 plus tax and utility fee per night,
Discounts
depending on group size. Advance resHolders of Senior and Access passes
ervations are required at 307-344-5437
receive a 50% discount on camping fees or ynpsa@xanterra.com.
(excluding Fishing Bridge RV Park).
Food Storage Boxes (see right)
Quiet Hours
Available at each campsite at Indian
From 10p to 6a, no loud audio devicCreek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Pebes or other noise disturbances are
ble Creek, and Slough Creek campallowed.
grounds. Many campsites in other
campgrounds are also equipped with
bear-proof storage boxes.
Food storage box
Campground Features
Campgrounds
In Order of Opening
Reservation Status
Dates
Rate
Sites
Elevation (ft/m)
Features
RV sites
*
Madison
All sites reservable
307-344-7311
May 5 – Oct 15
$33 *
278
5,800 ft (2,070 m)
A, F, D, G
Call for availability
Fishing Bridge RV Park
Hard-sided only
All sites reservable
307-344-7311
May 12 – Oct 8
$89/
$99 *
310
7,800 ft (2,285 m)
A, F, H, S/L, D, G
Call for availability
Bridge Bay
All sites reservable
307-344-7311
May 19 – Sep 4
$33 *
432
7,800 ft (2,285 m)
A, F, D, G
Call for availability
Canyon
All sites reservable
307-344-7311
May 26 – Sep 17
$39 *
273
7,900 ft (2,410 m)
A, F, S/L, D, G
Call for availability
A
F
H
V
S/L
D
G
SB
Grant Village
All sites reservable
307-344-7311
Jun 2 – Sep 10
$39 *
430
7,800 ft (2,285 m)
A, F, S/L, D, G
Call for availability
Indian Creek
All sites reservable
recreation.gov
Jun 9 – Sep 10
$20
70
7,300 ft (2,225 m)
A, V, SB
10 sites are 35 ft
35 sites are 30 ft
Lewis Lake
All sites reservable
recreation.gov
Jun 15 – Oct 14
$20
84
7,800 ft (2,285 m)
A, V, SB
All sites are 25 ft or less
Mammoth
DATES TO BE DETERMINED
Slough Creek
DATES TO BE DETERMINED
Tower Fall
DATES TO BE DETERMINED
Norris
CLOSED 2023
Pebble Creek
CLOSED 2023
4 Yellowstone Visitor Guide
Rate does not include tax or utility
pass-through
Accessible sites available
Flush toilets
Full Hookups
Vault toilets
Pay showers/laundry onsite
Dump station
Generators allowed 8a to 8p
Food storage boxes available
Campfires
are allowed only in designated grills or rings in park campgrounds, some picnic areas, and
specific backcountry campsites.
Fully extinguish all campfires—they
should be cool to the touch—before
leaving them.
Things to Do
Safely storing items at a backcountry site.
Backcountry Camping
Overnight backcountry camping is only allowed
in designated sites and requires a permit. Detailed
information on backcountry permits, fees, and
advanced reservations is available online:
go.nps.gov/YELLbackcountry.
From November 1 through May 14: available online
at Recreation.gov or in person up to two days prior
to start of trip at the South Entrance. Fees required.
From May 15 through October 31: available online
in advance at Recreation.gov or in person up to two
days prior to start of trip. Fees required.
Fishing
Boating
General fishing season opens May 27 and closes
October 31, 2023. Some areas remain closed until
July 15. Fishing permits are required in Yellowstone;
state-issued fishing permits are not valid within the
park. Anglers 16 years or older need a permit; younger
children can fish for free with a permitted adult. You
can purchase a fishing permit in the park, in local gateway communities, or online via www.recreation.gov.
Fishing regulations in Yellowstone protect the
unique values of the park ecosystem and conserve
native fish species. Copies of the complete park regulations are available wherever permits are sold and
online at go.nps.gov/fish.
