Yellowstone Set for Memorial Day Season Kick-Off
Date: May 22, 2012
Yellowstone Set For Memorial Day Summer Season Kick-Off
While the official start of summer is still weeks away, summer season in Yellowstone really begins with the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
All park entrances are open for the season. The road over Dunraven Pass linking Canyon Village and Tower Fall opens for the season on Friday morning, May 25. Also opening the same day is the Beartooth Highway, the section of US-212 outside the park which connects the communities of Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana, and the park's Northeast Entrance.
Most seasonal visitor services are open in time for the Memorial Day weekend. Saturday also marks the opening of fishing season in the park. Details are available online athttp://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit, by consulting the park newspaper handed out at entrance stations, or by asking the staff at visitor centers and information stations in and near the park.
There will be no daytime travel delays or overnight road closures due to construction during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for cloudy skies and a 50 percent chance of rain, with high temperatures in the mid 40s. Spring visitors to the park are encouraged to have flexible travel plans and to be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions.
All communities near and on the way to Yellowstone are open all year, offering a wide range of recreation opportunities and activities for visitors to the region.
Information on lodging, camping, services, and activities near the park in Montana including the towns of Gardiner, West Yellowstone, and Cooke City, is available by contacting their respective Chambers of Commerce or from Travel Montana at 800-847-4868 orhttp://visitmt.com/.
Information on visiting Wyoming including the communities of Cody and Jackson is available from their Chambers of Commerce, or by contacting Wyoming Travel and Tourism at 800-225-5996, or on the web at http://www.wyomingtourism.org/.
Idaho travel information is available by calling the Idaho Tourism Division at 800-VISITID or online at http://www.visitidaho.org.
While the official start of summer is still weeks away, summer season in Yellowstone really begins with the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
All park entrances are open for the season. The road over Dunraven Pass linking Canyon Village and Tower Fall opens for the season on Friday morning, May 25. Also opening the same day is the Beartooth Highway, the section of US-212 outside the park which connects the communities of Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana, and the park's Northeast Entrance.
Most seasonal visitor services are open in time for the Memorial Day weekend. Saturday also marks the opening of fishing season in the park. Details are available online athttp://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit, by consulting the park newspaper handed out at entrance stations, or by asking the staff at visitor centers and information stations in and near the park.
There will be no daytime travel delays or overnight road closures due to construction during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for cloudy skies and a 50 percent chance of rain, with high temperatures in the mid 40s. Spring visitors to the park are encouraged to have flexible travel plans and to be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions.
All communities near and on the way to Yellowstone are open all year, offering a wide range of recreation opportunities and activities for visitors to the region.
Information on lodging, camping, services, and activities near the park in Montana including the towns of Gardiner, West Yellowstone, and Cooke City, is available by contacting their respective Chambers of Commerce or from Travel Montana at 800-847-4868 orhttp://visitmt.com/.
Information on visiting Wyoming including the communities of Cody and Jackson is available from their Chambers of Commerce, or by contacting Wyoming Travel and Tourism at 800-225-5996, or on the web at http://www.wyomingtourism.org/.
Idaho travel information is available by calling the Idaho Tourism Division at 800-VISITID or online at http://www.visitidaho.org.
Yellowstone Invites Bids To Provide Lodging, Retail, and Other Visitor Services
Date: May 18, 2012
The National Park Service has released a prospectus soliciting competitive proposals from businesses interested in providing a wide range of visitor services in Yellowstone National Park.
This concessions contract covers lodging, retail sales, restaurants, and many other visitor services which are currently provided by Xanterra Parks & Resorts, under a contract which expires at the end of November 2013.
In return for a 20-year contract, the successful bidder will be required toinvest an estimated $134.5 million in facilities improvements. They include redevelopment of lodging at Canyon, renovation of the Fishing Bridge RV Park, Phase II of the renovation of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, construction of new concession employee housing at Lake and Old Faithful, rehabilitation of the Mammoth Haynes Photo Shop, and changes necessary to provide year-round lodging at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
The contract will also require the successful bidder to spend an additional 6-percent of gross revenues on repair and maintenance of assigned facilities, and pay a franchise fee of 4.3-percent or 6.8-percent to the park, depending on other agreed upon contract terms. The current contract holder reported gross receipts of approximately $90 million for calendar year 2011.
An electronic copy of the prospectus and additional information including details of a site visit for potential bidders is available online athttp://www.concessions.nps.gov/yell077-13.htm.
This concessions contract covers lodging, retail sales, restaurants, and many other visitor services which are currently provided by Xanterra Parks & Resorts, under a contract which expires at the end of November 2013.
