Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [398]
The Fishing Bridge Visitor Center (☎ 307/242-2450), near Fishing Bridge on the northern shore of Yellowstone Lake, has an excellent wildlife display. You can get information and publications here as well.
The Grant Village Visitor Center (☎ 307/242-2650) has information, publications, a slide program, and a fascinating exhibit that examines the effects of fire in Yellowstone.
Other sources of park information are at the Madison Information Station (☎ 307/344-2821); the Museum of the National Park Ranger (no phone; open daily in summer 9am–6pm) and the Norris Geyser Basin Museum (☎ 307/ 344-2812), both at Norris; the West Thumb Information Station (no phone; open daily in summer 9am–5pm); and the Public Lands Desk at the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce building (☎ 406/646-4403).
FEES & PERMITS
A pass to enter Yellowstone costs $25 per vehicle for a 7-day period (no matter the number of occupants) and covers both Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Entering on a snowmobile or motorcycle costs $20 for 7 days, and someone who comes in on bicycle, skis, or foot pays $12. If you expect to visit the parks by car more than once in a year, buy an annual pass for $40.
You must have a backcountry permit for any overnight trip, whether you travel by foot, on horseback, or by boat. See "Exploring the Backcountry," later in this chapter, for more information.
SPECIAL REGULATIONS & WARNINGS
It is unlawful to approach within 100 yards of a bear or within 25 yards of other wildlife. Feeding any wildlife is illegal. Wildlife calls such as elk bugles or other artificial attractants are forbidden. Because of wildlife and thermal activity, staying on the trails here is especially important.
SEASONS & CLIMATE
For general information on seasons and climate in the area, see "Seasons & Climate" in chapter 17, which covers nearby Grand Teton National Park. Keep in mind that Grand Teton is a bit lower in elevation than Yellowstone, so snows melt later in Yellowstone and temperatures are slightly lower.
ROAD OPENINGS
Scheduling a spring driving trip to Yellowstone can be a roll of the dice because weather conditions can delay openings for weeks, especially at higher altitudes. A heavy snowstorm in October can compel early closure of the park gates. Depending upon weather, most other park roads remain open until the park season ends on the first Sunday in November (the Beartooth Hwy. between Cooke City and Red Lodge, Mont., closes mid-Oct). The only road open year-round is the Mammoth Hot Springs–Cooke City Road.
Plowing in Yellowstone begins in early March. The first roads open to motor vehicles usually include Mammoth-Norris, Norris-Canyon, Madison– Old Faithful, and West Yellowstone– Madison. The latter may open by the end of April. If the weather cooperates, the east and south entrances, as well as roads on the east and south sides of the park, will open early in May. Late-season snowfall on Dunraven Pass may delay opening of the Tower-Roosevelt to Canyon Junction Road.
The Sunlight Basin Road (also called the Chief Joseph Hwy.), connecting the entrance at Cooke City, Montana, with Cody, Wyoming, often opens by early May. The Beartooth Highway between Cooke City and Red Lodge, Montana, is generally open by Memorial Day weekend, but mudslides closed it for all of summer 2005.
The road connecting Gardiner and Cooke City, Montana, remains open year-round, providing the only wintertime access to Cooke City. This presents late-season travelers with an opportunity to see the northeast area of the park and some of its abundant wildlife during the winter.
Call the park's main information number (☎ 307/344-7381) for updates on road conditions and closings.
If You Have Only 1 Day
If you'll be coming into Yellowstone for 1 day and leaving the next, here's an itinerary that highlights the best of the best. If you'll be spending the night, try to reserve a room in one of the park hotels—either the Old Faithful Inn or the Lake Hotel