For current trail conditions, visit go.nps.gov/
YELLbackcountryreport or visit a backcountry office. Possession limits and closures vary. Anglers are
responsible for knowing the regulations in the area
they are fishing and knowing how to tell the difference between species. Native fish must be released
unharmed back into the water immediately.
These include:
• Arctic grayling
• Cutthroat trout
• Mountain whitefish
Riding the Yellowstone River Trail.
Horses, Mules, and
Other Stock Animals
These tackle and gear restrictions apply:
• Hooks must be barbless.
• Tackle and lures must be non-toxic. Lead tackle
is not allowed.
• Bait is prohibited.
• Felt-soled footwear is not permitted.
The boating season opens May 27 and closes
October 31, 2023. All watercraft (motorized boats,
non-motorized boats, and float tubes) must have
a permit and be inspected for aquatic invasive
species (AIS) by park staff. Any watercraft suspected of harboring AIS will be subject to a non-chemical
decontamination treatment.
CLEAN, DRAIN, AND DRY
Aquatic invasive species are nonnative plants
and animals that can cause irreversible harm to the
ecosystem. New Zealand mudsnails, whirling disease, and lake trout have already resulted in loss of
native fish or closure of some park areas. Preventing
the spread of aquatic invasive species starts with you.
CLEAN all plants, animals, sand, mud, and other
debris from your boat, trailer, anchor, boots, and
equipment before you arrive. Clean your boat and
all gear as soon as you leave one body of water. Clean
your gear before you leave the area where you fished.
All equipment and foot gear, regardless of material,
can carry AIS.
DRAIN all the water from your boat, including the
motor, bilge, live-well, and other compartments,
before you arrive. Leave bilge plug out during transport. Do not dump water or organisms from one
water body into another.
DRY all compartments and equipment in the sun
for at least five days before entering another body of
water or use high-pressure, hot (120–140°F/50–60°C)
water to clean your boat, trailer, waders, boots, and
equipment.
Traveling in the Yellowstone backcountry with horses, mules, or llamas is an exciting way to see the park.
By their very nature, these large animals have the
potential to leave great impacts on the land.
Motorized boating is allowed on Lewis Lake and
most of Yellowstone Lake. Only non-motorized boating is allowed on most other lakes. Only one river
is open to non-motorized boating: the Lewis River
channel between Lewis and Shoshone lakes.
Permits are required for both day rides and overnight trips. To get a permit and plan a safe, enjoyable,
low-impact trip, contact a backcountry office or look
online at go.nps.gov/YELLhorseride.
• Trails typically open for stock use July 1. Some
trails may open earlier or later depending on trail
conditions.
• Proof of a negative Coggins test is required.
• Hay is prohibited in the backcountry, and weedfree hay restrictions are enforced in other areas.
• Stock may not be left at trailheads or kept in frontcountry, drive-in campgrounds overnight.
Boating on
Yellowstone Lake.
Cutthroat trout.
Gardner River
below Osprey Falls.
Swimming
Park waters are swift and cold.
• Swimming in hot springs or their runoff
is prohibited.
• Swimming in park rivers is not recommended.
Currents can be dangerously strong and fast.
• Swimming in Yellowstone Lake is not recommended.
Average lake temperature is approximately 41°F (5°C).
If you plan to boat in the park, familiarize yourself
with Yellowstone National Park boating regulations
and information about inspections and permits,
available online at go.nps.gov/YELLboating.
Certain Boats Banned
Boats with ballast tanks or similar areas that
can't be visually inspected are banned in the
park to minimize the risk of introducing aquatic
invasive species.
Spring 2023 5
Things to Do
Day Hiking
More than 1,000 miles of hiking trails
wind through Yellowstone National
Park. Whether you hike for half a mile
or more than 10, the backcountry can
be an escape from the crowds and a
chance to get in touch with the wilderness that Yellowstone preserves.
