YELLOWSTONE Circular of General Information 1936

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

The Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, created February 26, 1929, lies a few miles south of Yellowstone National Park. The magnificent Teton Mountains border Jackson Lake on its west side, rising rapidly in a series of remarkably toothed and jagged peaks until they reach a sublime climax, 30 miles south of the park, in the Grand Teton, which rises cathedral-like to an altitude of 13,766 feet.

This whole amazing outcropping of gigantic peaks is in many respects the most imposing, as certainly it is the most extraordinary, massing of mountain spires in America. It rises more than 7,000 feet vertically from the lake and plain. Seen from the road at Moran, where the Snake River escapes from the reclamation dam which pens flood waters within Jackson Lake for the benefit of farms in arid western lands, these mountains seem actually to border the lake's west shore. It is hard to realize that these stupendous creations of the Master Architect, bearing snowfields upon their shoulders, are 9 miles away.

Profile section of the Yellowstone-Grand Teton region.

The superlative mountain scenery of the Grand Teton region is entirely different from the scenery and extraordinary features of Yellowstone National Park, and visitors to Yellowstone should include in their tour, if possible, a visit to the Grand Teton National Park. From the Thumb, on Yellowstone Lake, the distance to Moran, on Jackson Lake, is only 47 miles; and an additional drive of 16 miles brings one to the shore of String Lake, lying between Jenny Lake and Leigh Lake. From each of these lakes, as well as from points on the road leading to them, views of the Teton Mountains may be obtained that amply repay the short journey. Automobile stages run regularly between Yellowstone Park and Moran.

ADMINISTRATION

Headquarters of Yellowstone National Park are at Mammoth Hot Springs, 5 miles from the north gateway. Here are the executive offices of the park administration and of the public utilities that operate in the park under Government regulation and supervision.

The officer of the National Park Service in immediate charge of the park is the superintendent. His office is in the general headquarters building and his address is Yellowstone Park, Wyo. All comments regarding service in the park should be addressed to the superintendent. Offenders charged with violation of the rules and regulations are tried at headquarters by the United States commissioner, Judge T. Paul Wilcox.

The park is protected by a permanent ranger force composed of men who are skilled in forest-fire fighting and in the detection of offenses in violation of the rules and regulations governing the park. This ranger force is augmented in the summer season by temporary rangers who are assigned to protect the natural features of the park from depredations by thoughtless and careless visitors. This temporary force as well as the regular ranger service is charged with the duty of giving information to visitors and rendering other assistance to the touring public.

Yellowstone Lake near Fishing Bridge Museum.

NATURALIST SERVICE

Ranger naturalists conduct parties at Mammoth, Norris Geyser Basin, Madison Junction, Old Faithful, West Thumb, Yellowstone Lake, Fishing Bridge, and Canyon. Many lectures are given in the evenings, and the service is rendered by the National Park Service ranger naturalists without charge or obligation of any kind.

The National Park Service has established official information bureaus in museums at Mammoth, Norris, Old Faithful, and Fishing Bridge. This is a free service for all visitors. Circulars of general information regarding Yellowstone and the other national parks, and automobile maps of the Yellowstone National Park are on hand for free distribution. Pamphlets on geysers, geological history, fossil forests, and fish of the Yellowstone, topographic maps, and other publications pertaining to the park are on sale at nominal charges at all museums except Norris and Madison Junction.

The Mammoth Museum is devoted to a general survey of the natural and human history of the park. Old Faithful Museum, between the inn and the auto camp, is devoted largely to geyser activity and its products. The Norris Geyser Basin Museum is remarkable for its simple and easy manner of telling the story of volcanism in the park, as well as of the thermal features of that area. Madison Junction Museum is devoted to historical events of the park, while Fishing Bridge Museum deals primarily with the biologic life of the park and the history and geology of Yellowstone Lake. A field exhibit near Obsidian Cliff explains that great mountain of volcanic glass, and other roadside exhibits, explaining local features of interest to the visitor, are also located near Silver Gate, Swan Lake, Willow Park, Nymph Lake, Tuff Cliff, and Firehole Canyon.

Fishing Bridge Museum.

THE PARK SEASON

The main season extends from June 20 to September 12, during which time the park utilities are operated. Between the time the roads are cleared of snow (which is usually about June 1), and June 20, and between September 13 and October 15 limited accommodations of an informal character are available at certain places in the park for motorists. Camp grounds may be used and the general stores, gasoline filling stations, and picture shops are open at several points. September 9 is the last day on which the 3-1/2-day motor-bus tour may be started.

RAILROAD INFORMATION

The Northern Pacific Railroad reaches the park on the north, at Gardiner, Mont., and also from Bozeman, reaching the park via the Gallatin Gateway; the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad also serves the Gallatin Gateway entrance; the Union Pacific system reaches it on the west, at West Yellowstone, Mont., and on the south from Victor, Idaho; the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad reaches Cody, Wyo., from which the eastern entrance to the park is reached by the auto-stage drive of 53 miles; and the Chicago & North Western Railway has its terminal at Lander, Wyo., 179 miles from the south entrance.

