Visiting Yellowstone National Park this summer? Come prepared. Take the pledge. Protect the park

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — If you plan to travel to Yellowstone National Park this summer, be prepared so you can protect yourself and this wild and awe-inspiring place.

Summer is Yellowstone’s most popular season. Expect busy facilities and destinations, as well as delayed travel times due to heavy traffic and wildlife jams. If you want a less crowded experience, arrive early or stay late and avoid main attractions during peak hours (like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Norris Geyser Basin).

Come prepared:

Read the Top Things to Know.

Check current park conditions for information on road construction, temporary road closures, and the backcountry situation report.

Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone. Text “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).

Reserve space in a campground or hotel — these facilities fill far in advance.

Expect very limited access to cellular phone service and WiFi.

Download Yellowstone’s app before you arrive.

Take the Yellowstone Pledge:

Pledge to act responsibly and safely, and set a good example for others during your visit.

Put the pledge (10 ways) into action.

Tell a ranger or call 911 if you see someone whose behavior might hurt them, others, or the park.

Protect yourself and the park while you are here:

Attend a ranger program or stop at a visitor center.

Read the 2019 visitor guide (you’ll get a copy when you drive through the entrance).

Stay on boardwalks and trails in thermal areas.

Maintain safe distances from wildlife (practice safe selfies).

Be bear aware. Carry bear spray. Know how to use it. Be alert. Make noise. Hike in groups. Do not run from a bear.

Operations at Yellowstone during government shutdown

In response to the lapse in federal appropriations, Yellowstone National Park is implementing its plan for a government shutdown:

  • Yellowstone will remain open; however, all government-run operations and facilities are closed. Entrance stations will not be staffed.
  • The road from the park’s North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs to the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City, Montana, is open to wheeled vehicle travel. Visitors can access all the commercial services along this route (including commercial services in Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower).
  • Visitors can also access commercial services in the interior of the park via oversnow travel (e.g. at Old Faithful). Concessioners are currently providing funding for road grooming so that oversnow access to the interior is possible.
  • Guided snowmobile and snowcoach trips with commercial operators will be allowed. Non-commercially guided snowmobile trips will also be allowed.
  • If conditions become unsafe at any time, roads and developed areas in the park may be closed.
  • Park staff will provide emergency services and law enforcement. All park regulations, including those regarding oversnow travel, are in effect as normal.
  • The park website and social media sites will not be maintained.
  • All administrative offices, including the public affairs office, will be closed until the government reopens.

Nearly all entrances and roads in Yellowstone to close Monday

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyoming — This weekend, Nov. 3 and 4, provides the last chance for visitors to drive to many iconic locations in Yellowstone National Park. The West, South and East entrances and all roads, with one exception, will close to vehicle travel at 8 a.m. Monday so the park can prepare them for the winter season and snowmobile and snowcoach travel, which will begin Dec. 15.

The one exception is the road from the park’s North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs to the park’s Northeast Entrance and the communities of Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana. This road is open all year, weather permitting. Travel east of Cooke City (via the Beartooth Highway) is not possible from late fall to late spring.

If you plan to drive to and in the park during the fall and winter, have flexible travel plans and prepare for changing weather conditions. Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice. Visit Park Roads for the status of Yellowstone roads. Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone, text “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).

Extensive information for planning a winter visit in Yellowstone, including information about lodging, camping, services, and activities, is available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/yell.

All communities near Yellowstone are open year-round, with local businesses offering a wide range of fall and winter recreation opportunities. For information about communities in Montana (Gardiner, West Yellowstone, Cooke City and Silver Gate), visit www.visitmt.com. For information about Wyoming communities (Cody and Jackson), visit www.wyomingtourism.org. And if your travel plans to the park take you through Idaho, visit www.visitidaho.org.

Nearly all entrances and roads in Yellowstone to close Monday

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyoming — This weekend, Nov. 3 and 4, provides the last chance for visitors to drive to many iconic locations in Yellowstone National Park. The West, South and East entrances and all roads, with one exception, will close to vehicle travel at 8 a.m. Monday so the park can prepare them for the winter season and snowmobile and snowcoach travel, which will begin Dec. 15.

The one exception is the road from the park’s North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs to the park’s Northeast Entrance and the communities of Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana. This road is open all year, weather permitting. Travel east of Cooke City (via the Beartooth Highway) is not possible from late fall to late spring.

If you plan to drive to and in the park during the fall and winter, have flexible travel plans and prepare for changing weather conditions. Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice. Visit Park Roads for the status of Yellowstone roads. Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone, text “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).

Extensive information for planning a winter visit in Yellowstone, including information about lodging, camping, services, and activities, is available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/yell.

All communities near Yellowstone are open year-round, with local businesses offering a wide range of fall and winter recreation opportunities. For information about communities in Montana (Gardiner, West Yellowstone, Cooke City and Silver Gate), visit www.visitmt.com. For information about Wyoming communities (Cody and Jackson), visit www.wyomingtourism.org. And if your travel plans to the park take you through Idaho, visit www.visitidaho.org.

Yellowstone recruiting for 2017 Youth Conservation Corps program

How would you like to help Yellowstone while you work, learn, play and serve in the world’s first national park?

Yellowstone National Park is currently recruiting for the 2017 Youth Conservation Corps program, a residential work-based education program for young men and women between the ages of 15 and 18.

Visit the Youth Conservation Corps Program at www.nps.gov/yell/learn/management/yccjobs.htm for application materials. Completed application materials must be received no later than March 1.

YCC is designed to develop an appreciation for the nation’s natural resources and heritage through unique educational, recreational and work experiences. Yellowstone recruits youth from all social, economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds for the program.

Corps members work together with National Park Service staff to complete conservation projects such as rehabilitation of trails, campground restoration and a wide variety of resource management, visitor support services and maintenance projects.

Participants and staff develop their job and leadership skills while further exploring personal values, gaining self-esteem, expanding their awareness of work ethics and learning firsthand about environmental and conservation issues. Corps members will also participate in evening and weekend recreational activities and discover the many options for careers in the National Park Service and other land management agencies.

Yellowstone will offer two, month-long YCC sessions, June 11 to July 12 and July 16 to Aug. 16. Sixty youth will be selected from across the country to participate in the program.

No previous wilderness experience is required, but a willingness and ability to work in a physically active outdoor program, getting along well with others and maintaining a positive attitude are essential for success.

Participants will be required to live on location, and room and board will be provided at a minimal cost. Wages will be set at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Applicants must be citizens of the United States and be 15 years of age by June 11, but not over 18 years of age by Aug. 16.

Questions may be directed to YELL_YCC_Office@nps.gov.

The Yellowstone YCC Program is funded by park entrance fees and Yellowstone Forever.