November 23, 2009
NPS Releases Final Benefits-Sharing EIS
The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to implement benefits-sharing agreements with scientists who conduct research in National Park System units. Such agreements could return benefits to the park and the public if the research results lead to the development of commercially valuable materials. The proposed changes are outlined in a Benefits Sharing Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which has just been completed and released to the public.
November 19, 2009
Yellowstone Sets Parameters For Future Changes At Tower-Roosevelt
Work has been completed on a plan which places limits on change which might occur in the future in a portion of the northeast section of Yellowstone National Park. The Tower-Roosevelt Comprehensive Plan Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact are available online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/yell.
November 18, 2009
Interagency Partners Release Annual Bison Management Report
The Interagency Bison Management Plan (IBMP) partners have released the Annual Report for the 2008-2009 operating season. The report is available online at www.IBMP.info.
November 17, 2009
Interim Winter Use Rule to be Published
A rule implementing a new plan to provide for limited, regulated snowmobile and snowcoach access in Yellowstone National Park for the next two winters will be published in the Federal Register on Friday, November 20.
November 04, 2009
Yellowstone Visitation Through October Tops Previous Annual Record
The number of visitors to Yellowstone National Park the first ten months of 2009 exceeded the park’s previous annual visitation record set in 2007.
November 04, 2009
Yellowstone Awards Contract For New Wastewater Treatment Plant
Yellowstone National Park is using money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to replace a failing wastewater treatment plant at Madison Junction. Completion is slated for Summer 2012.
October 28, 2009
Last Weekend To Drive To Old Faithful And Canyon Until Spring
Roads into the interior of Yellowstone National Park close to automobile traffic at eight o’clock Monday morning, November second. After that date, there will be no auto travel to places like Old Faithful, Canyon, and Fishing Bridge until the deep winter snowpack is cleared from the roads in the spring. This seasonal closure allows the park to make preparations to reopen for snowmobile and snowcoach travel beginning December 15, 2009.
October 23, 2009
Be Bear Aware
Bears are out and active this time of year in the Greater Yellowstone area, including the Gallatin National Forest, Yellowstone National Park, the Beartooth Ranger District of the Custer National Forest, and state and private lands.
October 15, 2009
New Winter Use Plan Completed For Yellowstone
A new plan to provide for limited, regulated snowmobile and snowcoach access in Yellowstone National Park for the next two winters has been approved.
October 09, 2009
Seeking Comments for Heart Lake Trail Project
Yellowstone National Park is soliciting comments for a proposed project to do routine trail work on part of the Heart Lake Trail. The project will focus on the portion of the trail near its junction with the South Boundary Trail. This is also the vicinity of the confluence of Red Creek and the Snake River.
October 09, 2009
Seasonal Challenges in Yellowstone
The beauty of winter has descended on Yellowstone in the form of early season snowstorms that have passed through the area. For the next few days, park visitors should be prepared for winter weather and driving conditions, including temporary road closures and delays.
October 06, 2009
Yellowstone 2009 Visitation Tops 3 Million Mark
Continuing the trend which began in May, visitation to Yellowstone National Park set a new record in September.
October 02, 2009
Road Between Lake and West Thumb to Re-Open
The road between Lake and West Thumb will re-open with no restrictions to 24-hour travel
beginning at 6:00 p.m. Friday, October2. The road has been closed intermittently to allow for hazardous trees removal along a 2-mile segment of road that was affected by the Arnica Fire.
October 01, 2009
Road Between Lake and West Thumb Open Intermittently
The road between Lake and West Thumb will be open for 3 short periods each day beginning on Thursday, October 1:
• 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• Noon to 1:00 p.m.
• 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
September 30, 2009
Arnica Fire Update - September 30, 11:00 am
With the rapid change in weather in Yellowstone National Park to winter-like conditions, the Arnica Fire operations will be considerably downsized today. Fire fighters will be pulling all sprinkler systems and water supply equipment and moving back to Mammoth and the North Entrance.
September 29, 2009
Arnica Fire Update - Sept. 29 - 11 AM
The road between the junctions at Lake Village and West Thumb remains closed indefinitely. No facilities have closed at this time due to fire activity. The Lake Village area is still accessible from the North, Northeast, and East Entrances., and the Lake Hotel and Lake Lodge are open for business. The Old Faithful area is accessible from the South and West Entrances. All entrances are open. As a reminder, the road between Norris and Madison is also closed due to road construction (SEE MAP).
