Yellowstone News and Information

News Release Yellowstone visitation statistics for October 2024 Inspiration Point at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone NPS / Ashton Hooker News Release Date:  November 14, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Yellowstone National Park hosted 346,025 recreation visits in October 2024. This is a 16% increase from October 2023 (299,127 recreational visits). This October’s visitation showed a 9% increase from October 2021 (316,662 recreation visits). So far in 2024, the park has hosted 4,692,810 recreation visits, up 6% from 2023 (4,446,509 recreation visits), and down 2% from 2021 (4,789,349 recreation visits). The list below shows the year-to-date trend for recreation visits over the last several years (through October):    2024 – 4,692,810 2023 – 4,446,509 2022 – 3,241,761  (The park was closed June 13 through June 21 due to the  historic flood  event. Three entrances opened on June 22.)   2021 – 4,789,349 2020 – 3,753,531  (The park was closed Mar

  Black bear density in Yellowstone’s Northern Range is highest in Northern Rockies

  Colorado Springs man banned from Yellowstone National Park

News Release Public input sought on proposal to improve Yellowstone National Park’s Northeast Entrance Road Project to enhance road’s resilience to natural disasters Northeast Entrance Road bridge with spalling concrete NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date: October 29, 2024 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, seeks public comment on a proposal to significantly improve 27 miles of the Northeast Entrance Road between Tower Junction and Yellowstone National Park’s Northeast Entrance. The road, damaged during the 2022 flood , is open to visitor vehicle traffic year-round and provides winter access to the communities of Cooke City/Silver Gate in Montana and to Lamar Valley, a main attraction in the park for world class wildlife viewing opportunities. The project aims to improve visitor safety, use and experience, while enhancing the road’s resilience to future floods and other na

  News Release Grizzly Bear 399 Fatally Struck by Vehicle in Snake River Canyon News Release Date:  October 23, 2024 JACKSON —  On the evening of Tuesday, October 22, 2024, grizzly bear 399 was fatally struck by a vehicle on Highway 26/89 in Snake River Canyon, south of Jackson, WY. The bear's identity was confirmed through ear tags and a microchip.  Grizzly bear 399 had a yearling cub with her, whose whereabouts are currently unknown. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the yearling was also involved in the incident, but the US Fish and Wildlife Service is monitoring the area.  Unfortunately, vehicle collisions with wildlife, including grizzly bears, are not uncommon across their range. The Service is working with state and local agencies to gather more information.  “People from around the world have followed grizzly bear 399 for several decades. At 28 years old, she was the oldest known reproducing female grizzly bear in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem,” said Hilary

  News Release Last day for visitors to enjoy most of Yellowstone National Park will be Oct. 31 Most entrances and roads will be closed Nov. 1 A coyote sits in the middle of the park road NPS / Jacob W. Frank MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – The last day for visitors to drive most of Yellowstone National Park’s roads will be Thursday, Oct. 31. The West, South and East entrances and nearly all roads will be closed to regular vehicle traffic Nov. 1. The park annually closes roads at this time of year to prepare them for the  winter season  and  snowmobile and snowcoach  travel, which will begin Dec. 15. Weather permitting, the road from Tower Fall to Canyon Village (Dunraven Pass) will remain open through Oct. 31. The only roads  open  year-round are between the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana (via Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and Lamar Valley). Visitors planning to drive in the park during the fall and winter should: Pre

News Release Yellowstone visitation statistics for September 2024 People at Norris Geyser Museum NPS / Jacob W. Frank MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Yellowstone National Park hosted 852,435 recreation visits in September 2024. This is a 2% increase from September 2023 (838,458 recreational visits). This September’s visitation showed an 3% decrease from September 2021 (882,078 recreation visits).   So far in 2024, the park has hosted 4,349,689 recreation visits, up 5% from 2023 (4,147,382 recreation visits), and down 3% from 2021 (4,472,687 recreation visits). The list below shows the year-to-date trend for recreation visits over the last several years (through September):    2024 – 4,349,689 2023 – 4,147,382 2022 – 3,005,194  (The park was closed June 13 through June 21 due to the  historic flood event . Three entrances opened on June 22.) 2021 – 4,472,687 2020 – 3,393,642  (The park was closed March 24 through May 17 due to COVID. Two entrances opened on May 18 and the remaining three open

  Yellowstone got its first snowfall this week - here’s everything you need to be ready for winter hiking

"I will never forget today" – chilling note found at mountain summit provides clues in case of missing Yellowstone hiker

  Yellowstone boss: Higher fees are on the table to meet staffing, visitation needs

Missing Yellowstone Hiker’s Dad: “Just Keep Praying For Him”

  News Release Update: Artists Paintpots in Yellowstone National Park now open News Release Date:  October 11, 2024 Contact:   Linda Veress , (307) 344-2015 Crews finished repairs to the boardwalks ahead of schedule, and Artists Paintpots are now open. News Release (Heads Up) Temporary closure of Artists Paintpots in Yellowstone National Park Visitors on the Artists Paintpots Trail Matt Poyner News Release Date:  October 8, 2024 Contact:   Linda Veress , (307) 344-2015 Effective immediately, the parking lot, trail and boardwalks at  Artists Paintpots , located south of Norris Junction in the western part of Yellowstone, is temporarily closed for repairs. There is no access to the hydrothermal features and mudpots during the closure, which will last up to two weeks. Crews will repair the accessible boardwalk ramp, ensuring visitor safety and access from the parking lot to the trail network. Last updated: October 8, 2024

Paradise Valley wildlife overpass project receives grant

Haunted Wyoming: The Headless Bride Of Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn

For Decades, Visitors Could Swim In Old Faithful Waters For 50 Cents       (National Park Service Photo Collection)

