Yellowstone National Park

Judge Restores ESA Protection for Wolves in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem-Updated

A federal judge has restored Endangered Species Act protection for wolves in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, rejecting the Interior Department's contention that the species is well on its way to recovery.

Another Black Bear Put Down, This One In Yellowstone National Park

For the third time in a week a national park black bear has been killed, this time in Yellowstone National Park where rangers said the bruin posed a threat to visitors and park employees.

Should Yellowstone National Park's Elk Herds Be Culled to Fight Brucellosis?

Are Yellowstone National Park's elk as charismatic as the park's bison? That's a good question in light of an outcry over brucellosis-infected Yellowstone elk that could lead to a culling of the park's elk herds.

Do You Care About Energy Exploration Near Our National Parks?

As energy prices creep steadily higher, there's a growing segment of America that believes short-term relief can literally be tapped from fossil-fuel resources in the Western states. But many of those resources are found on public lands that buffer national parks, national wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas, and their development could have dire consequences for those landscapes.

Yellowstone National Park Sees Record Visitation in June

If you went to Yellowstone National Park in June, you weren't alone. The park saw record visitation last month as more than 610,000 folks made their way to Yellowstone.

Keeping a Safe Distance From Yellowstone National Park Wildlife

Curious to see what it looks like when a bison tosses a visitor who gets too close in Yellowstone National Park? Check out this video.

Yellowstone National Park Bison Unhappy With Photo Shoot Tosses Pennsylvania Boy

A 12-year-old Pennsylvania boy has been hospitalized after a Yellowstone National Park bison, evidently perturbed that he was part of a family photo shoot, tossed the boy about 10 feet into the air.

Recalling Yellowstone National Park's Historic 1988 Fire Season

No one realized it at the time, but when a lightning strike ignited a single tree in Yellowstone National Park's Lamar Valley 20 years ago, it was a dire harbinger of what would become a historic fire season.

Yellowstone National Park Relocates the 45th Parallel

Geographers might blanch at the thought, but Yellowstone National Park officials have pushed the 45th Parallel a bit north in an effort to make park visitors safer.

Commentary: Who Runs the National Park System?

Who runs the National Park System? Is it the National Park Service, or communities that fuel their economies off the parks? That's a good question to consider in the wake of the moxie and clout that tiny Cody, Wyoming, summoned to turn the heat up on its golden goose, Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone's Latest Snowmobile Decision for Cody: Politically Motivated or Simply Neighborly?

Were Yellowstone National Park officials simply being neighborly when they reversed themselves recently on whether to keep Sylvan Pass open for snowmobile traffic during the winter months? Or were their feet being scorched by the political fires that too often seem to influence management decisions?

Winter Exiting Yellowstone National Park "Kicking and Screaming"

Heat waves baking the East Coast, torrential rains dousing the Midwest. In Yellowstone National Park, it's snow that's highlighting the park's weather.

National Park System Quiz 5: Biggest This or That

Bigger is not always better, but it certainly can be interesting. Many national parks claim bragging rights to the biggest something-or-other. Can you sort them out? Take this week's quiz and see how you measure up. Answers are at the end. No peeking.

Yellowstone Officials Now Recommending that Sylvan Pass Remain Open For Snowmobiling

In a nearly complete reversal of their initial decision, Yellowstone National Park officials are now recommending that Sylvan Pass and the park's east entrance be kept open for winter use.

Remains of Missing Yellowstone National Park Concessions Employee Identified

Nearly three years ago Candace May Kellie went missing in Yellowstone National Park after crashing her SUV near Tower Junction. Now DNA tests have identified some of her remains.

Artists' Paint Pots Area in Yellowstone National Park Temporarily Closed Due to Thin Surface Crust

Yellowstone National Park officials have temporarily closed public access to the Artists' Paint Pots thermal area after a visitor broke through a patch of thin crust and received burns to her leg.

