National Park Travel Blog

Many Glacier Hotel is a historic hotel located within Glacier National Park, on the east shore of Swiftcurrent Lake. The building is designed as a series of chalets, up to four stories tall, and stretches for a substantial distance along the lakeshore. The building has a Swiss alpine theme both on the outside and on the inside. The foundation is made of stone, with a wood superstructure. The outside is finished with brown-painted wood siding, and the window framing and balconies have wood sawn in Swiss jigsawn patterns. On the inside, the four-story lobby is surrounded by balconies, whose railings are patterned after Swiss designs.

Many Glacier Hotel was built in the period between 1910 and 1915, when the Great Northern Railway was establishing a series of hotels and backcountry chalets in the park. This was part of an effort by Louis Hill, president of the Great Northern Railway and son of James J. Hill, to establish Glacier National Park as a destination resort and to promote the area as the “American Alps”. To this end, Hill chose a Swiss chalet style for the hotels and chalets. The Glacier Park Lodge (previously known as the Glacier Park Hotel) and the Many Glacier Hotel were intended to be the core structures, while the chalets and campgrounds were sited in the backcountry within an easy day’s ride or hike from one of the hotels or another chalet. The chalets were intended to entice visitors to leave the hotels and see the backcountry in a more rustic manner.

Today, the hotel still maintains its historic character, in part by not placing televisions in guest rooms. Most rooms either have views of Swiftcurrent Lake or the surrounding mountain scenery. Facilities include the Ptarmigan Dining room, the Swiss Room Lounge and Interlaken Lounge, Heidi’s Snack Shop, and Grizzly Track Traders Gift Shop. The hotel is a contributing property in the National Historic Landmark, Great Northern Railway Buildings district.

Many Glacier, named after the numerous glaciers on surrounding mountains, is a hiker’s paradise and an excellent place to view wildlife. If you’re visiting the area and looking for an easy way to get acclimated to the region’s hiking, then take a walk on the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail. This 2.6 mile loop around the lake starts at the shore south of the Many Glacier Hotel. The trail traverses a 400 year-old spruce forest as well as a 70 year-old lodgepole pine forest that was planted after a forest fire in 1936.

Before hiking in the Many Glacier area, be sure to stop by a visitor center or ranger station to pick up maps and learn about any trail closings due to bear activity. Many Glacier offers all kinds of adventure for the outdoor enthusiast including boat tours, horseback riding, mountain hiking, fishing, backpacking, photography, wildlife viewing and much more.

If you plan a visit to Glacier National Park this summer, be sure to make your lodging reservations as early as possible. Reservations for lodging inside the park are accepted up to one year in advance; and subsequently, many lodges and cabins sell out well in advance. For more information about Glacier National Park, visit National Park Travel at www.nationalparktravel.com/glacier.htm. If you’re interested in the Many Glacier Hotel, visit http://www.nationalparktravel.com/manyglacierhotel.htm.

Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road takes you on a potentially epic journey through Yosemite National Park. Traveling through the home of the largest living beings, the tallest exposed chunk of granite, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, a trip down this byway should reside near the top of every traveler’s must-do list. Originally set aside by Abraham Lincoln in 1864 and later named as the second National Park in 1872, Yosemite National Park boasts rich historical value in addition to the obvious scenic values and recreation opportunities in the valley. Bring your camera, hiking boots, and plenty of supplies because regardless of the season, you’ll find the perfect trail to indulge your hiking passion along the byway. Before you head out, take a look at the Yosemite National Park website for descriptions and useful information about the various trails you’ll find throughout the park.

A casual explorer discovers countless wonders within minutes of the byway. Stroll among the giant sequoias in Toulumne Grove where these 30-foot-thick monoliths testify to thousands of years’ worth of experience. The 2.5-mile hike guides you over a short, smooth trail through the grove, which includes one hollowed-out tree you can walk through. But be prepared—this hike is strenuous for some. In the springtime, cool off in the spray created by countless roadside waterfalls or take one of the quick half-mile hikes to Bridal Veil Falls or Yosemite Falls, both just a few miles south of the byway in Yosemite Valley. Enjoy the refreshing spray from both falls in the spring and early summer, for Yosemite Falls often dries up from late July or August through October.

