News

After years of effort and millions of dollars spent, the battle to save Yellowstone cutthroat trout appears to be succeeding, as lake trout eradication efforts in Yellowstone Lake have a tangible effect on the population.

As with Yellowstone, the Grand Teton summer 2020 season is still a work in progress, as concessionaire Grand Teton Lodging Company has announced opening days for its facilities, but there’s no firm park opening date.

Xanterra has altered its summer 2020 Yellowstone plans, still offering limited lodging options but holding out the possibility that Old Faithful Inn may open this year.

Another ripple effect from the coronavirus pandemic: Yellowstone Forever, the official nonprofit fundraising partner for Yellowstone National Park, has suspended park donations and furloughed employees.

Xanterra has issued further information on what 2020 Yellowstone lodging and services will be available on June 15–and, sadly, Old Faithful Inn and sit-down restaurants will be closed for the entire summer season.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed everything, including planning for next year, as Xanterra announces 2021 Yellowstone lodging reservations will go on sale June 1–and only online to start.

After an April Yellowstone opening was delayed by coronavirus precautions, it’s clear that a potential late May opening will be limited at best, with few services offered and concessionaire Xanterra delaying operations until June 15.

By Yellowstone standards, a rise of five inches over 17 years is considered pretty rapid growth, so uplift at the Norris Geyser Basin is notable, with researchers saying deep magma intrusion is fueling the growth—and could also explain why we are seeing relatively frequent Steamboat Geyser eruptions again.

A new Yellowstone River Bridge is on tap for 2022, funding permitting, after the National Park Service Regional Director for Regions 6, 7, 8, Mike Reynolds, signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for an environmental assessment (EA) on the project.

After requests from local county officials and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, Superintendent Cam Sholly announces that Yellowstone National Park is closed indefinitely, as is Grand Teton National Park.