Visiting Yellowstone in Winter U.S
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National Park Service Visiting Yellowstone in Winter U.S. Department of the Interior Winter 2018–2019 ellowstone is a special place, very different Observe wildlife Marvel at the Canyon from your home. Like any grand adventure, your Yellowstone journey will take you to Winter is a wonderful time to view wildlife. All the The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River extends Y large mammals present when Yellowstone became a from south of Canyon Village north to Tower impressive new locations and introduce you to new experiences. There are different risks here than you park are here today: grizzly and black bears, wolves, Junction. The most famous and spectacular section, may have faced before. You are responsible for mountain lions, elk, bison, pronghorn, moose, and including the Upper and Lower Falls can be seen your own safety. bighorn sheep. You’ll likely see several species of from the overlooks and trails of the Canyon area. birds, possibly bald eagles. On the road to adventure Pack your patience • Most roads are closed to regular vehicles from Keep wildlife wild Traveling can be very stressful and it is easy to get early Nov. to mid-April. The only road open year- • Animals in Yellowstone are wild and dangerous. overwhelmed. Please use good manners and good round is from the North Entrance at Gardiner, • Bison, bears, and elk have injured and killed sense. MT, through the park to Cooke City, MT. people. For your own safety, keep back and give • Drive cautiously. The park speed limit is 45 mph them space to be wild. • Be prepared for a potential change in plans. Allow time for delays due to weather or road conditions. (72 kph), unless posted otherwise. Icy and wet • Stay 100 yards (91 m) away from wolves and road conditions require extra attention. bears. • Keep children close. • Watch out for wildlife on or near roadways. • Stay 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals. • Observe safe distances and settings for selfies. • Keep the road clear at all times; even when If the animal moves closer, you must back away. • Stay behind fencing, guard rails, and ledges. watching wildlife. Don't stop, stand, or walk in • Store food securely. Backpacks and snowmobile • Text 82190 to 888-777 to receive important the road. Use a pullout if you need to stop for any gear bags are not secure. messages about park roads. reason. • Do not feed any animals, even birds and squirrels. Investigate the volcano Hydrothermal features are evidence of ongoing volcanic activity. If you travel the 50 miles between Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful, you will see travertine terraces, acidic thermal features at Norris Geyser Basin, mudpots and fumeroles at Fountain Paint Pot, plus beautiful hot springs at Biscuit and Black Sand basins near Old Faithful. Thermal area hazards • Stay on boardwalks and designated trails. The ground is unstable in hydrothermal areas. • Water in geysers and hot springs can severely A cow moose forages on willow twigs. burn you. Keep hands out. • Keep litter out of the pools. Do not throw any Explore history objects into hydrothermal features. The park was established in 1872 but people have visited the Yellowstone area for thousands of years. Visit Mammoth Hot Springs to walk the self-guiding trail around Fort Yellowstone. It chronicles the U.S. Army’s role in protecting the park. Other historic sites include the Norris Geyser Basin Museum, and the Old Faithful Historic District. Norris Geyser Basin Overlook. Lower Falls of the Yellowstone. Emergency: 911 • Information: 307-344-7381 • TTY: 307-344-2386 Availability of Facilities and Services Canyon Fishing Mammoth Services Village Bridge West Thumb Hot Springs Old Faithful Madison Medical clinic Year-round, except CLOSED weekends and some = --------- --------- --------- holidays. --------- Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–5 PM Fri 8:30 AM–1 PM 307-344-7965 Warming hut Canyon Visitor Education 12/15/18–3/15/19 12/15/18–3/15/19 Mammoth Terraces 12/15/18–3/15/19 12/15/18–3/15/19 Warming huts provide Center Lobby No food or water No food or water 12/16/18–3/3/19 Daytime only. Water and Light snacks and hot drinks shelter for skiers, 12/15/18–3/10/19 available. available 9 AM–5 PM restrooms available sold during day. 9 AM–3 PM Vending machine snacks, nearby at the Old Faithful Vending machine, snacks snowshoers, and Vending machine snacks, cold drinks, snowmobile Visitor Education Center. available anytime. snowmobilers. cold drinks. fuel. No vending. Restrooms open 24 hours. Indian Creek i 12/15/18–3/3/19 Not staffed, no food or water Fuel 12/15/18–3/15/19 12/15/18–3/15/19 Grant Village Mammoth 12/15/18–3/15/19 Call 406-848-7548 for Credit card fueling Credit card fueling 12/15/18–3/15/19 Year-round Credit card fueling assistance Credit card fueling Credit card fueling --------- E Tower Junction Credit card fueling Supplies