Yellowstone National Park Trip Planner Explore Yellowstone Safely Welcome Millions of visitors come to Yellowstone each year to see and experience wild animals in their natural environment, and exceptionally preserved hydrothermal features. This guide aims to help you enjoy and make the most of these opportunities. Stay on boardwalks Follow park happenings online: You must stay on boardwalks and www.nps.gov/yell designated trails around hydrother- www.facebook.com/YellowstoneNPS mal features. Delicate formations twitter.com/YellowstoneNPS twitter.com/GeyserNPS and the crust surrounding them are www.youtube.com/YellowstoneNPS thin and break easily, and often over- www.flickr.com/photos/YellowstoneNPS lie scalding water. Visitors have died instagram.com/YellowstoneNPS in thermal features. • Toxic gases exist at dangerous Leave room for wildlife levels in some areas. If you feel Do not approach wildlife, no sick, leave immediately. matter how tame or calm they may • Pets are prohibited in hydrother- appear. If any wild animal changes its mal areas. behavior due to your presence, you • Swimming is prohibited where are too close. Always obey instruc- water flows entirely from a tions from park staff on scene. hydrothermal spring or pool. Big as they are, bison can sprint three Where allowed, swim at your times faster than humans can run. own risk. The water can harbor No vacation picture is worth person- agents of fatal meningitis and al injury. Your best view may be from Legionnaires’ disease. inside a hard-sided vehicle. Do not feed any animals (including birds and squirrels), or allow them to obtain a food reward from you. It is unhealthy, and can lead to aggressive behavior and roadside accidents. Close human presence can be highly stressful to wildlife, forcing them to risk injury and to squander energy reserves needed for reproduction, nurturing offspring, and winter survival. 25 yards (23 m) 100 yards (91 m) Keep your distance. Federal regulation requires you to stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other wild animals, such as bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes. Bear safety Bear Encounters Check at local Vacationing in bear country takes visitor centers or appropriate preparation. Be sure to ranger stations for learn what to do if you encounter a recent bear activ- bear unexpectedly. Your safety can- ity and respect all not be guaranteed. bear management If you see a bear while driving, do closure areas. not stop, and do not block the road. Bears and other wildlife rely on Keep moving to the next paved carcasses for food and will protect a pullout and park safely. If the bear food source aggressively. Bears with is within 100 yards, watch and take cubs are especially dangerous. photographs from inside your car. • If you encounter a bear (most Visitors are required to keep all food, common)—Back away slowly. Do garbage, and scented items stored in not run. a bear-proof manner. Tents, truck beds, unattended packs, and picnic • If a bear charges at you (rare)— tables are not secure. stand your ground and use bear spray. Bear spray is proven to be highly successful at stopping aggressive • If a bear charges and makes behavior in bears. contact with you (very rare)—fall onto your stomach and “play Hiking in Bear Habitat dead.” • Be alert for bears, watch for fresh tracks • If a bear persistently stalks you, or scat. then attacks (extremely rare)— fight back. • Make noise in areas with limited visibility. • If a bear attacks you in your tent (extremely rare)—fight back. • Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Report all bear encounters and wildlife incidents to a park ranger • Avoid hiking alone—hike on immediately. designated trails, in groups of three or more people. www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/ bearsafety • DO NOT RUN. Highlights History People have been visiting and living in the Yellowstone area for thou- sands of years. The park was estab- lished in 1872. Visit Mammoth Hot Springs to walk the self-guiding trail around Fort Yellowstone, which chronicles the U.S. Army’s role in protecting the park. Other his- Geysers and Hot Springs toric sites include the Norris Geyser Basin Museum, the Museum of the Geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and National Park Ranger, Obsidian fumaroles are evidence of ongo- Cliff, and the Old Faithful Inn and ing volcanic activity. To see them, Historic District. visit Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, Fountain Paint Pot Canyon of the Yellowstone and Firehole Lake Drive, Midway The spectacular Grand Canyon of Geyser Basin, the Old Faithful area, the Yellowstone, including Upper West Thumb Geyser Basin, and Mud and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone Volcano. River, can be seen from the over- Yellowstone Lake looks and trails of the Canyon Village area, and from the Tower Fall Yellowstone Lake is North America’s and Calcite Springs overlooks south largest high-altitude lake. The area of Tower