Find hikes using the free NPS app (see
page 2) or at go.nps.gov/YELLdayhikes.
go.nps.gov/YELLbackcountryreport
has information on seasonal closures
and trail conditions. Be prepared for
wildlife encounters, hike in groups of
three or more, carry bear spray on all
hikes, and know how to use it.
Hiking the Beaver Ponds Trail.
Hiking in Bear Country
Hiking in bear habitat has inherent
risks. You are likely to be safer if you
stay on roads and official trails, but your
safety cannot be guaranteed. Federal
regulations require you to stay at least
100 yards (91 m) away from bears.
Learn more: go.nps.gov/bearspray.
You can buy bear spray in
Yellowstone where stores
are open.
Bear spray cannot be taken
on airplanes or thrown in
the trash. Canisters can be
recycled in the park. Check
locally or online for locations.
You can rent bear spray from:
Bear Aware
North end of the Canyon Visitor
Education Center parking area
May 27–September 30 9a–5:30p daily
Rentals include holster, hiking safety
information, and instructions on proper use. The cost is $8 per day or $28 per
week (5+ days) plus sales tax. For more
information, visit bearaware.com.
Return items to the Canyon kiosk,
Madison Campground, park gas stations, the Cooke City Visitor Center,
the Jackson Hole Airport, and downtown Jackson, WY.
Grizzly sow and cub.
Photographers in Lamar Valley.
Photography
Yellowstone is one of the best places
in the world to photograph wildlife.
The Name of the Game is Patience
To get the best shot, you will spend
more time waiting and observing than
taking photos. Look for patterns in
animal behavior that can help you get
a great shot. You may have to wait a
while, so be ready.
Know Your Camera's Limits
A cell phone camera will not be able to
capture the same resolution and detail
as a more advanced standalone camera
with large lenses. Good photography
isn't about getting close to the animal
for a close-up. It's about having the
right equipment for the job.
6 Yellowstone Visitor Guide
• BE ALERT FOR BEARS.
• MAKE NOISE
in areas with limited visibility.
• CARRY BEAR SPRAY,
one can with each adult,
and know how to use it.
• HIKE IN GROUPS
of three or more people.
• DO NOT RUN;
back away slowly.
Biking in the spring.
Bicycling
Stay Safe Behind and in Front of the
Camera
An unusual vantage point can add drama to your image, but you don't want
to add the drama of a hospital visit to
your trip. Never sacrifice safety for a
photograph.
• Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Stay behind fences and guard rails.
Never turn your back on wild animals.
• Keep Children Close to You at
All Times
Never try to pose them with wildlife.
• Stay Out of the Road
Do not stop your vehicle in the road
or stand in the roadway. Do not block
any portion of the road with tripods,
chairs, or other objects. Do not block
the free flow of traffic.
Bicycling, including the use of e-bikes,
is permitted on established public
roads, parking areas, and designated
routes. Bicycles are subject to the same
traffic rules as automobiles and are prohibited on trails and boardwalks.
Park roads are narrow and winding
with few shoulders, so regulations
require cyclists to ride single file, and
we strongly recommend wearing a
helmet and high-visibility clothing
Smoking Is
Prohibited
in geyser basins, on trails and boardwalks, in buildings, or within 25 feet
(7.6 m) of building entrances.
and using flashing lights on both the
front and rear of the bicycle.
Road elevations range from 5,300 to
8,860 ft (1,615 to 2,700 m), and services
and facilities are far apart—typically 20
to 30 miles (37 to 56 km). During April,
May, and June, high snowbanks may
make travel more dangerous.
Find information on the park website
at go.nps.gov/YELLbicycling.
Take Only Pictures
Removing or possessing natural
or cultural resources (like wildflowers,
antlers, rocks, and arrowheads) is strictly
prohibited.
Things to Do
The park's Junior Ranger badge.
Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center.
Yellowstone Forever Store near Roosevelt Arch.
