Yellowstone Visitor Guide 2019

Inside

2 Welcome

4 Camping

5 Activities 

7 Suggested itineraries

8 Famously hot features

9 Wild lands and wildlife

10 Area guides

15 Translations

16 Yellowstone roads map

Place to stay

Hotels and campgrounds fill up 

quickly, both inside and around 

the park. Make sure you have 

secured lodging before you make 

other plans. If you do not, you 

may have to drive several hours

away from the park to the nearest 

available hotel or campsite.

Reservations.......pg 2

Travel time

Plan plenty of time to get to 

your destination. Yellowstone 

is worth pulling over for! 

Plan a minimum of 40 minutes 

to travel between junctions or 

visitor service areas on the Grand 

Loop Road. The speed limit in 

Yellowstone is 45 mph (73 kph) 

except where posted slower.

Road map.......pg 16

Essentials

Top 5 sites to see:

1. Old Faithful Geyser 

2. The Grand Canyon of the 

Yellowstone River

3. Yellowstone Lake

4. Mammoth Hot Springs 

Terraces

5. Hayden or Lamar valleys

Area guides....pgs 10–14

  

Are you ready for your Yellowstone adventure?
2

Welcome to Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is a special place, and very different from your home. Like any grand adventure, 

your Yellowstone journey will take you to impressive new locations and introduce you to new 

experiences. There are different risks here than you may have faced before. You are responsible 

for your own safety. 

We need your help to preserve the wildlife, natural features, and cultural treasures that bring so 

many visitors to Yellowstone. The park rules protect you and also protect the park. Follow the 

park rules for a safe and enjoyable visit. Please be a positive part of the Yellowstone experience. 

More guidance is described inside and online at www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/rules.htm.

Yellowstone National Park is assisted in fulfilling our mission by our official non-profit partner, 

Yellowstone Forever. Proceeds from Yellowstone Forever educational bookstores, Institute, and 

philanthropic efforts support priority park projects and visitor education. Find more information 

at Yellowstone.org or call (406) 848-2400.

Information line 307-344-7381

TTY 307-344-2386

Park entrance radio 1610 AM

= Medical services 

Yellowstone is on 911 emergency service, 

including ambulances. Medical services are 

available year round at Mammoth Clinic (307-

344-7965), except some holidays. Services are 

also offered at Lake Clinic (307-242-7241) and 

at Old Faithful Clinic (307-545-7325) during 

the summer visitor season. 

ô Accessibility

A printed guide is available at all visitor centers 

and on the park website. To arrange for an ASL 

interpreter for NPS ranger-led programs, call 

307-344-2251 at least three weeks in advance.

Qualified service animals are welcome 

throughout the park and in all park facilities. 

However, they must be leashed and under your 

control at all times. 

Park mission: Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and the majority 

of the world’s geysers and hot springs. An outstanding mountain wildland with clean water and 

air, Yellowstone is home of the grizzly bear and wolf and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. 

Centuries-old sites and historic buildings that reflect the unique heritage of America’s first national 

park are also protected. Yellowstone National Park serves as a model and inspiration for national 

parks throughout the world. 

Lodging, campground, 

and tour reservations

As one of Yellowstone’s official concession 

companies, Yellowstone National Park Lodges 

offers lodging, camping, dining, and a variety 

of tours and activities. In summer, visitors can 

enjoy photo safaris, partial or full-day tours, 

horseback and stagecoach rides, and boating 

and fishing adventures. In winter, there are 

partial or full-day tours by heated snowcoach, 

skiing, and snowshoe adventures.

Reservations are available at park hotels and at: 

307-344-7311 (TDD: 307-344-5395)

YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com

Reserve_YNP@Xanterra.com

P.O. Box 165, Yellowstone NP, WY 82190

Firearms

Firearms are allowed in national parks 

pursuant to state and federal regulations. They 

are prohibited in facilities where signs are 

posted, such as visitor centers, government 

offices, and some concession operations. 

Discharge of firearms is prohibited. Possession 

and use of weapons, such as air guns, bows and 

arrows, spears and slingshots, is also prohibited. Details are available at www.nps.gov/

yell/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm

Emergency Dial 911

Launching, landing, or operating 

unmanned aircraft (drones) on 

lands and waters administered by 

the National Park Service is prohibited.

?

Lost and found

Call 307-344-5387 to report or retrieve items 

lost in lodging facilities. In other parts of the 

park, call 307-344-2109.
3

Park Tip Line • To report a 

crime or criminal activity please 

call 307-344-2132. Leave as much 

detail as you can. Remain anonymous, or 

leave a name and number.

Cell phone service

Cell phone service is very limited in 

the park and surrounding areas. General cell 

coverage areas are marked on the park map 

(back cover). Emergency 911 service by cell 

phone is only available in coverage areas.

Text 911 is not available in Yellowstone.

During peak hours and periods of heavy 

visitation, the cellular network may be very 

slow. Your provider may or may not roam on 

networks in Yellowstone. As a courtesy to 

others, please silence your mobile device while 

enjoying Yellowstone.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is available to visitors at the Mammoth 

Hotel and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Lake 

Lodge cafeteria, and the Canyon and Grant 

lodges for a fee. The Horace M. Albright 

Visitor Center in Mammoth Hot Springs 

has free Wi-Fi. Data speeds are very limited 

outside of Mammoth Hot Springs. 

Follow @YellowstoneNPS

Store food securely

Do not feed any wildlife, 

including small mammals and 

birds. Consuming human food 

is unhealthy and encourages 

aggressive behavior that 

may require animals to be 

destroyed.

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 how to unzip packs 

and scatter the contents.

None of these items, even if clean and empty, 

may be left unattended at any time:

• Water and beverage 

containers

• Cooking or eating 

utensils

• Stoves and grills 

• Coolers and ice 

chests

• Garbage—bagged 

or not

• Food, including 

condiments, even if 

in containers

• Cosmetics and 

toiletries

• Pet food and bowls

• Pails, buckets, and 

wash basins

ö Watching wildlife

Watching wildlife in Yellowstone can be an 

amazing experience—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 may also see a variety of 

birds, including bald eagles. 

Looking for wildlife?

• To conserve energy, most animals 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.

For your safety, and the safety of the 

animals please obey park rules:

• Stay at least 100 yards (91m) away from 

bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards 

(23 m) away from all other wild animals. 

• If an animal moves closer to you, you must 

move to maintain the appropriate distance. 

• Do not surround, crowd, or disrupt an 

animal’s path of movement. 

• If other visitors put you or wildlife in danger, 

leave the area and notify a park ranger. 

• Spotlighting, or viewing animals with 

artificial light, is illegal.

• Calling to attract wildlife is illegal. You may 

not bugle to elk, howl at wolves, or make bird 

calls of any kind. 

• Tracking wildlife with electronic equipment 

is not permitted.

100 yards (91 m)

25 yards (23 m)

Smoking is prohibited in geyser 

basins, on trails, in buildings, or 

within 25 feet (7.6 m) of entrances. ` Pets

Pets are not allowed on trails or boardwalks, 

in the backcountry, or in hydrothermal basins. 

Where allowed, pets must be leashed and 

remain within 100 feet (30.5 m) of a road or 

parking area. 

