Yellowstone National Park
Walking & Hiking
Most of Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres is backcountry interspersed with approximately 1,000 miles of backcountry trails that run through a variety of terrain. (Dogs, except service animals with required permits, and bicycles are not allowed on any trails.)
Be prepared before setting out on a day hike. Park rangers can help you plan your outing and will provide current information about backcountry conditions, but you must ultimately assume responsibility for yourself in the wilderness. There are no guarantees concerning weather changes or encounters with wildlife—especially bears! Being informed is the best way to reduce potential risks. Find out which stream crossings are unsafe, which slopes are loose with "rotten rock," and what to do if you encounter a bear (see "Bear Safety Tips" on pages 81—82 and inquire at a visitor center for more information).
Backcountry Permits
All overnight hikes require free backcountry permits. Apply at a park ranger station or visitor center up to 48 hours before setting off. You can pre-register for a $20 fee; please call (307) 344-2160 for more information. When you receive your permit, carefully read the backcountry guidelines and regulations and talk with a park ranger.
Hiking Etiquette
Minimize your impact by following a few simple rules. Stay on the well marked trails. Use designated campsites and eliminate the need for fires by using a backpacking stove. Wash yourself and your articles with biodegradable soaps away from the streams and lakes. Use toilets or bury waste six to eight inches beneath the surface. Pack out every single thing you packed in. Take photos as your only mementos and leave only your footprints behind.
Hiking Safety Tips
Every year, major search and rescue missions are undertaken to assist lost or injured hikers in Yellowstone National Park. To avoid becoming a statistic, consider these safety tips offered by park rangers.
•â€‚ Know your own capabilities and limits. On average, plan one hour for every two miles, and add an hour for every 1,000 feet you climb. Study a topographical map (available at park ranger stations and visitor centers) and plot your course according to your pace.
•â€‚ Be prepared and carry ample supplies, whether you are taking a day hike or going on an extended backpacking trip for several days. Carry a trail map, wristwatch, knife, matches, flashlight, water, food, insect repellent, rain gear, a compass and a first-aid kit.
•â€‚ Hike with a partner and leave an itinerary with a responsible person.
•â€‚ Stay on the trail so you won't get lost. If you do become lost, exhausted or injured, keep calm and stay on the trail. Ask passing hikers for assistance. Do not bushwhack or travel in darkness. Should evening fall, you are better off staying where you are and waiting for help to arrive.
•â€‚ Wear sturdy, comfortable hiking boots or shoes and outdoor socks to prevent blisters, the most common ailment on the trail. Hiking boots or shoes are recommended for all trails, especially those requiring steep ascents.
Further Reading
If you'd like to learn more about hiking in Yellowstone, we recommend the following books:
Yellowstone Trails. Marschall, Mark. Yellowstone Association, 2003.
Best Easy Day Hikes—Yellowstone. Schneider, Bill. Falcon Press, 2003.
Yellowstone In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
