Each year, millions of visitors travel to Yellowstone National Park hoping to find the same inspiration early park explorers experienced a century ago. This summer, which falls in the centennial year of the National Park Service, is no exception. By the end of this past May, visitation to the park was up nearly 15% compared to this time last year--a year when visits to Yellowstone topped out at roughly 4 million.



As a result, one of the major issues facing Yellowstone today is safety for both visitors and also the park's wildlife and natural resources. Several incidents earlier this summer, including four visitors traveling off boardwalk at Grand Prismatic, have prompted the National Park Service to urge visitors to take the #YellowstonePledge and "Protect Yourself. Protect Your Park." In the interest of maintaining a positive experience for all, this includes a few important regulations that park visitors are asked to follow.



First, visitors are reminded to view wildlife from a safe distance--maintain at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife. Second, guests are asked to stay on trails and boardwalks in thermal areas; pets, smoking, and eating in thermal areas are all prohibited to protect these fragile basins from human impact. Finally, visitors are reminded to pack their patience, plan ahead, and drive responsibly. This includes observing park speed limits, watching for distracted drivers, and using pullouts to safely view wildlife or take photos.



What should you do if you see someone else posing a threat to themselves, other visitors, or the resource? "Yellowstone National Park calls on visitors to protect your park and protect yourself," says Morgan Warthin, Public Affairs Officer for Yellowstone National Park. "Take the pledge to respect wildlife, stay on boardwalks in thermal areas, report to a ranger or call 911 if you witness a park rule or regulation being broken. Together, let's preserve the treasure that is Yellowstone!"

Training Opportunities for Outdoor Professionals

Whether you're looking to increase safety and enjoyment in your personal outdoor pursuits, or to build your resume as an outdoor professional, the YA Institute offers several courses that will help you grow your wilderness and interpretive skills. Become a Certified Interpretive Guide (October 3-7) builds interpretive skills for anyone interested in sharing natural or cultural resources with others. Wilderness First Responder Recertification (October 10-12), Wilderness First Responder (November 12-21), and Wilderness First Aid (January 4-5) teach you how to recognize, treat, and prevent wilderness emergencies. Each course results in a nationally recognized certification upon successful completion.



Learn more...

Take advantage of your member benefits when visiting Yellowstone this summer. Your membership card entitles you to discounts on most purchases at Yellowstone Association Park Stores, Yellowstone General Stores, and Yellowstone National Park Lodges gift shops (some exclusions apply). Deepen your knowledge and receive discounts on Institute programs, or check out the Heritage and Research Center--the park's archive and research library--where members have borrowing privileges. Travel to the park between October 1 and October 15, 2016, and take advantage of a special 20% discount off regular room rates offered by Yellowstone National Park Lodges, based on availability.



Become a member...