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Wyoming
12

Wyoming State Parks

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USA Parks
Wyoming
Northwest Region
Yellowstone National Park
Campsite Availability
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Yellowstone National Park Grand Prismatic Spring © John Cartlidge
Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone NP
Yellowstone National Park Good Morning © Joe Harris
Grizzly bear in Yellowstone park
Yellowstone National Park Mt Washington © Joe Harris
The sign at the summit of Mt Washburn which, at an elevation of 10,243 feet, is the highest point in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park Harlequin drake © Dan Verrips
Harlequin
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone River © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park Bald Eagle © Dan Verrips
Bald Eagle feeding off an elk carcass
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone coyote © Dan Verrips
Beautiful coyote hunting for mice
Yellowstone National Park Young Grizzley © Dan Verrips
Young Grizzley
Yellowstone National Park Bison © Joe Harris
A male American bison stands along in Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park During the summer, the animal sheds its thick winter fur coat.
Yellowstone National Park Curious Red Fox © Dan Verrips
Curious Red Fox in the Lamar Valley area
Yellowstone National Park yellowstone morn © Deb Mason
early morn driving thru yellowstone park...one of the glacier waters
Yellowstone National Park hot pot strangeness © Deb Mason
one of the many hot pots in yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Coyote in Lamar © Dan Verrips
Pouncing on his next meal
Yellowstone National Park Elk in rut cooling off in the cool water © Dan Verrips
This bull elk was cooling off after keeping his harem on the other side of the river.
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone Lake © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park Red Fox © Dan Verrips
Found this red fox just outside of the Lamar Valley area
Yellowstone National Park Early morning sunrise © TONY EVERHARDT
Taken Sept of 2012 along the Yellowstone River
Yellowstone National Park Lewis Lake © TONY EVERHARDT
This picture was take June 6 2017.
Yellowstone National Park Moose in Yellowstone © Dan Verrips
This bull moose seemed lost when we came across him in the Blacktail Area of Yellowstone, seemed like a strange place for a moose to be
Yellowstone National Park Lunchtime in the park © Dan Verrips
Black bear and her 2 coy enjoying the beautiful day in the park
Yellowstone National Park MIGHTY MADISON © ROBERT L MILLER
LOOKING EAST UP THE MADISON RIVER
Yellowstone National Park FOR SPACIOUS SKIES © ROBERT L MILLER
GULL POINT DRIVE
Yellowstone National Park Black bear © Dan Verrips
This mama bear finally gave us a couple of seconds to get a shot of her standing upright, was hard to see her cub in the long grass, the photo was taken near the Blacktail area.
Yellowstone National Park © Dan Verrips
This Big Horn Sheep was with a group of 10 or so other rams at the East entrance of Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park © Dan Verrips
This time of year there are lots of newborn calves
Yellowstone National Park © Dan Verrips
Yellowstone National Park Coyote © Dan Verrips
This guy gave everyone a show has he hunted for rodents in Lamar Valley
Yellowstone National Park © Dawne Olson
Yellowstone National Park © Dawne Olson
Yellowstone National Park © Dawne Olson
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park Upper Yellowstone Falls © vegasdesertfox
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park Morning Glory Pool © Ed Heaton
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ben Prepelka
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
An elk.
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
The Old Faithful Inn in the distance.
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
A marmot
Yellowstone National Park © Lisa Hinklin
Yellowstone National Park © Scott Jarvie
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
The Old Faithful Inn.
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Lisa Hinklin
August
Yellowstone National Park North Entrance © Joe Harris
Roosevelt Arch, north entrance to Yellowstone National Park.N
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Lisa Hinklin
Yellowstone National Park © Scott Jarvie
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Lisa Hinklin
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Lisa Hinklin
Yellowstone National Park © Ben Prepelka
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Hillside in Yellowstone NP
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Mud Pool yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
waterfall inside park
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
The grand canyon of the yellowstone downstream
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
The grand canyon of the yellowstone falls
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
waterfall inside park
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Waterfall in the grand canyon of the yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Hillside woodland inside park
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
The grand canyon of the yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Side view of hot springs mound
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Orange flow from geothermal pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Bison by mud pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Small lake and mountains within yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
A view from the top of hot springs
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pools
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Close up of geothermal pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pools
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Yellowstone through the trees
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Vent inside lake yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Yellowstone transport
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Yellowstone Grizzly
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
River / Waterfall Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Yellowstone Grizzly
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Storm aproaching yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Lake Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Bison by a mud pool yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal vent
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Lake surrounded by Fir trees in yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Lake Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Lake Yellowstone Vent
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Lake Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Yellowstone Grizzly
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Large tree in Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
mud pool bison
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool.
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Lake Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geyser boiling at yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Old Faithful starting out
Yellowstone National Park © Pam Holdsworth
Yellowstone National Park Wolf © Joe Harris
Gray wolf during fall in Yellowstone park.
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
This moose was on the opposite bank of the Yellowstone River, just downstream from Yellowstone Lake.
Yellowstone National Park Lower Yellowstone Falls © vegasdesertfox
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Lisa Hinklin
August
Yellowstone National Park © Scott Jarvie
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Yellowstone National Park © Ron Cook
Old Faithful
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park © Dewese Milstead
Yellowstone National Park Bison relaxing on guard rail on highway © Dan Verrips
This photo was taken between Cody Wyoming and Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
The grand canyon of the yellowstone falls
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
chimney rock in the grand canyon of the yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
waterfall inside park
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Waterfall within park
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Geothermal Pool
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Mud pools
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park © Chris Walters
Waterfall in the grand canyon of the yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park Confrontation between Grizzley and Coyote © Dan Verrips
We were at Yellowstone in May 2014 And witnessed this Grizzley which was just out of hibernation and a coyote which had its den near the stream in Lamar Valley
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming   82190-0168
Email: park email button icon
Long before any recorded human history in Yellowstone, a massive volcanic eruption spewed an immense volume of ash that covered all of the western U.S., much of the Midwest, northern Mexico and some areas of the eastern Pacific. The eruption dwarfed that of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 and left a caldera 30 miles wide by 45 miles long.

