The official feed of Yellowstone National Park.

Joined June 2009
3,602 Photos and videos
From the park's backcountry to the boardwalks around Old Faithful, all of Yellowstone is bear country! Protect yourself and the bears you come to Yellowstone to see by carrying bear spray and learning how to use it. Bear spray is a non-lethal deterrent designed to stop a bear's aggressive behavior. Knowing how to use bear spray can reduce human injuries caused by bears and can also reduce the number of bears killed by people in self-defense. 👉Visit our website for even more safety info and tips at: go.nps.gov/YELLsafety Video description: Yellowstone Bear Management Biologist Kerry Gunther demonstrates the steps for how to use and deploy bear spray if you ever find yourself in a bear encounter.
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Planning to go bicycling during your Yellowstone visit? Park roads are narrow, winding, and have "wheelie" tight curves - not to mention heavy vehicle traffic and wildlife! 🚴 Know where (and when!) you can go. Mountain bikes, road bikes, and e-bikes are allowed on public roads, parking areas, and designated bicycling routes during daylight hours in peak season. Bikes are prohibited on backcountry trails, boardwalks and oversnow routes. 🚴 Be aware and prepared. Many park roads offer poor visibility and narrow (or nonexistent) shoulders. Bring a helmet, high-visibility clothing, plenty of food and water, extra clothing, and a repair kit for your bike. 🚴 Give wildlife room. Wild animals have the right-of-way! Always maintain 100 yards (91 meters) from bears, wolves, and cougars, and 25 yards (23 meters) from all other wildlife. 🚴 Securely store food. Prevent wildlife from gaining access to human food by storing food, trash, and other scented items securely. 👉 Learn more about bicycling regulations and safety tips at: go.nps.gov/YELLbicycling
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(News Release) On the morning of June 8, occupants of a vessel on Yellowstone Lake discovered the body of a 41-year-old male, Brandon Rhea of Denver, Colorado, floating in the water near Rock Point on the northwest shore of the lake near Bridge Bay. National Park Service rangers responded to the scene and recovered the body, along with a capsized kayak and personal belongings. The incident is under investigation, and there are no further details to share at this time. Read more at: go.nps.gov/26012
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Before venturing to the park, be sure to check the current status of park roads! All park roads have opened for the summer season, but sometimes temporary road closures can occur due to inclement weather, unsafe driving conditions, or construction. You can check the current status of park roads by: ▪ Visiting go.nps.gov/YELLroads, ▪ Calling 307-344-2117 for a recorded message, or ▪ Signing up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting “82190” to 888-777
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(News Release) Yellowstone National Park hosted 570,272 recreation visits in May 2026, up 1% from May 2025 (566,363 recreation visits). Visitation in May 2026 was the busiest on record for the month of May and showed a 20% increase from May 2021 (473,799 recreation visits), which was Yellowstone's record-breaking year with over 4.8 million recreation visits. So far in 2026, the park has hosted 773,653 recreation visits, up 1% from 2025 (762,672 recreation visits), and up 19% from 2021 (649,153 recreation visits). 👉Learn more at: go.nps.gov/26011
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🎶"We're soooooarin', flyyyyyin'..."🎶 Did you know approximately 300 bird species have been documented in Yellowstone? We've got raptors, songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl, galore. If you're into birdwatching and planning a park visit, download our bird checklist from our website - it includes a list of birds found in Yellowstone and the seasons they can be experienced: go.nps.gov/YELLbirds Have you had any exciting bird sightings in Yellowstone? Photos (NPS / Jacob W. Frank): (1) osprey; (2) American white pelican; (3) sandhill cranes; (4) American kestrel
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Planning to go fishing during your Yellowstone visit? Here are a few of our tips: 🎣 Purchase a Yellowstone fishing permit: Anglers ages 16 and older need to have a valid Yellowstone fishing permit (state fishing licenses are not required). 🎣 Know where (and when!) you can go: The current fishing season extends through Oct. 31 with daily hours of sunrise to sunset (with a few exceptions). Check our website for any river/stream closures due to bear management areas or high water temperatures. 🎣 Protect native fish species: All native fish, including cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, and arctic grayling, must be released unharmed if caught. Learn how to identify fish species and check our tackle, lure, and hook restrictions before you cast. 🎣 Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species: Footgear with absorbent felt or other fibrous material on the soles are prohibited in park waters to prevent the transport of AIS. 🎣 Stay safe: Be sure to stay on established trails in thermal areas and practice bear safety. 👉 Learn more about park fishing areas and regulations at: go.nps.gov/YELL_fish
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Did you know the Yellowstone Research Library collection consists of more than 22,000 books and other materials? That's a lot! Recently, we joined Jess Bolwar, lead research librarian, as she and her coworkers conducted a complete inventory of the collection to ensure these important resources are available to researchers, park staff, and the general public. 👉 Learn more about the Yellowstone Research Library at: go.nps.gov/YELLcollections
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📢 Elk calving season has begun in Yellowstone. Be aware of your surroundings! Cow (female) elk may appear very docile and sweet with their babies, but don't let that fool you! Cow elk are much more aggressive toward people during the calving season and may run toward you or kick, even if unprovoked. If you are hoping to watch elk during your upcoming visit, keep these safety tips in mind: - Stay alert! Look around corners before exiting buildings or walking around blind spots: cow elk may bed their calves near buildings and under cars. - Be extra cautious during early morning and evening hours when it can be difficult to see wildlife. - Always maintain a distance of least 25 yards (23 m), or the length of two full-sized buses, from elk. - Attacks can be unprovoked and unpredictable. If an elk runs toward you, run away. Find shelter in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier as quickly as possible. - You are responsible for your own safety. 👉 View more of our safety tips for your park visit at go.nps.gov/YELLsafety
