by 
This week in Yellowstone National Park, from May 8th to May 14th, I will update even more road, campground, store, and lodging openings. I will also give hikers and backcountry campers a truly awesome resource, let everyone know how and where they can see bears, tell you where to hike for some awesome views, and update you on a few road openings in the park. Of course, I also give you all the weather, wildlife watching updates, tips, and information I can to give you the best possible trip to America’s first National Park, This Week in Yellowstone.
Apologies that this episode is missing a few fun sections. All the important information is here. I was out of town for the last five days and unable to work on things. I wanted to post the episode on time. Next week will be fully back to normal. This episode is still quite good, though, don’t worry!
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/
Disclaimer: I might miss a few details, so feel free to reach out with questions! I also mention park locations casually—if you’re unfamiliar, a quick search can help. This report only covers drivable areas of the park.
Also, these posts are a passion project—I’m not paid or sponsored. If you’re enjoying it, I’d love a review or a quick email! To support my work, check out my guidebooks on hiking and wildlife watching, or join me for a guided Yellowstone tour. For details, visit outdoor-society.com or reach out directly!
THIS WEEK’S YELLOWSTONE NEWS
It has been a busy news week, so buckle up.
On May 4th. A 47-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida, was injured by a bison in Yellowstone. At around 3 pm in the Lake Village area of the park, a man was gored by a bison after he approached it too closely. The individual sustained minor injuries and was treated by emergency medical personnel. The incident is currently under investigation, and further details are unavailable at this time. This is the first reported bison incident of 2025. In 2024, there were two incidents, and one incident occurred in 2023.
Yellowstone is fully staffed and ready for the anticipated record summer visitation:
Via Cowboy State Daily:
“Over the last several months, national discourse has revolved around staffing concerns throughout the National Park Service. Yellowstone and Grand Teton have experienced record-breaking attendance over the last decade, and many were concerned about how the parks would handle millions of people with fewer seasonal and permanent staff.
“I wanted to make sure you’re clear that Yellowstone is in fantastic shape,” he said. “Yellowstone staffing is higher this year than it has been at any point in the last five years, going into summer.”
Sholly brought the numbers to prove it. As of May, Yellowstone has 395 permanent and 387 seasonal staff positions, for a total of 782 staff for the upcoming summer.
And they’ll need them. Vehicle entries for 2025 are already higher than at this point in 2024: up 6.24% at the North Entrance, 3.17% at the West Entrance, and 9.46% at the East Entrance, which has only been open to vehicles for less than a week.”
Things in the Park Continue to Open Up!
Pretty much everything is open in the Old Faithful area now. Most of the stuff that isn’t open at the time I write this will be open on May 9th. Nearly all amenities in Mammoth Hot Springs are also open. The general store at Canyon is also opening on May 9th, but the rest of the amenities at Canyon, like the lodge, cabins, and supporting buildings, won’t start to open until the 16th, so stay patient.
The Park’s Remaining Interior Roads Open, Mostly
On the 9th of May, the last remaining section of the lowland road in Yellowstone will open. The South Entrance and West Thumb will open, connecting Old Faithful and Fishing Bridge via the southern portion of the loop drive. This means that you can now drive from Jackson to the park interior, as well as visit West Thumb Geyser Basin.
The road from Tower-Roosevelt Junction to Tower Fall is also opening on May 9th, giving you a chance to drive up and see Calcite Springs and Tower Fall without having to walk the road.
After these roads open, the only stretch of road in the park not open will be the stretch between Canyon and Tower. That road is scheduled to open on May 23rd.
What is the Status of the Plug?
As of the time of recording this episode, the Plug is currently closed. I anticipate it opening any day now, so keep an eye on my social media for the announcement that it is open.
“The Plug” is a 9-mile stretch of Highway 212 and one of the snowiest mountain passes in Montana. From Pilot Creek, WY, to Cooke City, it’s the main groomed trail for recreational access to the backcountry and remains unplowed from October to May.
Please keep in mind that the plug is not the same as the Beartooth Highway. The Beartooth Highway is currently being worked on, with a goal of being open by Memorial Day. I will provide updates on that as I receive them.