In return for a 20-year contract, the successful bidder will be required toinvest an estimated $134.5 million in facilities improvements. They include redevelopment of lodging at Canyon, renovation of the Fishing Bridge RV Park, Phase II of the renovation of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, construction of new concession employee housing at Lake and Old Faithful, rehabilitation of the Mammoth Haynes Photo Shop, and changes necessary to provide year-round lodging at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
The contract will also require the successful bidder to spend an additional 6-percent of gross revenues on repair and maintenance of assigned facilities, and pay a franchise fee of 4.3-percent or 6.8-percent to the park, depending on other agreed upon contract terms. The current contract holder reported gross receipts of approximately $90 million for calendar year 2011.
An electronic copy of the prospectus and additional information including details of a site visit for potential bidders is available online athttp://www.concessions.nps.gov/yell077-13.htm.
Active Duty U.S. Military Officers Allowed Access To All National Parks
Date: May 16, 2012
To show its appreciation for those who serve in the U.S. Military, on May 19 - Armed Forces Day - the National Park Service will begin issuing an annual pass offering free entrance to Yellowstone and the all 397 national parks for active duty military members and their dependents.
Active duty members of the U.S. Military and their dependents can pick up their pass at any park entrance station. They must show a current, valid military identification card to obtain their pass. More information is available at www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm.
This military version of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass also permits free entrance to sites managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service. The pass is also available at these locations.
"Through the years, military members, especially those far from home in times of conflict, have found inspiration in America's patriotic icons and majestic landscapes, places like the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon that are cared for by the National Park Service and symbolize the nation that their sacrifices protect," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "This new pass is a way to thank military members and their families for their service and their sacrifices."
National parks and the military have strong ties going back to the establishment of Yellowstone as the world's first national park in 1872.
The U.S. Cavalry watched over America's national parks and did double duty, serving as the first park rangers until the National Park Service was created 44 years later. During World War II, many parks were set aside for the training and care of military personnel. Today, dozens of national parks commemorate military battles and achievements.
Active duty members of the U.S. Military and their dependents can pick up their pass at any park entrance station. They must show a current, valid military identification card to obtain their pass. More information is available at www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm.
This military version of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass also permits free entrance to sites managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service. The pass is also available at these locations.
"Through the years, military members, especially those far from home in times of conflict, have found inspiration in America's patriotic icons and majestic landscapes, places like the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon that are cared for by the National Park Service and symbolize the nation that their sacrifices protect," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "This new pass is a way to thank military members and their families for their service and their sacrifices."
National parks and the military have strong ties going back to the establishment of Yellowstone as the world's first national park in 1872.
The U.S. Cavalry watched over America's national parks and did double duty, serving as the first park rangers until the National Park Service was created 44 years later. During World War II, many parks were set aside for the training and care of military personnel. Today, dozens of national parks commemorate military battles and achievements.
Free Programs Mark Migratory Bird Day in Yellowstone
Date: May 14, 2012
Like clockwork each spring, many migratory birds return to or fly over environments like Yellowstone National Park en route to their breeding areas.
Yellowstone and the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center staff will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 19, with free programs and a field trip that are open to the public.
A ranger-led bird watching car caravan is set for Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to noon inside the park. Those interested in participating should meet at the Madison Junction picnic area. Caravan riders are reminded they will still need to pay the $25 park entrance fee.
Saturday afternoon, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana, will host programs, games and crafts. Children of all ages can play the migration game, "It's a Risky Journey," create bird masks and origami or participate in a variety of other programs and activities.
Yellowstone and the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center staff will celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 19, with free programs and a field trip that are open to the public.
A ranger-led bird watching car caravan is set for Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m. to noon inside the park. Those interested in participating should meet at the Madison Junction picnic area. Caravan riders are reminded they will still need to pay the $25 park entrance fee.
Saturday afternoon, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana, will host programs, games and crafts. Children of all ages can play the migration game, "It's a Risky Journey," create bird masks and origami or participate in a variety of other programs and activities.
Yellowstone's South Entrance Open To Cars Tomorrow
Date: May 10, 2012
The South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park opens for automobile travel at 8:00 a.m. Friday, May 11, allowing spring visitors from the Jackson, Wyoming, area access to Lake and Old Faithful. The roads from the park's North and West Entrances opened as scheduled on April 20, and the East Entrance opened May 4.
Visitors should be aware that spring in Yellowstone is very unpredictable and can still bring cold temperatures, high winds and falling snow. Even cleared sections of roads can be narrow and covered with a layer of snow, ice and debris. Drivers should use extreme caution as road clearing operations can be ongoing at any time throughout the park.
