Campgrounds Graphic Dates Fees Sites Elev (Ft) Features Removed for Bridge Bay* 5/24–9/15 $15 431 7,800 A, F, DS, G Faster Loading Canyon* 5/31–9/8 $15 272 7,900 A
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YELLOWSTONE To day Official Newspaper of Yellowstone National Park Autumn 2002 Graphic removed for faster loading Contents Safety ......................................2 Park Information ......................3 Trip Tips ..................................4 Old Faithful ..............................5 Camping, Fishing, Hiking....6–7 Wildlife Map ............................8 Fire............................................9 Nez Perce Historic Trail ........10 Services ............................13–15 Welcome to the World’s First National Park Park Map ..................Back Page The Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River, among many other features, await you. NPS/Johnsson Park Information 307-344-7381 www.nps.gov/yell TDD: 307-344-2386 Emergency Dial 911 Printed on recycled paper with soy ink 2 You Need to Read This Page Autumn 2002 Attention Anglers & Boaters Picnic Areas CAUTION: SCALDING WATER The park’s general fishing season opens the Saturday of Overnight camping is not allowed in picnic areas. Fires Memorial Day weekend (usually the last Saturday in May) may be built only in fire grates available in picnic areas at Beautiful but deadly: Yellowstone’s hydrothermal and closes the first Sunday in November. Other dates apply Snake River, Grant Village, Bridge Bay, Yellowstone River, features can kill you. Their waters are frequently near for Yellowstone Lake and its tributaries; see page 6 or Norris Meadows, Cascade, Nez Perce, Spring Creek, and or above boiling. The crust surrounding them is thin consult the park fishing regulations. Boats and float tubes the east parking lot of Old Faithful. Liquid or gas fuel stoves and breaks easily, and often overlies scalding water. require permits; see page 6. or self-contained charcoal grills may be used for cooking at People have died in these pools. all locations. Most picnic areas have pit toilets, but none • You must stay on boardwalks and designated Backcountry Permits have drinking water. trails. They exist to protect you and to preserve Permits are required for overnight backcountry use and may delicate formations. be obtained in person up to 48 hours in advance from any Stream Crossing • Keep your children close to you at all times; ranger station. Rangers will provide information on weather, If your plans include fishing or following trails that cross make sure they understand the danger. trails and other conditions. See page 7 for more information. streams, check at local ranger stations for current stream • Pets are prohibited in hydrothermal areas. conditions. Bicycling • Swimming or bathing is prohibited in hydrothermal pools or streams where water flows entirely from a Wear safety gear, including helmet and high visibility cloth- Swimming hydrothermal spring or pool. ing. Park roads are narrow and winding with few shoulders, Swimming is discouraged because Yellowstone’s natural • Where swimming is allowed, swim at your own and have no bicycle paths. Road elevations range from waters are typically very hot or very cold, and immersion in risk. Yellowstone’s natural waters tend to be very 5,300 to 8,860 feet (1,615–2,700 m); long distances exist extreme temperature water can be fatal. Where swimming is hot or very cold, and immersion in extreme temper- between services and facilities. Bicycling is permitted on allowed, swim at your own risk. ature water can be fatal. Hot water can also harbor established public roads, parking areas, and designated See “Caution: Scalding Water” at left. an organism known to cause a fatal meningitis routes; it is prohibited on backcountry trails and boardwalks. infection. Exposing your head to hot water by any Motorists frequently do not see bicyclists or fail to give Theft means—immersion, splashing, or touching your them enough space on the road. Some drivers pass on hill Lock your vehicle; keep all valuables out of sight; label all face—increases your risk of burns and infection. crests and blind curves. Vehicles, especially motor homes or valuable property with your name, address, or identification Obtain more information at any ranger station or those towing trailers, may have wide mirrors, posing an number; report theft or vandalism to a ranger. visitor center. additional hazard. For more information about bicycling in Traffic Yellowstone, inquire at a visitor center. Most park roads are narrow, rough, and busy; some steep Falling Trees sections have sharp drop-offs. Drive cautiously and courte- Avoid areas with large numbers of dead trees (snags), which ously; slow moving vehicles must use pullouts to Stay Away from Wildlife may suddenly fall—especially on windy days. observe wildlife or scenery and to allow other vehicles to pass. Watch for animals on the road, especially at night. Yellowstone is not a zoo BEARS live throughout High