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This week in Yellowstone National Park, March 13th to March 19th, 2025, I give some grizzly bears updates, talk about park visitation, and rejoice over the return of the bluebirds. I also share a cool lunar experience you can have this week, as well as give you all of the wildlife, weather, and trail tips you’ll need to have an amazing time in Yellowstone this week.
Listen to this as a podcast!
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-yellowstone-national-park/id1789397931
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/41E5WWldz4s7n6NXh2Lahr
RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/this-week-in-yellowstone-national-park/
The standard disclaimer: I might miss a few things, so if there’s anything else you’d like to know, reach out! I also mention park locations casually, so a quick search might help if you’re unfamiliar. Also, this report only covers driveable areas of the park.
Before we dive in, I want to share that this podcast is truly a labor of love. I do not get paid to do it, nor do I have sponsors for it. If you’re enjoying this, I’d love to hear from you—whether it’s through a review or a quick email. If you’d like to show your appreciation in other ways, I do have guidebooks for sale covering hiking and wildlife watching in the park. I also give hiking tours in Yellowstone, going beyond the boardwalks and giving those who book a tour with me a deeper, more immersive experience of Yellowstone. If you’re interested in the books or a tour, reach out to me directly or check out the tabs on this website.
THIS WEEK’S YELLOWSTONE NEWS
The first grizzly sighting.
Ok, don’t get too excited about this. As of recording time, the announcement of the first grizzly sighting of the season in Yellowstone has yet to occur. We do already have numerous unofficial reports of grizzly sightings, but until it is official, it isn’t official.
We are probably just waiting on a press release. Knowing my luck with reporting timely news, the day this episode gets posted will be the day the park reports that the first grizzly was spotted. It usually takes 7-10 working days for the official press release to get sent out after the sighting.
The first reported grizzly sighting in 2024 happened on March 3rd, in 2023 and 2022 it was on March 7th, in 2021 it was March 13th, and in 2020 it was on March 7th. 2019 was March 8th, 2018 was March 6th, 2017 was March 15th, 2016 was February 23rd, and 2015 had their first grizzly sighting on February 9th.
Yellowstone’s February Visitation
Yellowstone National Park experienced a 10% decrease in visitation for February, 2025, compared to February of 2024. February of 2025 saw 44,133 visitors, 28,253 of which came in through the North Gate in Gardiner. February 2025 was the least visited February since 2021. I will be releasing a visitation statistics recap episode this weekend or early next week. Or maybe sooner, if I feel up for it.
Oversnow Travel is Ending and/or has ended.
All interior roads will close to over-snow travel on Saturday, March 15th. After that date, there will be no access to the park’s interior. As always, the road between Gardiner and Cooke City, through Mammoth, Tower-Roosevelt, and Lamar Valley, is open to personal vehicles throughout the year.
The interior roads should be opening to bicycle travel in early April, as long as the weather works out and park staff can get everything plowed. Otherwise, select roads are scheduled to reopen to vehicle travel on April 18th. I will get more into that in the coming weeks.
EXPERIENCE OF THE WEEK
Blood Moon and a Full Moon Rise
For those in and out of the park is to check out the moon on Friday night. A total lunar eclipse will occur on the night of Thursday the 13th and early morning hours of Friday, March 14, 2025, turning it red. The total lunar eclipse, or “blood moon,” will be visible in Gardiner, Montana, starting around 12:55 a.m. Mountain Time on March 14th, 2025, with peak viewing around 2:26 a.m. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened.
The current weather forecast is going to make seeing the moon extremely difficult, but for those of you not in the cloud-covered region, maybe stay up late and check it out. While it’s not the same level of amazingness as a solar eclipse, there was a time when lunar eclipses were things that brought awe to all. Why not make 2025 the year you return to some of the simple joys the universe shares with us?
While most will not be up when the moon turns red, you’ll also have a chance to see the full moon rise the following evening. The moon, no longer red from the earlier eclipse, will start to rise throughout the park a little after 8 pm. Hopefully, the weather will be clear enough to see it, as moonrises in the park are truly special moments. In a related note, I will be announcing moonrise tours on next week’s episode, so stay tuned for that.
TIP OF THE WEEK
The return of the bluebirds
Bluebirds are back in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem! I know, not everyone cares about birds, but most of us who live here rejoice when we see the first flash of blue flying nearby. The bluebird’s return means that spring is actually coming, even if snow flurries are falling. While bluebird sightings will probably be slow in the park for another week or so, those hoping to catch a glimpse of them should head north of the park, along Old Yellowstone Road. You can also see them around the Tom Miner area at the south end of Paradise Valley, and out by Dailey Lake in the valley. I know these are very specific locations, so if you need to know more about them, just contact me and ask. I’m happy to help.
Some fun facts about Rocky Mountain bluebirds:
- Mountain Bluebirds have no blue pigments in their feathers. Instead, each feather barb has a thin layer of cells that absorb all wavelengths of color except blue. Only the blue wavelength is reflected and scattered, resulting in their blue appearance to our eyes.
- Adult males are small and stocky, with a round head and thin bill. The coloration of the adult males is an iridescent sky-blue overall, darker on their backside than on their underside.
- Bluebird females of all species have duller plumage than males; this may reduce their visibility to predators.
- Females and immature Mountain Bluebirds are mostly gray-brown with tinges of pale blue on the wings and tail. Their bellies are mostly rusty grayish.