Do not leave a pet unattended, tied to an object, 

or without adequate food, water, shade, ventilation, or other basic needs. Owners must bag 

and dispose of pet waste. We recommend that 

someone in your group remain with your pet at 

all times to personally ensure their well being.
4

Make Memories to Last a Lifetime

− Camping

NPS-operated campgrounds 

Campsites are first-come, first-served at 

Mammoth, Norris, Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, 

Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and Tower Fall. 

Arrive early to obtain a site, campgrounds fill 

quickly. 

Reservable sites

Reserve sites at Canyon, Bridge Bay, Madison, 

and Grant Village through Yellowstone National 

Park Lodges at 307-344-7311. 

Fishing Bridge RV Park is CLOSED for the 

2019 season. 

No overflow camping

There are no overflow camping areas available 

in Yellowstone. No camping or overnight 

vehicle parking is allowed in pullouts, parking 

areas, picnic grounds, or any place other than 

a designated campground. Additional camping 

may be available in neighboring communities.

Check-in and check-out

Registration desks at reservable campgrounds 

are open 7 am to 10 pm during peak season, 

and 8 am to 9 pm during early and late season. 

Check-out time is 11 am.

Length of stay

Camping is limited to 14 days from July 

1 through Labor Day (first Monday in 

September) and 30 days the rest of the year. 

Discounts

Holders of Senior and Access passes receive a 

50 percent discount on camping fees.

Quiet hours 

From 10 pm to 6 am, no loud audio devices or 

other noise disturbances are allowed. 

Group camping

Group camping (tents only) is available at 

Madison, Grant, and Bridge Bay for organized 

groups with a designated leader. Fees range 

from $144.61 to $422.71 per night, depending 

on group size. Advance reservations are 

required at 1-307-344-5437 or 

ynpsa@xanterra.com.

Food storage boxes 

Food storage boxes are available at each of 

the campsites at Indian Creek, Norris, Pebble 

Creek, Slough Creek, Tower Fall, and Lewis 

Lake campgrounds. Many campsites in other 

campgrounds are also equipped with bearproof storage boxes.

, Campfires are allowed only in designated grills or rings in park 

campgrounds, some picnic areas, and 

specific backcountry campsites. Campfires 

must be extinguished before leaving them 

unattended.

In order of opening Dates* Rate Sites Elev (ft) Features RV sites

Mammoth All year $20 85 6,200 A, F, G Most are pull-through

Madison ∆ 4/26–10/13 $26 Ω 278 6,800 A, F, DS, G Call for availability and reservations

Fishing Bridge RV ∆ CLOSED $47.75 Ω 346 7,800 F, S/L, 2S, DS, G, ‡ under construction in 2019

Norris 5/17–9/29 $20 112 7,500 A, F, G 2 sites are 50 ft (signed), 5 sites are 30 ft

Bridge Bay ∆ 5/17–9/22 $26 Ω 432 7,800 A, F, DS, G Call for availability and reservations

Tower Fall 5/24–9/29 $15 31 6,600 A, V All sites are 30 ft or less. Has hairpin curve

Canyon ∆ 5/24–9/22 $31 Ω 273 7,900 A, F, S/L, 2S, DS, G Call for availability and reservations

Grant Village ∆ 6/7–9/15 $31 Ω 430 7,800 A, F, S/L, 2S, DS, G Call for availability and reservations

Indian Creek 6/14–9/9 $15 70 7,300 A, V 10 sites are 35 ft, 35 sites are 30 ft

Pebble Creek 6/15–9/29 $15 27 6,900 A, V Some long pull-throughs

Slough Creek 6/15-10/15 $15 16 6,250 A, V 14 sites at 30 ft – walk first to assess sites

Lewis Lake 6/15–11/3 $15 85 7,800 A, V All sites are 25 ft or less

*Campgrounds open at 8 am of first date listed and close for the season at 11 am of last date listed.

Key to campground features

∆ Sites you can reserve

Ω Rate does not include tax or utility pass-through

‡ Site with full hook ups

A Accessible sites available

F Flush toilets

V Vault toilets

S/L Pay showers/laundry onsite

2S Two showers included each night

DS Dump station

G Generators allowed 8 am to 8 pm
5

> Fishing season

General fishing season opens May 25 and 

closes November 3, 2019. 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.

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 www.nps.

gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing.htm

Possession limits and closures vary throughout 

the park. Anglers are responsible for knowing 

the regulations in the area they are fishing. 

Anglers are also responsible for 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

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.

á Swimming

Park waters are swift and cold

• Swimming in hot springs or their runoff 

channels 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 41o F (5o C).

] Boating

The boating season opens May 25 and closes 

November 3, 2019. 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. 

Motorized boating is allowed on Lewis Lake 

and most of Yellowstone Lake. Only nonmotorized 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. 

If you plan to boat in the park, please familiarize yourself with Yellowstone National Park 

Boating Regulations. Copies are available online 

www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/boating.htm

and at backcountry offices. 

Boat permits & 

AIS inspection locations

Motorized & non-motorized boat 

permits & AIS inspections:

South Entrance Backcountry Office, Grant 

Village Backcountry Office, Bridge Bay Marina 

Ranger Station

Float tube only permits 

& AIS inspections:

Locations above, and also at Mammoth 

Backcounty Office, Canyon Backcountry 

Office, Old Faithful Backcountry Office, 

Northeast Entrance, Bechler Ranger Station

Aquatic Invasive Species are nonnative 

plants and animals that can cause irreversible 

harm to the park ecosystem. New Zealand 

mudsnails, whirling disease, and lake trout 

have resulted in loss of native fish and closure 

of some areas. Help us protect park waters.

Transporting water, or any aquatic plants and 

animals into or between park waters is illegal. 

If you witness a violation, call 307-344-2132 or 

contact a ranger.

] Watercraft users and anglers are asked to inspect all items that may 

come in contact with park waters, ensuring 

that they are clean, drained, and dry.

ç Backcountry camping

Overnight backcountry camping is allowed in 

designated sites and requires a permit. Permits 

can be obtained up to two days before the 

start of your trip at any backcountry office. 

Permits are free prior to Memorial Day. From 

Memorial Day through September 10, a 

per-person, per-night fee applies. 

• Backpackers and boaters: $3 per-person 

per-night (group maximum $15 per night). 

• Groups with stock animals: $5 per-person 

per-night.

Detailed information on backcountry permit 

fees and making advanced reservations is 

available online at www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountryhiking.htm

I Horses, mules, and 

other stock animals

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 around them. Permits are 

required for both day rides and overnight trips. 

To obtain permits and plan a safe, enjoyable, 

low-impact trip, please contact a backcountry 

office or look online at www.nps.gov/yell/

planyourvisit/horseride.htm

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 weed-free hay restrictions are 

enforced in other areas. 
6

Photography

Have reasonable expectations of your 

camera. A cell phone camera will not be able 

to capture the same resolution and detail as a 

more advanced camera with large lenses.

Arm yourself with patience. To get the best 

shot, you will spend more time waiting and 

observing than photographing. Look for 

patterns in animal behavior that can help you 

get a great shot. You may have to wait a while—

so be ready.

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

Bicycling is permitted 

on paved 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. Therefore, 

regulations require cyclists to ride single file 

and we strongly recommend wearing a helmet 

and high-visibility clothing. 

