The National Park Service was established in 1916, with the U.S. Cavalry passing administrative duties to newly appointed park rangers in 1918. Many of the operations established during the Army Era, such as backcountry patrols, were kept in place by the National Park Service.
As private automobiles rose in popularity through the 1910s, national parks across the country began allowing cars onto roads that were previously limited to horse-drawn vehicles. In 1916, a new fleet of vehicles entered Yellowstone for National Park Service purposes. Horses and wagons were quickly phased out of most uses, as it was too dangerous for them to share the road with motor vehicles. By the 1950s, smaller vehicles such as scooters and motorcycles took the place of horses for short-distance patrols in campgrounds or undeveloped areas unfit for cars. However, these vehicles were unable to access all remote areas of the park. A pack string of horses is still used today to deliver supplies to the deep backcountry. Boats are also used to patrol the waterways or access remote camping sites.
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National Park Service Ranger BadgeYellowstone National Park, YELL 11074
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Vespa Model 125 Primavera ScooterYellowstone National Park, YELL 106381
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A pack string follows a trailYellowstone National Park, YELL 29093
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Ranger Nat Lacy in patrol boatYellowstone National Park, YELL 29093
Last updated: June 6, 2024