Yellowstone National Park is urging visitors to prepare carefully before heading to the park this Fourth of July weekend, as summer is the busiest time of year and popular areas, entrance stations, and construction zones will almost certainly see significant delays. In response to the crowds that will likely arise during the holiday weekend, the National Park Service issued a list of safety reminders covering everything from fire restrictions to wildlife distances.
Fireworks are prohibited throughout Yellowstone and all other National Park Sites, with NPS noting that even a single spark can trigger a wildfire. Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings at designated campgrounds and some backcountry campsites. Visitors should never leave a fire unattended and must ensure it is cold to the touch before departing. The park’s current fire danger level is listed as moderate but could change at any time.
Traffic accidents remain one of the most common causes of injury and death in the park, so rangers are asking drivers to observe posted speed limits, avoid stopping in the road, and use designated pullouts for wildlife viewing or photography. All four tires must be fully to the right of the white line when pulling over.
Of course wildlife safety is another top concern. Visitors must stay at least 100 yards from bears, wolves, and cougars, and 25 yards from all other animals. People have been killed or seriously injured by bears, bison, and elk after getting too close. In thermal areas, visitors must remain on boardwalks at all times. People who have stepped off have broken through the thin ground and fallen into scalding hot springs.
As a bonus for the holiday weekend, U.S. residents can enter the park for free July 3 through 5. That said, all campgrounds and lodging still require advance reservations and are expected to fill quickly, if they’re not already full.