Yellowstone has survived for 150 years. Mineral exploitation, logging and poachers were the most serious threats between 1872 and 1916.  In the 'The Act of Dedication' (1872), Yellowstone was "set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people". As of October 2021, Yellowstone has already received more than 4 million visitors. The threat to Yellowstone National Park today is primarily heavy visitor usage/footprint and Climate Change.

Best Practices

- all suggestions are meant as general advice when possible and appropriate to your trip planning and schedule

1) Book accommodations months in advance 

2) Stay inside the park (splurge or suffer later)

3) Visit only during weekdays

4) Minimum 2 nights, 3 days

5) Start early 6am to 8am

6) Rest during midday

7) Enjoy heavy visitation areas at dusk

8) Don't be the cause of traffic congestion (don't stop for wildlife unless they are crossing)

9) Buy a National Park Pass ($80) 

10) Be prepared (refillable water container, binoculars, high-zoom camera, etc)

Being an iconic 150 year old park will inevitably include plenty of Historic sites that should not be ignored.

"Yellowstone National Park’s National Historic Landmarks include the Old Faithful Inn, Obsidian Cliff, Fort Yellowstone, Lake Hotel, the Northeast Entrance Station, and the trailside museums at Norris Geyser Basin, Fishing Bridge, and Madison." - Yellowstone Quarterly

Yellowstone fully met and exceeded my expectations during my visit between June 16th to June 19th, 2021. The National Parks in the United States (and in fact many nations) provide a special experience for those who enjoy the outdoors. One final thought, the "virgin-wilderness myth" remains pervasive to many National Park enthusiasts, despite the cultural sites and legacies that are found throughout the park system. Yellowstone is no different, this land was affected by human interaction with the landscape and wildlife for more than 10,000 years.

"In the oral traditions of the Crow, Shoshone, Blackfeet, Flathead, Bannock, Nez Perce and other tribes with ancient associations to Yellowstone, there is a rich store of material about the country they knew as “land of the geysers,” “land of the burning ground,” “the place of hot water,” “land of vapors” or “many smoke.” - The Lost History of Yellowstone