Road elevations range from 5,300 to 8,860 feet 

(1,615 to 2,700 m), and services and facilities 

are far apart. During April, May, and June, high 

snowbanks may make travel more dangerous.

Find information on the park website or pick 

up the Bicycling in Yellowstone brochure at a 

visitor center or ranger station.

Ñ 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 ten, the 

backcountry can be an escape from the crowds 

and a chance to get in touch with the wilderness that Yellowstone preserves.

Ask at any visitor center for brochures 

describing day hikes throughout the park. 

Remember to ask about any seasonal closures, 

trail conditions, or wildlife sightings when you 

plan your hike. Be prepared for wildlife 

encounters and carry bear spray on all hikes. 

' Be prepared for 

bear encounters

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 (91m) away from bears. 

Learn more about bears, safe bear viewing, 

and how to properly use bear spray at 

Experiencing Wildlife in Yellowstone, a free 

ranger program presented from Memorial Day 

to Labor Day at visitor centers throughout the 

park. See visitor centers for details. 

Most popular day hikes:

1. Mount Washburn, north of Canyon

2. Beaver Ponds, at Mammoth Hot Springs

3. Lone Star Geyser, near Old Faithful

4. Fairy Falls, north of Old Faithful

5. Storm Point, east of Fishing Bridge Bear spray rentals

Bear Aware LLC rents 

bear spray from May 25–

September 30. The rental 

kiosk is located at the 

north end of the Canyon 

Visitor Education Center 

parking area. 

Rentals include holster and belt, hiking safety 

information, and instructions on proper use of 

bear spray. Cost is $9.25 per day or $28.00 per 

week (3–7 days). Prices do not include tax. For 

more information visit bearaware.com. 

Rental returns

Return items to the Canyon kiosk, Madison 

campground, park gas stations, or to the Cooke 

City Visitor Center.

Bear spray recycling

Bear spray cannot be taken on 

airplanes or thrown in the trash. 

Canisters can be recycled in the park 

at hotel front desks, general stores, 

backcountry offices, and ranger 

stations; also at some area camping 

stores, and the Bozeman airport.

• BE ALERT

watch for bears, fresh tracks, 

or scat.

• MAKE NOISE

in areas with limited visibility.

• CARRY BEAR SPRAY

and know how to use it.

• HIKE IN GROUPS

of three or more people.

• DO NOT RUN,

back away slowly.

Hiking in bear country
7

Any commercial activity in the park 

requires a permit.

• Commercial filming, regardless of 

equipment, and photography with props 

or models, require permits. For more 

information call: 307-344-2722.

Make the Most of Your Visit

Yellowstone encompasses more than 2.2 

million acres, most of it beyond the reach of 

roads. One could take an entire lifetime to 

experience the park—and you would still never 

see it all. Here are some suggestions for making 

the most of the time you do have.

Tour early in the day to avoid crowds: Most 

people tour the park from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. 

Wildlife are most active at sunrise and sunset; 

arriving before 8 am improves your chances of 

observing animals during their active periods. 

Park entrance gates are open 24-hours. 

Visit a hidden gem: Take a day hike, or stroll 

one of our historic walking tours at Fort Yellowstone or Old Faithful historic districts. You 

could even explore nearby national park units, 

national forests, state forests, and state parks. 

The entire region offers an amazing variety of 

public lands for recreation and enjoyment. 

Only one day here?

8 See the most with one-day driving tours:

• Drive to the Old Faithful area and walk 

around the geyser basin; drive to the Canyon 

area—stop at several overlooks and walk 

along the rim.

• Or, visit Old Faithful and one other 

hydrothermal area, such as Norris, West 

Thumb, Fountain Paint Pots, or Mammoth.

• Begin in Hayden or Lamar valleys to look for 

some of the park’s large animals. For a break 

from the road, consider one or two moderate 

day hikes. 

• Explore one area of the park in depth—

attend a ranger talk. From 15-minute 

presentations to 2-hour tours, programs are 

available throughout the park. 

• Make plans to visit again soon!

Two or more days?

• Explore one theme, such as geology, in 

depth. For example, visit Mammoth Hot 

Springs to see travertine formations and view 

the sedimentary layers of Mount Everts, 

drive through glaciated terrain to Tower 

Fall or the Lamar Valley, then climb Mount 

Washburn to view the Yellowstone Caldera 

and evidence of glaciers.

• Plan an overnight trip into Yellowstone’s 

backcountry. Rangers at park backcountry 

offices can help you find a site, get a permit, 

share information about trail conditions, and 

help make sure that you are equipped and 

informed for a safer experience.

• Slow down and try your hand at capturing 

the beauty of Yellowstone through 

journaling, painting, or simply observing. 

Let someone else do 

the driving

Authorized guides and 

outfitters

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. 

Report unauthorized operators to a 

park ranger, or contact Concessions 

Management at 307-344-2271. 

Authorized providers are listed on the 

park website at www.nps.gov/yell/

planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm

Yellowstone Forever Institute

Programs about wildlife, plants, geology, 

and history are perfect for curious adults

and families who want to spend a day or

more exploring the park with a knowledgeable guide. To find out more, call 

406-848-2400 or visit Yellowstone.org

Explore park heritage

Opportunities to connect to the past are 

everywhere in Yellowstone. 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 historic sites include the Fishing Bridge 

Museum, the Museum of the National Park 

Ranger, Obsidian Cliff, and the Old Faithful Inn 

and Historic District.

The Heritage and Research Center 

(above) is located just beyond the North 

Entrance in Gardiner, Montana. This facility 

is home to Yellowstone’s museum collection, archives, research library, archeology 

lab, and herbarium. Although primarily a 

research facility, tours provide an inside look 

at some of the collections. Free tours are 

available Wednesdays at 2 pm, May 29 through 

September 4, 2019 (limit 15). For reservations, 

please call 307-344-2264. 

Activities for young people

Junior Ranger Program

If you are age 4 or older, you can become 

a Yellowstone Junior Ranger. Stop by any 

visitor center to purchase a Junior Ranger 

activity booklet for $3. To earn your official 

Yellowstone Junior Ranger patch, you need to:

• Hike on a park trail or boardwalk.

• Complete the age-appropriate activities on 

geysers, wildlife, and park habitats.

• Attend a ranger-led activity—such as a talk, 

guided walk, or evening campfire program—

and get the ranger’s signature. 

Children and adults benefit by learning more 

about the natural wonders of the park and 

sharing the fun of becoming a Junior Ranger.

Young Scientist Program

Become a Young Scientist! 

Buy a self-guiding booklet 

for $5 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. Once you finish, you will be 

awarded a Young Scientist patch or key chain. 

ùRemoving or possessing natural or cultural resources (such as wildflowers, antlers, rocks, and arrowheads) is 

strictly prohibited.
8

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. 

Hot springs are the most common hydrothermal features in the park. They vary from 

frothing mocha-like 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. 

Fumaroles, or steam vents, are the hottest 

hydrothermal features in the park. They are 

easier to see in cool weather.

Travertine terraces are found at Mammoth 

Hot Springs, where the interactions of water 

and limestone create chalk-white travertine.

Geysers erupt with steaming hot water. 

Variations in each geyser’s underground 

reservoir determine whether it is regular and 

predictable—like Daisy Geyser in the Upper 

Geyser Basin—or irregular like Steamboat 

Geyser in Norris Geyser Basin. How do geysers work?

