West Yellowstone, Montana - Overview and Essential Travel Information
By Act of Congress on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park was 'dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people' and 'for the preservation, from injury or spoilation, of all timber, mineral deposits, natural curiosities, or wonders. . . and their retention in their natural condition.' Yellowstone is the first and oldest national park in the world.
The commanding features that initially attracted interest, and led to the preservation of Yellowstone as a national park, were geological: the geothermal phenomena (there are more geysers and hot springs here than in the rest of the world combined), the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, fossil forests, and the size and elevation of Yellowstone Lake.
The human history of the park is evidenced by cultural sites dating back 12,000 years. More recent history can be seen in the historic structures and sites that represent the various periods of park administration and visitor facilities development.
Yellowstone Park is also home to the largest super volcano in the world. The last eruption occured some 60,000 yrs. ago forming what is now knwon as the great geyser basin area and Yellowstone lake. If it were to erupt again it would have the same effect as if an asteroid hit the planet, massive devistation worldwide. The magma in this volcano is just a few miles below the surface in some areas even closer. With all that aside it is one of the most beautiful spots in the world, living only about 100 miles from the park, my wife and I spend alot of time there.
GETTING AROUND
Most visits use private vehicles to get around inside Yellowstone National Park. There is no public transportation service provided within the park.
AmFac Parks & Resorts provides bus tours within the park during the summer season. The Lower Loop Tour departs from locations in the southern part of the Park only. The Upper Loop Tour departs from Lake Hotel, Fishing Bridge RV Park, and Canyon Lodge to tour the northern section of the park only. The Grand Loop Tour departs from Gardiner, MT and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel to tour the entire park in one day. During the winter season, they provide several snowcoach tours from various locations. Please call (307) 344-7311 for information or reservations.
During the summer season, commercial businesses offer tours originating from many area towns and cities. During the winter season, some businesses provide snowcoach tours for most park roads or bus transportation on the Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City road.
It is very important to remember that the wildlife in the park is just that WILD, never approch an animal on foot, far too many times tourists have been injured just to get that one good picture. You cannot outrun a buffalo no matter how fast you think you are. That holds true for bear and elk as well. Stay a good safe distance away and respect the animals Yellowstone.
GETTING THERE
PLANE - Commercial airlines serve the following airports near Yellowstone National Park all year: Cody and Jackson, WY; Bozeman and Billings, MT, and Idaho Falls, ID. The West Yellowstone, MT airport is serviced from June to early September.
CAR - North Entrance - Near the gateway community of Gardiner, MT, the North Entrance is the only park entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year. November through April, the North Entrance provides the only access to Cooke City, MT. Beyond Cooke City the road is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. The road from Mammoth to Norris is open to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through the first Sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third Wednesday in December to Monday of the first full week in March. The north entrance is also the original entrance used when the park first opened. The stone archway is still there.
West Entrance - Adjacent to the town of West Yellowstone, MT, the West Entrance is open to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through the first Sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third Wednesday in December to Monday of the second full week in March.
South & East Entrances - Open to wheeled vehicles from the first Friday of May through the first Sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third wednesday in December to monday of the second full week in March. Limited services are available near the South & East Entrances.
Northeast Entrance - Near the gateway community of Cooke City, MT, this entrance is open year around for wheeled vehicle access to Cooke City through Gardiner, MT and the North Entrance. Opening dates for roads east of Cooke City vary from year to year, depending on the weather. The northeast entrance is by far the most scenic to get to. You must go over Beartooth Pass from Red Lodge MT. or over Chief Joeseph scenic byway just north of Cody WY, winding its way through the Sunlight Basin to Cooke City.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Bus service from Bozeman, MT to West Yellowstone, MT via Highway 191 is available all year. Bus service directly from Idaho to West Yellowstone is limited to the summer months. Commercial transportation from Bozeman, MT to Gardiner, MT is available during the winter and summer seasons. Commercial transportation to the park from Cody and Jackson, WY is available during the summer season. There is no public transportation within the park.
information provided by ctraveler2 at TravelPost