September 28, 2009
Arnica Fire Update - Monday Noon
IMPACTS TO VISITORS AND AREA RESIDENTS: The road is currently closed from south of the Lake developed area to the West Thumb Junction due to fire actively burning along 1.5 miles of the road, and an undetermined number of hazardous snags falling across the road (SEE MAP). Access is available from the north and east to the Lake developed area (Lake Hotel and Lake Lodge); and to the Old Faithful area from the south and west.
September 27, 2009
Arnica Fire Update - September 27, 6:45 p.m.
For safety reasons the road between the Junction at Fishing Bridge and West Thumb will remain closed throughout the night and possibly into tomorrow. The fire is currently burning up to the road. Crews will be working to remove hazardous burned snags on and along the side of the road as soon as it can be done safely.
September 27, 2009
Arnica Fire Update - September 27 1:30 p.m.
For safety reasons the road between the Junction at Fishing Bridge and West Thumb has been temporarily closed due to the fire’s proximity to the road.
September 27, 2009
Arnica Fire Update - Sept. 27, 11:30 a.m.
This lightning-caused fire is burning in a flat area of mature lodgepole pine forest and is estimated at 8300 acres, two miles northwest of Bridge Bay with small spot fires within one mile of Bridge Bay.
September 26, 2009
Arnica Fire Update - Sept. 26 4:00 p.m.
The road between the Junction at Fishing Bridge and West Thumb was temporarily closed from approximately 1:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. today for safety reasons due to the fire's
proximity to the road. Travelers along this road segment will be escorted by park staff.
September 25, 2009
ARNICA FIRE UPDATE
Arnica Fire Update - Friday, September 25, 2009, 6:45 p.m.
September 25, 2009
Arnica Fire Update - Sept. 25 AM
The fire continues pushing to the south toward the power line and the Grand Loop Road. Helicopters will be using bucket drops to cool off the southern head and the west flank of the fire to keep it away from the road and power line corridor. No roads, sites, or facilities are currently closed due to fire activity.
September 24, 2009
Fire Update - Thurs, Sept 24 - 6 PM
The Arnica Fire has grown significantly, but as expected today. Visitors will see fire activity from the Grand Loop Road. No facilities are closed due to fire activity.
September 24, 2009
New Fire Burning West of Yellowstone Lake
There have been two new fires discovered in Yellowstone National Park in the last two days.
September 23, 2009
Fire Update - Sept. 23
Overview: The Chaw Pass Fire was discovered September 22, on the north end of The Thunderer, high on a ridge above the Cache Creek drainage. It is burning in a mature, mixed forest of lodgepole pine, spruce, and fir.
September 18, 2009
Fire Update - Friday 9/18/09
There have been 18 fires in Yellowstone this season. The only fires to grow larger than a half acre in size are the Butte and Rainbow fires.
September 16, 2009
New Study Shows Distemper Linked to Wolf Pup Deaths
Since wolves were reintroduced in Yellowstone in the 1990s, there have been three years when the pup survival rate was extremely low: 1999, 2005, and 2008.
September 15, 2009
Rainbow Fire Update
Last 24 hours: The fire has grown slightly along the ground since its discovery Monday, but remains estimated at a half acre in size. Shorter fall days and cooler nights mean the Rainbow Fire has a decreasing amount of time each day to become active and grow.
September 15, 2009
Yellowstone Offers "America's Best Idea" Special Events in September
Yellowstone National Park plans to offer a variety of special programs in September in conjunction with the "America’s Best Idea" theme of both National Public Lands Day, and the film series by Ken Burns which will premiere on PBS in late September.
September 14, 2009
Small Fire Prompts Temporary Trail Closure
Lightning from a thunderstorm which moved across the northern portion of the Yellowstone National Park Sunday evening started a fire on Sepulcher Mountain, near the park’s northern boundary and about three miles west-northwest of Mammoth Hot Springs.
September 14, 2009
Yellowstone Seeks Volunteers for National Public Lands Day Projects
Yellowstone National Park is looking for volunteers for two work projects which are being held in conjunction with the 16th annual event.
September 11, 2009
Woman Drowns in Yellowstone Backcountry
A woman from Wyoming drowned Thursday afternoon in the backcountry in the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park.
September 11, 2009
Meetings Slated for Updates on Gibbon Canyon Road Projects
Two public meetings are slated for later this month to update area residents on the progress of the major road reconstruction project through Gibbon Canyon.
September 11, 2009
Yellowstone's Summer 2009 Bison Population Estimate Released
The population is estimated to be 3,300 bison. The estimate is based on a series of aerial surveys conducted in June and July.
September 10, 2009
New Report Shows Yellowstone Healthy But Facing Challenges
Yellowstone National Park is doing well, but is experiencing impacts from changes taking place both inside and outside the park’s boundaries.