Geysers are hot springs with narrow spaces in 

their plumbing, usually near the surface. These 

constrictions prevent water from circulating 

freely to the surface where heat would escape. 

The deepest circulating water can be more 

than twice as hot as the surface boiling point of 

199° F (93° C).

The surrounding pressure also increases with 

depth, similar to the ocean. Increased pressure 

exerted by the enormous weight of the overlying rock and water prevents the water from 

boiling as it heats up.

As the water rises, steam forms. Bubbling 

upward, steam expands as it nears the top of 

the water column until the bubbles are too 

large and numerous to pass freely through the 

constrictions. At a critical point, the confined 

bubbles actually lift the water above, causing 

the geyser to splash or overflow. This decreases 

pressure on the system, and violent boiling 

results. Tremendous amounts of steam force 

water out of the vent, and the eruption begins.

Water is expelled faster than it can enter the 

geyser’s plumbing system, and the heat and 

pressure gradually decrease. The eruption 

stops when the water reservoir is exhausted or 

when the system cools.

Yellowstone’s geyser basins contain fountain-type geysers and cone-type geysers. 

Fountain-type geysers shoot water out in 

various directions from a pool of water. Conetype geysers, like Lone Star Geyser (photo 

above) erupt in a concentrated jet of water 

from inside a rock formation. 

The trail to Lone Star Geyser begins about 3.5 miles 

southeast of Old Faithful. The bubbling mudpots of Fountain Paint Pots may be 

thicker or more active as local precipitation changes.

How “faithful” is Old Faithful Geyser?

Since its first documentation in 1870, Old Faithful has been one 

of the more predictable geysers. Over time, the average interval 

between Old Faithful’s eruptions has increased or decreased, due 

to changes in its plumbing from ongoing processes and earthquakes. The Hebgen Lake Earthquake (1959), caused an increase 

in the time between eruptions. The average interval between eruptions of Old Faithful Geyser, as of February 2019, is 98 minutes ± 

10 minutes, with intervals ranging from 79 to 109 minutes.

Where geology and biology thrive

Descendants of the first life forms to evolve 

on Earth live in the extremely hot, sometimes 

acidic, habitats in and around hydrothermal 

features. The heat-loving microorganisms, 

called thermophiles, survive and thrive in 

Yellowstone’s active volcanic environment.

Nourished by energy and chemical building 

blocks available in the hot springs, the 

microbes build vividly colored communities 

that vary depending on the types of microbes, 

the pH (acidity or alkalinity), temperature of 

the feature, and exposure to sunlight.

Millions of individual microbes can connect 

into long strands called filaments. Some filaments tangle, forming mats. Flowing water 

brings other microbes, organic matter, and 

minerals that add to the mat. Mats can be thin 

as tissue paper or thick as lasagna. Due to their 

fragility, they must not be touched. 

Dozens of types of microbes from all three 

domains of life can exist in these mats, from 

Archea in the hottest, most acidic features to 

the more widespread Bacteria and Eukarya.

Scientists continue to study the many mysteries 

of thermophiles and their extreme habitats in 

the living laboratories of Yellowstone’s thermal 

areas and features. 

Microorganisms thrive in hot springs, and other 

hydrothermal features.

ñ Stay on boardwalks and designated trails. Do not touch 

any thermal features and keep foreign 

objects out of springs.
9

Within the herd

Yellowstone is the only place in the United 

States where bison have lived continuously 

since prehistoric times. Yellowstone bison are 

special because they are America’s largest bison 

population on public land and have not been 

hybridized through interbreeding with cattle. 

Bison eat primarily grasses and sedges and 

are well-suited to both prairies and forests. 

With adult males weighing up to 2,000 pounds 

(907 kg), the bison is the largest land mammal 

in North America. This iconic ungulate is the 

National Mammal of the United States. 

Yellowstone bison herds exhibit wild behavior, 

like their ancient ancestors. The herd is 

comprised of cows, calves, and some younger 

bulls. Mature bulls spend most of the year 

alone or with other bulls—except during the 

rut, or mating season. During the rut in July 

and August, mature males display their dominance by bellowing, wallowing, and fighting 

with other bulls. The winners earn the right to 

mate with receptive females. 

After a gestation period of 9 to 9 1⁄2 months, 

calves are born in late April and May. Their 

orange fur makes them easy to see, even from 

a distance, and has earned them the nickname 

“red dogs.” Look for bison in open country 

along the Lamar, Yellowstone, Firehole, and 

Madison rivers. 

Signs of spring renewal

Spring in Yellowstone is a feast for your senses. 

Young animals are being born all around the 

park, birds are returning or passing through in 

their timeless migration, frogs call in the ponds. 

Listen and look for the sights special to this 

time of year.

Mountain bluebirds (above) return to 

Yellowstone National Park while winter still 

cloaks the landscape. These insect eaters feast 

on the beetles and other scavengers consuming 

animals killed by the winter. As they flit to and 

from perches, they look like pieces of the sky 

flying about.

Bighorn sheep give birth on the sheer cliffs 

between Tower Junction and Tower Fall. They 

and their lambs blend in with the columnar 

basalt, but be patient—sometimes just a hint of 

movement is all you need to finally spot them.

Bison or buffalo?

In North America, both “bison” and 

“buffalo” refer to the American bison 

(Bison bison). Generally, “buffalo” is used 

informally; “bison” is preferred for formal 

or scientific purposes. Early European 

explorers called this animal by many 

names. Historians believe that the term 

“buffalo” grew from the French word for 

beef, boeuf. American bison are a different 

genus than other buffalo in the world.

Bringing up bear cubs

Both grizzly and black bear cubs are born in 

the deep winter months, while their mother 

hibernates. In April and May, they begin to 

venture out with their mother as she digs for 

roots, insects, and squirrels. Cubs stay with 

their mother for two to three years before 

striking out on their own. 

Look for black bears along the edges of 

wooded areas in the Lamar and Hayden 

valleys, or among the trees near Mammoth and 

Tower. Grizzly bears are usually seen in open 

areas. (See page 6 for information about safely 

recreating in bear country.)

Pack mentality

Yellowstone National Park is the site of one 

of the most ambitious and controversial 

wildlife restoration projects in the world. The 

Yellowstone Wolf Project has yielded more than 

two decades of discoveries on wolf behavior, 

predator–prey relationships, wildlife disease 

management, and ecological complexity.

The stark white backdrop of snow and the 

general absence of leaf cover make winter an 

ideal time for visitors and researchers alike to 

observe wildlife. From the popular overlooks 

of Lamar Valley, it is possible to get a glimpse 

of wolf society. You may even witness the 

dangerous dance of predators and prey as each 

struggles to survive.

Members of the Lamar Valley pack in 2012.

25 YARDS (23 METERS) 100 YARDS (91 METERS)

Keep your distance

Stay at least 100 yards (91m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from 

all other wild animals. 