That climactic event occurred about 640,000 years ago, and was one of many processes that shaped Yellowstone National Park--a region once rumored to be the place where hell bubbles up. Geothermal wonders, such as Old Faithful, are evidence of one of the world's largest active volcanoes. These spectacular features bemused and befuddled the park's earliest visitors, and helped lead to the creation of the world's first national park.

Fur trappers' fantastic tales of cauldrons of bubbling mud and roaring geysers sending steaming plumes skyward made their way back east. Several expeditions were sent to investigate, opening the West to further exploration and exploitation. In 1871, Ferdinand Hayden led an expedition that included artist Thomas Moran and photographer William H. Jackson. They brought back images that helped convince Congress that the area known as Yellowstone needed to be protected and preserved.

In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law declaring that Yellowstone would forever be dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.
Featured Areas within the Park
Nature of the Area
Geological characteristics form the foundation of an ecosystem. In Yellowstone, the interplay between volcanic, hydrothermal, and glacial processes and the distribution of flora and fauna are intricate and unique.

The topography of the land from southern Idaho northeast to Yellowstone results from millions of years of hotspot influence. Some scientists believe the Yellowstone Plateau itself is a result of uplift due to hotspot volcanism. Today's landforms channel westerly storm systems eastward onto the plateau where they drop large amounts of snow.

The distribution of rocks and sediments in the park also influences the distributions of flora and fauna. The volcanic rhyolites and tuffs of the Yellowstone Caldera are rich in quartz and potassium feldspar, which form nutrient-poor soils. Thus, areas of the park underlain by rhyolites and tuffs generally are characterized by extensive, monotypic stands of lodgepole pine, which are drought tolerant and have shallow roots that take advantage of the nutrients in the soil. In contrast, andesitic volcanic rocks that underlie the Absaroka Mountains are rich in calcium, magnesium, and iron. These minerals weather into soils that can store more water and provide better nutrients than rhyolitic soils. This allows for more vegetative growth, which adds organic matter to the soils and results in much more fertile soils. You can see the result when you drive over Dunraven Pass or through other areas of the park with Absaroka rocks. They have a richer flora, including mixed forests interspersed with meadows. Lake sediments such as those underlying Hayden Valley, which were deposited during glacial periods, form clay soils that allow meadow communities to out-compete trees for water. The patches of lodgepole pines in Hayden Valley grow in areas of rhyolite rock outcrops.