Though the views of massive spring waterfalls and soaring granite cliffs from Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road never fail to inspire, the busy summer season often finds the sites closest to the byway crowded with your fellow tourists. The majority of visitors rarely stray from the road, however, so a half-hour’s hike down any trail results in quiet communion with nature. And trails abound! Feeling adventurous? Take the 14-mile round trip hike to Cloud’s Rest. The trail begins at the midpoint of the byway at Tenaya Lake and ends on a tiny precipice with sheer cliffs on three sides. Stand atop Cloud’s Rest and take in the awe-inspiring views of Yosemite’s iconic granite domes and dense conifer forests surrounding you.

Many travelers head to Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road seeking a more strenuous vacation, following a philosophy that a true retreat from the office requires epic forays in wild areas, tempting danger and risking injury while pushing their own limits. These explorers find a surplus of opportunities along the byway. A rock climber’s dream come true, El Capitan also offers dedicated hikers an opportunity to brave a 17-mile hike past Eagle Point and Nevada Falls to stand atop the tallest piece of granite on earth. A few visitors tackle all 211 miles of the John Muir Trail, ending at the top of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the lower 48 states. Regardless of your motivation, a trip along Tioga Road/Big Oak Flat Road takes you through 64 miles of consistently inspiring beauty, culturally significant sites, and a bounty of hiking opportunities.

This article was produced by the National Scenic Byways Program, and more information about America’s Scenic Byways can be found at http://www.byways.org. If you’re planning a vacation in Yosemite National Park this year, then be sure to visit National Park Travel for more information about Yosemite National Park including lodging, things to do, weather, webcams, news, and much more.

Yellowstone National Park is truly one of the most unique places on Earth, and everyone should make an effort to visit at least once. With all of its geysers, hot springs, mud pots, steam vents, wildlife, rivers, lakes, mountains and wilderness, Yellowstone has something for everyone. Check out the following trivial facts about Yellowstone and its many natural wonders.

Did you know:

The Upper Geyser Basin (location of Old Faithful) contains the densest concentration of geysers in the world. Twenty five percent (25%) of the world’s geysers are located in this two square mile area.

At Norris Geyser Basin, magma is closer to the surface than any other place in the park. When you drill a hole in the crust of the earth, the temperature increases the further down you go. Normally, this temperature increase is fairly constant at 1.4 degrees F for every 100 feet down. However, a hole drilled at Norris Geyser Basin showed the temperature increased 89 times faster, at a rate of 124 degrees F for every 100 feet down.

The Old Faithful Geyser spews about 8,500 gallons of water everytime it erupts.

On average, seismographs pick up 2,000 earthquakes in Yellowstone National Park each year.

On August 17, 1959, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit the Yellowstone area at 11:37 p.m. The quake was centered near Hebgen Lake just west of the park, and it was the largest earthquake ever recorded in Montana.

The fires of 1988 burned about 800,000 acres inside Yellowstone Park and another 400,000 acres around the park, an area about equal to the size of Delaware. However, only one-third of the park burned.

On average, 22 forest fires are started in the park by lightning each year; however, in 1988 about 50 fires were started by lightning.

About 86% of the rock in Yellowstone is volcanic, and the rest is sedimentary.

Pushed upward by a churning sea of magma, the land in Yellowstone has been rising at an average rate of one inch per year.

The Yellowstone caldera is the largest known center of active volcanism on the planet, measuring 45 by 30 miles.

During an eruption of the Yellowstone caldera two million years ago, 600 cubic miles of ash were ejected, enough to evenly cover the entire state of Montana in 20 feet of ash.

Yellowstone Lake holds about four billion gallons of water.

Five percent of Yellowstone’s surface area is water with Yellowstone Lake making up the majority at 136 square miles.

The record high temperature for Yellowstone was recorded in Lamar Valley in 1936 at 98 degrees F. The record low temperature for Yellowstone was recorded in Madison in February 1933 at 66 degrees below zero.

The largest rodent in the park is the beaver, weighing up to 90 pounds when full grown and well fed.

A five ounce pocket gopher can move approximately five tons of soil per year.

A moose can keep its head underwater grazing on aquatic plants for up to three minutes at a time.