Wild Lands and Wildlife
10

North

To Morning 

Glory Pool Firehole Riv er

Haynes 

Photo 

Shop

OF 

Snow 

Lodge

OF Inn

Cabins

Cabins

Upper 

General 

Store

Basin 

General 

Store

Geyser 

Grill

yurts

one way

one way

one way

one way

one way

one way

one way

one

way

one way

Old 

Faithful 

Geyser

Ranger Station/

Backcountry Office

Old Faithful Village and Upper Geyser Basin

Local Services

M Old Faithful Visitor Education Center

Dynamic exhibits about the world’s most 

active hydrothermal area. For our younger 

visitors, special Junior Ranger programs are 

available 6/2–9/2. Phone: 307-344-2751.

4/19–5/31 9 am–5 pm

6/1–9/30 8 am–8 pm

10/1–11/3 9 am–5 pm

D Yellowstone Forever Bookstore inside.

W Lodging

Old Faithful Lodge and cabins 5/10–9/29

Old Faithful Snow Lodge 4/26–10/20 Q

Old Faithful Inn 5/3–10/7 w

C Food

Old Faithful Lodge and cabins 5/10–9/29

Bake shop

Cafeteria

Old Faithful Snow Lodge 4/26–10/20

Obsidian dining room

Geyser grill: 4/19–11/3

Old Faithful Inn 5/3–10/7

Dining Room

Bear Paw Deli: 5/3–10/6

OF Basin (lower) Store Soda Fountain 5/3–9/22

E Fuel

Lower station: 5/3–10/13 

Upper station: 5/17–9/8

Credit card fueling available 24 hours.

Z Repairs: 5/24–9/2 

g Wrecker 406-848-7548 on duty 5/3–10/13

Liquid propane gas bottle exchange available. 

Ö Shopping

Old Faithful General Store (upper) 4/19–10/27

Sells groceries, souvenirs, take-away foods, and 

apparel. 

OF Basin (lower) Store 5/3–9/22

Old Faithful Lodge gift shop 5/10–9/29

Old Faithful Snow Lodge gift store 4/19–11/3

Old Faithful Inn gift store 5/3–10/7

Other

= Medical Clinic 5/17–9/14, 7 am–7 pm; 

9/15–10/3 8:30 am–5 pm. 

Phone: 307-545-7325 Emergency dial 911

f U.S. Post Office

ç Backcountry Office in ranger station.

u Self-guiding trail booklets are available for 

the Upper Geyser Basin and the Old Faithful 

Historic District.

m Public restrooms located in all visitor 

centers, stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, 

and at or near all picnic areas.

l Recycling bins are located in the parking 

lot near the yurts, near trash bins at the 

General Stores, and in the parking lot near the 

Visitor Education Center. 

A raven’s perspective on Old Faithful.

The Upper Geyser Basin, home of Old Faithful, 

hosts the majority of the world’s active geysers. 

The concentration of hydrothermal features 

here provides ample evidence of Yellowstone’s 

active volcano. 

Partially molten rock, or magma, from this 

volcano may be as close as 3–8 miles (5–13 

km) below your feet. Magma provides the first 

key ingredient for creating thermal features: 

heat. Rain and snow eventually supply the 

second ingredient: water. The water seeps 

down several thousand feet (more than a 

kilometer) below the surface where it is heated. 

Underground cracks and earthquake faults 

form the third ingredient: a natural “plumbing” 

system. Super-heated water rises through the 

plumbing to produce hot springs and geysers.

Old Faithful erupts more frequently than any 

of the other big geysers, although it is not the 

largest or most regular geyser in the park. 

During summer, rangers forecast eruption 

times for six major geysers. (Five are here; 

the sixth—Great Fountain—is in the Lower 

Geyser Basin north of Old Faithful.) However, 

a geyser’s pattern of eruptions may change at 

any time. 

 Forecasted eruption times are 

posted in the Visitor Education 

Center and in many of the area 

facilities. You can also call 

307-344-2751 (option 2), access 

predictions on the Yellowstone 

National Park app, or check the 

@GeysersNPS Twitter feed

ñ Stay on boardwalks and designated trails. Do not 

touch any thermal features and keep 

foreign objects out of springs.
11

/4 1/2

Canyon

Lodge & 

Cabins 

Visitor 

Education 

Center 

to Canyon Rims 

and Artists’ Point

(1.2 mi/1.9 km)

to Tower

(19 mi/31 km)

to Norris 

(12 mi/19 km)

General 

Store

Canyon Village and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River 

illustrates the park’s complex geologic history 

in dramatic colors and shapes. The Upper and 

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River add to the 

grandeur of this unique natural treasure. 

This canyon formed when hydrothermal 

activity altered and weakened the bedrock, 

making the stone softer. The Yellowstone River 

eroded the weakened rocks to deepen and 

widen the canyon. 

The 308-foot (93 m) Lower Falls marks the 

point where the volcanic bedrock beneath 

the river changes from hard rock, resistant 

to erosion, to the hydrothermally altered 

rocks common downstream. The 109-foot 

(33 m) Upper Falls marks a similar shift. The 

multi-hued layers of the canyon result from 

the hydrothermally altered rhyolite and sediments. Look closely at dark orange, brown, 

and green areas near the river for still-active 

hydrothermal features. Their activity—and that 

of water, wind, and earthquakes—continue to 

sculpt the canyon today.

Local Services

M Canyon Visitor Education Center

Learn about the Yellowstone supervolcano and 

the forces that drive regional geology. 

Phone: 307-344-2550

4/19–6/15* 9 am–5 pm

6/16–9/30 8 am–6 pm

10/1–11/3* 9 am–5 pm

(*Limited services 4/19–5/2 and 10/15–11/3)

ç Backcountry Office inside.

D Yellowstone Forever Bookstore inside.

W Lodging

Canyon Lodge 5/17–10/13

Western cabins 5/31–10/13

− Campground

Canyon Campground 5/24–9/22 w Q

C Food

Canyon Lodge 5/17–10/13 

• Eatery 

• Falls Cafe

• Ice Creamery 

• M66 Grill

General Store Soda Fountain 4/19–10/27

E Fuel

Open 4/26–10/20, credit card fueling 24-hours.

Z Repairs 5/24–9/2

g Wrecker 406-848-7548 on duty 4/26–10/20

Liquid propane gas bottle exchange available. 

Ö Shopping

Canyon General Store 4/19–10/27.

Sells groceries, ice cream, souvenirs, apparel. 

Has a public water bottle filling station.

Yellowstone Adventures Store 5/17–9/22 

Sells camping and outdoor gear, footwear, 

fishing supplies.

Canyon Lodge Gift Store 5/17–10/13

Other

f U.S. Post Office 

I Trail rides are offered daily 6/20–9/8.

u A self-guiding trail booklet is available for 

this area.

m Public restrooms are located at all visitor 

centers, stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, 

and at or near all picnic areas. 

l Recycling bins are located in the campground and near trash bins at the General 

Store. 

The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River.

South Rim Drive 

North Rim Drive 

SOUTH RIM

NORTH RIM

Chittenden 

Bridge 

Upper Falls

Lower 

Falls

Yellowsto

Cascade Creek

North Rim Trail

South Rim Trail

Uncle Tom’s Trail

Inspiration

Point

Grand 

View

Artist 

Point

Lookout 

Point

Brink of

Upper

Falls

Red 

Rock 

Point 

Upper Falls Viewpoint

Brink of 

Lower 

Falls

Wapiti Lake Trailhead

North Rim Drive 

(one-way road)

Two-way road 

to Fish ni g Br di ge Junction

Mile 

0 1/4 1/2

0 1/4 1/2 3/4

Kilometer 

North

to Canyon Village

(1.2 mi/1.9 km)

Stay on designated trails. Stay 

behind barrier walls and keep back 

from the canyon edge.

