Yellowstone News and Information

  News Release Three Yellowstone wolves killed in Montana during first week of Montana’s hunting season Junction Butte pups (not the pups recently killed) photographed by wolf program park staff using a telephoto lens. NPS / Jeremy SunderRaj 2019 Subscribe | What is RSS News Release Date: September 27, 2021 Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - Yellowstone National Park wolf biologists report that the park’s Junction Butte Pack (27 wolves) lost three wolves to Montana hunters during the first week of Montana’s wolf hunting season. The Junction Butte Pack transcends Yellowstone’s northern range and is the most viewed wolf pack in the world. Multiple recent overflights conducted by the park confirmed the pack size has been reduced from 27 to 24 animals, losing two female pups and one female yearling. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) confirms three wolves were killed outside of Yellowstone in the general vicinit

  Kaye’s Corner: Yellowstone National Park

News Release Grand Teton hosts fourth busiest August NPS Photo/J. Bonney News Release Date: September 23, 2021 Contact: C.J. Adams, 307.739.3431 MOOSE, WY— Grand Teton National Park statistics show that August 2021 had the fourth highest number of recreation visits for the month of August. The park hosted an estimated 696,564 recreation visits in August 2021. This is a less than 1% decrease from August 2019 (702,022 recreation visits) and a less than 2% decrease from August 2020 (710,198 recreation visits). Camping in the park increased 13.2% in August 2021 compared to August 2019, while backcountry camping decreased 1.77%. Trail use in the park increased 20.5% in August 2021, compared to August 2019, on trails that use is counted. August recreation visits over the last several years: August 2021 696,564           August 2020 710,198(*) COVID-19 pandemic August 2019 702,022 August 2018 692,074 August 2017 716,690* Total Solar Eclipse   Augus

  Chimacum man died of exposure, brother still missing in Yellowstone Park

  Inside the Yellowstone National Park Jail and Justice Center

  Utahn missing in Yellowstone considered 'legend of a man'

  News Release Qualified volunteers to continue culling of non-native mountain goats in Grand Teton National Park Second year of program part of efforts to protect native bighorn sheep NPS Photo/B. Day Subscribe | What is RSS News Release Date: September 21, 2021 Contact: CJ Adams, 307-739-3431 The culling of non-native mountain goats from Grand Teton National Park will begin September 22 as part of a multi-year management plan to conserve a native and vulnerable population of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the Teton Range.    Mountain goats are not native to the Teton range and can carry bacterial diseases that are lethal to bighorn sheep. The Teton Range bighorn sheep population has been relatively isolated and is therefore likely ‘naïve’ to these diseases. Without immediate intervention, the mountain goat population is expected to grow and could contribute to the potential extirpation of the native bighorn sheep.     Over 20 volunteer team

  News Release Fatality, active search and rescue at Shoshone Lake in Yellowstone National Park East shore of Shoshone Lake. NPS / Jacob W. Frank Subscribe | What is RSS News Release Date: September 21, 2021 Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - Park search and rescue crews located the body of Mark O’Neill along the east shore of Shoshone Lake in Yellowstone National Park Monday, Sept. 20. O’Neill, 67, from Chimacum, Washington, and his half-brother, Kim Crumbo, 74, from Ogden, Utah, were reported overdue by a family member Sunday, Sept. 19 from their four-night backcountry trip to Shoshone Lake. On Sunday, Sept. 19, park crews located a vacant campsite with gear on the south side of Shoshone Lake, as well as a canoe, paddle, PFD and other personal belongings on the east shore of the lake. Crews located the body of O’Neill along the east shore during the morning of Monday, Sept. 20. Search and rescue efforts cont

