Date: October 12, 2007
Contact: Al Nash, 307-344-2010
Contact: Stacy Vallie, 307-344-2012
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2007 07-99
Al Nash or Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2010 or 344-2012
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
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Yellowstone Visitor Services and Roads Begin to Close For the Season
With the chill of fall in the air and winter imminent, visitors to Yellowstone should be prepared before entering the park. Temporary road closures are likely this time of year and there are limited services available as the season winds down.
Most of the park’s general stores have closed for the season, with the exception of the Upper Store at Old Faithful and the Adventure Store at Canyon, both of which close at noon on October 21. The store at Mammoth remains open all year, but will be closed temporarily this year from November 5-12 for floor refinishing.
October 13 will be the last night for lodging at the Old Faithful Inn. The last night for lodging inside the park will be October 20 at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge which will then close for the season. All other lodging facilities have closed.
Old Faithful is the only remaining location with full food service in the park. Restaurants at both the Inn and Snow Lodge will remain open until after breakfast on October 14 and 21, respectively. Fast food service is currently available at the Inn’s Bear Paw Snack Shop through October 13, the Mammoth Terrace Grill through October 14, and the Geyser Grill at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge through November 4.
Campers have limited options as the season draws to an end. The last night for camping at Madison is October 27; Slough Creek, October 30; and Lewis Lake, November 3. The campground at Mammoth is open year-round.
Service stations will remain open at Old Faithful through October 14, and at Canyon from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., through October 21. Gas will then be available only by credit card at the pumps at Old Faithful, Canyon, and Fishing Bridge service stations.
This is the last weekend to visit the Canyon Visitor Education Center before it closes on October 14 at 5 p.m. The temporary visitor center at Old Faithful will close at 5 p.m. on November 4. While the Albright Visitor Center in Mammoth is open all year, it will be closed for Veterans Day on November 11 and Thanksgiving Day on November 22. All other visitor centers have closed for the season.
The road between Tower Fall and Canyon (Dunraven Pass) and the Beartooth Highway from Long Lake to the summit at the Montana/Wyoming state line closed at 8 a.m. on October 9. All other park roads close in preparation for the winter season at 8 a.m. on November 5, with the exception of the road from Gardiner, Montana, at the park’s North Entrance, to Cooke City, Montana, at the park’s Northeast Entrance, which is open all year. Weather conditions could temporarily close some roads at any time. Recorded information on road conditions is available 24 hours a day by calling (307) 344-2117.
Park roads are scheduled to reopen to oversnow vehicle use on December 19, if there is adequate snow to allow for safe travel. Information on visiting the park in winter is available online at http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/winteract.htm.
Season End Summary:
October 13
Last night to stay at Old Faithful Inn
Old Faithful Bear Paw Snack Shop closes at end of day
October 14
Mammoth Terrace Grill closes at end of day
Old Faithful Inn closes
Old Faithful Inn restaurant closes after breakfast
Old Faithful Inn Gift Shop closed
Old Faithful Lower Service Station closes (credit card pumps available)
Old Faithful Wrecker Service closes
Canyon Village Visitor Education Center closes at 5 p.m.
October 20 Last night to stay at Old Faithful Snow Lodge
October 21
Old Faithful Snow Lodge closes
Old Faithful Snow Lodge restaurant closes after breakfast
Old Faithful Upper Store closes at noon
Canyon Village Adventure Store closes at noon
Canyon Village Service Station closes at 6 p.m. (credit card pumps available)
October 28 Madison Campground closed
October 31 Slough Creek Campground closed
November 4
Old Faithful Geyser Grill fast food & Gift Shop closes at end of day
Old Faithful Temporary Visitor Center closes at 5 p.m.
Lewis Lake Campground closed
November 5
8 a.m. – official road closure date (except North Entrance to Northeast Entrance which stays open year round); check road status at 307-344-2117.
November 5-12
Temporary closure of Mammoth General Store for floor refinishing
November 11 Mammoth Albright Visitor Center closed for holiday (Veteran’s Day)
November 22 Mammoth Albright Visitor Center closed for holiday (Thanksgiving)
-www.nps.gov/yell-