Altitude Bicycles and motorcycles present special hazards. Drive and the animals are not the park. Be alert for Most of the park is above 7,500 feet (2,275 m). Allow time defensively and wear seat belts. Yellowstone has a manda- tame, even though they tracks, do not approach to acclimate and drink plenty of liquids. Be aware of your tory seat belt requirement for all passengers. Be espe- may seem calm. Do not carcasses, and avoid physical limitations. Don’t overexert; drink plenty of water cially cautious of ice and road damage; cool temperatures approach any wildlife. surprising bears in any to forestall the dehydrating effects of the park’s dry occur year-round. The maximum speed limit is 45 mph View them from the location or situation. climate. Stop and rest frequently. (73 km per hour) or slower as posted. safety of your vehicle. Page 7, “Hiking and Lost & Found Weapons If an animal reacts to Camping in Bear your presence, you are Country,” provides impor- Call 307-344-2109 to report or retrieve lost items. No firearms or weapons, including state-permitted con- too close. tant information on pre- cealed weapons, are allowed in Yellowstone. However, Keep your distance and cautions and what to do if Pets unloaded firearms may be transported in a vehicle when the stay safe—and you will you encounter a bear. Pets must be leashed. They are prohibited on all trails, in the weapon is cased, broken down or rendered inoperable, and see more of an animal’s If precautions fail and you backcountry, and in hydrothermal basins. Pets are not kept out of sight. Ammunition must be placed in a separate natural behavior and are charged by a bear, you allowed more than 100 feet from a road or parking area. compartment of the vehicle. activity. can usually defuse the sit- Leaving a pet unattended and/or tied to an object is Each year park visitors are uation. Pepper spray is a prohibited. injured by wildlife when good last line of defense; it they approach animals too has been effective in more closely. You must stay at than 90 percent of the AVOID These Illegal Situations least 100 yards (91 m) reported cases where it has away from bears and at been used. Become famil- • speeding (radar enforced) • violating camping natural (flowers, antlers, • calling in elk by using least 25 yards (23 m) iar with your pepper spray, • driving while intoxicated regulations & rules etc.) or cultural (artifacts) buglers or imitating their away from all other read all instructions, and (open container law •having pets off leash or features calls animals—including know its limitations. enforced) on trails and boardwalks • violating fishing regula- bison, elk, bighorn Pepper spray must be tions sheep, deer, moose, instantly available, not in • not removing detachable • littering Law enforcement rangers wolves, and coyotes. your pack. Remember, side mirrors when not • swimming in hydro- • feeding or approaching strictly enforce all park pulling trailers wildlife BISON are unpredictable carrying pepper spray thermal pools regulations to protect you and dangerous; they weigh is not a substitute for • traveling off-road by • traveling off boardwalks • spotlighting elk, deer, or and the park. up to 2,000 pounds (900 vigilance and good vehicle or bicycle in hydrothermal areas other wildlife (viewing kg) and sprint 30 miles per safety precautions. • improperly storing food • removing or possessing animals with artificial hour (48 kph). Visitors are If you are injured by a light) injured every year. bear (regardless of how COYOTES quickly learn minor), or if you observe a habits like roadside feed- bear or bear tracks, report Know These Numbers ing. This may lead to it to a park ranger as soon aggressive behavior toward as possible. Someone’s humans and can increase safety may depend on it. the risk of the coyote 25 100 45 911 being poached or hit by a vehicle. = the number of YARDS = the number of YARDS = the speed limit = the number to you must stay away from you must stay away from a in the park call in an all wildlife—except . bear unless otherwise posted emergency Become Acquainted With the Park 3 Autumn 2002 Opportunities Information Yellowstone to Build New for Children Albright Visitor –29. Information, bookstore, PM. Information and exhibits Visitor Education Center at Junior Ranger Center, Mammoth exhibits, video on the role of on the hydrothermal features fire in Yellowstone. Call of Yellowstone. Call 307- Old Faithful Daily, year-round. 8 AM–7 PM Children between the ages 307-242-2650. 344-2812. of 5 and 12 can participate through Sept. 2; 9 AM–6 PM in the park’s official Junior Sept. 3–30; 9 AM–5 PM there- Madison Old Faithful Ranger Program. Ask for after. Information, bookstore, Information Station Visitor Center Graphic and exhibits on wildlife and more information at any Daily. 8 AM–7 PM through Daily. 8 AM–7 PM through history. Films on the national removed for visitor center. Sept. 2; 9 AM–5 PM Sept. 3 Sept. 2; 8 AM–6 PM Sept. 3 park idea and artist Thomas faster loading Become a Resident –Oct.