Wolves were completely absent from Yellowstone for about 70 years prior to being reintroduced in 1995. It’s believed that the last Yellowstone wolf was killed in 1926.

An estimated 10,000 elk live in Yellowstone National Park, making it the park’s most numerous large mammal.

Bison do not get cancer. They are thought to be the only mammal with immunity to cancer.

Bison can live 30 to 40 years.

Bison weigh up to 2,000 pounds (one ton) and can run at speeds up to 45 miles per hour.

A grizzly bear will eat an average of 35 pounds of food each day. They typically spend 20 hours out of every 24 hours eating, consuming 20,000 calories daily and gaining 40 pounds a week. That would be equivalent to a human eating 40 hamburgers and 40 ice cream sundaes everyday.

The hump on a grizzly’s back is made of muscle, which is used to dig for food and to make dens.

From a standing point, a grizzly bear can run 100 meters in six seconds.

Grizzly bears can live up to 30 years in the wild.

Lake Hotel is the oldest hotel still in use in the park. Built with Northern Pacific Railroad money between 1889 and 1891, it was completely remodeled in the mid-1980’s and restored to its original glory. It’s also the world’s longest wooden hotel at 890 feet long.

On average in the summer time, the water temperature of Yellowstone Lake is 41 degrees F. The average survival time in water that cold is 30 minutes.

Yellowstone became the first national park in 1872.

There are countless other trivial facts and natural wonders in Yellowstone National Park. Plan your next vacation at Yellowstone National Park and experience them first hand. Yellowstone received a record number of visitors last year, so plan accordingly and make your reservations as soon as possible. For more information about Yellowstone National Park including lodging, things to do, major attractions, wildlife, news and weather, visit National Park Travel at www.nationalparktravel.com. You can also get a DVD about Yellowstone National Park by visiting the National Park Video Library at http://www.nationalparktravel.com/videolibrary.htm.

Business boomed inside Yosemite National Park in 2009, with the highest number of visitors since a decade-long slump began amid the floods of 1997.

Park officials report that about 3.9 million people came to the park last year, about a half million more than in 2006, which marked the bottom of the slump. The number of people coming to see Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and other park landmarks has risen in each of the past three years, at exactly the same time the U.S. economy has been in a tailspin.

Park officials said they have some ideas why more people are visiting.

“With the economy being so bad, people are staying closer to home,” park spokeswoman Kari Cobb said. “Another thing we attribute it to is the Ken Burns film. That has reached a lot of people we haven’t necessarily been able to reach.”

“The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” which documents the history of the parks, aired on PBS in the fall.

More people may be visiting, but they likely are not the same folks who came in years past. The floods of 1997 as well as policy decisions eliminated 353 of 828 camping sites in Yosemite Valley. The number of hotel and lodge rooms inside Yosemite Valley also has been reduced. Yosemite Valley receives 90 percent of park visitors.

With increased visitation and reduced lodging availability inside Yosemite National Park, it’s more important than ever to plan your Yosemite vacation as early as possible. Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance. For more information about Yosemite lodging, activities, weather, and more, visit www.nationalparktravel.com/yosemite.htm. You can also access videos of the national park by visiting the National Park Video Library. For information about other national parks, visit National Park Travel.

With all the movies and news stories about a potential volcanic eruption in Yellowstone National Park, there is a great deal of public perception that it may not be safe to visit Yellowstone National Park. Nothing could be further from the truth. Scientists and government authorities agree that there is NO evidence of an imminent eruption. In fact, authorities state that it is very unlikely that an eruption will even occur in the next 10,000 years. Subsequently, it is still safe to visit Yellowstone, and the park received a record number of visitors in 2009. We’ve included some questions and answers about the Yellowstone Volcano as provided by the National Park Service.

 Q: How imminent is an eruption of the Yellowstone Volcano?

A: There is no evidence that a catastrophic eruption at Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is imminent. Current geologic activity at Yellowstone has remained relatively constant since earth scientists first started monitoring some 30 years ago. Though another caldera-forming eruption is theoretically possible, it is very unlikely to occur in the next thousand or even 10,000 years. Scientists have also found no indication of an imminent smaller eruption of lava.