EXPERIENCE OF THE WEEK.
Searching For Bears in the Northern Sections of the Park.
While bears are all over the park and active right now, the best place to see them in the month of May is in the northern range. It honestly doesn’t take a ton of work to see a bear, just a little luck and good timing. Between Mammoth and Tower Fall, I have come across 13 different bears in a single day in early to mid-May, some were grizzlies and some were black bears. If you drive out to Pebble Creek and back, through Lamar Valley, you may see even more, usually grizzlies.
A few tips: You probably won’t see much during the heat of the day, but mornings and evenings are quite active. You also need to drive back and forth to maximize your viewing opportunities.
As always, if you see a bear while driving, do not stop your car on the road. Drive to a pullout to watch the bear. You may see others exiting their vehicles and walking toward the bear. Do not do this. I know this sounds like common knowledge, but do not exit your vehicle and approach bears. Some listeners will be saying to themselves, “I’ll never do that.” However, I can promise that even the most seasoned Yellowstone visitors do this far too often. Even professional photographers and tour guides. Seeing a bear is exciting, and when one does see it, especially when other humans are around, reason and safety tend to vanish. Once one person walks toward it, everyone else gets braver, and soon, the scene descends into chaos. Eventually, a ranger will arrive, but it may take a bit of time.
While I want you to see a bear and get good pictures of it, I also want you to be a good steward of the park. Do not do something because others are doing it. Follow the rules, and if you don’t get a chance to take the perfect picture of the bear, be happy you saw it. You may also have to pass the bear without stopping, but you never know, there could be another one just around the corner.
TIP OF THE WEEK
This week’s tip is for the listeners who are hikers and backcountry campers. While I do my best to provide updates on trail conditions, there is so much information I probably should be sharing that I want to direct you to a fantastic resource on the Yellowstone National Park website.
The website is the Yellowstone National Park backcountry situation report, and if you plan on hiking or backcountry camping in the park, you need to visit it. Even if you don’t plan on being that active in the park, it is a good way to get a gauge on how things are around the region. The website is has a map, as well as a list of trails and backcountry campgrounds broken up by area of the park. The map uses colors, red, yellow, and green, to let you know what is open and how it is. Red is usually closed and snowy, yellow is less than ideal, and green means that the area is awesome and ready for trouble-free use, probably. The website is also updated when trails are closed due to wildlife activity, which is incredibly useful when planning your day.
The site is updated by backcountry rangers and park staff, who do their best to update it. However, know that the park is a huge place, and while they update it often, sometimes it is a day or two behind.
WEATHER FOR THE COMING WEEK
Lamar Valley: Thursday through Saturday currently look great, with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s and 40s. There is a slight chance of rain each day, but nothing major. That changes on Sunday and Monday, when there is around a 30% chance of rain showers and highs in the 50s and low 60s. On Tuesday, the high drops to the 40s and the low is around 30. There is a chance of an inch or two of snow, but it may also fall as rain. Wednesday looks to be wet and cool, with a high in the 40s and a low around 30.
Cooke City: Cooke City looks almost identical to Lamar Valley from Thursday through Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday are currently forecast to see over 3 inches of wet snow, with highs in the low 40s and lows in the upper 20s.
Gardiner: From Thursday through Saturday, Gardiner will have highs in the 70s and lows in the upper 30s or lower 40s. Temperatures drop to the 60s and 50s as highs on Sunday and Monday, with an increasing chance of showers and a low in the 30s. Tuesday and Wednesday will potentially be wet and cool, with highs in the 40s and lows around freezing.
West Yellowstone: Thursday through Sunday will see highs in the 60s and low 70s, with a chance of thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon. It should be dry through Saturday, but expect rain on Sunday, with a high of 60 and a low in the 30s. Monday will be even cooler, with a high just over 50 degrees and a low below freezing. There is a potential for some wet snow on Tuesday, especially in the evening going into Wednesday. Both days will have highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s.
Old Faithful: Expect Old Faithful to have a similar forecast as West Yellowstone, but temperatures will be colder, and snowfall could be a little heavier on Tuesday.
