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Traci Weaver or Amy Bartlett Summer is here, and Yellowstone is welcoming visitors for the upcoming Independence Day holiday. Since July is the park’s busiest visitation month, the following tips and reminders are provided for ensuring a safe and memorable holiday weekend vacation: • Fireworks are not allowed inside the park or on the surrounding national forest lands. Annual fireworks displays are held in many of the park’s gateway communities. • After two weeks of hot and dry weather, fire managers increased the fire danger rating to High on Tuesday. High fire danger means fires start easily and spread at a fast rate. Campfires are only allowed in designated fire rings in the 11 developed campgrounds and most backcountry campsites. To properly extinguish a campfire, use water and stir the coals and ash until they are cold to the touch. • Whether along the road or along a hiking trail, visitors are required to view wildlife from a safe distance of at least 25 yards for most large animals and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. This is to ensure the safety of both people and animals. • Extra time should be factored into traveling from place to place in the park. Traffic congestion and delays due to a high volume of vehicles, especially when wildlife is on or near the roadway, should be expected. Visitors should keep their eyes open for animals present on the road and be prepared to stop for any wildlife sightseeing “jams.” • You can protect yourself and Yellowstone’s valuable natural resources by staying on trails and boardwalks in thermal areas. Pets, smoking and eating in thermal areas are also prohibited. For valuable trip planning information, visit https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/index.htm. - www.nps.gov/yell -
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Last updated: July 1, 2015