Yellowstone Guidelines

09/04/2026

Early morning dew and ewe in Yellowstone!

08/10/2026

This sums up the story of Yellowstone right now. Smoky skies and dusty bison have been a common scene this week. Photo taken on tour by Phil Knight.

07/31/2026

Never a bad view from Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon!

07/21/2026

Ouch!!! Looks like this young grizzly had an encounter with with a porcupine in Yellowstone. Not sure who won the battle, but the porcupine certainly left their mark! That’s got a hurt.

06/13/2026

Big bird and little bird! Sandhill crane babies might be in the running for the cutest animals in Yellowstone.

06/11/2026

The most dangerous duo in the park right now!

05/27/2026

One of the Yellowstone greats putting on a show! Beehive Geyser for the win.

05/23/2026

Quite the scene unfolding in the Lamar Valley. The Junction Butte Pack had this bison surrounded and was waiting to put the final touches on an exhausting hunt. The bison managed to survive the night, but later succumbed to injuries. Never a dull moment in Yellowstone.

04/16/2026

Just when the weather was looking nice! Spring in Yellowstone is a funny thing. Sun, snow, and a glimpse of summer is the best description. Come join us in a tour today!

03/10/2026

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

(News Release) On March 9, Yellowstone biologists working in the northern part of the park reported seeing the first grizzly bear of the spring season. The bear was observed in the backcountry scavenging on a bull bison carcass.

The first reported grizzly bear sighting of 2025 occurred on March 14. In 2024, it occurred on March 3, and in 2022 and 2023, March 7.

When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter. Bears may react aggressively to encounters with people when feeding on carcasses. Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in early March. Females with cubs emerge in April and early May.

All of Yellowstone is grizzly and black bear country: from the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks and parking lots around Old Faithful. Protect yourself and bears by following our safety guidelines:
🐻Prepare for a bear encounter by carrying bear spray, knowing how to use it and making sure it’s accessible.
🐻Stay alert.
🐻Hike or ski in groups of three or more, stay on maintained trails and make noise. Avoid hiking at dusk, dawn or at night.
🐻Do not run if you encounter a bear.
🐻Stay 100 yards (91 m) away from black and grizzly bears. Approaching bears within 100 yards is prohibited. Use binoculars, a telescope or telephoto lens to get a closer look.
🐻Store food, garbage, barbecue grills and other attractants in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof food storage boxes.
🐻Report bear sightings and encounters to a park ranger immediately.

Learn more at go.nps.gov/26003