Become a Junior Ranger
Explore Park Heritage
If you're age 4 or older, you can become a
Yellowstone Junior Ranger! Stop by any visitor
center to pick up a free Junior Ranger activity booklet. Children and adults benefit by learning more
about the natural wonders of the park and sharing
the fun of becoming a Junior Ranger.
Connect to Yellowstone's past. Visit Mammoth Hot
Springs to walk the self-guiding trail around Fort
Yellowstone that chronicles the US Army's role in
protecting the park. Other historic sites include the
Norris Museum, Obsidian Cliff, and the Old Faithful
Inn and Historic District.
Yellowstone Forever is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. Their mission
The Heritage and Research Center, located just
of engagement and support through philanthropy
beyond the North Entrance in Gardiner, MT, is
and education for the park will ensure Yellowstone
home to Yellowstone's museum collection, archives,
remains for generations to come. Programs about
research library, archeology lab, and herbarium.
wildlife, plants, geology, and history are perfect for
Tours are available every Wed 4–5p from 5/29–9/4. curious adults and families who want to spend a day
To contact, email YELL_Heritage_Center@nps.gov
or more exploring the park with a knowledgeable
or call 307-344-2264.
guide. To learn more, visit Yellowstone.org.
Become a Young Scientist! Pick up a self-guiding
booklet at the Canyon Visitor Education Center (ages
10+) or Old Faithful Visitor Education Center (ages
5+). In the Old Faithful area, check out a Young Scientist Toolkit for the gear you need for your investigation.
Authorized Guides
Many authorized guides and outfitters are ready
to show you the wonders of Yellowstone, and each
has a unique approach. Make sure that your guide,
tour company, or other commercial service is fully
authorized by the park. Authorized providers are
listed on the park website at go.nps.gov/YELLtours.
Support Your Park
Special use permits are
required for certain activities
including organized gatherings like weddings or
church services, public assemblies and demonstrations,
scattering ashes, some commercial activities like commercial travel, and some types of filming and photography. For more information, call 307-344-2722.
Report unauthorized operators to a park ranger, or
contact Concessions Management at 307–344–2271.
Covered wagons
at Yanceys Hole.
Make the Most of Your Visit
Yellowstone encompasses more than 2.2 million
Only one day here?
Two or more days?
acres, most of it beyond the reach of roads. One could • Drive to the Old Faithful area and walk around the
• Explore one theme, such as geology, in depth. For
dedicate their entire life to experiencing the park and
Upper Geyser Basin.
example, visit Mammoth Hot Springs to see traverstill never see it all. Here are suggestions for mak• Visit one of the other hydrothermal areas like Norris,
tine formations and view the sedimentary layers of
ing the most of the time you do have.
West Thumb, or Fountain Paint Pots. Follow boardMount Everts, then drive through terrain shaped by
walks and maintained trails to witness hot springs,
glaciers to the Tower-Roosevelt area.
Tour early in the day to avoid crowds.
mudpots, fumaroles, and geysers.
• Visit Yellowstone Lake, the largest high-elevation lake
Most people tour the park from 10a to 6p. Wildlife
• Begin in Hayden or Lamar valleys to look for some of
in the lower 48 states. Take in the spectacular views
are most active at sunrise and sunset; arriving before
the park's large animals. Bring binoculars or a spotof West Thumb and the Absaroka Mountains from its
8a improves your chances of observing animals
ting scope, and enjoy animals from a safe distance.
shores. Explore the hot springs, mud pots, and geyduring their active periods. Park entrance gates are
• For a break from the road, consider one or two modsers of West Thumb Geyser Basin. Hike one of the
open 24 hours a day.
erate day hikes. Always carry rain gear, extra food
local trails, such as the Scenic Lake Overlook near
and water, bear spray, and other emergency equipWest Thumb.
Visit a hidden gem.
ment when venturing into the backcountry.
