National Park Service Visiting Yellowstone in Winter U.S. Department of the Interior 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 • Drive cautiously. The park speed limit is 45 mph Keep wildlife wild Traveling can be very stressful and it is easy to get (72 kph), unless posted otherwise. • Animals in Yellowstone are wild and dangerous. overwhelmed. Please use good manners and good • Icy and wet road conditions require extra • Bison, bears, and elk have injured and killed sense. attention. people. For your own safety, keep back and give them space to be wild. • Be prepared for a potential change in plans. • Watch out for wildlife on or near roadways. Allow time for delays due to weather or road • Stay 100 yards (91 m) away from wolves and • Use a road pullout if you need to stop for any conditions. bears. reason. • Keep children close. • Stay 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals. • Keep the road clear at all times; even when you If the animal moves closer, you must back away. • Observe safe distances and settings for selfies. are watching wildlife. Do not stop a vehicle, stand, or walk in the road. • Store food securely. Backpacks and snowmobile • Stay behind fencing, guard rails, and ledges. gear bags are not secure. Investigate the volcano • Do not feed any animals, even birds and squirrels. Hydrothermal features like geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles 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 burn you. Keep hands out. A cow moose forages on willow canes. • Keep litter out of the pools. Do not throw any objects into hydrothermal features. Explore history 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 River. 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 12/15/17–2/28/18 12/15/17–2/28/18 Mammoth Terraces 12/15/17–2/28/18 12/15/17–3/5/18 Warming huts provide Center Lobby Vending machine No food or water 12/15/17–3/15/18 Daytime only. Water and Light snacks and hot drinks shelter for skiers, 12/15/17–3/8/18 snacks, cold drinks available 9 AM–5 PM restrooms available. No sold during day. 9 AM–3 PM Vending machine snacks, vending. Vending machine, snacks snowshoers, and Vending machine snacks, cold drinks, snowmobile available anytime. snowmobilers. cold drinks. fuel. Restrooms open 24 hours. i Indian Creek 12/15/17–2/28/18 Not staffed, no food or water Fuel 12/15/17–3/15/18 12/15/17–3/15/18 Grant Village Mammoth 12/15/17–3/15/18 Call 406-848-7548 for Credit card fueling Credit card fueling 12/15/17–3/15/18 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 12/15/17–3/15/18 Ö Bear Den Ski Shop 12/15/17–3/15/18 Hotel Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Old Faithful Snow Lodge 12/15/17–3/5/18 12/16/17–3/4/18 W Dining Terrace Grill Old Faithful Snow Lodge 12/16/17–2/27/18 12/16/17–3/3/18 C General Store Geyser Grill Lunch available late fall 12/15/17–3/15/18 through early spring Campground All year With backcountry permit, primitive only − 12/15/17–3/15/18 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 guide for visitors who use Know your responsibilities. natural features. wheelchairs is available at all visitor centers Firearms are allowed in national parks ôand on the park website. To arrange for an pursuant to state and federal regulation. Wi-Fi ASL interpreter for NPS ranger-led programs, call They are prohibited in facilities where signs are 307-344-2251 at least three weeks in advance. posted, such as visitor centers, government offices, Wi-Fi is available to visitors at the and some concession operations. Discharge of fire- Qualified service animals are welcome throughout Mammoth Hotel restaurant lounge and arms is prohibited. Possession and use of weapons, the park and in all park facilities. However, they the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, for a fee. such as air guns, bows and arrows, spears and must be leashed and under your control at all times. Connectivity is very limited and may not be avail- slingshots, is also prohibited. Details are available at A permit is required for a service animal to enter able at all times. The Horace M. Albright Visitor www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm the backcountry due to potential wildlife conflict Center in Mammoth Hot Springs has free wi-fi. and safety issues. 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 www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com Join a Yellowstone Park Ranger for a snowshoe [email protected] walk, a special talk, or an evening slide presenta- P.O. Box 165, Yellowstone WY 82190 Tours and shuttles are available on snowcoaches tion about the wildlife or geologic wonders of outfitted for Yellowstone's winter road conditions Yellowstone. Schedules and topics are posted locally at visitor centers. Become a Junior Ranger Albright Visitor Center Located at Mammoth Hot Springs and open year- Children ages 4 and older can round. Open daily 9 AM–5 PM. Ph: 307-344-2263 become a Yellowstone Junior unior Old Faithful Visitor Education Center Ranger. Get the Junior Ranger JRANGER Geyser eruption predictions: 307-344-2751 activity book for $3 at a visitor YELLOWSTONE Open daily 9 AM–5 PM. Ph: 307-344-2750 center and ask for the free winter supplement. Hike, ski or snow- West Yellowstone Visitor Info. Center shoe a trail, attend a ranger-led The West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce is program, and complete fun activities in the Junior open weekdays 8 AM–5 PM. Ph: 406-646-7701 Ranger book to earn an official Junior Ranger patch.