M Check locally for closures and re-routing due to construction.
12

Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake (above 7,000 ft) in North America, 

covering 286 square miles, with an average 

depth of 138 feet. The only outlet of the lake is 

at Fishing Bridge, where the Yellowstone River 

flows north. The lake is covered by ice from 

mid-December to May or June.

Powerful geologic processes shaped the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake, which overlies the 

edge of the Yellowstone caldera. Glacial activity 

and volcanic events carved the central basin 

and ragged shores. A pyroclastic explosion 

created the West Thumb basin 174,000 years 

ago. Many of the area’s 1,000 to 3,000 annual 

earthquakes occur under Yellowstone Lake, 

causing uplift and subsidence events which 

continue to reshape the water’s edge.

Yellowstone Lake is also the site of one of 

the most extensive conservation efforts in 

the National Park Service. Park staff work 

to reduce the impact of invasive lake trout 

(Salvelinus namaycush) on the survival of 

the native population of cutthroat trout 

(Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri).

Local Services

M Fishing Bridge Museum 

and Visitor Center

See historic exhibits about the park’s birds 

and other wildlife, and dive into the distinctive 

geology of Yellowstone Lake. 

Phone: 307-344-2450. 

5/25–6/1 9 am–5 pm

6/2–9/2 8 am–7 pm

9/3–9/30 8 am–5 pm

10/1–10/14 9 am–5 pm

D Yellowstone Forever Bookstore inside.

W Lodging

Lake Hotel and cabins: 5/10–10/7

Lake Lodge and cabins: 6/10–9/22 Q

− Campgrounds

k Fishing Bridge RV Campground is 

CLOSED for the season. 

Bridge Bay Campground is open 5/17–9/22.

C Food

Lake Hotel Restaurant 5/10–10/7

Lake Hotel Deli 5/10–10/7

Lake Lodge Cafeteria 6/10–9/22

Fishing Bridge General Store 5/24–9/22.

E Fuel

Fishing Bridge station 5/24–9/15, credit card 

fueling 24-hours.

Z Repairs 5/24–9/2

g Wrecker 406-848-7548 on duty 5/24–9/2

RV liquid propane tanks filled. 

Ö Shopping

Fishing Bridge General Store 5/24–9/22.

Sells groceries, ice cream, souvenirs, apparel. 

Has a public water bottle filling station.

Lake General Store 6/14–8/18. Has groceries, 

snack bar, souvenirs, and apparel. 

Bridge Bay Marina Store 5/17–9/15. Sells 

camping and outdoor gear, snacks, and fishing 

supplies.

Lake Lodge Gift Store 6/10–9/22

Lake Hotel Gift Store 5/10–10/7

Bridge Bay Marina 

ç Backcountry Office located at the marina.

( Boat launch ramp and dock slip rentals 

5/24–9/15.

] Motor boat rentals 6/10–9/8.

) One-hour Scenicruise boat tours of 

Yellowstone Lake run several times daily, 

6/10–9/15. Call 307-344-7311 for reservations. 

Other

= Medical Clinic 5/17–9/14, 8:30 am–8:30 pm; 

9/15–9/22, 10 am–6:30 pm.

Phone: 307-242-7241 Emergency dial 911 

f U.S. Post Office at Lake Village.

m Public restrooms are located at all visitor 

centers, stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, 

and at or near all picnic areas. 

l Recycling bins are located near the General 

Stores at Fishing Bridge and Lake Village, and 

at the Bridge Bay Campground. 

0

0

0.5 Mi

0.5 Km

Lake Village

Bridge Bay

Fishing 

Bridge

YELLOWSTONE LAKE

Visitor 

Center

Lake Lodge

General Store

General Store

Lake Hotel

Gull Point

RV Park

hard-sided 

vehicles only To Canyon

Village

To East 

Entrance

To West Thumb, Grant Village

Pelican

Creek

Fishing Bridge

North

Lake Village, Fishing Bridge, and Bridge Bay

M West Thumb Information Station

Pique your curiosity before exploring the boiling 

springs in the adjacent geyser basin on the shore 

of Yellowstone Lake. Ph: 307-344-2650

5/25–10/14 9 am–5 pm

u A self-guiding trail booklet is available for 

this area.

West Thumb 

úPark waters are swift and cold. Swimming is 

not recommended. 

.All watercraft must be permitted and inspected.
13

0 1/4 1/2

Kilometer 

Mile 

0 1/8 1/4 

North

Albright

Visitor 

Center

Oversize 

Vehicle 

Parking

Mammoth Hot 

Springs Hotel (one-way, unpaved)

Old Gardiner Road 

Palette 

Spring

Liberty Cap

Overlook

to Tower–Roosevelt

(18 mi/29 km)

LOWER

TERRACES

MAIN TERRACE

Upper 

Terrace 

Drive

UPPER

TERRACES

to Norris

(19 mi/30 km)

General Store

Dining Room/

Terrace Grill

Fort 

Yellowstone

Historic 

District

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs terraces are like living 

sculptures, shaped by the volume of water, 

the slope of the ground, and objects in the 

water’s path. Travertine builds up rapidly here 

and causes the features to change quickly and 

constantly. Some vents will clog completely, 

new vents may form, and old vents may 

reopen. Sometimes the water is concentrated 

in a few springs while at other times it may 

spread across many outlets. 

In every case, water follows the path of least 

resistance, whether above ground or underground. Scientists estimate that, at any given 

time, only about 10 percent of the water in 

the Mammoth Hot Springs system is on the 

surface. The features are always changing, but 

the overall activity of the entire area and the 

volume of water discharge remain relatively 

constant. Here, as in few other places on earth, 

rock forms before your eyes.

Local Services

M Horace M. Albright Visitor Center

Get immersed in the history of Yellowstone 

and the National Park Service, and the wildlife 

of Yellowstone’s Northern Range. Open daily, 

year round. Phone: 307-344-2263 

10/1–6/15 9 am–5 pm

6/16–9/30 8 am–6 pm

10/1–5/24 9 am–5 pm

ç Backcountry Office located inside.

D Yellowstone Forever Bookstore inside.

W Lodging

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel 8/1-11/3

Mammoth Hot Springs Cabins 4/26–10/13. 

w Showers available for $4.20. 

− Campground

Mammoth Campground is open year-round.

C Food

Mammoth Hotel Dining Room 4/26–11/3

Terrace Grill 4/26–10/13

E Fuel

Credit card fueling 24-hours; year-round. 

Liquid propane gas bottle exchange 5/10–9/29

Ö Shopping

Mammoth General Store open year-round.

Sells groceries, ice cream, souvenirs, apparel. 

Has a public water bottle filling station.

Mammoth Hotel Gift Store 4/26–11/3

Other

= Medical Clinic 6/1–9/26, open daily 

8:30 am–5 pm; 9/28–5/31 open weekdays.

Phone: 307-344-7965. Emergency dial 911

f U.S. Post Office open year-round.

u Self-guiding trail booklets are available for 

the Mammoth Terraces and Fort Yellowstone. 

m Public restrooms are located at all visitor 

centers, stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, 

and at or near all picnic areas. 

l Recycling bins are located near the 

General Store, the visitor center, the mammoth 

restrooms, and at the campground. 

