TRAVEL TIPS - Yellowstone Treasures - page 420

TRAVEL TIPS
When you enter the park, you'll receive the official Yellowstone Park newspaper, Yellowstone
Today, along with a map. The newspaper includes a half page or more of regulations and other
useful information, including suggestions for your safety. In “A to Z Information” we provide
some of these and add other tips to help you plan your trip.
For backcountry camping, bicycling, boating, and fishing, special regulations apply that
are available in full at ranger stations and visitor centers. In advance of your visit, you may
obtain information from National Park Service headquarters in Yellowstone (see the “Useful
Contacts,” page 361 ).
The chart of all Yellowstone facilities on page 364 tells you at a glance where gasoline, food,
lodging, and other services are available within the park.
A TO Z INFORMATION
Accessibility. The National Park Service continues working to increase access to Yellowstone's
facilities and outstanding features for visitors who use wheelchairs. The “Accessibility in Yel-
lowstone” guide may be obtained at any visitor center in the park; by writing to Accessibility
Coordinator, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190; calling [phone]; or
visiting www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm .
Altitude sickness. Since Yellowstone's elevation averages about 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above sea
level, visitors of any age may suffer from this condition. Minor symptoms, such as shortness
of breath or loss of appetite, will usually disappear in a few days, but more serious problems,
including nosebleeds, muscle pain, nausea, or rapid heartbeat, should be treated, especially if
moving to a lower altitude does not seem to help. (See also “Medical services.”)
Backcountry and backpacking. See “Camping” and the index for backcountry offices.
Bicycling. “Bicycling is permitted on established public roads, parking areas, and designated
routes; it is prohibited on backcountry trails and boardwalks.” Listed in a brochure available at
visitor centers are the designated trails for bicycling. In this guidebook, they are indicated with
a bicycle symbol. Please note that most park roads are far from ideal for bicycling, since they
are narrow, winding, sometimes steep, and lacking bike lanes.
Boating. Permitted on park lakes (except for Sylvan, Eleanor, and Twin Lakes and Beach
Springs Lagoon); motorized boating restricted to Yellowstone and Lewis Lakes. Personal wa-
tercraft are not allowed on any Yellowstone waters, nor boats exceeding 40 feet (12 m) in length
or a noise level of 82 decibels (measured at 85 ft / 26 m from the vessel). A Coast Guard-ap-
proved life vest is required for each person boating.