• Slow down and try your hand at capturing the beauty
Take a day hike, or stroll one of our historic walking
• Have a picnic. Unpack your basket at any of the many
of Yellowstone through journaling, painting, or simtours at Fort Yellowstone or Old Faithful. Explore
picnic areas throughout the park.
ply observing.
nearby national park units, national forests, state
forests, and state parks. The region offers a variety of
public lands for recreation and enjoyment.
Spring 2023 7
Famously Hot Features
Yellowstone was established in 1872 as the
world's first national park primarily because of
its unparalleled collection of geysers, hot springs,
mudpots, and steam vents.
Stay on Boardwalks
and designated trails. Do not touch any thermal
features, and keep foreign objects out of springs.
It can be windy, so cinch your hats, and secure your
items. Unstable ground and boiling waters make
hydrothermal areas extremely dangerous.
Fumaroles, or steam vents, are the hottest hydrothermal features in the park, with temperatures well
above that of boiling water. They are easier to see in
cool weather.
Geysers erupt with steaming hot water. Variations
in each geyser's underground reservoir determine
whether it is regular and predictable—like Great
Fountain Geyser in the Lower Geyser Basin—or
irregular like Giant Geyser in the Upper Geyser
Basin.
Hot springs are the most common hydrothermal
features in the park. They vary from frothing mochalike boiling water to clear and calm pools of tremendous depth.
Mudpots are acidic features with a limited water
supply. Their consistency and activity vary with the
seasons and precipitation.
Travertine terraces are found at Mammoth Hot
Springs, where the interactions of hot water and
limestone deep underground create chalk-white
travertine terraces at the surface.
Norris Geyser Basin.
Wildfire
Fires are a natural part of the Greater Yellowstone How does fire benefit Yellowstone?
Ecosystem. Research shows that large fires have been • Some plants have adapted to fire. In some cases, they
occurring in Yellowstone since forests became estabdepend on it.
lished following the last glacial retreat 14,000 years
• Fire promotes habitat diversity by removing the forest
ago.
overstory, allowing different plant communities to
become established and preventing trees from growYellowstone's fire season typically lasts from July
ing in meadows.
to the end of September. Lightning may ignite doz- • Fire increases the rate nutrients become available to
ens of forest fires during a single summer. Most of
plants by rapidly releasing them from wood and forthem go out naturally after burning less than half an
est litter and by making soil minerals weather faster.
acre. Others torch isolated or small groups of trees,
This is especially important in a cold, dry climate like
become smoldering ground fires, and eventually go
Yellowstone's, where decomposition happens slower
out on their own. On rare occasions, wind-driven
than in more hot and humid areas.
fires have burned through large areas of forest, as in
• Natural fires provide an opportunity for scientists to
1988, when multiple fires crossed more than 1 million
study the effects of fire on an ecosystem.
acres in Yellowstone and on surrounding federal
lands despite massive efforts to extinguish them.
Why aren't burned trees removed?
Burned and dead trees contribute to the ecosystem.
The National Park Service allows lightning-ignited Dead standing trees provide nesting cavities for
fires to burn in Yellowstone provided they are not many types of animals. Fallen trees provide food
a threat to human life and property. The park is
and shelter for animals and nutrients for the soil.
required to protect human life as well as the approxHowever, park managers will remove dead or
imately 2% of Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres that
burned trees that pose safety hazards along
are considered developed (roads, buildings, other
roads or in developed areas.
infrastructure) while at the same time letting wildfire
carry out its ecological role in the landscape as much
as possible.
A patchwork of trees left behind by the
advancing flames of 2016's Maple Fire.
8 Yellowstone Visitor Guide
Wild Lands and Wildlife
Wolves in Yellowstone
Yellowstone is the site of one of the most ambitious and controversial wildlife restoration projects in the world. Although wolves once roamed
from the Arctic tundra to Mexico, loss of habitat
and extermination programs led to their demise
throughout most of the United States by the early
1900s. In 1973, the US Fish and Wildlife Service