Yellowstone News and Information

  After grapefruit-sized rocks destroyed a boardwork in eruption, small explosions at Biscuit Basin possible

  NEWS RELEASE Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park temporarily closed due to hydrothermal explosion Park staff assess the damage to Biscuit Basin boardwalks after hydrothermal explosion News Release Date:  July 23, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , 307-344-2015 On Tuesday, July 23, at about 10:19 a.m., a localized  hydrothermal explosion  occurred near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful.   Biscuit Basin, including the parking lot and boardwalks, are temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Grand Loop Road remains open.  No injuries were reported and the extent of damage is unknown at this time.  Park staff and staff from USGS will monitor conditions and reopen the area once deemed safe.  No other monitoring data show changes in the Yellowstone region. Today’s explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity.  This is an evolving incident, and additional details will be shared as mor

Troop 202 travels to Yellowstone National Park 

  Billings businesses team up to recover vehicle in Yellowstone National Park thermal feature

  NEWS RELEASE Yellowstone visitation statistics for June 2024 Holiday crowds at Old Faithful eruption NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date:  July 16, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – The park hosted 914,612 recreation visits in June 2024, up 8% from June 2023 (847,864 recreation visits). This June’s visitation showed a 3% decrease from June 2021 (938,845 recreation visits). So far in 2024, the park has hosted 1,633,739 recreation visits, up 9% from 2023 (1,492,843 recreation visits), and up 3% from 2021 (1,587,998 recreation visits). The list below shows the year-to-date trend for recreation visits over the last several years (through June): 2024 – 1,633,739 2023 – 1,492,843 2022 – 1,258,834  (The park was closed June 13 through June 21 due to the  historic flood event . Three entrances opened on June 22.) 2021 – 1,587,998 2020 –  719,054  (The park was closed March 24 through May 17 due to COVID. Two entrances opened on May 18 and the remain

NEWS RELEASE Fully submerged vehicle removed from thermal feature in Yellowstone National Park Vehicle occupants are safe with non-life-threatening injuries Crews work to lift car out of the Semi-Centennial Geyser NPS News Release Date:  July 12, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 On Thursday, July 11 at about 10:40 a.m. a car with five occupants inadvertently drove off the roadway and into the Semi-Centennial Geyser thermal feature near Roaring Mountain between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction in Yellowstone National Park.   All five occupants exited the vehicle on their own, and each individual was transported via ambulance to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.   Today, July 12, law enforcement rangers temporarily closed both lanes of the roadway near the accident in order to safely lift the car out of the thermal feature (see photo).   The vehicle was fully submerged in about nine feet of water.  The Semi-Centennial Geyser thermal feature has a

NEWS RELEASE Warm water temperatures and low river flows prompt fishing closures in Yellowstone Additional closures possible in coming days Firehole River NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date:  July 12, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - Effective Monday, July 15, 2024, select Yellowstone National Park rivers will close to  fishing  due to warm water temperatures and low river flows. This closure will protect the park’s native and wild trout fisheries and remain in effect until conditions improve.  What will be closed?  The Madison River and all associated tributaries.   The Firehole River and all associated tributaries.  The Gibbon River and all associated tributaries downstream of Norris Campground.   The closure will be reassessed when water temperatures cool and flows return to more typical summer conditions.  Staff will continue to monitor park rivers and streams for warm temperatures and low flows, and watch  weather forecasts . The extend

  NEWS RELEASE HIGH fire danger in Yellowstone NP beginning July 10, 2024 Fire Danger sign at High NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date:  July 10, 2024 Contact:   Linda Veress , (307) 344-2015 The parkwide fire danger level for Yellowstone is now HIGH. Currently, there are no active wildland fires in the park. At this time, there are no fire restrictions in place or planned in the park. Campfires are only permitted 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, repeat. The Greater Yellowstone area is a  fire-adapted ecosystem . Fire plays an important role in maintaining the health of this area’s wildlife habitat and vegetation. Stay informed about  current fire activity  in Yellowstone.

  NEWS RELEASE Update on July 4 law enforcement involved shooting in Yellowstone National Park News Release Date:  July 9, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , 307-344-2015   Update on July 4 law enforcement involved shooting in Yellowstone National Park Date of release: July 9, 2024 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – On the morning of July 4, Yellowstone National Park  law enforcement rangers  confronted an individual shooting a semi-automatic rifle toward a dining facility at Canyon Village located in the central part of the park. The shooter has been identified by the Park County, Wyoming coroner as Samson Lucas Bariah Fussner, 28, of Milton, Florida. Fussner died after an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement. The investigation into this incident, including the actions of the National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement rangers, is being led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and will be reviewed by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming. Just after midnight

  Yellowstone Shooter Took Woman Hostage, Held Her At Gunpoint: Scanner Recording

  Yellowstone Shooter Identified, Was 28-Year-Old Contract Worker From Florida

  Fourth of July in Yellowstone marred by deadly shooting

  Queen of the wolves: One-eyed 11-year-old defies difficulties in a wild Yellowstone

Yellow sweet clover having a very sweet year 

  NEWS RELEASE Law enforcement involved shooting in Yellowstone National Park    News Release Date:  July 4, 2024 Contact:   Linda Veress , 307-344-2015 There was a significant law enforcement incident at Canyon Village in the central part of Yellowstone National Park overnight and this morning, July 4.  There are no active threats to the public.  Rangers responded to a report of an individual with a firearm who was making threats. When rangers contacted the individual there was an exchange of gunfire between the subject and law enforcement rangers.   The subject is deceased. We are not releasing the individual’s identity at this time.  One Yellowstone law enforcement park ranger was injured. They are in stable condition and being treated at a nearby regional hospital.  An area around the Canyon Lodge complex remains closed for the investigation.  The FBI is leading the investigation with support from National Park Service special agents.   Details around this incident are under invest

  NEWS RELEASE Top 10 tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park this Fourth of July, 2024 A crowd watching a Grand Geyser eruption. NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date:  June 27, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – If you will visit Yellowstone National Park this Fourth of July, plan ahead to protect yourself and this wild and awe-inspiring place. Follow the  top things to know  to enjoy your visit and protect the park for generations to come: Leave Fireworks at Home Fireworks are not allowed in Yellowstone because a spark can ignite a wildfire. The current fire danger level is now MODERATE. Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings in campgrounds and some backcountry campsites. They must always be attended and cold to the touch before abandoning.  Soak, stir, feel, repeat . Currently, there are no active fires in the park. Stay up to date on the  current fire situation   and browse a  summary of past fires  in the park. Give

  NEWS RELEASE Yellowstone National Park statement about white bison calf White bison calf in Lamar Valley on June 4, 2024 Courtesy / Jordan Creech News Release Date:  June 28, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , 307-344-2015 Confirmation   At this time, Yellowstone National Park can confirm, based on multiple creditable sightings, that a white bison calf was born in Lamar Valley on June 4, 2024.   Yellowstone’s Center for Resources Bison Management Team received numerous reports and photos of the calf taken on June 4 from park visitors, professional wildlife watchers, commercial guides and researchers.  To date, park staff have been unable to locate the calf.  To our knowledge, there have been no confirmed sightings by park visitors since June 4.  Photos provided to park biologists indicate the calf is leucistic (black eyes and hooves with some pigmentation), rather than an albino animal.  Significance   The birth of a white bison calf was a rare natural phenomenon that once occurred bef