Because of the influence rock types have on plant distribution, some scientists theorize that geology also influences wildlife distributions and movement. Whitebark pine is an important food source for grizzly bears during the autumn. The bears migrate to the whitebark pine areas such as the andesitic volcanic terrain of Mt. Washburn. Grazing animals such as elk and bison are found in the park's grasslands, which grow best in sedimentary soil of valleys such as Hayden and Lamar. And the many hydrothermal areas of the park, where grasses and other food remain uncovered, provide a haven for animals during the winter.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Picnickingyes
Camping
There are 12 campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park. Seven of these campgrounds are operated by the National Park Service at Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and Tower Fall. Sites at these campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Campsite Reservations:

Xanterra Parks & Resorts operates campgrounds at Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Grant Village, and Madison. Same-day reservations can be made by calling: 307-344-7901. Future reservations can be made by calling: 307-344-7311, or by writing: Yellowstone National Park Lodges, PO Box 165, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground offering water, sewer, and electrical hookups, and it is for hard-sided vehicles only (no tents or tent-trailers are allowed).

Please make your reservations early and/or plan to secure your campsite as early in the day as possible. Campgrounds may fill by early morning, especially during peak season (early July - late August).

It is recommended that recreational vehicles over 30' make reservation since there are limited number of campsites over 30' available in Yellowstone. Large RV sites are located at Flag Ranch, Fishing Bridge RV Park and West Yellowstone.

First Come, First Served Campsites

Group Camping:

Group camping areas are available at Madison, Grant, and Bridge Bay campgrounds from late May through the closing date for large organized groups with a designated leader such as youth groups or educational groups. The fees range from $45-$75 per night, depending on the size of the group. Advance reservations are required and can be made by writing:

Yellowstone National Park Lodges

PO Box 165

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

or by calling: 307-344-7311.
Boating
Private Boats:

A permit is required for all vessels (motorized and non-motorized including float tubes) and must be obtained in person at any of the following locations: South Entrance, Lewis Lake Campground, Grant Village Visitor Center, Bridge Bay Ranger Station, and Lake Ranger Station. At Canyon and Mammoth Visitor Centers, only non-motorized boating permits are available. The fee is $20 (annual) or $10 (7 day) for motorized vessels and $10 (annual) or $5 (7 day) for non-motorized vessels. A Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device is required for each person boating.

Grand Teton National Park's boat permit will be honored as a one-time 7 day permit or can be applied toward a Yellowstone annual permit.

All vessels are prohibited on park rivers and streams except the channel between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes, where only hand-propelled vessels are permitted.

Rentals and Guided Boat Trips:

Outboards and rowboats may be rented (first come, first served) from Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. Xanterra also provides guided fishing boats which may be reserved in advance by calling (307) 344-7311. Other commercial businesses are Permitted to offer guided services for canoeing, kayaking, and motorized boating.
Fishing
Fishing:

Yellowstone National Park is managed to protect cultural and natural resources and outstanding scenery, and to provide for visitor use. Angling has been a major visitor activity for over a century. Present regulations reflect the park's primary purposes of resource protection and visitor use. The objectives of the fishing program are to:

1. Manage aquatic resources as an important part of the ecosystem.

2. Preserve and restore native fishes and their habitats.

3. Provide recreational fishing opportunites for the enjoyment of park visitors, consistent with the first two objectives.

In Yellowstone, bald eagles, ospreys, pelicans, otters, grizzly bears, and other wildlife take precedence over humans in utilizing fish as food. None of the fish in Yellowstone are stocked, and populations depend on sufficient number of spawning adults to maintian natural reproduction and genetic diversity. In Yellowstone National Park, we place less emphasis upon providing fishing for human consumption and put more emphasis upon the quality for recreational fishing. Anglers, in return, have the opportunity to fish for wild trout in a natural setting.

