Date: August 23, 2016
Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015
Yellowstone National Park is celebrating the Centennial of the National Park Service with a series of special programs and events. Park entrance fees will be waived Thursday, August 25 through Sunday, August 28. Entrance stations will continue to be staffed to provide valuable orientation and safety messages.
Founder’s Day, August 25, 2016 marks the 100th anniversary in which President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the National Park Service “to conserve the scenery and the natural and cultural objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for future generations.” Today there are 412 sites within the National Park System.
National Park Service Centennial highlights in Yellowstone include:
- Director Jonathan Jarvis will be in Yellowstone August 25 to celebrate the Centennial. He is scheduled to attend several events within the park.
- There will be many exciting programs going on throughout the park. Join park rangers for regularly scheduled and special Centennial programs. The locations, descriptions and times for these programs can be found on our Ranger Programs page. Check visitor centers throughout the park for other activities.
- A special NPS Centennial pictorial postmark will be available at the Mammoth Hot Springs Post Office between 8:30 am and 5 pm.
- On August 25, An Evening at the Arch: Yellowstone Celebrates the National Park Service Centennial takes place in Gardiner, Montana. “This very special event will kick off the second century for the National Park Service, highlight the importance of public/private partnerships, and recognize the completion of the Gardiner Gateway Project Phase One,” said Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis will be featured speakers. All event tickets have been distributed, however the event will be broadcast on LiveStream.com.
- Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), an NPS Centennial sponsor, will have one of their interactive conservation- focused Villages set up at Mammoth Hot Springs from 9 am to 3 pm.
As we celebrate the Centennial, safety should be utmost in our minds. Please be aware of the following reminders:
- Traffic and congestion are anticipated to be heavy for several days on and around the Centennial. Expect increasing congestion around the north entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs due to activities and events related to the National Park Service Centennial (especially on August 24 and 25). Pack your patience and be prepared for delays.
- There are several wildfires burning in the park. Watch for fire information officers, bulletin boards, and web updates on current fire conditions. Stay informed on changing conditions! Roads and trails may close on short notice. Visit our Current Fire Activity page for up-to-date information.
The National Park Service Centennial gives us the opportunity to celebrate our nation’s forethought in setting aside the treasures and places we hold dear. The National Park System is the result of 100 years of hard work and dedication by the American people. We invite you to become part of the next generation of park supporters, advocates, and stewards as we begin our next century of service to America’s national parks – engaging communities through recreation, conservation and preservation.