Junction. is prime habitat for many birds and mammals. You can also enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, and viewing hydrothermal features. Wildlife You can see a variety and abundance of wildlife unparalleled in the lower 48 states. All the large mammals present when Yellowstone became a park are here today: grizzly and black bears, wolves, mountain lions, elk, bison, pronghorn, moose, and bighorn sheep. You’ll also see a vari- ety of birds, including bald eagles. Check visitor centers for best view- Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River ing locations. Visitor Centers and Museums Albright Visitor Center Old Faithful Visitor Located at Mammoth Hot Springs, Education Center the center features wildlife dioramas Discover secrets of geysers and oth- and historic artifacts, a bookstore, er hydrothermal wonders, and the trip planning, ranger programs, and fascinating story of life in extreme the park’s only free wi-fi. environments. Open mid April–early Open all year. November. Winter access via guided Canyon Visitor snowcoach or snowmobile tours. Education Center West Yellowstone Explore the world of Yellowstone’s Visitor Information Center supervolcano. You can see, hear, and Information and publications. Open learn how the Yellowstone volcano, late April–early November and its geysers and hot springs, and geo- winter. logic history influence all life found here. Open May–early October. Open from late May to late September Fishing Bridge Visitor Center Museum of the National Park Information, bookstore, and exhibits Ranger, Norris on birds, wildlife, and lake geology. Exhibits at this historic soldier sta- Grant Visitor Center tion on the history of the park ranger Information, bookstore, exhibits, profession. and video on fire in Yellowstone. Norris Geyser Basin Museum Madison Information Station Information, bookstore, and Information and bookstore. exhibits on the hydrothermal features of Yellowstone. West Thumb Information Station Information and bookstore. Programs and tours Park ranger programs Yellowstone Association Ranger-led ac tiv i ties and pro- grams—from short walks to evening campfire presentations—occur dur- ing the summer and winter seasons. Rangers are also roving through major park feature areas. Check visitor centers and the park newspa- per for program schedules. Or plan ahead at www.nps.gov/yell/plany- The park’s official educational ourvisit/rangerprog.htm partner offers wildlife watching tours, backpacking trips, and short Commercial services field study courses. Most programs There are concessioners, outfitters, are based at the Lamar Valley field and professional guides that operate campus or park hotels. in the park. Authorized providers are The association also sells a complete listed at www.nps.gov/yell/plan selection of books and educational yourvisit/guidedtours.htm materials online and at their 12 park stores in and around Yellowstone. Especially for children The Deluxe Trip Planner package The Junior Ranger and contains books and maps at a 30% Young Scientist programs discount over the cost of purchasing promote in volve ment in each item separately. and un der stand ing of Contact 406-848-2400, or visit Yellowstone. Ask about www.YellowstoneAssociation.org them at vis i tor centers or learn more on the park website at www.nps. gov/yell/forkids/index.htm Activities Yellowstone’s weather is unpre- Fishing requires a Yellowstone dictable. Be prepared for changing National Park fishing permit. temperatures, storms, and emer- Special regulations also apply. gencies. Most of the park is above Boating is allowed on most of 7,500 feet (2,275 m). Allow yourself Yellowstone Lake and on Lewis time to acclimate, and drink plenty Lake. Only non-motorized boating of liquids. Visitors with cardiac or is allowed on most other lakes. respiratory medical history should Only one river is open to non- consult a physician before a visit. motorized boating, the Lewis Hiking can take you far from roads River channel between Lewis and and crowds. Check trail conditions Shoshone lakes. (see “Regulations” (i.e., areas of dead trees, stream for permit and inspection crossings, etc.) at visitor centers, information). backcountry offices, or ranger Bicycling is allowed but roads are stations. narrow and winding with few Self-guiding trails are available shoulders. When biking, wear at Mammoth Hot Springs, Fort safety gear, helmet, and high vis- Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin, ibility clothing. Fountain Paint Pot, the Upper Drive the Grand Loop. Regardless of Geyser Basin, Canyon, West which park entrance you choose, Thumb Geyser Basin, and Mud you can drive a “figure eight” of Volcano. interior roads that link you to Stock use depends on trail condi- many of the park’s major features. tions. Coggins testing is required. Hay restrictions are enforced. Contact the backcountry office for information. Swimming and wading are allowed, but discouraged due to extremely cold water and strong currents.