  Yellowstone sees rebirth of wolves along ancient Native American trails

  News Release Search on Eagle Peak in Yellowstone National Park moves from rescue to recovery, scales back Air and ground search efforts near Eagle Peak during Sept. 21-30, 2024. NPS Subscribe    |  What is RSS News Release Date:  October 2, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 After 11 days of searching, Yellowstone National Park will scale back efforts to locate Austin King in the vicinity of Eagle Peak and transition from a rescue to recovery today, Oct. 2. To date, more than 100 personnel including two helicopters, search dog teams, ground teams with spotting scopes, trackers, and a drone have searched more than 3,225 miles by air and ground at elevations ranging from 11,350 feet to 8,400 feet. Unfortunately, they have not found any definitive clues as to King’s current whereabouts. View a  map  that shows the extensive air and ground search efforts to date. King, an employee of Xanterra Parks and Resorts, a private business authorized to operate in Yellowstone, failed

  News Release UPDATE: Active search and rescue in remote southeast corner of Yellowstone National Park Public’s assistance requested NPS Subscribe    |  What is RSS News Release Date:  September 24, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 Yellowstone National Park, with assistance from Grand Teton National Park, Park County, Wyoming, and Teton County, Wyoming, continue to look for Austin King by foot and air in the vicinity of  Eagle Peak  in the park’s remote southeast corner. Since Saturday, Sept. 21, 85 personnel, two helicopters, a search dog team, and an  uncrewed aircraft  have focused efforts on the high-elevation, expansive and hazardous area. See  photos .  Searchers report  accumulations of snow and ice  and 6-foot drifts on  Eagle Peak . View a  map  that shows the search efforts to date. Teams will continue to search for the next several days as conditions  continue to improve due to favorable weather forecasts. Yellowstone National Park  asks  for the public’s ass

News Release Yellowstone National Park releases body worn camera footage from July 4, 2024 officer-involved shooting at Canyon Village Date:  September 19, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , 307-344-2015 As part of the National Park Service’s established protocol regarding officer-involved shootings, Yellowstone National Park has released body worn camera footage from a  July 4, 2024,  officer-involved shooting  at Canyon Village. The community briefing video shows the significant sections of the body worn camera footage from some of the involved law enforcement officers. The video is intended to help community members gain a better understanding of what occurred. This incident is still under investigation. The investigation, which includes the actions taken by NPS law enforcement officers, is being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. All information in the community briefing video is based on the details currently available. Some images and audio in this video have been altered

  News Release Woman sustains thermal burns in Yellowstone National Park Stay on trails and boardwalks in thermal areas Old Faithful northbound sign NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date:  September 18, 2024 Contact:   Linda Veress , (307) 344-2015 On Monday afternoon, Sept. 16, 2024, a 60-year-old woman visiting Yellowstone National Park from Windsor, New Hampshire, reportedly suffered second and third-degree burns to her lower leg while walking in a thermal area near Mallard Lake Trailhead at Old Faithful. The woman was walking off-trail with her husband and leashed dog in a thermal area when she broke through a thin crust over scalding water and suffered burns to her leg. The husband and dog were not injured. The woman and her husband went to a park medical clinic where they were evaluated. The patient was later transported via helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for further treatment. Visitors are reminded to stay on boardwalks and trails in hydrothermal areas and

  News Release UPDATE: Partial fishing restrictions lifted on the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park All parkwide fishing restrictions due to warm water temperatures and low flows lifted Fishing along the Gibbon River. NPS / Jacob W. Frank All parkwide fishing restrictions due to warm water temperatures and low flows lifted Date of release: September 16, 2024 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - Effective immediately, the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park is now open to fly fishing from sunrise to sunset. The park has lifted the partial fishing closure on this river and its associated tributaries due to cooler water temperatures. All fishing restrictions parkwide due to warm water temperatures and low flows have now been lifted. Read the  Fishing Regulations 2024 Booklet  for more information about fishing in Yellowstone.

On Location: This New Docuseries Explores Humankind's Deep Connections to Yellowstone, Zion, and More

  Idaho grizzly bear killing reveals insights into investigation of wildlife crimes

  Growth, changing economies biggest challenges facing the Greater Yellowstone, speakers say

  Yellowstone’s East Gate slumping in recreational visits, but Park County faring better than other gateway communities in visitor spending

  News Release Yellowstone visitation statistics for August 2024 Bison jam in Hayden Valley during rut                                                                     NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date: September 11, 2024 Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Yellowstone National Park hosted 871,163 recreation visits in August 2024, up 3% from August 2023 (846,389 recreation visits). This August’s visitation showed an 5% decrease from August 2021 (921,844 recreation visits). So far in 2024, the park has hosted 3,497,254 recreation visits, up 6% from 2023 (3,308,924 recreation visits), and down 3% from 2021 (3,590,609 recreation visits). The list below shows the year-to-date trend for recreation visits over the last several years (through August): 2024 – 3,497,254 2023 – 3,308,924 2022 – 2,437,607 (The park was closed June 13 through June 21 due to the historic flood event. Three entrances opened on June 22.)

Idaho Bowhunters Kill Grizzly in Self-Defense During ‘Surprise Encounter’ Near Yellowstone

1940s Yellowstone Travelog footage

  News Release Tourism to Yellowstone National Park contributes $828 million to local economy Report shows visitor spending supports 8,560 jobs in nearby communities Taking photos at the North Entrance NPS / Neal Herbert News Release Date:  August 28, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – A new National Park Service report shows that 4.5 million visitors to Yellowstone National Park in 2023 spent $623 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 8,560 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $828 million. “I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said  National Park Service Director Chuck Sams . “And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country.”   The National Park Service report,  2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effect