Because of the increasing number of anglers in the park, more restrictive regulations have been adopted in Yellowstone. These restrictions include: season opening/closing dates, restrictive use of bait, catch-and-release only areas, and number/size limits according to species. A few places are closed to the public to protect threatened and endangered species, sensitive nesting birds, and to provide scenic viewing areas for visitors seeking undisturbed wildlife.

Permits and Fees:

A Yellowstone National Park Fishing Permit is required to fish in the park. Anglers 16 years of age and older are required to purchase either a $15 three-day permit, a $20 seven-day permit or $35 season permit. Anglers 12 to 15 years of age are required to obtain a non-fee permit. Children 11 years of age or younger may fish without a permit when supervised by an adult. The adult is responsible for the child's actions. Fishing permits are available at all ranger stations, visitor centers, and Yellowstone Park General Stores. No state fishing license is required in Yellowstone National Park.


Location
Yellowstone National Park is

Picnicking
There are 49 picnic areas in the park. Click on any picnic area on the map below for more detailed information.

Fires are permitted only in picnic areas with fire grates. Charcoal grills may only be used in areas with fire grates. There are fire grates in the following picnic areas: Bridge Bay, Cascade Lake Trail, East Lot (Old Faithful Area), Grant Village, Nez Perce, Norris Meadows, Snake River, Spring Creek and Yellowstone River. Gas stoves may be utilized for meal preparation in any picnic area. Camping is Not Allowed in any picnic area. There is no water at any picnic area and most have pit toilets.

Special fire restrictions are occasionally put in place when the danger of wildland fires is great. If you plan to light a fire in the park, please ask about current fire restrictions at the entrance station when you arrive or email our Visitor Services Office immediately prior to your visit.
Trails
Backpacking:

Yellowstone has a designated backcountry campsite system, and a Backcountry Use Permit is required for all overnight stays. Each designated campsite has a maximum limit for the number of people and stock allowed per night. The maximum stay per campsite varies from 1 to 3 nights per trip. Campfires are permitted only in established fire pits. Wood fires are not allowed in some backcountry campsites. A food storage pole is provided at most designated campsites so that food and attractants may be secured from bears. Neither hunting nor firearms are allowed in Yellowstone's backcountry.

Permits may be obtained only in person and no more than 48 hours in advance of your trip. Permits are available from most ranger stations and visitor centers. In order to obtain the best information on trail conditions, permits should be obtained from the ranger station or visitor center nearest to the area where your trip is to begin. The Backcountry Use Permit is valid only for the itinerary and dates specified. Backcountry travelers must have their permits in possession while in the backcountry.

Bicycling:

Bicycles are not available for rent at the park. If you plan to bring one, remember it is subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles. Bicycling is permitted on established public roads, parking areas, and designated routes. Bikes are prohibited on backcountry trails and boardwalks.

Several gravel roads are open to BOTH bicycle and automotive traffic. The Old Garidner Road and Blacktail Plateau Drive allow two-way bike traffic and one-way auto traffic. These roads are best suited for mountain bikes. Please do not block entrance gates when parking at these locations.

The following trails are restricted to only foot and bicycle traffic:

1. The abandoned railroad bed paralleling the Yellowstone River between Gardner and the park boundary at Reese Creek (5 miles).

2. Mammoth Service Road beginning at the top of the hill on the Old Gardiner Road above Mammoth, northwest to the telephone station (1.5 miles).

3. Bunsen Peak Road (6 miles) and Golden Gate Service Road between Golden Gate and Joffe Lake (1.5 miles).

4. Riverside Trail from entrance to Barnes Road (1.4 miles).

5. Fountain Freight Road is located 6 miles north of Old Faithful. Mountain bikes recommended (5.5 miles).

6. Daisy Geyser cut-off to Biscuit Basin.

7. The paved trail in front of Old Faithful Lodge to Morning Glory Pool. Bicycles are not allowed on the unpaved trail continuing beyond Morning Glory Pool to Biscuit Basin (2 miles).

8. Lone Star Geyser Road (just past the Kepler Cascades' pullout) from the Grand Loop Road to Lone Star Geyser (2 miles).

9. Natural Bridge Road near Bridge Bay (1 mile).

10. The old roadbed near the lakeshore between Lake Hotel and where the roadbed joins the main road south of Lake Junction (1 mile).