By Friday, most visitor facilities will be open at Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful, and limited facilities will be available at Canyon, Fishing Bridge and Grant Village. The opening of popular campgrounds and trails, especially those in the backcountry, could be delayed. A complete list of facility and road closures can be found on the web atwww.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/open_closedates.htm.
Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.
For information on roads outside of the park from Cooke City over Colter Pass to the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, travelers in Wyoming may dial 511; those outside of Wyoming may call 1-888-996-7623, or visit the Wyoming Department of Transportation website athttp://www.wyoroad.info/.
For information on the Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge, Montana, travelers in Montana may dial 511; those outside Montana may call 1-800-226-7623, or visit the Montana Department of Transportation website athttp://mdt511.com/.
Visitors should be aware that spring in Yellowstone is very unpredictable and can still bring cold temperatures, high winds and falling snow. Even cleared sections of roads can be narrow and covered with a layer of snow, ice and debris. Drivers should use extreme caution as road clearing operations can be ongoing at any time throughout the park.
By Friday, most visitor facilities will be open at Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful, and limited facilities will be available at Canyon, Fishing Bridge and Grant Village. The opening of popular campgrounds and trails, especially those in the backcountry, could be delayed. A complete list of facility and road closures can be found on the web atwww.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/open_closedates.htm.
Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.
For information on roads outside of the park from Cooke City over Colter Pass to the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, travelers in Wyoming may dial 511; those outside of Wyoming may call 1-888-996-7623, or visit the Wyoming Department of Transportation website athttp://www.wyoroad.info/.
For information on the Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge, Montana, travelers in Montana may dial 511; those outside Montana may call 1-800-226-7623, or visit the Montana Department of Transportation website athttp://mdt511.com/.
Yellowstone's East Entrance Opens Friday
Date: May 3, 2012
The East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park opens to automobile travel for the season at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 4.
With repairs completed on a section of road temporarily closed south of Canyon Junction, this allows all park visitors early spring access between the East Entrance, Fishing Bridge, and Canyon.
The road from the park's North and West Entrances to Madison, Canyon and Old Faithful opened as scheduled on April 20.
Roads from the Lake area and from Old Faithful south to West Thumb/Grant Village and the park's South Entrance are scheduled to open May 11.
The road from Gardiner, Montana, through the park's North Entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs and Cooke City, Montana, is open to automobiles all year, weather permitting.
Earlier this week, crews from Yellowstone National Park began the spring clearing of US-212 east of Cooke City, Montana. The section of road linking the park's Northeast Entrance with WY-296, the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, is now open to auto travel. Plow crews from both the park and the Montana Department of Transportation are working to open the road from the junction of WY-296 over the Beartooth Pass to Red Lodge, Montana, by May 25.
Park crews are also making progress clearing snow from the road linking Canyon and Tower Fall over Dunraven Pass. It is also scheduled to open to travel on May 25.
Limited visitor services are available at this time of year, but some facilities are currently open at Old Faithful, Canyon, and Mammoth. For information on facility opening dates, please visithttp://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/open_closedates.htm.
Visitors should be aware that spring in Yellowstone is very unpredictable and often brings cold temperatures, high winds and falling snow. Even cleared sections of roads can be narrow and covered with a layer of snow, ice and debris. Drivers should use extreme caution as road clearing operations can be ongoing at any time throughout the park. In the case of extreme weather conditions, temporary road closures are also possible with little or no advance warning.
Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.
For information on roads outside of the park from Cooke City over Colter Pass to the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, travelers in Wyoming may dial 511; those outside of Wyoming may call 1-888-996-7623, or visit the Wyoming Department of Transportation website at http://www.wyoroad.info/.
For information on the Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge, Montana, travelers in Montana may dial 511; those outside Montana may call 1-800-226-7623, or visit the Montana Department of Transportation website at http://mdt511.com/.
With repairs completed on a section of road temporarily closed south of Canyon Junction, this allows all park visitors early spring access between the East Entrance, Fishing Bridge, and Canyon.
The road from the park's North and West Entrances to Madison, Canyon and Old Faithful opened as scheduled on April 20.
Roads from the Lake area and from Old Faithful south to West Thumb/Grant Village and the park's South Entrance are scheduled to open May 11.
The road from Gardiner, Montana, through the park's North Entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs and Cooke City, Montana, is open to automobiles all year, weather permitting.
Earlier this week, crews from Yellowstone National Park began the spring clearing of US-212 east of Cooke City, Montana. The section of road linking the park's Northeast Entrance with WY-296, the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, is now open to auto travel. Plow crews from both the park and the Montana Department of Transportation are working to open the road from the junction of WY-296 over the Beartooth Pass to Red Lodge, Montana, by May 25.