Q: How much advance notice would there be of an eruption?A: The science of forecasting a volcanic eruption has significantly advanced over the past 25 years. Most scientists think that the buildup preceding a catastrophic eruption would be detectable for weeks and perhaps months to years. Precursors to volcanic eruptions include strong earthquake swarms and rapid ground deformation and typically take place days to weeks before an actual eruption. Scientists at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory* (YVO) closely monitor the Yellowstone region for such precursors. They expect that the buildup to larger eruptions would include intense precursory activity (far exceeding background levels) at multiple spots within the Yellowstone volcano. As at many caldera systems around the world, small earthquakes, ground uplift and subsidence, and gas releases at Yellowstone are commonplace events and do not reflect impending eruptions.

*The YVO is a collaborative effort between the US Geological Survey, the University of Utah, and YNP to monitor and study the Yellowstone Volcano. Congress has given the USGS the responsibility of volcano hazard assessment, and YNP assists the USGS in their volcano monitoring effort.

Q: In regard to volcanic activity, is it safe to visit Yellowstone?A: Yes. Scientists do not have any indication of an imminent eruption, or any eruption, at this time.

Q: What is park staff doing to monitor and assess the probability of an eruption?A: The YVO maintains an array of instruments that monitor activities at Yellowstone around the clock. In addition, YVO scientists collaborate with scientists from all over the world to study and assess the hazards of the Yellowstone volcano. To learn more about Yellowstone’s volcanic past and to view current data about earthquakes, ground movement, and stream flow, visit the YVO website at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/.

Q: When will the volcano erupt again? Will there be any warning? How much warning will there be?A: The science of forecasting a volcanic eruption has significantly advanced over the past 25 years. Most scientists think that the buildup preceding a catastrophic eruption would be detectable for weeks and perhaps months to years. Precursors to volcanic eruptions include strong earthquake swarms and rapid ground deformation and typically take place days to weeks before an actual eruption. Scientists at the YVO closely monitor the Yellowstone region for such precursors. They expect that the buildup to larger eruptions would include intense precursory activity (far exceeding background levels) at multiple spots within the Yellowstone volcano. As at many caldera systems around the world, small earthquakes, ground uplift and subsidence, and gas releases at Yellowstone are commonplace events and do not reflect impending eruptions.

Q: Is the volcano dormant or extinct or still active?A: The Yellowstone Volcano is still active. Evidence for the activity of the Yellowstone Volcano are the 1,000 to 3,000 earthquakes per year, active ground deformation, and the over 10,000 thermal features found in Yellowstone.

Q: What is Yellowstone doing to prevent an eruption?A: Nothing can be done to prevent an eruption. The temperatures, pressures, physical characteristics of partially molten rock, and the immensity of the magma chamber are beyond man’s ability to influence–much less control.

Q: How will the park get the word out if there is an eruption?A: The park would communicate accurate and timely information to park visitors, park employees, concessioners, surrounding communities, media outlets, and other interested parties through the park’s 24-hour Communications Center; news releases; established emergency response programs; and through notification of appropriate interagency, state and local government agencies.

Q: Where would it be safe to be during an eruption?A: For the most likely type of volcanic eruption in Yellowstone, everywhere would be safe except in the immediate vicinity of the advancing lava flow. In the highly improbable event of a large catastrophic eruption, the greater the distance from the eruptive center, the safer it would be. It is impossible to know the effects of the eruption without guessing at the explosivity of the highly unlikely eruption and the total amount of the material erupted.

Q: Would the public know about a possible eruption?A: Yes. Scientists continuously monitor volcano activity in Yellowstone and share that information through news releases, web sites, etc. Current real-time-monitoring data are online at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/monitoring.html.

Q: If Old Faithful quits erupting, is that a sign the volcano is about to erupt?A: Geysers are natural phenomena and as such, their behavior is unpredictable and subject to unexpected changes. Old Faithful is unique in that its eruptions have been frequent and relatively consistent during the last century or so of observations. We expect Old Faithful to change in response to the ongoing geologic processes associated with mineral deposition and earthquakes. Thus, a change in Old Faithful Geyser’s eruptions will not necessarily indicate a change in volcanic activity.