  Scientists can now “sniff” Yellowstone gases in real time Release Date: September 13, 2021 Much is known about how the chemical compositions of gases vary across the Yellowstone volcanic system, but how they vary in time has remained largely a mystery.  Our understanding should greatly improve with a recent installation of a station that continuously monitors gases and communicates those data in real time. Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Jennifer Lewicki, research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, CA. USGS scientist Laura Clor performing maintenance on the SNIF multi-GAS station on Mount St. Helens, Washington. (Credit: Peter Kelly, USGS. Public domain.) Over the past several decades, scientists have sampled gases from all of the major thermal areas of Yellowstone i

  Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park is changing

  Mother of RI woman burned at Yellowstone National Park says daughter got lost hiking

  Body 'consistent with description' of Gabby Petito found in Bridger-Teton National Forest   also Remains believed to belong to missing woman in van mystery are found New York Times   also FBI: Human remains found in Wyoming likely Gabby Petito Fox News  

Agencies join in investigation of Gabby Petito disappearance, missing poster released    

  Yellowstone tourists wash dogs in thermal area, illegally of course

News Release Woman suffers significant thermal burns in Yellowstone National Park; Stay on boardwalks and trails in thermal areas Sunset near Pump Geyser NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date: September 16, 2021 Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 At Old Faithful early Thursday morning, September 16, park rangers provided initial care to a 19-year-old woman from Rhode Island with second- and third-degree burns to 5% of her body. Due to the injuries, the patient (a concessions employee) was taken by ambulance to West Yellowstone and then life-flighted to the Burn Center at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. This incident is under investigation. The ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface. Everyone must always remain on boardwalks and trails and exercise extreme caution around thermal features. Learn more about safety in thermal areas at go.nps.gov/yellsafety . This is the first sign

  News Release Missing Person Gabby Petito Subscribe | What is RSS News Release Date: September 15, 2021 Contact: C.J. Adams, 307.739.3431 MOOSE, WY—Grand Teton law enforcement rangers are working with the Investigative Services Branch of the National Park Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Teton County Sherriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department and other law enforcement agencies to investigate the disappearance of Gabby Petito.  Petito was believed to have been in Grand Teton National Park at the time of her last contact with her family.  Anyone with possible information on Gabby Petito’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALLFBI (225-5324). Last updated: September 15, 2021

  News Release Yellowstone visitation statistics for August 2021 Visitors watching an Old Faithful eruption in September 2021 NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date: September 14, 2021 Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - Yellowstone National Park hosted 921,844 recreation visits in August 2021, making it the most-visited August on record. This is a 4.5% increase from August 2020 (881,829 recreational visits) and a 12% increase from August 2019 (820,006 recreation visits). Previously, the busiest August on record was in 2017 , the year of the solar eclipse (916,166 recreation visits). So far in 2021, the park has hosted 3,590,904 recreation visits, up 40% from the same period last year and up 15% from 2019. The list below shows the year-to-date trend for recreation visits over the last several years (through August): 2021 – 3,590,904 2020 – 2,556,528* 2019 – 3,114,697 2018 – 3,136,241 2017 – 3,232,707 2016 – 3,26

  Elk rut gives Yellowstone National Park visitors a scary thrill

Van lifer, 22, disappeared after a cross-country trip to Yellowstone with her fiancé    also Urgent search for missing woman who was in Grand Teton National Park   East Idaho News   also Video: Brian Laundrie leaves 'uncomfortable' Gabby Petito alone in collapsing tent in rain   meaww.com   also Gabby Petito disappearance – Couple’s campervan seized from boyfriend’s parents’ home as cops probe ‘odd circumstances’   www.the-sun.com  

  “Boomerang employees” – staff who worked in Yellowstone “way back when” and returned later in life