- Mountain Bluebirds seek open areas in higher elevations with a variety of short grasses, shrubs, and trees during breeding season at elevations up to 12,500 feet above sea level.
- They like prairie and tundra edges, meadows, sagebrush flats, alpine hillsides, pastures and recently burned or clear-cut areas.
WEATHER FOR THE COMING WEEK
Before I get to the forecast, I just want to let everyone know that the weather out here is hard to predict. It gets less accurate the farther out we are from the day, so this is the best forecast I have right now. Always check at the visitor center for an updated weather forecast.
Lamar Valley: After a warm high of 43 on Thursday, Lamar Valley will be slightly snowy and cold. Between Thursday and Tuesday, Lamar could get eight inches of snow. Highs will be in the 30s and lows will be in the teens and 20s.
Cooke City: Cooke City will feel like winter to anyone not from the area this coming week, with up to 17 inches of snow possible. The snowiest days will be Sunday and Monday, which could see 5 inches of snow each day. Highs will be in the 30s and 20s all week, with lows possibly dipping down to the teens and single digits.
Gardiner: Thursday will see clouds and late snow, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s. Friday should be partly sunny with highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s. Once the weekend starts, expect rain or snow every day through Tuesday, with highs in the 30s and 40s, and lows in the 30s, 20s and teens. Wednesday should be partly sunny, with highs near 40 and lows in the 20s.
SNOWPACK UPDATE
The snowpack for the park is still in pretty good shape. The western side of the park is hovering around 100% of normal, while the eastern side of the park is around 89% of normal. At this time last year, the western side of the park was around 80% of normal and the eastern side was 83% of normal. I don’t see the snowpack building too much this coming week, despite some snow showers. It is typically a time when it snows out here, so we should at least stay around the same numbers. We are looking pretty good and there is currently no need to worry.
ROADS CONDITIONS
The roads this week won’t be ideal, as parts of the road between Mammoth and Cooke City are expected to get eight or so inches of snow between Thursday and Monday. The park will do their best to plow the roads, if needed, but expect some snow, slush or ice while driving. I don’t anticipate any road closures due to the snow, though.
For up-to-date information call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information, or sign up to receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting “82190” to 888-777. Anticipate possible road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions.
CAMPING INFO
Mammoth Hot Springs continues to be the only campground open in the park and that remains true for this coming week. If you do camp here, don’t expect a lot of other people in the campground. The weather and lack of visitation during this time of the year will potentially give you a campground to yourself.
WILDLIFE WATCHING UPDATE
You have to listen to the podcast to get this information. Sorry.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-yellowstone-national-park/id1789397931
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/41E5WWldz4s7n6NXh2Lahr
RSS: https://rss.com/podcasts/this-week-in-yellowstone-national-park/
PICK UP A GUIDEBOOK
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HIKING NEWS AND UPDATES
Expect wintery conditions when hiking in Yellowstone this week. You’ll need snowshoes or cross-country skis for pretty much every trail, and I strongly advise traction devices for the boardwalks at Mammoth, especially early in the morning.
TREK OF THE WEEK
Yellowstone River Overlook Trail at the Yellowstone River Picnic Area.
Located just across the soon to be replaced bridge over the Yellowstone River, you’ll find the Yellowstone River Picnic Area. Minimally signed, this picnic area is home to one of the more underrated hikes in Yellowstone National Park. This is also one of my most-frequented trails in the park and no matter what the season, it is worth visiting.
I am recommending it this week for two reasons. One is that the trail is decently trafficked and the snow should be beaten down pretty well. The other is that it is a short and relatively easy hike, and one that won’t be accessible once the construction on the bridge starts up again in the real spring.
Best-known for showcasing the unique geology and sweeping views of the canyon, river and mountains of the northern range, this hike makes for the perfect half-day jaunt. Not only will the views wow you, but you may also see bison, bighorn sheep, eagles, and migratory birds.
The only real difficulty of this trail is the start, which quickly climbs from the picnic area. One secret tip for this hike is to ignore the trailhead to the left of the pit toilet, and instead go to the right, following the boot path up the meadow to the top of the hill. While you totally can hike up the real trail, you’ll be missing some seriously good views by taking the standard route. The boot path route leads to a fantastic, lesser-known view of the canyon and the Yellowstone River, just .2 miles away. Keep this in mind for a quick leg-stretch, if nothing else.
Follow the trail on the top of the ridge, as best you can. When covered in snow, it can be difficult to find. Luckily, the path isn’t complicated. Stay on the canyon rim. After about a mile from the parking area, you’ll get to one of my favorite views. Here, you’ll get to a bend of the river at the base of Bumpus Butte. You’ll know it’s Bumpus Butte by the steam coming off the base of it where it meets the river. While you could turn around here, going another half mile or so will take you to a spot directly across from the popular Calcite Springs Overlook. To the northeast, which is behind you if you are looking at the river, you’ll get majestic mountain views.
Expect to gain about 400 feet in elevation.
NEXT WEEK
On next week’s episode, I will talk about the wolf release that happened 30 years ago, give tips on how to be prepared for the park’s elevation, share a trail just outside of the park that is perfect for this time of the year, and continue to let you know everything else you’ll need to have a good trip in Yellowstone. Until next week, bye!