With Yellowstone Park receiving record visitation, it’s important to plan your vacation as early as possible. Make your reservations for lodging and activities early in order to enjoy the best selection of options. For more information about Yellowstone National Park including geothermal features, geysers, wildlife, lodging, and activities, visit http://www.nationalparktravel.com/yellowstone.htm. National Park Travel is the leading online source for national park information and vacation-planning services.

Millions of people visit Yellowstone National Park each year. Unfortunately, many miss out on one of the area’s premier attractions, the Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center. Located in West Yellowstone (the west entrance of the park), the Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center is a non-profit wildlife park and educational facility. At the center, visitors are able to view grizzly bears, wolves, and birds of prey. In addition to offering an exciting chance to view these majestic animals at a close distance, the Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center serves a much greater purpose. The center provides shelter to animals that get into trouble, often times due to human-wildlife conflicts. Many of the animals that found their way to the center would have otherwise been euthanized, and the center offered an alternative option that ultimately saved their lives. At the same time, the center is an educational facility that helps to educate visitors about bears, wolves, and birds of prey including animal behavior, safety, and the issues that affect these animals in the wild.

The Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center includes a gift shop, an interactive bear museum exhibit, a grizzly bear habitat where bears can be seen and photographed, a wolf habitat where wolves can be viewed and photographed, a naturalist cabin where visitors can view wolves from the comfort of a heated indoor environment, a theater, and oral presentations by a naturalist. Visitors can enjoy this amazing wildlife experience at very low admission fees. Adults are $10.50, seniors are $9.75, children (ages 5 to 12) are $5.50, and children under age 5 are free! Admission is good for two consecutive days, so you can return to the center for another visit before you leave the Yellowstone area.

As a non-profit organization, the Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center relies upon visitor admission fees, membership fees, and donations to continue its operations. Without adequate support from visitors and donors, the center would not be able to continue in its admirable mission to protect these magnificent animals and educate the public about them and the issues that threaten them in the wild. You can make a difference in helping bears and wolves by supporting the Grizzly Bear and Wolf Discovery Center. There are many ways in which you can offer support. You can visit the center during your next Yellowstone National Park vacation. You can also purchase an individual, family or business membership which comes with extra benefits and also provides much-needed support to the center. Other ways to offer support include individual donations, the “adopt an animal” program, and purchasing a Grizzly Bear and Wolf Discovery Center license plate.

Like so many other wildlife species, bears and wolves face many issues that threaten their continued existence in the wild. The Discovery Center is truly working hard to make a real difference. These animals and their counterparts in Yellowstone and the surrounding wildlands need your help. By providing support to the Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center, you will be personally taking action that will help provide continued shelter for these animals, educate the public, and ultimately contribute to the continued existence of these wild animals in the Yellowstone ecosystem. You can get more information and make contributions to the Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center by visiting its website at http://www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.com/.

If you are planning a vacation at Yellowstone National Park in the upcoming year, make sure that you visit the Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center. You’ll enjoy an amazing wildlife experience and help support a great cause at the same time! Also, make your lodging and activity reservations as early as possible to ensure that you’ll have a better selection of options. Like most popular vacation destinations, the lodging at Yellowstone Park can often sell out months in advance. Keep in mind that reservations are accepted up to one year in advance. You can get extensive information about lodging and activities in Yellowstone National Park from National Park Travel at www.nationalparktravel.com/yellowstone.htm.

Tens of thousands of volunteers across the Americas join together annually during the Christmas Bird Count. The event provides a full day to celebrate birds. Since 1932, Yosemite’s participation has contributed more than 90,000 observations to the conservation event.

During the 109th Yosemite Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 14, 2008, participants identified 3,028 birds of 65 species. Highlighted by the 32 birders, separated into six groups to cover large expanses of the park, were a northern goshawk in the west end of Yosemite Valley, a merlin in Foresta, a northern mockingbird in El Portal and two red-breasted x red-naped sapsuckers–in El Portal and Foresta. Nine raptors, including sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper’s hawks, and peregrine falcons, were on the list, too. And, more than 500 band-tailed pigeons and American robins plus almost 400 Oregon dark-eyed juncos were spotted.  Past highlights include:   

• A record 1,100 band-tailed pigeons counted in 1971 
• A record 560 mountain checkadees in 1972 
• A record 483 golden-crowned kinglets in 1953 
• Two rare hooded mergansers spotted in 1940 
• Great gray owls observed during past five annual bird counts 