Details of these changes, their degree of impact, and how they may be interrelated, are spelled out in the “Superintendent’s 2008 Report on Natural Resource Vital Signs”.
September 10, 2009
Entries Sought For Eighth Annual Yellowstone Fall Photo Festival
Amateur and professional photographers are invited to share some of their favorite national park pictures with the public during the Eighth Annual Fall Photo Festival to be held later this month in West Yellowstone.
September 10, 2009
Butte Fire Update - 10 September
Fire personnel will continue to monitor the fire and updates will be sent only if conditions change drastically.
September 09, 2009
Butte Fire Update - 9 September
Sunny skies and warmer temperatures caused the fire to puff up more smoke late Tuesday afternoon. With warmer daytime temperatures and lower humidity on Wednesday the fire is expected to be more active than in the previous days.
September 09, 2009
Record Number of Visitors Enjoyed Yellowstone This Summer
Yellowstone National Park hosted a record number of visitors this summer. Nearly 2.3 million people came to the park during June, July and August, up 124,000 over the previous summer record of 2,173,371 set back in 1999.
September 09, 2009
New Yellowstone Quarter to be Released Next Summer
Yellowstone National Park will be featured on a new quarter the U.S. Mint will issue next year.
September 04, 2009
Butte Fire Update - Friday, September 4 – 2:30 p.m.
The Butte Fire has grown from 40 acres to 110 acres since Wednesday evening. It is moving downhill and to the south-southeast into Lodgepole pine, remaining well away from the Northeast Entrance road. The fire has not moved across the ridge line into the spruce and fir forest located to the north of the fire.
September 03, 2009
Smoke Visible from New Fire in Lamar Valley
Lightning strikes from a weekend thunderstorm started four small fires in Yellowstone National Park.
September 01, 2009
Broadcast Premiere of New Yellowstone Geology Film Set for September 8
A spectacular new film on the geology of Yellowstone National Park will soon be coming to living rooms nationwide.
August 31, 2009
Yellowstone Set for Last Summer Holiday Weekend
In Yellowstone National Park, the holiday weekend signals the onset of fall, cooler weather, decreasing visitation and reduction in visitor services.
August 26, 2009
Bridge Replacement Proposal out for Public Comment
Yellowstone is asking the public to review a proposal to replace an aging bridge on the park’s Northeast Entrance Road.
August 25, 2009
Commercial Vehicle Safety Inspections Set
Full level inspections on commercial vehicles will be conducted in Yellowstone National Park on August 26 and 27, and will primarily focus on commercial buses and trucks.
August 19, 2009
Thermal Activity Prompts Trail Closure
Yellowstone’s Clear Lake Trail has been temporarily closed to protect the public from hazards associated with new thermal activity along the trail.
August 17, 2009
Road Between Norris and Madison Closed
A section of Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road has been closed for the season to facilitate a major road construction project. This work can only be done during the summer and fall, due to the length and severity of winter in the interior of Yellowstone National Park.
August 10, 2009
Enjoy Free Admission August 15 & 16
Come enjoy Yellowstone National Park’s beauty, wonder, and inspiration with free entrance on August 15 and 16.
August 05, 2009
Visitors Enjoy Yellowstone In Record Numbers This Summer
Summer visitation to the world’s first national park continues at a record pace. Over 900,000 people entered Yellowstone in July; up 11.4 percent from the same month in 2008, and up over the previous all time record of 847,000 visitors set in July 1995.
August 03, 2009
Road Between Norris and Madison to Close August 17
A section of Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road linking Madison and Norris will be completely closed to all traffic beginning August 17, due to major construction underway.
July 30, 2009
Underground Contamination Clean Up
Efforts to clean up underground contamination in Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area will soon be underway, thanks to a joint partnership between the National Park Service (NPS) and Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WYDEQ).
July 23, 2009
Salazar Calls for More Public Comment on Snowmobile Levels in Yellowstone National Park
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the National Park Service will reopen public comment on a proposed interim rule, first proposed last November under Secretary Kempthorne, to manage snowmobile and snowcoach access at Yellowstone National Park for the next two years.
July 23, 2009
First Major Recovery Act Project Completed
Work has been completed on Yellowstone’s first major project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
July 22, 2009
Yellowstone Seeks Public Input on New Road Reconstruction Project
Yellowstone National Park is planning to reconstruct a section of the road which links Norris and Mammoth Hot Springs. The project involves 15.4 miles of road from north of Norris Junction to Golden Gate.
July 22, 2009
Yellowstone Begins Live Online Ranger Talks
For the first time in history, Yellowstone National Park is conducting live ranger talks specifically for the online audience.