Essay: The other Yellowstone

  Video: Breathtaking reason for a hiking adventure in Yellowstone

  Minor earthquake shakes Yellowstone over Labor Day weekend

  News Release Yellowstone National Park visitation statistics on Labor Day weekend 2021 People exploring Midway Geyser Basin. NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date: September 7, 2021 Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Parkwide vehicle entries through the Labor Day weekend showed a 21% increase over the same weekend in 2019. This year is compared to 2019 instead of 2020 because of COVID-19. Visitation statistics (*vehicle entries) per day for September 3-6, 2021, compared to August 30-September 2, 2019, are listed below.   Park entrance   Vehicle entries Percent increase 2021 over 2019   Friday, September 3, 2021   Friday, August 30, 2019   East 882 725 22% North 1,718 1,361 26% Northeast 477 522 -9% South 1,750 1,189 47% West 4,118 3,337 23% Total 8,945 7,134 25%   Saturday, September 4, 2021   Saturday, August 31, 2019   East 1,018 919 11% North 2,

  National parks face overcrowding as COVID-19 pandemic continues

  Silver Gate—the Mammoth Terraces of yesteryear! Release Date: September 6, 2021 Just south of Mammoth Hot Springs, near the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park, lies a jumble of white/gray rock known as the Hoodoos or, more formally, Silver Gate.  The origin of this deposit is a quintessential tale of the dynamic nature of Yellowstone. Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Michael Poland, geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. A few miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, Highway 89 winds through the white/gray jumble of rocks known as the Hoodoos, or Silver Gate, that formed when travertine from Terrace Mountain collapsed in a landslide. Imagine you have just arrived at the north entrance to

  News Release Deceased climber discovered on Teewinot Mountain identified News Release Date: September 6, 2021 Contact: C.J. Adams, 307.739.3431 MOOSE, WY— Park rangers responded Saturday, September 4, to a report from a climber ascending Teewinot Mountain of a deceased male at the base of the Black Chimney climbing route. The deceased climber has been identified as 42-year-old Hitoshi Onoe, a Japanese national who worked in San Jose, California. Rangers arrived on scene Saturday and recovered Onoe’s remains. The National Park Service is conducting an investigation into the accident. Onoe appears to have been climbing alone with the intent of climbing the East Face route based on the marked map found with him. Route finding is difficult in the area. The Japanese consulate has provided communication with Onoe’s family in Japan and next-of-kin notifications have been made. Grand Teton National Park employees extend their condolences to Hitoshi O

  The Story of Old Faithful And What Makes It The Most Famous Geyser In The World

  Bison, elk and social distance: A photographer’s view from Yellowstone during delta

  8th Grizzly Released in the Bighorn Basin in Summer 2021

  National park managers search for answers to overcrowding

  News Release WARNING: Bull elk in Yellowstone National Park can be unpredictable and dangerous during fall mating season National Park Service News Release Date: September 2, 2021 Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 The elk mating season has begun in Yellowstone National Park. Bull elk can be unpredictable and dangerous during this time. Stay alert! People have been severely injured by elk. Elk run quickly and may change direction without warning. Always maintain a distance of at least two bus lengths (25 yards) from elk. If an elk charges you, find shelter in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier as quickly as possible. Follow directions from park rangers. You are responsible for your own safety .

  Objects at Hand: 10 Curious Park Artifacts  

  U.S. National Parks Propose ‘Selfie Stations’ to Combat Overcrowding

  Locating earthquakes in the Yellowstone region Release Date: August 30, 2021 Ever wonder how seismologists determine the location of an earthquake in Yellowstone?  It’s an intricate process, but thanks to experienced scientists, up to thousands of earthquakes are located in the Yellowstone region every year! Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Jamie Farrell, assistant research professor with the University of Utah Seismograph Stations and Chief Seismologist of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. Record section showing horizontal component seismograms from stations in the Yellowstone region from the M4.8 earthquake that occurred near Norris Geyser Basin on March 30, 2014.  The vertical blue dashed line represents the origin time of the earthquake at 12:34:39.16 UTC.  The red line represents th

