10 Ways You Can “Yellowstone” Right This Summer! (that’s right…we turned “Yellowstone” into a verb!)
“That the tract of land in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming, lying near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River,… is hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” Excerpt from the “Yellowstone National Park Protection Act, passed by the 42nd Congress and signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872
Our National Parks have been in the news a lot lately, and all of us at Yellowstone Wild know you have questions (see our FAQ’s). While we can’t provide answers to all of them, or guarantee exactly what you can expect, our decades of Yellowstone experience has allowed us to offer some insights to help you prepare for a memorable and rejuvenating visit this summer. Our small business has learned to adapt quickly to ensure operating success through government shutdowns, the Covid pandemic, the 2022 500-year flood event, and ever-increasing visitation despite declining National Park Service staffing. Using our shared experience, we have created this guide of local’s insights on how you can “Yellowstone” for an incredible summer vacation!
“Will Yellowstone be open this summer?” remains the most common question we’ve heard in the last three weeks.
The answer as of today is YES, Yellowstone National Park remains open for all visitors looking to experience its incredible landscapes, diverse wildlife, geothermal wonders, hiking trails, backpacking opportunities, fishing adventures, and educational excursions! The Yellowstone Wild team can’t wait to welcome the curious summer masses in just a few weeks!!!
However, with record visitation in the last decade–and a recent reduction in full-time permanent National Park Service (NPS) support staff (responsible for training the much larger pool of NPS seasonal employees)–it is possible travelers could experience minor inconveniences. Visitor facilities may see reduced hours, fewer cleanings, decreased trash removal, less camping availability, limited National Park Service interpretive and educational programming, and long lines at entrance gates, backcountry permit offices, and visitor center information desks.
What does this mean for your vacation?
While we fully expect the park to remain open as usual, we could see a few changes to available in-park services. As a responsible traveler, your role is crucial in helping to minimize strain on the park’s landscape, wildlife, geology, and infrastructure. Your actions can make a significant difference while still allowing you to enjoy everything the park offers.
With a bit of pre-trip preparation on your part, we have no doubt that Yellowstone will remain an extraordinary destination for those seeking inspiration in the wonders of the world’s first National Park!
A newly born bison calf and it’s mother. Photo by YW Lead Naturalist/Photo Guide, Rob Harwood.
10 Ways You Can “Yellowstone” Right This Summer!
1.) Take the Yellowstone Pledge.
And encourage visiting friends, colleagues, and family to join you in caring for our first National Park!
2.) Purchase your park entrance pass in advance.
Visitors may experience longer wait times at our five entrance gates. To expedite entry, plan on purchasing your park passes before your arrival and having them ready when you get to the entrance booth. Visit the Yellowstone Wild FAQ’s page for more information on which pass is right for your group.
3.) Avoid disposing of trash and recycling in park receptacles that may be overflowing (especially food scraps!)
Yellowstone’s trash and recycling bins fill up quickly, and a reduction in waste removal staff may lead to infrequent in-park trash/recycling removal.
Human food and packaging are harmful to wildlife. If bears and other wildlife gain food rewards from humans, they may become aggressive in their attempts to get more. Habituation such as this usually leads to bears, foxes, coyotes, wolves, and other wildlife being removed from the population (euthanized), as well as injuries and damage to humans and human property.
Plan on bringing your own trash/recycling bags (reusable if possible!) and packing your waste out of the park when you leave. This includes biodegradable food waste like banana peels or apple cores. Additionally, by bringing reusable mugs, water bottles, utensils, food containers, and cloth napkins or towels, personal waste is greatly minimized (and saves money!).
4.) Bring your own “toiletry” kit (toilet paper, bags to pack out used TP, a trowel, and hand sanitizer).
One of the side effects of the COVID closures and government shutdowns was fewer clean, stocked, and functioning restroom facilities. This was the result of decreased NPS maintenance staff. Yellowstone is well supplied with hundreds of vault “outhouse” style toilets and dozens of flush toilets (in developed areas). However, should summer crowds overwhelm available maintenance crews, a “traveling” bathroom setup can be a lifesaver – and a blessing for the continued unspoiled beauty of our resource.
Click the link below to learn minimally impactful techniques to ensure there are no visible traces of your backcountry visit to the “facilitrees.” “Backcountry Bathroom Breaks”: Tips for Managing Nature’s Calls in the Wilderness
The best “bathrooms” have views! Picture by YW GM Tyrene R.
5.) Always practice responsible land use by adhering to Leave No Trace Principles.
Take the QUIZ to test your knowledge about minimizing your impact on the environment and recreating in an ethical and responsible manner by following these seven simple principles:
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- Plan ahead and prepare.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Leave what you find.