When bird-watching, experienced birders confidently identify birds by just a glimpse. Remember that a bird’s feathers change as an adult molts into its winter plumage. For many species, a male bird’s winter plumage is dull compared to his colorful plumage in the spring when he is interested in attracting a female with whom to mate. Also, note subtle nuances in a bird’s song or call—long trills or short chips. In the winter, birds rarely sing but make call notes to defend a territory, announce the presence of a predator, or to keep up with a mixed-species foraging flock. Tens of thousands of volunteers across the Americas join together annually during the Christmas Bird Count. The event provides a full day to celebrate birds. Since 1932, Yosemite’s participation has contributed more than 90,000 observations to the conservation event.During the 109th Yosemite Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 14, 2008, participants identified 3,028 birds of 65 species. Highlighted by the 32 birders, separated into six groups to cover large expanses of the park, were a northern goshawk in the west end of Yosemite Valley, a merlin in Foresta, a northern mockingbird in El Portal and two red-breasted x red-naped sapsuckers–in El Portal and Foresta. Nine raptors, including sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper’s hawks, and peregrine falcons, were on the list, too. And, more than 500 band-tailed pigeons and American robins plus almost 400 Oregon dark-eyed juncos were spotted. Past highlights include: 

• A record 1,100 band-tailed pigeons counted in 1971 
• A record 560 mountain checkadees in 1972 
• A record 483 golden-crowned kinglets in 1953 
• Two rare hooded mergansers spotted in 1940 
• Great gray owls observed during past five annual bird counts 

When bird-watching, experienced birders confidently identify birds by just a glimpse. (See illustrations of Yosemite’s most common species.) Remember that a bird’s feathers change as an adult molts into its winter plumage. For many species, a male bird’s winter plumage is dull compared to his colorful plumage in the spring when he is interested in attracting a female with whom to mate. Also, note subtle nuances in a bird’s song or call—long trills or short chips. In the winter, birds rarely sing but make call notes to defend a territory, announce the presence of a predator, or to keep up with a mixed-species foraging flock.

The next Yosemite Christmas Bird Count is Dec. 20, 2009. To attend the full-day event, bring binoculars, a field guide, lunch, plenty of warm clothes and sturdy shoes. A small fee typically exists to support the publication of count results in National Audubon Field Note, which will give the highlights of the International Christmas Bird Count. Plan to be outside all day, from around dawn to dusk. An annual compilation potluck dinner closes the day to allow participants to share Yosemite birding highlights. To participate, you must register in advance. Contact the Yosemite Christmas Bird Count Organizer, Sarah Stock, by phone at (209) 379-1435.

For Yosemite National Park lodging reservations, visit www.nationalparktravel.com/yosemite.htm. You’ll also find a wealth of information about the park, its attractions, facilities, webcams, and more.

With Halloween just a few days away, it’s time to begin thinking about your next winter vacation in Yellowstone National Park. If you have never visited Yellowstone during the winter season, then you are in for a pleasant surprise. Yellowstone offers entirely different scenery between the summer and winter seasons.

Winter in Yellowstone Park brings a landscape covered in pure white snow with clean crisp mountain air. The magnificence of the park’s geothermal features such as Old Faithful Gesyer is amplified with the contrast of hot steam and water in the frigid temperatures. Somehow, Yellowstone seems more spectacular, more pristine, and more remote during the winter months. Perhaps it is the deep blanket of snow that covers the park, or maybe it’s the much smaller crowds, or it could be the amazing contrast of hot steam against the pure cold mountain air. Nonetheless, there’s something very special about Yellowstone National Park in the winter.