Research Indicates Annual Precipitation Might Control Yellowstone National Park's Geysers

The eruptive fury of Yellowstone National Park's geysers, those wonderful spouters of steam and hot water, seems to be determined by annual precipitation in the park, according to a study published in the journal Geology.

Creature Feature: The American Marten

The American Marten is a rare North Woods animal that you'll probably never see, save for paw prints in the snow. This brown, bushy-tailed little critter, which looks something like a cross between a mink and a house-cat, was prized for its luxurious fur and darn near trapped to extinction in the United States during the 19th century. Today, despite habitat losses and related problems, the American Marten still inhabits much of its historical range.

Closed to the Public For Nearly a Year, Artist Point in Yellowstone National Park is Reopening

After months of restoration and rehabilitation work, Artist Point is ready to once again offer visitors to Yellowstone National Park expansive views of the Lower Falls that so inspired Thomas Moran more than a century ago.

While Bison Are Driven Back into Yellowstone National Park, Questions Over Management Continue

With winter's killing fields still fresh in the memory, several hundred bison that had been held in a National Park Service "capture facility" were driven back into Yellowstone National Park on Monday. While the bison gained the relative safety of the park's landscape, nagging questions over their long-term management persisted.

Wolf Killed Illegally Near Grand Teton National Park, $3,000 Reward Offered

A gray wolf has been illegally shot and killed just outside Grand Teton National Park. Wyoming wildlife officials have posted a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the poacher.

Montana Governor Asked to "Provide Leadership" In Yellowstone Bison Controversy

With hazing operations resuming to drive bison back into Yellowstone National Park, conservation groups are urging Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer to "provide leadership" to resolve the controversy.

Too Much Snow Delays Opening Of Yellowstone National Park's Norris Campground

When it snows in the Rockies, it really snows. The most snow in a decade this past winter has resulted in too much snow to open the Norris Campground in Yellowstone National Park on schedule.

Rites of Spring: Road Slump in Yellowstone National Park Closes Section of Grand Loop Road

Springtime in the Rockies is never a particularly easy time. In Yellowstone National Park, the freeze-thaw cycle at this time of year plays havoc with the roads, as evidenced by the slumping of a short section of the Grand Loop Road near Canyon.

In the News: Loss of Cougars in Yosemite National Park, "Uranium Rush" at Grand Canyon National Park

Critics of the National Park Service's mandate to conserve natural resources often say the national parks were not intended to be kept inside bell jars. And that's certainly not happening. Proof can be seen in how the loss of cougars is thought to be adversely affecting Yosemite National Park and the recent rush to find uranium near Grand Canyon National Park.

Traveler’s Delightful Dozen: Windshield Touring Trips in the National Park System

We love our cars, we love our parks, and we love to drive our cars in the parks. Well, at least when the traffic isn’t too bad, and we really don’t mind just going along for the ride. The windshield touring season is nearly here, so it’s time to start thinking about park trips. All of the national parkways are recommended. Here are a dozen other traverses, loops, and shuttles that belong on your short list.

Bison, Elk and Bears Might Be Cute, But These Videos and Statistics From National Parks Suggest Caution

Ever consider a sprint with an elk or bison? Well, if you're not careful, you just might wind up in that predicament in Yellowstone National Park. And you won't win.

Groups Sue To Overturn Removal of Greater Yellowstone Wolves from Endangered Species List

Has Yellowstone National Park's wolf recovery program, now more than a decade old, succeeded? The federal government thinks so, as evidenced by the removal of greater Yellowstone wolves from the Endangered Species List. But a coalition of conservation group differs, and has filed a lawsuit to overturn the delisting.

GYC Explains Value of Latest Agreement for Yellowstone National Park Bison

On April 17, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis announced that an agreement had been struck that opens up additional habitat for bison north of the park. This deal signifies the biggest step forward for Yellowstone bison in over a decade and will result in bison roaming onto traditional winter habitat over six miles north of Yellowstone National Park