- Minimize campfire impacts (be careful with fire).
- Respect wildlife.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
6.) Set yourself up for success by familiarizing yourself with, and ALWAYS adhering to, NPS Rules & Regulations.
Park rangers respond to thousands of visitor violations each year (primarily due to unfamiliarity with these regulations). At Yellowstone Wild, our naturalist guide staff ensures our guests follow NPS rules and our own Code of Ethics (see our FAQ’s page). As local residents and committed park advocates, our company believes, first and foremost, in protecting the safety of our guests and the legacy of our resource. Repeated violations of NPS park policies or YW’s Code of Ethics are not tolerated on our tours.
Yellowstone National Park Rules & Regulations
These items are prohibited in Yellowstone National Park: (click link above for a complete list of NPS Regulations):
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- Minimum distances from wildlife are 100 yards (93 meters) from wolves, bears, and mountain lions, and 25 yards (23 meters) from all other animals.
- Additionally, human presence/activities that alter the natural behavior of any animal at any distance is prohibited and requires immediately increasing our distance or leaving altogether.
- Hunting or feeding wildlife.
- Traveling off boardwalks or designated trails in hydrothermal areas.
- Throwing anything into thermal features.
- Removing or possessing natural or cultural resources (such as wildflowers, antlers, rocks, and arrowheads).
- Imitating elk calls or using buglers. Imitating wolf howls.
- Launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) on lands and waters.
7.) Minimize congestion by visiting popular areas early in the morning or later in the evening.
This helps reduce traffic jams, meaning fewer lines at visitor centers, restaurants, gift shops, and bathrooms, and offers easier access to parking at popular features such as Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, and the Grand Prismatic overlook. Peak entrance hours during June, July, and August are 9:00am-3:00pm.
Sunrise on Yellowstone’s Northern Range. Notice the absence of other visitors. Photo courtesy of YW Naturalist Aleksa B.
8.) If entering the backcountry (more than a mile from a road) research your route and have an emergency plan.
Search & Rescue services will be available but personnel may be limited. Please take responsibility for your well-being before venturing into the backcountry by following all Leave No Trace principles and ensuring you are properly equipped with the following:
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- extra food, water, & water filtration
- Bear spray
- fire making tools, maps, compass, pencil/paper,
- First Aid kit with extra prescription medications (if needed), sunblock, and chapstick
- warm layers (beanie style hat, gloves, warm socks, emergency blanket, rain gear)
- a satellite communication device (cell phone service is EXTREMELY limited in the park)
- waterproof shoes/boots
- Always tell someone your route, estimated return time, and what you are wearing
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9:) Plan on purchasing fishing, backpacking, and boating permits online in advance of your arrival.
Should NPS staffing be limited this summer, having permits in hand (or on your phone) will save you valuable time better spent enjoying the park. Wi-Fi service in the park is extremely limited and often very slow so take advantage of your wicked-fast service at home! Backcountry Permit Information. Fishing Permits. Boating Permits.
10.) If you love our National Park and would like to take action to continue it’s preservation…
Consider reaching out to the official philanthropic non-profit partners of the park, Yellowstone Forever. This organization works directly with Yellowstone’s National Park Service staff to fund critical park projects, research, interpretive and educational opportunities, and more, that fall outside the scope of federal funds. Financial donations can be directed for specific park projects or pooled in a general fund for all park needs. If donating time is more appealing, volunteers are always welcome.
The Roosevelt Arch at Yellowstone’s North Entrance in Gardiner, MT. Dedicated to President Theodore Roosevelt on April 24, 1903.
Yellowstone National Park is like nothing else on earth, and it takes all of us to help protect it. By being an informed and responsible visitor, you can minimize your impact on the resource, the committed and hard-working NPS and concessions staffs, and the park’s visitor facilities to ensure future generations have the same opportunity to experience its wild beauty. So pack smart, travel responsibly, and enjoy your summer adventure in Yellowstone!
If you love the idea of learning how to “Yellowstone” like a local, Yellowstone Wild would be honored to host you for a day or more! Our private and public guided adventures include opportunities to “Engage Your Curiosity” by searching for what inspires YOU! Whether it’s views of the “big three” (bison, grizzlies, and wolves) and other wildlife, deep-dives (figuratively of course 😉 into the rich geologic story of the Yellowstone volcano, cultural history, or the endless complexities of managing a 2.2 million acre tract of land as a wilderness, our staff promises an unforgettable experience with minimal impact, a commitment to ethical resource engagement, and top-notch guest service.
Blog written by YW Co-owner & General Manager, Tyrene R.
To learn more about Tyrene, and the entire Yellowstone Wild team, click HERE.