and gifts General Store Bear Den Gift Shop Year-round, 9 AM–6 PM 12/15/18–3/15/19 --------- --------- --------- --------- Ö Gift Shop 12/16/18–3/3/19 Hotel Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Old Faithful Snow Lodge --------- --------- --------- Closed for rennovations 12/16/18–3/3/19 --------- W Winter 2018–2019 Dining Terrace Grill: Closed Old Faithful Snow Lodge Hotel: Buffet; Map Room 12/16/18–3/3/19 C Barista/Bar (limited --------- --------- --------- food & drink) 12/16/18– Geyser Grill --------- 3/3/19 12/15/18–3/15/19 General Store Lunch available late fall through early spring Campground All year With backcountry permit, ---------- ---------- ---------- primitive only ---------- − 12/15/18–3/15/19 Prohibited activities These activities are dangerous or destructive and • Launching, landing, or operating carry legal penalties, including fines. unmanned aircraft (drones) on lands and waters administered by the • Remaining near or approaching wildlife within any distance that disturbs or displaces the National Park Service. animal. • Smoking in geyser basins, on trails, • Swimming in hot springs. in buildings, or within 25 feet of • Removing or possessing natural or cultural building entrances. resources (such as wildflowers, antlers, rocks, Cellular and data coverage are extremely limited This is only a partial list of regulations. and arrowheads). within the park. For more information, consult 36 Code of • Leaving detachable side mirrors attached when Federal Regulations and the Superintendent's not pulling trailers. Compendium. Cell phone service • Camping outside of designated campsites. Park Tip Line • To report a crime or Cell phone service is very limited in the • Spotlighting wildlife (viewing with lights). criminal activity please call 307-344- park and surrounding areas. General cell • Imitating elk calls or using buglers. Imitating 2132. Leave as much detail as you can. coverage areas are marked on the park map wolf howls. Remain anonymous, or leave a name and number. (back cover). Emergency 911 service by • Tracking wildlife with electronic equipment. cell phone is only available in coverage areas. During peak hours or seasons of heavy visitation, the cellular network may be slow or completely Accessibility Firearms unavailable. As a courtesy to others, please silence your mobile device while enjoying Yellowstone’s A printed Accessibility Guide to Yellowstone Know your responsibilities. natural features. is available at visitor centers, entrance Firearms are allowed in national parks ôstations, and on the park website. To pursuant to state and federal regulation. Wi-Fi arrange for an ASL interpreter for NPS ranger-led They are prohibited in facilities where signs are programs, call 307-344-2251 at least three weeks in posted, such as visitor centers, government offices, Wi-Fi is available to visitors in Mammoth advance. and some concession operations. Discharge of fire- Hot Springs at the Horace M. Albright arms is prohibited. Possession and use of weapons, Service animals are allowed in all facilities and Visitor Center for free. Wi-Fi is avail- such as air guns, bows and arrows, spears and on all trails unless an area has been closed by the able at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, for a fee but slingshots, is also prohibited. Details are available at superintendent to protect park resources. Service connectivity is very limited and may not be avail- http://go.nps.gov/yell-laws. able at all times. animals must always be leashed or harnessed, under control, and attended at all times. 2 In-park reservations: lodging, dining, tours Ranger-led programs Yellowstone National Park Lodges As one of Yellowstone’s official concession companies, Yellowstone National Park Lodges offers lodging, dining, and a variety of tours and activities. In winter, there are partial or full-day tours by heated snowcoach, skiing, and snowshoe adventures. Reservations and information are available at park hotels and at: 307-344-7311 Toll free: 866-439-7375 TDD: 307-344-5395 YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com [email protected] Join a Yellowstone Park Ranger for a snowshoe P.O. Box 165, Yellowstone WY 82190 Tours and shuttles are available on snowcoaches walk, a special talk, or an evening slide presenta- outfitted for Yellowstone's winter road conditions. tion about the wildlife or geologic wonders of Yellowstone. More info locally at visitor centers. Become a Junior Ranger Albright Visitor Center Located at Mammoth Hot Springs and open Children ages 4 and older can year-round. Open daily 9 AM–5 PM. Ph: 307-344-2263 become a Yellowstone Junior unior Ranger. Get the Junior Ranger JRANGER Old Faithful Visitor Education Center YELLOWSTONE activity book for $3 at a visitor Geyser eruption predictions: 307-344-2751 center and ask for the free winter Open daily 9 AM–5 PM. Ph: 307-344-2750 supplement. Hike, ski or snow- shoe a trail, attend a ranger-led West Yellowstone Visitor Info.