Imagine yourself cruising through Yellowstone National Park on a snowmobile or a heated snowcoach. Imagine the excitement and awe as you pass within a few feet of a herd of wild bison or as you watch a wolf pack run through the powdery snow. Imagine yourself in the remote and pristine wilderness that is Yellowstone National Park. Many winter visitors choose to stay in West Yellowstone at the west gate of the park due to the greater availability of amenities and attractions such as a movie theater, grocery stores, snowmobile rental shops, gift stores, the Yellowstone IMAX Theater, the Grizzly Bear & Wolf Discovery Center, a variety of restaurants, lounges, casinos, and more. Others seek accommodations inside the park at the Old Faithful Snowlodge, because they simply prefer isolation and remoteness to the modern amenties mentioned above. Either way, winter visitors of Yellowstone National Park will enjoy an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Every winter visitor should spend one day touring Old Faithful and other attractions inside the park. However, there is another very exciting opportunity awaiting you in West Yellowstone - backcountry snowmobiling. While touring inside the park, guests must be accompanied by an authorized guide and must remain on the groomed roadways at all times. It is prohibited by law to snowmobile off the road inside Yellowstone National Park, and the penalites for violations are very high. It’s an entirely different story outside the park boundaries. While the scenery remains the same as you are still in the high mountains surrounding Yellowstone National Park, the rules are quite different.

Outside the park, off-road snowmobiling is allowed. There are several hundred miles of groomed snowmobile trails that can be accessed from West Yellowstone. In addition, there are tens of thousands of acres of rugged and scenic mountain terrain that can be explored by snowmobile. Outside the park, guides are not requires although they are available for the guests that prefer the knowledge and experience of a local resident. Off-road snowmobiling offers a unique experience that is both exciting and difficult to describe in mere words. Imagine yourself operating a snowmobile as you cruise effortlessly through deep powder snow on a bright sunny winter day. See yourself floating on the soft powdery snow as you glide through an open meadow. Imagine the fresh snow running over your bumper and windshield as you plow ahead on your snowmobile. It truly is a feeling that must be experienced as words alone cannnot do it justice. Whether you are a beginner seeking an exciting powder cruise through open meadows or an advanced snowmobiler looking for some steep and deep conditions ripe for high-marking (climbing mountainsides with your snowmobile in attempt to make tracks higher than others), West Yellowstone can accommodate you. In fact, West Yellowstone is known as the “Snowmobile Capital of the World”. In March, West Yellowstone hosts the World Snowmobile Expo, which is known as the largest snowmobile event in the west. The event includes hundreds of booths with snowmobile manufacturers, retailers, and countless other snowmobile-related vendors. In addition, there are numerous events including snowmobile racing. The event also brings much nightlife to West Yellowstone with live bands. It truly is an incredible event for anyone interested in snowmobiling.

West Yellowstone offers it all for a winter vacation at Yellowstone National Park - lodging, restaurants, gift shops, snowmobile rentals, snowmobile clothing rentals, guides, attractions, and access to an ocean of backcountry snowmobiling opportunities. Packages are also available. More information is available at http://www.nationalparktravel.com/yellowstone_snowmobiling.htm

Although the crowds are smaller in Yellowstone during the winter, there are fewer lodging facilities open during the winter season. Subsequently, it is important to plan early. Start today, and begin planning your next Yellowstone winter vacation. Visit National Park Travel at www.nationalparktravel.com, and click on the “Yellowstone” link or visit the site directly at http://www.nationalparktravel.com/yellowstone.htm

Make your reservation today before lodges begin to sell out, and get ready for an experience that you’ll never forget - a winter vacation at Yellowstone National Park!

Nowhere else in the world can we find the array or number of geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles found in Yellowstone. More than 75% of the world’s geysers, including the world’s largest, are here in 7 major basins. Steamboat, the world’s tallest active geyser, is in the Norris Geyser Basin. Old Faithful, Grand, Castle, Giantess, Beehive, and Lion geysers may be frequently observed in the Upper Geyser Basin. Old Faithful Geyser has never been either the largest or most regular of geysers-yet, it has been the most regular and frequent geyser that erupts to a height of more than 100 feet; the average time between eruptions ranges between about 66 and 80 minutes, although occasionally visitors must wait two hours between eruptions of Old Faithful. For other major geysers in the Old Faithful and Norris geyser basins, eruption frequencies, durations, and heights change fairly often, especially in response to seismic activity; park visitors will find the most current information about specific geyser behavior patterns available at the Old Faithful Visitor Center or the Norris Museum. The park’s thermal features lie in the only essentially undisturbed geyser basins left worldwide. In Iceland and New Zealand, geothermal drill holes and wells 2.5 - 6.2 miles distant have reduced geyser activity and hot spring discharge. Despite the proximity of roads and trails in the largest basins, few park features have ever been diverted for human use (such as bathing pools or energy). Yellowstone National Park offers visitors and scientists an opportunity to appreciate thermal features in their natural, changing state. For example, research on thermophilic bacteria, algae mats, predators, and their environments is applied elsewhere to energy fuel production and extraction, bio-mining, control and removal of toxic wastes, development of new surfactants and fermentation processes, and other fields.Park features have always been subject to some influence from human vandalism. In the park’s early years it was common for visitors to use thermal features as “wishing wells”, and this practice continues to some degree today. Coins, rocks, trash, logs or stumps, and other paraphernalia are found in the narrow vents of geysers and hot springs. Features have been plugged up, and little can be done to repair the damage. Radical attempts to siphon surface water and induce eruptions have occasionally been tried on famous features such as Morning Glory Pool, with varying degrees of success. Damage also occurs when people leave walkways and climb on features, or occasionally break pieces of sinter or travertine off for souvenirs.  

