Date: May 21, 2008
Contact: Al Nash, 307-344-2015
Contact: Stacy Vallie, 307-344-2015
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2008 08-035
Al Nash or Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2015
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
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All Yellowstone Roads Open for Memorial Day Weekend
Dunraven Pass, between Tower Fall and Canyon, and the Beartooth Highway (Highway 212), outside the park’s Northeast Entrance, will open at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 23, weather permitting. All other park roads have opened for the season.
Although park roads are open, visitors should be aware that snowpack limits access to some campsites and trails. Most trails are still covered by several feet of snow. Currently, trails in the Mammoth and Tower areas are free of snow and offer good hiking opportunities. Hikers are urged to check with visitor centers for information on bear activity and possible closures. For updated backcountry camping and trail information, the park’s Central Back-country Office is staffed seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached by calling (307) 344-2160.
Frontcountry camping is currently available at Madison, Mammoth, Fishing Bridge RV Park and Tower Fall. The Slough Creek and Bridge Bay Campgrounds are scheduled to open on May 23. Park staff is working to open a portion of the Norris Campground on May 23, as well, conditions permitting. Reservations for the Madison and Bridge Bay Campgrounds and Fishing Bridge RV Park can be made by calling 1-866-GEYSERLAND (1-866-439-7375). Camping at Mammoth, Tower Fall, Slough Creek and Norris is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Conditions permitting, other campgrounds will open as follows: Canyon on June 6, Indian Creek and Pebble Creek on June 13, and Grant Village on June 21. The Lewis Lake Campground, which was scheduled to open on June 15, is still under six feet of snow. The opening of this campground is undetermined at this time. To check the status of these campground openings call (307) 344-2114 or visit http://www.nps.gov/yell/conditions.htm.
Artist Point at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is scheduled to re-open to the public on Friday, May 23, after the completion of a major restoration project. The overlook has been closed to visitors since July 2007 to improve accessibility, restore the parking area, trails, walkways and viewing platforms, and to enhance the historic and natural beauty of the area. These improvements were made possible with funds raised by the Yellowstone Park Foundation. For specific information on the Artist Point project, visit http://www.ypf.org/news/article.asp?articleId=177.
Visitors to the Canyon area will find some closures of overlooks and trails due to lingering snowpack. Closures include the South Rim of Uncle Tom’s Trail and the South Rim Trail. The North Rim Drive will close for the season for road construction on Tuesday, May 27, at 6:00 a.m. The closure begins just east of the Canyon Campground, and ends at the North Rim Drive exit. This closure will affect all access along the North Rim Trail, which includes Inspiration Point, Grandview Point, Lookout Point, Red Rock Trail and overlook and the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail.
The fishing season begins Saturday, May 24. Anglers must possess a valid Yellowstone fishing permit, available at ranger stations, visitor centers and general stores throughout the park. Visit http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/todo/fishing/index.htm for specific regulations, fees and current fishing conditions.
Visitors are encouraged to call for weather and road reports before visiting Yellowstone by calling (307) 344-2117.
-www.nps.gov/yell -
