Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Geyser websites.
For descriptive and detailed geyser information:
www.geyserstudy.org
;
for
geyser eruption data:
www.geysertimes.org
;
for details about major geysers and links to web-
cams and YouTube videos:
www.yellowstone.net/geysers
;
for Old Faithful and other park web-
Hiking.
Hiking in Yellowstone can mean anything from going a few hundred yards from your
car to spending a week backpacking in the remotest backcountry. Parts of longer backcountry
trails are included here when they're not difficult and are particularly interesting.
you plan hikes according to what part of the park you are visiting and how much time you
have. It shows the approximate distance and elevation change for each walk. Marked in the
road logs and on the accompanying maps with the symbols or , these walks are recom-
mended to anyone who wants to get away from the roads to see something fun, but especially
for non-athletes, older people, and families with young children. Recommended trails are also
listed in the index by name. The symbols and indicate that the Yellowstone Association
has printed a self-guiding pamphlet, available both at a visitor center and at the start of the
walk.
Most of these recommended walks involve round trips of less than 5 miles (8 km) and are
not too steep. The chart does not include the very commonly found walks that lead less than
one-half mile (0.8 km) from a road. These walks have no stream crossings by ford or wobbly
log. Some popular backcountry hiking books are listed on
page 369
.
Horseback riding.
Horses are available at Canyon, Mammoth, and Tower-Roosevelt for hire
from the park concessionaire.
Horsepackers.
For horsepacking trips, you must obtain a backcountry permit and follow NPS
regulations.
Hotels and cabins.
Accommodations usually fill up months in advance. Plan stays in more
than one campground or lodging to facilitate seeing more and driving less. Employees of the
concessionaire provide guided bus tours, some hotel tours, and evening talks. All hotels and
cabins are reserved through Xanterra Parks & Resorts (see “Useful Contacts”). Dinner reser-
vations are required at Grant Dining Room, Old Faithful Inn, and Lake Hotel. A chart of all
Internet access.
WiFi is available in certain locations within the park for a fee.
Medical services.
Mammoth Hot Springs Village has a clinic open all year. Open in summer
only are the clinics at Old Faithful Village and Lake Village. Call
911
for emergency assistance.
Pets.
“Pets must be leashed. They are prohibited on all trails, in the backcountry, and in hydro-
thermal basins. Pets are not allowed more than 100 feet from a road or parking area. Leaving
