Yellowstone National Park is (cautiously) open for business! In line with the park’s three-phased reopening plan, visitors are now able to access some services and the park is open for day-use. Campgrounds, visitor centers, and other facilities are still closed until health conditions allow for reopening.
However, despite many warnings, parks have already seen an influx of visitors, and the Park Service is overwhelmed with people who are not following guidelines.
Good Trip Adventures has submitted a COVID-19 mitigation plan that has been approved by the park and we will begin small, private tours in the park on July 1! Traveling with a medically-trained, local-expert guide will keep you safe and away from the crowds.
In anticipation of our first trip of the year, we’d like to share the 5 things about late spring and early summer that we’re excited to see in the world’s first National Park!
The Newborns
Springtime in Yellowstone is full of baby bison, elk, bears, and more! Did you know that bison are orange when they’re young? Here in Montana, we call them red dogs or cinnamons! You’ll also see mama bears looking for food at lower elevations with their cubs. We can’t wait to see all the new animals in the park – but don’t forget to maintain social distance!
The Wildflowers
Beginning in early June, the park puts on a fantastic display of color! Wildflowers abound – from the vibrant yellows of balsamroot to the soft pinks of bitterroot, to the smoky purples of lupine – you’ll enjoy all the colors of the rainbow covering the fields and meadows of the park!
The Waterfalls
As the snow on those mountains melts, it causes major spring runoff. The rivers swell and Yellowstone’s waterfalls are gushing!The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone is the star of the show, sending 63,500 gallons of water per second surge over the precipice, compared to just 5,000 gallons in the fall.
The Snow-Capped Mountains
In most places, snow has melted by July, but not in Yellowstone! Here, it can snow any month of the year – and often does! However, in the spring ad summer, while the park’s roads and more traveled trails are often snow-free, you can still enjoy the beauty of a snowy mountain range as a backdrop to your trip.
The Thermal Features
Okay, okay, we know these aren’t really weather-dependent, but we miss watching hot springs roll, fumaroles hiss, geysers erupt, and mud pots bubble! Did you know that some features do change with the seasons? The Red Spouter, in Fountain Paint Pots, acts like a fumarole, a hot spring, and a mudpot throughout the year, depending on water levels.