Some basic Yellowstone services are being restored this weekend, as the National Park Service diverts revenue from recreation fees to fund services like picking up trash, cleaning restrooms and restoring law-enforcement officers to busy areas.

While other National Parks struggle with rowdy crowds and overflowing garbage bins, things are considerably more sedate and organized in the current Yellowstone shutdown, as area businesses and concessionaires pick up the slack.

Despite a partial U.S. government shutdown, Yellowstone remains open during this holiday season, with concessionaires picking up the slack and funding some essential services for the time being.

Most Yellowstone roads and services are closing for the season on Monday morning, as NPS officials begin the transition to the 2018-2019 winter season.

September 2018 Yellowstone visitation was up 13 percent over 2017, as warm weather and some compelling changes in the Park’s geyser fields potentially kept visitor levels high for the season.

We’re now down to the final weeks of the 2018 Yellowstone National Park fall season, but there are still some compelling reasons to make an October or November run to the Park.

In a win for conservation and Yellowstone tourism over mining, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the withdrawal of 30,000 acres of federal lands in southwest Montana north of the Park from mining for 20 years.

As the Bacon Rind Fire recedes and not viewed as a threat to cause major damage, the Yellowstone fire danger has been upgraded to High, thanks to warm and dry weather.

It’s being hailed as a success in restoring balance to the area: the reintroduction of wolves has lessened the elk population — which in turn is fueling a Yellowstone aspen comeback.

If you’re planning a fall or winter trip to Yellowstone National Park, here’s something to consider: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel renovations are set to continue on Sept. 4, right after the busy Labor Day weekend.