July 22, 2009
Park Visitor Gored by Bison
A visitor from Southern California was gored by a bison in a Yellowstone National Park campground Wednesday morning.
July 21, 2009
Small Fire Burning in Lamar Valley
A weekend lightning strike has started a small fire in the northeast section of Yellowstone National Park.
July 15, 2009
Free Admission Weekend
You can’t get much closer to nature than in Yellowstone National Park, and what greater way to celebrate summer than with free entrance to America’s first national park. Visit Yellowstone this weekend, July 18 and 19, and receive free admission.
July 13, 2009
BioBlitz in Yellowstone
Join some of the area’s top researchers and scientists, including ichthyologists, ornithologists, mammalogists, entomologists, herpetologists and botanists, for the Yellowstone National Park BioBlitz - a 24-hour inventory of all living organisms -on August 28 and 29.
July 09, 2009
Gibbon Canyon Road Project Prompts Temporary Fishing Closure
Hazards associated with a major road project have prompted Yellowstone National Park to institute some temporary closures to fishing and foot travel along a section of the Gibbon River.
July 07, 2009
Yellowstone Reports Record Visitation for June
Coming off a slow start, visitation to the world’s first national park has rebounded to set new records.
July 07, 2009
Public Meetings on Park Road Projects Scheduled
A series of public meetings has been scheduled to update area residents with information on travel delays and road closures due to construction taking place in Yellowstone National Park this summer.
July 06, 2009
Two Teacher Workshops Offered in Yellowstone
The National Park Service, in partnership with the Yellowstone Association Institute, will be offering two teacher workshops this year. University and in-service credits are available for both workshops, which are open to all educators.
July 01, 2009
Yellowstone Halts Road Work for Holiday Weekend
Work on two road projects in Yellowstone National Park will be temporarily halted so visitors can travel through the park without delays over the July 4th holiday weekend.
July 01, 2009
Norris Back Basin Temporarily Closed Due To Construction
Work on a section of boardwalk has temporarily closed a portion of Norris Geyser Basin for about a month.
July 01, 2009
Yellowstone Starts Work on Park's First Major Recovery Act Project
Work has begun in Yellowstone on the first of several large projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
June 26, 2009
Construction on Wraith Falls Trail Temporarily Halts Access
Construction work on the Wraith Falls Trails will temporarily curtail access to this popular falls in Yellowstone National Park.
June 24, 2009
Woman Injured by Yellowstone Bison
A 50-year -old woman from Spain was butted and tossed in the air by a bull bison at Canyon in Yellowstone National Park this morning.
June 18, 2009
Recovery Efforts Continue In Yellowstone For Missing Utah Man
Searchers continued their efforts Thursday looking for the body of a Utah man who apparently committed suicide in Yellowstone National Park Tuesday afternoon.
June 18, 2009
Commercial Vehicle Safety Inspections
Full level inspections on commercial vehicles will be conducted in Yellowstone National Park this weekend and will primarily focus on commercial buses and trucks.
June 17, 2009
Search Efforts Underway in Yellowstone For Missing Utah Man
Officials are searching for the body of a Utah man who apparently committed suicide by jumping off the edge of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Tuesday afternoon.
June 15, 2009
Enjoy Free Admission to America's First National Park
You can’t get much closer to nature than in Yellowstone National Park, and what a great way to celebrate summer than with free entrance to the America’s first national park.
June 10, 2009
Rock Slide Closes Popular Trail in Yellowstone
Run-off from melting snow caused a major rock slide along Uncle Tom’s Trail in Yellowstone National Park, prompting a closure of the trail until further notice.
June 09, 2009
Tower-Roosevelt Comprehensive Plan Environmental Assessment Released for Public Comment
Yellowstone National Park is planning for the future of the Tower Roosevelt area, in the north east portion of the park, and is seeking public comment.
June 08, 2009
Yellowstone To Conduct Commercial Vehicle Safety Inspections
Full level inspections on commercial vehicles will be conducted in Yellowstone National Park on June 9 and10 and will primarily focus on commercial buses and trucks.
June 05, 2009
Spring Visitation Up Nearly 11 Percent
After four months of declining or near flat visitation, Yellowstone saw a dramatic increase in visitors in May.
June 03, 2009
Yellowstone Power, Phone Service Back After Morning Outages
Phone, internet and electric service to Yellowstone National Park were all disrupted Wednesday morning.
June 02, 2009
Yellowstone's Wonder Revealed in New Geology Film
A spectacular new film on the geology of Yellowstone is now showing at the Canyon Visitor Education Center.
