Yellowstone National Park
Activities & Programs
SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL
Listen to the sound of long summer days calling you to experience adventure in Yellowstone's mountain wilderness. The backcountry beckons anglers to streams shimmering with fish, and hikers to trails winding through meadows undulating with wildflowers. Whether fishing on the Madison River, taking a guided walk with an interpretive ranger or riding horseback through Roosevelt Country, you will enjoy exploring all that Yellowstone National Park has to offer.
What to Wear
When preparing for any outdoor activity, program or guided tour in Yellowstone, dress in layers, wear comfortable walking shoes, always carry a jacket or sweatshirt and bring rain gear and plenty of water.
Park Programs
NPS interpretive rangers offer illustrated talks and guided nature and history walks during the day. They also present evening talks and illustrated programs at various locations in the park. Topics cover many different themes and stories at each park location. Programs are available for both adults and children. Check at any visitor center for current times and listings.
Field Seminars and Workshops
The Yellowstone Association Institute offers more than 400 field courses and seminars on subjects such as geysers, grizzlies, photography, and park history. Courses are based at the organization's Lamar Buffalo Ranch field campus, at park hotels, and in the backcountry. Please see page 17 for details.
Backpacking
Please see "Backcountry Camping" on page 66 for more information.
Bicycling
Pedaling through Yellowstone can be a memorable, but potentially dangerous, experience. Very few bike paths exist, there are no bicycle lanes along roadways, and bikes are prohibited on boardwalks and backcountry trails. Wear safety gear, including a helmet and high-visibility clothing, because park roads are narrow and winding. Be especially mindful of mirrors projecting from campers and RVs that may pass you from behind. A rear view mirror on your bike and a helmet can be life-saving essentials. Bicycle rentals are available at Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
Boating
The Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake is the hub of boating activities. Scenic cruises, boat rentals, guided charters, boat slips, marine supplies and ranger services are all available. One-hour interpretive scenic cruises on Yellowstone Lake depart several times a day from early June to mid-September.
You can rent a rowboat or motorboat, or charter a guided boat to take up to six passengers to the hottest fishing spots. Fishing rods and tackle are provided on charters. Call (866) GEYSERLAND (866) 439-7375 for guided charters. Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Boats, canoes, kayaks and rafts are not allowed on park rivers and streams, with the exception of the waterway between Lewis and Shoshone lakes, where only hand-propelled vessels are permitted. Launching facilities are located at Lewis Lake, and on Yellowstone Lake at Bridge Bay Marina and Grant Village Campground. All water vessels (including float tubes) must have a permit, which can be obtained from the Bridge Bay Marina or at ranger stations in the lake area. Each person on a vessel must have a Coast Guard-approved "wearable" personal floating device.
Fishing
Understandably, fly fishing is popular throughout the park on Yellowstone's crystal-clear lakes, rivers and streams. The 2007 fishing season begins Saturday, May 27, and continues through November 4, and you must have a fishing permit for Yellowstone National Park. All anglers 16 or older must possess a valid Yellowstone National Park fishing permit to fish in the park; state permits are not valid. Three days—$15; seven days—$20; annual—$35. Fishing permits may be obtained at ranger stations, visitor centers, Yellowstone General Stores, and Bridge Bay Marina. You can rent fishing equipment at the Yellowstone General Store at Bridge Bay Marina and purchase fishing tackle from Yellowstone General Stores throughout the park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts® now offers a fly fishing guide service. See hotel front desks for more information or call (866) GEYSERLAND.
Hiking
Please see "Walking & Hiking" on pages 68—72 for more information.
Wildlife Watching
During the spring, summer and fall, wildlife is best spotted in the early morning and evening. In summer, bears, bison and coyotes are often seen in Hayden Valley, while mule deer inhabit the Geyser, Lake and Canyon countries. Elk often wander through meadows in Mammoth Hot Springs, the Upper and Midway geyser basins and the Lewis River area. Bighorn sheep sometimes congregate in the Gardner River Canyon. You may also see beavers, weasels, foxes, marmots and other animals. Wolf-watching is a popular activity in Lamar Valley.
You will see more of an animal's natural behavior and activity if you are sensitive to its need for space. Do not approach any wildlife, especially those with young. View them from the safety of your vehicle. If an animal reacts to your presence, you are too close.
Each year a number of park visitors are injured by wildlife when they approach animals too closely. You must stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other large animals—bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, wolves and coyotes.
Lodging and Learning Packages
Lodging and Learning Packages are affordable adventures based at park hotels. During the day participants explore the park in a small group with an expert instructor from the Yellowstone Association Institute. Each night they return to historic park hotels for excellent meals, comfortable accommodations, and entertaining evening programs provided by Xanterra Parks and Resorts®.
Spring, summer, and fall packages are based at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Roosevelt Lodge, Lake Hotel and Grant Village. They include several wildlife programs (Spring Wolf & Bear Discovery, Springtime in Wonderland, Fall Wolf & Elk Discovery, Autumn in Wonderland), a hiking program (Trails Through Yellowstone), a family program (Yellowstone for Families), and a program that features exclusive use of a historic lodge (Roosevelt Rendezvous).
For more information about this award-winning program, please call (307) 344-5566 or visit www.YellowstoneAssociation.org.
Always respect the wild animals and do not harass or frighten them. Keep at least 25 yards from most animals and 100 yards (the length of a football field) from bears.
Yellowstone In Depth
News from the Parks
Gettysburg Address to Return for Visitor Center Grand Opening
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