During the park season round-trip excursion tickets at reduced fares are sold at practically all stations in the United States and Canada to Gardiner, Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Victor, Gallatin Gateway, Cody, and Lander, as destinations. From the Middle West, East, and South, such round-trip excursion tickets may be routed so that one may enter the park through any of these seven gateways, and leave from the same gateway or any one of the other six.

From many sections, trips may be planned to include visits to two or more of the following national parks and monuments in the Rocky Mountain region: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Zion, and Bryce National Parks and the Craters of the Moon, Devils Tower, and monuments of the Southwest.

Passengers wishing to visit Yellowstone National Park as a side trip in connection with journeys to other destinations will find stop-over privileges available and may make side trips to the park from Livingston, Billings, Bozeman, and Gallatin Gateway, Mont.; Pocatello, Idaho; Ogden and Salt Lake City, Utah; or Frannie, Wyo.; all of which are stop-over points on both one-way and round-trip tickets, or from Butte, Mont., which is a stop-over point on round-trip tickets.

Coupons covering auto-stage transportation and accommodations at the park hotels or lodges for a "sight-seeing" tour of the park of about 4 days duration may be included in railroad tickets at proper additional charges which are the same as those in effect at the park.

The National Park Service, however, recommends to the traveling public that stop-overs of as long duration as practicable be planned at points within the park; that Yellowstone National Park be regarded not alone as a region which may be glimpsed on a hurried trip of a few days but also as a vacation playground of boundless opportunities for rest and recreation.

Storage charges for baggage will be waived by the interested railroads at Livingston, Gardiner, West Yellowstone, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Ogden, Salt Lake City, Lander, Cody, Frannie, Bozeman, Gallatin Gateway, Billings, or at Butte (by C., M., St. P. & P. R. R.), for actual length of time consumed by passengers in making the park trip. Baggage may be checked to stations via which passengers enter the park, i. e., Gardiner, Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Victor, Gallatin Gateway, Lander, or Cody.

For further information regarding railroad fares, services, etc., apply to local ticket agents of any railroad, general passenger agents of western lines, and tourist agencies.

AIRPLANE INFORMATION

Yellowstone National Park is accessible by airplane from all parts of the United States, with service provided direct to the West Yellowstone Airport, 30 miles from Old Faithful Inn. This service is a joint one of the United Air Lines, from the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, and the National Parks Airways, which connects with the former at Salt Lake and flies to the park entrance.

The air traveler may leave points as far away as New England, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago at the close of the business day, or later, and reach Old Faithful Inn at the breakfast hour. There is similar overnight service from all major Pacific coast points.

The Northwest Air Lines in its Seattle to Chicago service has stops at Butte and Billings, and the Wyoming Air Service connects Cheyenne and Billings via Casper and Sheridan.

Information on airplane service may be obtained at any air line office, travel bureau, or telegraph office.

MEDICAL SERVICE

The medical service of Yellowstone National Park has headquarters at Mammoth Hot Springs where physicians and a surgeon of long experience are constantly available. A well-equipped hospital with trained nurses and other skilled personnel is a part of this service. A fine ambulance is kept in readiness for instant service.

Physicians of the medical service staff will promptly attend patients at any place in the park upon call. Trained nurses are also stationed in each hotel and lodge, and these establishments are provided with adequately equipped dispensaries.

In case of accident or illness requiring the service of a physician or nurse, proceed at once to the nearest hotel, lodge, or ranger station, where medical service can be summoned by telephone.

Rates for medical and hospital service are the same as prevailing rates in cities near the park.

TELEGRAPH SERVICE

Telegrams may be sent from hotels or lodges to any part of the world. Park visitors should use "Yellowstone Park, Wyo.", as their telegraphic address and should inquire for messages at the telegraph office in the Mammoth Hotel, Mammoth Hot Springs. Lists of undelivered telegrams are posted daily at hotels, lodges, loop ranger stations, stores, and information offices. These lists are posted for your benefit and convenience. Inspect them daily. There may be a telegram for you.

TELEPHONE SERVICE

Telephone service is available to any part of the world to which Bell System lines connect. Calls placed to Yellowstone Park, Wyo., for persons within the park will reach them if they are at any of the hotels, lodges, or principal auto camps.

POST OFFICE

The main post office in the park is called Yellowstone Park, Wyo., and is located at Mammoth Hot Springs. Railroad visitors are advised to have their mail addressed care of the "Yellowstone Park Hotel Co." or the "Yellowstone Park Lodge & Camps Co.", depending upon whether the trip is to be made via hotels or lodges. All mail so addressed is first received at the Mammoth offices of the hotels and lodges and distributed from these points. If no particular hotel or lodge is designated in the address the mail is held at the Mammoth offices of the hotels or lodges pending directions to forward. General-delivery mail must be called for at the post office at Mammoth Hot Springs, but can on request be forwarded to hotels, lodges, or by daily carrier to postal stations on the loop. Automobile visitors should have their mail addressed with their name, "care of General Delivery, Yellowstone Park, Wyo.", and should call for same at the post office on their arrival at Mammoth Hot Springs. Post offices near the park entrances are all located outside, and their location with regard to trip as planned should be studied before having mail forwarded to them.