SNOWPACK UPDATE
The snowpack as of May 7th is still in great shape. Most of the park is in the high 80% and low 90% of normal range. The heat this week will help melt off some of this, so we may dip down 5% or so. However, this isn’t anything to worry about, as it looks like the following week will be much wetter and potentially have some more high elevation snowfall.
ROADS CONDITIONS
With no snow or serious precipitation in the forecast, roads should be great. However, keep alert for any construction vehicles on the road and potential delays starting near the old and new bridge site by Tower Junction. The construction work probably won’t be happening this week, but it is better to expect it early and be happy when nothing is going on.
There will also be some construction work going on near the buffalo ranch in Lamar Valley, impacting the pullouts in the area.
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.
CAMPING INFO
This week, more camping options start to open up. As always, Mammoth Hot Springs campground is open. The Madison Campground near the West Yellowstone entrance is now open. The Fishing Bridge RV Park opens on May 9th.
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
Love what you have heard on this podcast and want more information on wildlife watching? Get a copy of my wildlife-watching guidebook to the region! Available in both ebook and paperback formats, my book will help you spot wildlife like a seasoned local. Please consider buying a book directly from me, as I make nothing when they are sold on Amazon. Grab your copy now at outdoor-society.com!
HIKING NEWS AND UPDATES
Right now, the best snow-free hiking experiences will be found in the northern range and around the geyser basins. Trails out the east entrance, down by Canyon, will be hit or miss with snow. Pelican Creek and Storm Point in the lake region are in good shape, as are the paved paths in Canyon. Red Rock Point and the Brink of the Lower Falls are currently closed, but that could change soon.
Near Mammoth, one could hike Bunsen Peak if they didn’t mind some patches of snow and off-trail route finding, but Sepulcher and things like that are still not doable. Also, be aware that any trail with a creek crossing is going to be dicey, since water levels will be rising this week with warm weather.
TREK OF THE WEEK
Trout Lake is the hike I am recommending this week, as I am still waiting for the mud to dry up and snow to melt on some other trails. If this one sounds too easy, message me and I will give you a handful of longer treks you’ll love.
Trout Lake is a stunning small lake in the northern range of Yellowstone National Park that dazzles those who make the uphill trek. Shimmering in the summer and frozen in the winter, this small lake has become a spot of serenity and natural beauty no matter the month or weather. With opportunities for wildlife watching, ranging from bison, elk, coyotes, foxes, and even a potential for wolves or otters, this short trail is worth the detour from the pavement.
Trout Lake is one of the many day hikes in Yellowstone National Park that is largely overlooked for many reasons. One is because the distance is so short that many hikers will not consider it for a day hike. Another is that it is located far from the other frequently visited areas of the park. It is also because the trailhead isn’t well signed, as cars zip between the Northeast Entrance and Lamar Valley. More often than not, it is overlooked because few people go beyond the boardwalks when in Yellowstone.
Consider using this short trek as a break from driving back and forth through Lamar Valley. It is a favorite of mine to quickly go up the hill and have a secluded and scenic lunch.
Location: East of Soda Butte Cone and West of Pebble Creek
Distance: 1.25 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Roughly 300 feet
Gear Typically Needed In the Summer– water, bear spray
When you hike this trail, make sure you do not just hike to the first viewpoint and then turn around. Like any lake, the best experience one can have is to circumnavigate it. I tend to circle the lake clockwise, as that direction offers the best views. However, there is no wrong way, just personal preferences. Once you climb the hill and see the lake, follow the path down to the lake shore and begin your walk around. If you do head left, you’ll cross a small bridge, then trace the lakeshore. If you feel inclined, follow a boot path on your left at the end of the trees to a ridge, where you can gaze back down toward Soda Butte Creek and Lamar Valley. This vantage point also increases the potential to spot more wildlife, often hidden in the rises and dips of the region.
NEXT WEEK
In next week’s episode, I’ll return with all of the information you need to have a good week in the park, including wildlife, weather, and trail updates.
Until then, happy trails!
