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Written by Aleksa B. Forming emotional attachments to wild animals is usually a recipe for heartbreak. Unlike domesticated species (dogs, cats, other pets), the lives of animals in the wild are often fleeting and unforgiving. But when you work in Yellowstone, see these animals every day, and are fortunate enough to witness their entire lives…

Blog by YW Naturalist Parker N. Before Yellowstone became famous as the world’s first national park in 1872, it was a home and hunting ground for Native American tribes who occasionally lived, and regularly traveled through, for thousands of years. While many people think of Yellowstone as a “pristine wilderness,” untouched before it was protected,…

For most visitors to Yellowstone National Park, spotting an owl is a rare and unforgettable experience. These elusive birds, cloaked in secrecy and stealth, are masters of camouflage and often go unnoticed by the casual observer. Their primarily nocturnal habits, keen senses, and shy disposition only add to their allure. While many people hope to…

By YW Naturalist Laura L. Old Faithful is not the tallest geyser in the world. It’s not the most frequent. It may not even be the most exciting. And yet, it’s undeniably the most famous. Why? The answer can be found in a combination of factors working in sync to create its signature “faithfulness”. For…

Which Yellowstone Park Pass Should I Purchase? All visitors to Yellowstone National Park aged 16 and above are required to purchase an entrance pass before entering the park for the first time. These fees are collected by the National Park Service (Department of the Interior) and used primarily (80%)  for Yellowstone National Park operations (~20%…

By YW Naturalist Aleksa B.  Spring and early summer in Yellowstone National Park is an absolute feast for the senses. With all manner of newborn animals on the landscape, flocks of migratory birds in the skies, and enough snow on the mountaintops to create stunning scenery, it’s a magnificent time of rebirth. Beginning with…

By YW Naturalist Evan Watts Finally, a bit of sunshine. Forty-degree temperatures. The sound of snowmelt dripping from the rooftops. A mountain bluebird flutters overhead as the first grizzly bears emerge from hibernation and begin their search for winter-killed elk carcasses. A brutal, cold winter is over, and spring is coming. Spring is my favorite…

“That the tract of land in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming, lying near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River,… is hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale under the laws of the United States, and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the…

If you are visiting Yellowstone during its most beautiful and harrowing season, simply look to the “experts” for inspiration. The park’s wildlife are naturally equipped for frigid weather in many ways, including growing thick underlayers of fur or insulating downy feathers and packing on layers of fat during times of feast. While we may not…

Yellowstone National Park The day was June 18th, 2024, and what better way to spend your day off than exploring Yellowstone’s wonders with a camera in hand? This time of year, there is so much going on in the Northern Range that it’s hard to go elsewhere. Nonetheless, my curiosity led me to take a…