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Yellowstone National Park retweeted
Summer is here, and millions of people will be visiting Yellowstone National Park. People with questions. What is this scat I’m seeing? How does a geyser erupt? What makes Yellowstone so special? Where’s the bathroom? We asked interpretive rangers in Yellowstone's thermal areas to tell us the most common questions they hear every summer. Those questions and their answers are part of this month's Yellowstone Volcano Observatory video update! youtube.com/watch?v=OJPaPsC9…
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How many waterfalls do you think are in Yellowstone? While we don't know the exact number, we estimate there are at least 290! 🤯 Which one is your favorite? Photos (NPS / Jacob W. Frank, Jim Peaco, and Addy Falgoust): (1) Osprey Falls; (2) Fairy Falls; (3) Lower Falls; (4) Iris Falls
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Another summer season is upon us, so you know what that means… participation ribbons!! Who said they're just for kids? Here's to you! 🏅
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The Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center is open for the season! 🎉 Visit the center this summer to learn from Indigenous artists, scholars, and presenters from the park's 27 associated Tribes. The center will be open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. through Oct. 3 and is located in the Old Faithful area, between the Old Faithful Lodge and the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center. 👉To view the upcoming schedule of presenters, visit: yellowstone.org/yellowstone-… The Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center is a partnership between the National Park Service and @ynpforever with Tribal consultation. Photos (NPS/Jacob W. Frank and Yellowstone Forever/Alyssa McGeeley): (1) Colville Reservation artist Sylvia Peasley discussing handmade tools with visitors; (2) Beaded collar by Standing Rock Sioux artist Austin Kasto; (3) Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center located near Old Faithful
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The Beartooth Highway (US-212) from Red Lodge to Cooke City, Montana, is now open for the season! Once open, temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice. Prepare for winter driving conditions, have flexible travel plans, and watch for quickly changing weather conditions. Check for road status and updates on the Montana and Wyoming departments of transportation websites.
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Beartooth Pass - Friday 5/22/26
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With over 1,100 miles of trails, there's a lot of area in Yellowstone to explore! Before you venture down a park trail, remember to check our online backcountry conditions map and follow our safety tips: ✅ Check go.nps.gov/YELLbackcountryre… for current trail closures, restrictions, known hazards, and more detailed info. 🐻 Be bear aware. Hike in groups of three or more, be alert, make noise, and carry bear spray (and know how to use it!) 🌦️ Prepare for changing conditions. Rain, wind, sleet, and snow can be deadly if proper precautions are not taken. Always bring rain gear and extra clothes for warmth. 💧 Watch out for water. Many rivers or streams cannot be crossed until July or later. The water can be cold, fast, and more than thigh-deep, making any attempt to cross perilous. Carefully check your itinerary for stream crossings. ❄️ Check the weather forecast. Yellowstone can experience winter-like weather any time of the year. Calm, sunny mornings can abruptly turn into fierce, stormy days. Photo: Hikers on the Lamar River Trail
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It's springtime in Yellowstone, so you know what that means... BABY ANIMALS! 🥰 As cute and fuzzy as they are, remember to give wildlife room and use a zoom. Always maintain a distance of at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears, wolves, and cougars and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk. Get a closer look by using binoculars, a spotting scope, or zoom lens. #YellowstonePledge Photos: (1) bison; (2) black bear; (3) yellow-bellied marmot; (4) pronghorn
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"Do I need to carry bear spray even if I don't plan to hike in Yellowstone's backcountry?" Short answer: Yes! Wildlife, including bears, roam where they please. This means bears could venture through a parking lot, boardwalk, road, or trail, so it's important to be prepared no matter where you are in the park: ❗ Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. 🧍‍♀️🧍🧍‍♂️ Hike in groups of three or more, stay on established trails and boardwalks, and make noise. 🐻 Carry bear spray in a readily accessible location (not stored in your backpack) and, most importantly, make sure you know how to use it! 🛑 Maintain a distance of at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears, wolves, and cougars and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals. 📸 Use binoculars, a telescope, or a telephoto lens to get a closer look. 📞 Report bear sightings and encounters to a park ranger immediately! Learn more about our safety tips while venturing in the park: go.nps.gov/YELLbearsafety Photo: Grizzly sow and yearling on a boardwalk near Old Faithful.
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(News Release) Top 10 things to know about visiting Yellowstone during the 2026 summer season This summer, visitors to Yellowstone are being urged to plan ahead – both to stay safe and to help protect one of America’s most iconic wild landscapes. Across 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone offers unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal wonders that include half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic landmarks like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. By following our top 10 things to know before you go, you can make the most of your visit while helping ensure that Yellowstone remains healthy, wild, and awe-inspiring for generations to come. 👉View our top 10 tips for visiting Yellowstone this summer at: go.nps.gov/26009 Photo: Views of Sunday Geyser in Norris Geyser Basin
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An early morning at Palette Spring 😍 These colorful travertine terraces are formed from limestone (calcium carbonate). Water rises through the limestone, carrying high amounts of dissolved calcium carbonate. At the surface, carbon dioxide is released and calcium carbonate is deposited, forming travertine, the chalky white rock of the terraces. Due to the rapid rate of deposition, these features constantly and quickly change over time. 👉Learn more about exploring the Mammoth Hot Springs area of the park: go.nps.gov/YELLmammoth
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