Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming, Montana, Idaho

 

 

  

Updated March 5, 2010

Yellowstone National Park News   

 

March 5, 2010 - BEARS ARE WAKING UP!

Bears have started to emerge from their dens in Yellowstone National Park. Seasonal Bear Management Area closures are designed to reduce encounters with bears in areas that have a high density of elk and bison carcasses and provide areas where bears can roam free from human disturbance. They include Firehole Lake Drive, which will be closed from Wednesday, March 10 through June 15; and the Blacktail area south of the road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower Junction, which will be closed from March 10 through June 30. Prior to hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing in the park, check at park visitor centers or the park web site at for dates and locations of bear closure areas.

A. Firehole (803 Kb pdf): Area (includes Firehole Freight Road and Firehole Lake Drive) is closed March 10 through the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. The Mary Mountain Trail (A1) (708 Kb pdf), from the Nez Perce trailhead to Mary Lake, is closed March 10 through June 15. Through travel from the Canyon trailhead is not allowed, however, travel is allowed from the Canyon trailhead to Mary Lake and back. Streamside use is allowed from the point where Nez Perce Creek crosses the main road to a point one mile upstream along Nez Perce Creek.

B. Richard’s Pond (443 Kb pdf): Area is closed March 10 through the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. From the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through September 30, Duck Creek, from the park boundary upstream to the Campanula Creek/Richard’s Creek fork, is open to streamside travel. The area upstream from Campanula Creek/Richard’s Creek fork is closed from March 10 through September 30.

C. Gneiss Creek (629 Kb pdf): Area is closed March 10 through June 30. From July 1 through November 10, travel is allowed only on designated trails (off-trail travel is prohibited).

D. Gallatin (1.4 Mb pdf): From May 1 through November 10, travel is allowed only on designated trails (off-trail travel is prohibited). A minimum group size of four or more is recommended for hiking and camping.

E. Blacktail (854 Kb pdf): Area is closed march 10 through June 30.

F. Washburn (1 Mb pdf): Area is closed August 1 through November 10. From March 10 through July 31, the area is open by special permit only. Contact the Tower Ranger Station for permit information.

G. Antelope (1.1 MB pdf): Area is closed March 10 through November 10. The Dunraven Road and related turnouts are open. From May 25 through November 10, foot travel is allowed on the old Road Trail from Tower Falls campground to the Buffalo Picnic Area.

H. Mirror Plateau (1.2 MB Kb pdf): From May 15 through November 10, the area is open to day use only with the exception that from July 1 through August 14 overnight camping is permitted for a combined total of 14 nights per summer at the 301 and 5P7 campsites.

I. Pelican Valley (1 MB pdf): Area is closed April 1 through July 3. From July 4 through November 10 the area is open to day use only between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

J1. Clear Creek (1.1 MB pdf): Area J1 - From April 1 through August 10, travel is only allowed on the east shore from Nine-mile trailhead to Park Point. All other trails are closed and off-trail travel is prohibited. Campsite 5H1 is open (no travel from site). On August 11, all the campsites are open and off-trail travel is permitted.

J2 (952 MB pdf) - From April 1 through July 14, travel is only allowed on the east shore trail from Park Point to Beaverdam Creek. All other trails are closed and off-trail travel is prohibited. Open campsites are 5E2, 5E3, 5E4, and 5E6 (no travel away from campsite). All other campsites are closed. On July 15, all campsites open and off-trail travel is permitted.

K. Lake Spawn (1.6 MB pdf): From May 15 through July 14, no off-trail travel allowed and the trail between Cabin Creek and Outlet Creek is closed. Open campsites are 7L5, 7L6, 7L8, 7L7, 7M3, 7M4, 7M5, 6A3, 6A4 and 6B1 (no travel away from campsite). Only July 15 all campsites open and off-trail travel is permitted.

L. Two Ocean (1.2 MB pdf): From March 10 through July 14 and August 22 through November 10, travel is allowed only on designated trails (off-trail travel is prohibited). From July 15 through August 21, a permit is required for persons wishing to travel away from designated trails. Contact the South Entrance ranger Station for permit information.

M. Riddle/Solution (507 Kb pdf): Area is closed April 30 through July 14.

N. Grant Village (345 Kb pdf): Campground opens June 20 or earlier if bear use of the area spawning streams is over prior to that time. If bears are still frequenting the spawning stream after June 20, the campground loops adjacent to the streams will remain closed until bear activity ceases. Campground closes October 16.

O. Heart Lake (1.2 MB pdf): Area is closed April 1 through June 30.

 

February 18, 2010 - New Federal Firearms Law Takes Effect Monday
Yellowstone subject to Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming firearms laws

A change in federal law effective February 22, allows people who can legally possess firearms under federal, state, and local laws, to possess those firearms in Yellowstone National Park. The new federal law makes possession of firearms in national parks also subject to the firearms laws of the states where the parks are located. Yellowstone spans portions of the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.  All three states allow open carry of handguns and rifles on one’s person or in a vehicle.  They all also allow concealed carry of firearms with a permit. 

While the state boundary lines are posted along park roadways, they are not posted along trails or in the backcountry.    Each state has somewhat different firearms regulations.  Those possessing firearms are responsible for knowing which state they are in, and are subject to the laws of that state. Visitors who may wish to bring firearms to the park are encouraged to do their research ahead of time to ensure that they are aware of and abide by the laws that apply.   Additional information is available online at http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm.

The new federal law has no affect on existing laws and regulations regarding the use of firearms in national parks or hunting.   Hunting, or the discharge of a firearm in Yellowstone National Park continues to be prohibited.  Other weapons such as bows, air rifles, and slingshots may be secured and transported through the park, but may not be taken on trails or into the backcountry. Federal law continues to prohibit firearms in certain facilities, such as park visitor centers and federal office buildings.  These facilities are posted with appropriate notices at public entrances.  Firearms should not be considered a wildlife protection strategy. Park regulations require visitors to stay 25 yards away from most wildlife, and 100 yards away from bears and wolves at all times. The best defense is to stay a safe distance from wildlife, and use your binoculars, spotting scope, or telephoto lens to get a closer look.  Hikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers are encouraged to travel in groups of three or more, make noise on the trail, and keep an eye out for animals.  Bear pepper spray has proven to be a good last line of defense if you keep it handy and use it according to directions when animals are within 30 feet.