Fort Yellowstone

For the decade after Yellowstone National Park 

was established in 1872, the park was under 

serious threat from those who would exploit, 

rather than protect, its resources. In 1886, the 

U.S. Army stepped in to help.

The buildings of Fort Yellowstone are a testament to the long history of our first national 

park and of the important role the Army 

played in preserving it for the future. They 

remind us that the resources we find within 

Yellowstone’s boundaries are not only natural 

ones, but cultural as well. Our interactions with 

this wilderness continue to shape our idea of 

what a national park should be, just as they did 

during the days of Fort Yellowstone.

ñ Stay on boardwalks and designated trails. Do not touch 

any thermal features and keep foreign 

objects out of springs.
14

M Visitor Information Center

Inside the West Yellowstone Chamber of 

Commerce find trip planning, fishing permits, 

and ranger programs. Phone: 307-344-2876

ç Backcountry Office located inside.

West Yellowstone

Chamber of Commerce:

4/29–5/19 8 am– 6 pm

5/20–9/2 8 am–8 pm

9/3–9/29 8 am–6 pm

9/30–4/28 8 am–5 pm

NPS Desk: open daily

4/19–5/24 8 am–4 pm

5/25–9/2 8 am–8 pm

9/3–11/3 8 am–4 pm

Madison

M Madison Information Station

Ph: 307-344-2821 

6/1–10/9 8 am–4 pm

D Yellowstone Forever Bookstore inside

− Campground

Madison Campground is open 4/26–10/20

M Norris Geyser Basin Museum and

 Information Station

Exhibits about the range of hydrothermal 

features in Yellowstone. Phone: 307-344-2812

5/18–10/14 9 am–5 pm

D Yellowstone Forever Bookstore on site

u A self-guiding trail booklet is available for 

this area.

Museum of the National Park Ranger

Located one mile north of Norris, visit with 

retired rangers and explore the history of the 

park ranger profession. 

6/8–9/15 9 am–4 pm

− Campground

Norris Campground 5/17–9/29

Indian Creek Campground 6/14–9/9

Tower/Roosevelt Local Services Norris

W Lodging

Roosevelt Lodge cabins 5/31–9/2 w

− Campground

Tower Fall Campground 5/24–9/29

C Food

Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room 5/31–9/2

Roosevelt Old West Dinner cookout 6/1–9/7 

E Fuel

Credit card fueling 24-hours, year round. 

Restrooms and C-store 5/31–9/2 

Liquid propane gas bottle exchange available. 

Ö Shopping

Tower Fall General Store 5/17–9/22

Has groceries, snack bar, souvenirs, apparel, 

and a public water bottle filling station.

Roosevelt Mini Store 5/31–9/2. 

Roosevelt Lodge Gift Store 5/31–9/2

Other 

ç Backcountry Office inside ranger station. 

Tower Falls I Trail and stagecoach rides offered 5/31–9/1

Visitor Center

To West Thumb

Bridge Bay

To Lewis Lake, 

South Entrance

YELLOWSTONE LAKE

North

Lake House Restaurant

Grant Restaurant

General Store

Mini Store

Grant Village

Local Services

M Grant Visitor Center

Explore the extraordinary ecological and social 

impacts of the historic fires of 1988. 

Phone: 307-344-2650

5/25–6/1 9 am–5 pm

6/2–9/2 8 am–7 pm

9/3–9/30 8 am–5 pm

10/1–10/14 9 am–5 pm

ç Backcountry Office located next door.

D Yellowstone Forever Bookstore inside.

W Lodging

Grant Lodge 5/24–9/29

− Campgrounds

Grant Village Campground 6/8–9/16 w Q l

C Food

Grant Lodge Restaurant 5/24–9/29

Lake House at Grant 5/31–9/22

E Fuel

Open 5/24–9/22, credit card fueling 24-hours.

Z Repairs 5/24–9/2

g Wrecker: 406-848-7548 on duty 5/24–9/2

RV liquid propane tanks filled. 

Ö Shopping

Grant General Store 5/25–9/15 l

Has groceries, snack bar, souvenirs, apparel, 

and a public water bottle filling station.

Grant Mini Store 5/10–9/229 

Sells camping and outdoor gear, footwear, 

fishing supplies.

Grant Lodge Gift Store 5/24–9/29

Other

f U.S. Post office 

m Public restrooms are located at all visitor 

centers, stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, 

and at or near all picnic areas. 

Your Fee Dollars at Work

This guide is printed using your 

entrance fee dollars. 

Thank you for your support.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM
15

在黄石国家公园要处处小心危险

请与动物保持距离

•请勿靠近或给任何动物喂食。 

•野牛,熊和麋鹿都曾致人受伤或死亡。

•请与熊或狼保持100码 (91米) 的距离。

•请与其他动物保持25码 (23米) 的距离。

•不要从熊面前逃跑。

•请结伴而行, 制造噪音并携带防熊喷雾。

请小心温泉

•请勿离开木栈道或游径。

•热水可导致严重烫伤或死亡。

•请勿奔跑、推搡或拥挤。 

•请时刻照管好您的小孩。

•间歇泉盆地或建筑物 内不允许吸烟。

您对自己的安全负责。

Национальный парк 

Йеллоустоун опасен. 

• Перемещайтесь только по дощатым 

настилам и оборудованным тропам.

• Не бросайте в гидротермальные объекты 

предметы, в том числе монеты и мелкие 

камни.

• Не курите в зданиях и гейзеровых 

бассейнах.

• Не прикармливайте диких животных и 

птиц.

• В соответствии с законом все посетители 

должны держаться на расстоянии не менее 

91 м (100 ярдов) от медведей и волков и 

не менее 23 метров (25 ярдов) от других 

животных, включая бизонов, вапити и 

койотов. 

Der Yellowstone-Park ist 

gefährlich

Halten Sie sich von Tieren fern

• Nähern Sie sich keinen Tieren an und füttern 

Sie sie nicht.

• Bisons, Bären und Elche haben in der 

Vergangenheit Menschen verletzt und 

getötet.

• Bleiben Sie 100 Yard (91 m) von Bären und 

Wölfen entfernt.

• Bleiben Sie 25 Yard (23 m) von allen anderen 

Tieren entfernt.

• Laufen Sie niemals von einem Bären weg.

• Wandern Sie in einer Gruppe, machen Sie 

Lärm und tragen Sie ein Bärenspray bei sich.

Vorsicht in Thermalbereichen 

• Bleiben Sie auf Geh- und Wanderwegen.

• Das heiße Wasser kann zu schweren 

Verbrennungen oder Tod führen.

• Niemals laufen, schubsen oder stoßen. 

• Achten Sie stets auf Ihre Kinder.

• Rauchen ist nicht gestattet in 

Geysirbereichen oder Gebäuden.

Sie sind für deren Sicherheit 

verantwortlich. 

Yellowstone es un lugar 

peligroso

Mantenga distancia de los animales

• No se acerque ni alimente a ningún animal. 

• Los bisontes, los osos y los alces han herido y 

matado personas.

• Manténgase a 100 yardas (91 m) de osos y 

lobos.

• Manténgase a 25 yardas (23 m) de todos los 

demás animales.