  CSCC Hosts SWAP Students From Yellowstone National Park

  News Release Jackson Lake Marinas to close for 2021 season NPS Photo/J. Bonney News Release Date: August 31, 2021 Contact: CJ Adams, 307-739-3431 MOOSE, WY—Grand Teton National Park visitors and boaters should continue to expect impacts to recreational activities, including earlier than normal closures of lake marinas, from the drawdown of Jackson Lake. Due to very low natural flows and the need to supplement downstream reservoirs, Jackson Lake has been drawn down to levels only seen three times in the last thirty years. Park concessions with marina facilities, Grand Teton Lodge Company and Signal Mountain Lodge Company , have modified operations in accordance with lake level changes. The Signal Mountain and Leek’s Marinas will close for the season on Monday, September 6. The Colter Bay Marina closed for the season on August 14. Boaters should also expect that park boat ramps on Jackson Lake will become unusable. Background Due to drought

  Old Faithful never gets old

  News Release Temporary closure of Moose-Wilson Road lifted 08.28.2021 Visitors reminded to be bear aware and slow down through the area NPS Photo/C. Adams News Release Date: August 28, 2021 Contact: C.J. Adams, 307.739.3431 MOOSE, WY—The entire Moose-Wilson Road is now open. The northern section of the road had been closed for human safety and the protection of bears. Visitors are encouraged to slow down while driving as wildlife remain active through the area. Park staff will continue to monitor the situation. A closure could be reinitiated if bear activity increases again.   Rangers remind visitors to “Be Bear Aware,” as these animals are active throughout park and are feeding on ripened berries. All visitors are required to maintain a safe distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife. When recreating in bear country, it is important to: BE ALERT watch for bears, fresh tracks, or scat. MAKE NOISE

  News Release Moose-Wilson Road Closure Update NPS Photo/C. Adams News Release Date: August 26, 2021 Contact: Denise Germann, 307-739-3393 Contact: CJ Adams, 307-739-3431 CLOSURE UPDATE, 1 p.m. The northern section of the Moose-Wilson Road, between Murie Ranch Junction and north of the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, is temporary closed to all visitors including motorists, cyclists, and hikers. Visitors can access the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve from the south. There is currently no access to the Death Canyon Trailhead. Black and grizzly bears are currently eating berries along the Moose-Wilson Road. The road is closed for human safety and the protection of the bears. Park staff will monitor the situation and will reopen the road when conditions allow. The road could be temporarily closed through the weekend or longer.    Rangers remind the public to "Be Bear Aware." To learn more about recreating in bear country visit the p

  News Release Connecticut woman sentenced for walking on thermal area in Yellowstone National Park People exploring the sights in Norris Geyser Basin NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date: August 25, 2021 Contact: Mark Trimble, United States Attorney Spokesman , 307-772-2124 Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that  MADELINE S. CASEY , age 26 of New Hartford, Connecticut was sentenced to seven days in jail for walking on thermal ground at Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. In addition, she was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, $40 in fees and a $1,000 community service payment to the Yellowstone Forever Geological Resource Fund. Casey appeared in front of Magistrate Judge Mark L. Carman in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming on August 18, 2021, for sentencing. Casey was with two other people as they made their way up to a thermal pool and geyser at Norris Geyser Basin. She and one other person got off the boardwalk and w

  Deputies, rangers sued by family   see also  Lawsuit alleges Yellowstone National Park ranger kept family at gunpoint while searching for murder suspect  (New York Daily News)

  News Release Yellowstone National Park fire danger lowered to HIGH, stage 1 fire restrictions lifted due to widespread rain Fire Danger sign at HIGH NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date: August 23, 2021 Contact: Morgan Warthin , 307-344-2015 Yellowstone National Park lowered the parkwide fire danger from very high to HIGH due to an average of two inches of rain that fell across the park the week of August 16.   Stage 1 fire restrictions  (put in place July 1) are no longer in effect. The park will evaluate the need for restrictions for the remainder of the fire season.  Campfires are allowed within established fire rings in campgrounds and some  backcountry campsites .   Campfires must always be attended and cold to the touch before abandoning. Soak, stir, feel and repeat until cold.  Visitors are reminded that negligently starting a wildfire may result in fines and/or imprisonment.  Currently there are no active wildfires in the park. St