11. Mount Washburn from the Chittenden Road parking area to the summit of Mount Washburn (3 miles). Bicycles are NOT permitted on the trail between the summit and Dunraven Pass parking area.

12. Old Chittenden Service Road between Grand Loop Road and Tower Fall campground (2 miles).

13. Rose Creek Service Road behind the Lamar Ranger Station (1 mile).
Nature Programs
Yellowstone National Park offers two distinctive educational programs for children. Take a look below to see which program is right for your child.

Expedition: Yellowstone:

Through Expedition: Yellowstone! the National Park Service offers a 4-5 day curriculum-based residential program for students in grades 4-8. This long-standing program operates September through mid December and mid February through May. The program has two campuses. The historic Lamar Buffalo Ranch is used during the spring and fall. The Youth Conservation Corps facilities are used during winter months.

Expedition: Yellowstone! teaches students about the natural and cultural history of Yellowstone National Park, investigates current issues affecting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and promotes stewardship and preservation in the park and in home communities. Emphasis is on learning through direct experience in the outdoors. Students participate with teachers and parent chaperones in hikes, field investigations, discussions, creative dramatics, and journal writing. The program coordinator works with teachers to tailor an itinerary for the group that best meets their educational needs.

Expedition: Yellowstone! operates on a fee basis to cover faculty salaries and instructional supplies used by students. A staff of rangers with diverse education backgrounds instruct these expeditions to the park.

Junior Ranger Program:

Yellowstone National Park has an official Junior Ranger Program open to children ages 5 - 12. The goal of the program is to introduce children to the natural wonders of Yellowstone and their role in preserving them for the future.

To become a Junior Ranger, families pay a $3 fee for the 12-page activity paper, Yellowstone's Nature, available at any visitor center. After completing the age appropriate requirements described in the paper and reviewing their work with a ranger at any visitor center, participants are awarded an official Yellowstone Junior Ranger patch. Modeled after the National Park Service patch, Junior Ranger patches feature a stylized bear track for 8-12 year olds, a wolf track for 5-7 year olds, and a snowflake for all winter junior rangers.

Requirements include attending a Ranger-led program, hiking on a park trail, and completing activities on various park resources, issues, and concepts such as geothermal geology, park wildlife, and fire ecology.

Some winter activities require the use of a thermometer and hand lens, so make sure you ask to check out a Junior Ranger Snowpack. Snowpacks are available at both the Mammoth and Old Faithful visitor centers and snowshoes may be checked out in Mammoth.

Both children and adults benefit by sharing the fun of becoming a Junior Ranger.


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Directions
Plane - Commercial airlines serve the following airports near Yellowstone National Park all year Cody and Jackson, WY Bozeman and Billings, MT, and Idaho Falls, ID. The West Yellowstone, MT airport is open from June to early September.

Car - North Entrance - Near the gateway community of Gardiner, MT, the North Entrance is the only park entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year. November through April, the North Entrance provides the only access to Cooke City, MT. Beyond Cooke City the road is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. The road from Mammoth to Norris is open to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through the first Sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third Wednesday in December to Monday of the first full week in March. PWest Entrance - Adjacent to the town of West Yellowstone, MT, the West Entrance is open to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through the first Sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third Wednesday in December to Monday of the second full week in March. pSouth East Entrances - Open to wheeled vehicles from the first Friday of May through the first Sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third Wednesday in December to Monday of the second full week in March. Limited services are available near the South East Entrances. PNortheast Entrance - Near the gateway community of Cooke City, MT, this entrance is open year around for wheeled vehicle access to Cooke City through Gardiner, MT and the North Entrance. Opening dates for roads east of Cooke City vary from year to year, depending on the weather.

Public Transportation - Bus service from Bozeman, MT to West Yellowstone, MT via Highway 191 is available all year. Bus service directly from Idaho to West Yellowstone is limited to the summer months. Commercial transportation from Bozeman, MT to Gardiner, MT is available during the winter and summer seasons. Commercial transportation to the park from Cody and Jackson, WY is available during the summer season. There is no public transportation within the park.

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