In addition to the Yellowstone post office there are five postal stations in the park, at Old Faithful, Lake, Fishing Bridge, Canyon, and Tower Falls. Daily service is maintained from June 20 to September 19 by motor route between the main office and the stations.

GUIDE MAP OF YELLOWSTONE AND GRANT TETON NATIONAL PARKS
(click on image for a PDF version)

HIGHWAYS TO YELLOWSTONE

Yellowstone National Park may be reached from all major points, including other national parks and monuments, via improved United States highways. American Automobile Association offices throughout the country are prepared to furnish reliable information as well as maps showing routes to and from the park.

Inquiry should be made at various cities concerning road conditions.

Yellowstone National Park may be reached from the following highways:

Gardiner, Mont. (north entrance): United States Highways Nos. 10 and 87 W.; United States Highways Nos. 2 and 87 W.; United States Highways Nos. 10 and 12; United States Highways Nos. 16 and 10.

Cody, Wyo. (east entrance): United States Highways Nos. 16 and 20; United States Highway No. 20; United States Highway No. 10 to Billings, and United States Highway No. 310 south to Cody.

Snake River (south entrance): United States Highway No. 87 W. (over Togwotee Pass); United States Highway No. 187 (via Hoback Canyon); United States Highways Nos. 191 and 22 (via Swan Valley and Teton Pass); United States Highways Nos. 191 and 33 (Sugar City and Teton Pass).

West Yellowstone, Mont. (west entrance): United States Highway No. 10 to Bozeman and south through Gallatin Gateway; United States Highways Nos. 91 or 10 to Butte, thence southwest via Virginia City and Ennis or Harrison and Ennis; United States Highway No. 191 from Pocatello.

Cooke, Mont. (northeast entrance): United States Highway No. 10 to Laurel, and southwest via Red Lodge; United States Highways Nos. 420 and 310 from Cody.

AUTOMOBILE SUPPLIES

The Yellowstone Park Transportation Co. and the general stores through out the park are authorized to sell gasoline and oil, and the transportation company and filling stations carry a stock of automobile accessories, tires, etc. The transportation company also maintains garages and repair shops at Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Fishing Bridge Auto Camp, and Grand Canyon.

FUEL

Wood yards are operated on the "cash and carry" basis by the Yellowstone Park Fuel Co. in all large automobile camps, at which bundles of sawed and split wood of convenient size are obtainable at prices approved by the Department of the Interior.

PARK MILEPOST SYSTEM

The milepost signs in Yellowstone National Park are diamond-shaped steel signs with raised letters, which are in every case initials of a junction point on the loop-road system or a park gateway. As a measure of economy these signs have not always been placed exactly 1 mile apart. Fractions of miles have been dropped in order that two mileage signs might always be placed on one steel post. For instance, between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs, a speedometer indicates that the distance is slightly over 5 miles, yet the mileage signs state the distance as 5 miles.

The following is a key to the milepost initials:

N. E. North entrance at Gardiner, Mont.

W. E. West entrance at West Yellowstone, Mont.

E. E. East entrance, 53 miles west of Cody, Wyo.

S. E. South entrance, 24 miles north of Moran, Wyo.

M. S. Mammoth Hot Springs, where the north-approach road joins the loop system.

N. J. Norris Junction, near Norris Geyser Basin, where a road leads directly across the park to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

M. J. Madison Junction, where the west-approach road joins the loop system.

O. F. Old Faithful, at the head of Upper Geyser Basin.

W. T. West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake, where the south-approach road joins the loop system.

L. J. Lake Junction, where the east or Cody approach road joins the loop system.

C. J. Canyon Junction, where a road leads directly across the park from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to Norris Geyser Basin.

T. J. Tower Junction, where the road to the Buffalo Ranch and Cooke, Mont., leaves the loop system.

C. E. Cooke Entrance, 4 miles southwest of Cooke, Mont., where the northeast approach road from Red Lodge joins the park highway system.

Mt. W. Stands for the Mount Washburn road.

There is a ranger station at each of the above entrances and near the junction points.

The main road system of Yellowstone Park is roughly in the form of a figure 8. This system is called the "Grand Loop" Highway. There are approximately 145 miles of improved highways in the main system.

The approach roads are the feeders to the loop system and they lead from all park gateways to junction points as above indicated. The aggregate length of the approach roads in the park is 99 miles.

Other roads in the park have a combined length of 66 miles.

Outside of the park boundaries, by special authority of Congress, the National Park Service maintains 24 miles of the east-approach road in the Shoshone National Forest and 25 miles of the south-approach road in the Teton National Forest.