Features can also be affected by nearby ground-disturbing activities. The presence of water, sewer, and other utility systems adjacent to thermal areas has likely affected features in the past. Since many major features are located near roads and developed areas, major maintenance and construction activities must be carefully designed and monitored so as not to alter thermal features.Periodically, applications are made for geothermal leases in Known Geothermal Resource Areas (KGRAs) outside the park, such as in the Island Park KGRA west of the park, and the Corwin Springs KGRA north of Yellowstone National Park near LaDuke Hot Springs. A rapid change in energy economics could increase pressure to open non-federal lands to leasing and drilling activity. Thus, research is needed to determine the extent to which Yellowstone’s geothermal systems connect with areas of lease application west and north of the boundary. 

Volcanic and seismic processes are very active in the park. A network of seismic monitoring stations in the park provides data to help understand overall seismicity in the region and gauge the magnitude of earth tremors. Thermal features and basins respond violently to volcanic/seismic activity, which creates both a serious hazard to humans and an opportunity to study and possibly predict major geologic hazards. Thus, maintenance of a long-term geothermal data base also helps us manage visitor use to increase public safety in a naturally hazardous environment.

Legislative restrictions on geothermal development around Yellowstone, such as the Old Faithful Protection Act introduced in 1992, have failed to pass Congressional approval. In 1994, the NPS and the state of Montana agreed to monitor and control the use of hot, warm, and cold groundwater in areas just north of the park. Proponents of water use must show that proposed geothermal development will not adversely affect park features. This Water Rights Compact could serve as a model for agreements between the park and other states to ensure the continued flow of heat and water to Yellowstone’s famous geysers and hot springs.

The magnificent geothermal features of Yellowstone National Park await you. Don’t pass up the opportunity to view and photograph these awesome wonders of nature. Plan your next visit to Yellowstone National Park today, and visit www.nationalparktravel.com for more information about the park, lodging, weather, news, and things to do.

In the current economic recession, many people have lost their jobs and others are worried about the future security of their employment. At a time when jobs are scarce in many metropolitan areas, the national parks continue to hire thousands of people each year. Many people wonder how they might be able to live near or even inside one of America’s beautiful national parks. The answer is surprisingly simple - obtain employment in a national park.

There are several places where you can search for jobs at national parks; however, one of the best sources is CoolWorks.com. Cool Works offers a centralized location online where people can search for jobs at multiple national parks, and it is one of the most used websites for national park employment.

Job seekers can also find positions by searching individual national park employment sites. One example includes www.yellowstonejobs.com, a website that posts jobs available in Yellowstone National Park. 

Finally, if you are seeking a full-time permanent job with a federal government agency such as the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, you need to visit http://www.usajobs.gov/. The federal government posts its employment opportunities on the website, and you can utilize advanced job search features to narrow down your search by location and job type.  

We may be in the middle of an economic recession; however, you would not know it from looking at the national park job market. National parks are currently hiring for all kinds of positions ranging from seasonal to full-time permanent, and more workers are needed. Check out the websites listed in this blog post, and start pursuing the opportunity of a lifetime - a great job in one of America’s most beautiful places!    

If you’re interested in learning more about a national park before you decide to pursue employment there, visit www.nationalparktravel.com. You’ll find all the information you need to plan your next national park vacation.