• Nunca corra si ve a un oso.

• Camine en grupos, haga ruido y lleve gas 

pimienta para osos.

Sea prudente en las zonas termales

• Permanezca en los paseos marítimos y en los 

senderos.

• El agua caliente puede causar graves 

quemaduras o la muerte

• Nunca corra ni empuje. 

• Supervise a los niños en todo momento.

• No está permitido fumar en las cuencas de 

los géiseres ni en los edificios.

Usted es responsable de su seguridad.

Yellowstone présente de 

multiples dangers

Restez à distance des animaux

• Ne vous approchez pas et ne nourrissez pas 

les animaux. 

• Les bisons, les ours, et les wapitis ont déjà été 

à l’origine de blessés et de morts.

• Restez à 100 yards (91 m) des ours et des loups.

• Restez à 25 yards (23 m) de tous les autres 

animaux. 

• Ne courez jamais devant un ours.

• Restez en groupe lors des randonnées, faites 

du bruit, et conservez un vaporisateur de gaz 

poivré sur vous.

Soyez prudent (e) dans les zones 

thermales

• Restez sur les passages en bois et les sentiers.

• L’eau très chaude peut provoquer des 

blessures graves ou entraîner le décès.

• Soyez attentif / attentive à ne jamais courir, 

vous pousser ou vous bousculer. 

• Surveillez constamment les enfants.

• Il est interdit de fumer dans les bassins des 

geysers et les bâtiments.

Vous êtes responsable de votre sécurité.

イエローストーンは危険な場所です

動物から距離を置いて下さい

• 絶対に動物に近づいたり、

エサを与えたりしないで下さい。 

• バイソン、熊やヘラジカが人に危害を加え、

死に至るケースも発生しています。

• 熊や狼からは100ヤード(91メートル)

離れて下さい。

• その他すべての動物からは25ヤード(

23メートル)離れて下さい。

• 熊に出くわしても、絶対に走らないで下さい。

• ハイキングする時はグループで行動し、音を立

て、熊撃退スプレーを携帯して下さい。

高温地帯では注意して下さい

• 遊歩道や小道を歩いて下さい。

• 高温地帯により重度のやけどを負ったり、

死に至るケースがあります。

• 絶対に走ったり、押したり、

押しのけたりしないで下さい。 

• 常にお子様から目を離さないで下さい。

• 間欠泉盆地や建物内は禁煙です。

自分自身の身の安全に責任を持って下さい。

go.nps.gov/translate-ynp

Yellowstone è pericolosa 

• Percorrere le passerelle e i sentieri. 

• Non lanciate oggetti, come monete e 

sassolini, nelle formazioni idrotermali.

• È vietato fumare nei bacini dei geyser o negli 

edifici

• Non date da mangiare agli animali selvatici, 

compresi gli uccelli.

• La legge richiede che tutti i visitatori restino 

ad almeno 91 metri (100 iarde) da orsi e lupi, 

e ad almeno 23 metri (25 iarde) da tutti gli 

altri animali, inclusi bisonti, renne e coyote. 

옐로스톤 국립 공원은 위험한 

장소입니다. 

• 보드워크와 등산로를 벗어나지 마십시오.

• 동전과 조약돌을 포함하는 물체들을 열수 

구역에 던지지 마십시오.

• 간헐천 지대나 건물에서는 흡연이 허용되지 

않습니다.

• 새를 포함하는 야생동물에게 먹이를 주지 

마십시오.

• 법률에 의하면, 모든 방문객들은 곰과 

늑대로부터 최소한 100야드(91미터), 그리고 

들소, 엘크, 코요테를 포함하는 다른 모든 

동물들은 최소한 25야드(23미터)의 거리를 

유지해야 합니다. 

A Global Legacy

Yellowstone National Park was designated a 

UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, because 

it protects significant geological phenomena 

and processes. It is also a unique manifestation 

of geothermal forces, natural beauty, and wild 

ecosystems where rare and endangered species 

can thrive. As one of the few remaining intact 

large ecosystems in the northern temperate 

zone, Yellowstone’s ecological communities 

provide unparalleled opportunities for conservation, study, and enjoyment of large-scale 

wildland ecosystem processes. 
16

Tower 

Fall

Roosevelt

Grant Village 

Canyon Village

Bridge Bay

Lake Village Fishing Bridge 

Old Faithful West 

Thumb 

Madison

Norris 

Mammoth 

Hot Springs

21 mi/34 km

5 mi/8 km

18 mi/29 km

Livingston, MT

52 mi/84 km

Bozeman, MT

84 mi/134 km

Beartooth Hwy 

to Billings, MT

125 mi/200 km

Chief Joseph Hwy 

to Cody, WY

68 mi/109 km

29 mi/47 km

Bozeman, MT

90 mi/144 km

22 mi/35 km

Ashton, ID

26 mi/42 km Entering John D. Rockefeller Jr. 

Memorial Parkway

Big Sky, MT

55 mi/89 km

Cody, WY

53 mi/85 km

Idaho Falls, ID

100 mi/160 km

27 mi/ 

43 km 16 mi/26 km

16 mi/26 km

14 mi/23 km

14 mi/23 km

17 mi/27 km

12 mi/19 km

21 mi/34 km

19 mi/31 km

Jackson, WY

57 mi/91 km

Grand Teton National Park

 8 mi/13 km

Gardiner, MT

Tower 

Junction

Slough 

Creek

Yellowstone 

Forever 

Insititute

⁄

Cooke City, MT

Bechler Ranger Station

Dunraven 

Pass

Sylvan Pass

Lewis Lake

Yellowstone

Lake

Indian Creek

West 

Yellowstone, MT

Craig Pass

Pebble 

Creek

Northeast Entrance

South Entrance

North Entrance

West 

Entrance

East Entrance

*Share the road. Cyclists must ride single file. Drivers should 

pass no closer than three feet (1.0 m) to 

bicycles and roadside pedestrians.

There is a separate fee for entrance 

to Grand Teton National Park. Visit 

nps.gov/GRTE for more information.







Road schedule 2019

Weather permitting, roads open/close 

at 8 am on the day listed. Changes and 

delays are possible.

Open year-round

April 19–November 4

Mammoth to Old Faithful; 

Madison to West Entrance; 

Norris to Canyon. 

May 3–November 4

Canyon Junction to Lake; Lake 

to East Entrance (Sylvan Pass).

May 10–November 4

Tower Junction to Tower Fall; 

Old Faithful to West Thumb 

(Craig Pass); Lake to South 

Entrance.

May 24–October 15

Tower Fall to Canyon Junction 

(Dunraven Pass); Beartooth 

Highway.

Road Construction

Norris to Mammoth Road:

April 15–August 30: expect 

30-minute delays. 

Canyon Area North Rim:

Brink of the Upper Falls road and 

overlooks closed.

East Entrance Road: 

Beginning May 6: expect 30-minute 

delays between Fishing Bridge and 

Indian Pond.







Road status updates

Hotline: 307-344-2117

Online: go.nps.gov/yellroads 

Mobile alerts: text “82190” to 888777

Approximate Cell 

Coverage Areas

Verizon: all gray shaded areas above.

AT&T: Canyon to Tower shaded area.

Union Telecom: Grant, Old Faithful, 

and Mammoth shaded areas.