Park crews are also making progress clearing snow from the road linking Canyon and Tower Fall over Dunraven Pass. It is also scheduled to open to travel on May 25.
Limited visitor services are available at this time of year, but some facilities are currently open at Old Faithful, Canyon, and Mammoth. For information on facility opening dates, please visithttp://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/open_closedates.htm.
Visitors should be aware that spring in Yellowstone is very unpredictable and often brings cold temperatures, high winds and falling snow. Even cleared sections of roads can be narrow and covered with a layer of snow, ice and debris. Drivers should use extreme caution as road clearing operations can be ongoing at any time throughout the park. In the case of extreme weather conditions, temporary road closures are also possible with little or no advance warning.
Updated Yellowstone National Park road information is available 24 hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.
For information on roads outside of the park from Cooke City over Colter Pass to the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, travelers in Wyoming may dial 511; those outside of Wyoming may call 1-888-996-7623, or visit the Wyoming Department of Transportation website at http://www.wyoroad.info/.
For information on the Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge, Montana, travelers in Montana may dial 511; those outside Montana may call 1-800-226-7623, or visit the Montana Department of Transportation website at http://mdt511.com/.
Visitors Ticketed For Walking On An Old Faithful Geyser Cone
Members of a tour group were issued citations Wednesday evening for walking on the cone of the world’s most famous geyser.
An individual from Wisconsin called to tip-off park rangers after watching the situation unfold on the Old Faithful live streaming web cam. When the first park ranger arrived on the scene, she found approximately 30 people off the boardwalk, standing around the cone of the geyser taking photographs.
After getting them safely back on the boardwalk, members of the group told the ranger they had not seen any of the numerous and prominent signs they walked past which warn visitors of the dangers found in thermal areas and of the requirement to stay on boardwalks and designated trails.
The tour group leader, the bus driver, and one member of the first group of four visitors who walked off the boardwalk were cited for being off trail in a thermal area, a violation of federal law with a $125 fine.
Articles in the free park newspaper, on the park web site, podcasts, and on signs posted throughout the park, all remind visitors to stay on boardwalks and established trails when visiting Yellowstone National Park.
For their safety and the safety of others, visitors are told to keep children close and not to run on boardwalks or on trails in thermal areas. Pets are not allowed in or near thermal areas. Swimming in the hot pools is prohibited.
Unfortunately, almost every year one or more visitors who ignore all these warnings fall through the fragile, thin crust in a thermal area and are burned by the boiling water beneath.
There are more than 10,000 geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and steam vents in Yellowstone National Park, the largest collection of hydrothermal features anywhere in the world. Old Faithful erupts about every 90 minutes, shooting a column of boiling water and steam 130 feet or more into the air.
This is not the first time a web cam viewer has notified park rangers about visitors off boardwalk and on the cone of Old Faithful. The most famous prior incident occurred in May 2009, when six visitors were spotted urinating in the geyser cone. They were found guilty of a variety of charges, with one of the six fined $750, placed on three years of probation, and banned from the park for two years.
An individual from Wisconsin called to tip-off park rangers after watching the situation unfold on the Old Faithful live streaming web cam. When the first park ranger arrived on the scene, she found approximately 30 people off the boardwalk, standing around the cone of the geyser taking photographs.
After getting them safely back on the boardwalk, members of the group told the ranger they had not seen any of the numerous and prominent signs they walked past which warn visitors of the dangers found in thermal areas and of the requirement to stay on boardwalks and designated trails.
The tour group leader, the bus driver, and one member of the first group of four visitors who walked off the boardwalk were cited for being off trail in a thermal area, a violation of federal law with a $125 fine.
Articles in the free park newspaper, on the park web site, podcasts, and on signs posted throughout the park, all remind visitors to stay on boardwalks and established trails when visiting Yellowstone National Park.
For their safety and the safety of others, visitors are told to keep children close and not to run on boardwalks or on trails in thermal areas. Pets are not allowed in or near thermal areas. Swimming in the hot pools is prohibited.
Unfortunately, almost every year one or more visitors who ignore all these warnings fall through the fragile, thin crust in a thermal area and are burned by the boiling water beneath.
There are more than 10,000 geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and steam vents in Yellowstone National Park, the largest collection of hydrothermal features anywhere in the world. Old Faithful erupts about every 90 minutes, shooting a column of boiling water and steam 130 feet or more into the air.
This is not the first time a web cam viewer has notified park rangers about visitors off boardwalk and on the cone of Old Faithful. The most famous prior incident occurred in May 2009, when six visitors were spotted urinating in the geyser cone. They were found guilty of a variety of charges, with one of the six fined $750, placed on three years of probation, and banned from the park for two years.