Yellowstone’s Division of Interpretation is divided into three components: Division of Interpretation Org Chart The goal of the Planning and Media Branch is to encourage the development of a personal stewardship ethic and broaden public support for preserving park resources. Interpretive rangers present Yellowstone to visitors through formal interpretation, such as campfire and evening programs,… Read More »
Yellowstone is located at the headwaters of the Yellowstone RiverW, from which it takes its historical name. Near the end of the 18th century, French trappers named the river “Roche Jaune,” which is probably a translation of the Minnetaree name “Mi tsi a-da-zi” (Rock Yellow River). Later, American trappers rendered the French name in English as… Read More »
Yellowstone National Park’s physical landscape has been and is being created by many geological forces. Here, some of the Earth’s most active volcanic, hydrothermal (water + heat), and earthquake systems make this national park a priceless treasure. In fact, Yellowstone was established as the world’s first national park primarily because of its extraordinary geysers, hot… Read More »
Archeology is the scientific study of past human culture, technology, and behavior based on the analysis of remains that people have left behind. Archaeologists propose, evaluate, and undertake research projects to learn how specific ways of life developed and how they changed over time. Archeological research is based on the premise that elementary human needs… Read More »
The following rules and regulations have been sorted by subject for your convenience. This section does not attempt to duplicate the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) so it should not be regarded as a comprehensive list of regulations. It will, however, answer many of the most common questions regarding park rules. The Superintendent’s Orders (Compendium)… Read More »
Yellowstone’s unique geological and biological resources inspired its creation as the world’s first national park in 1872. The National Park Service is legally responsible for preserving, unimpaired, the park’s natural and cultural resources and values for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Yellowstone Center for Resources (YCR) works to fulfill… Read More »
Yellowstone’s facilities and infrastructure are distributed across seven districts that are geographically separated over its 2.2 million acres. The Park’s Maintenance staff oversee the daily operation of campgrounds, buildings, restroom facilities, grounds, roads, trails, transportation systems, and utilities. YNP Maintenance Division Org Chart The Park’s Maintenance Division is headed by a Chief, who has a… Read More »
The World’s First National Park Medical Services LifeFlight on the pad behind Lake Clinic There are three medical clinics located within Yellowstone National Park, each operated by the park’s primary medical contractor, Medcor. The clinics are open to the general public, NPS employees, and concessionaire staff. Each clinic provides basic medical care, including stabilization of… Read More »
Law enforcement within Yellowstone is provided by a compliment of rangers. The Chief Ranger is based at park headquarters in Mammoth, and has several components of park operations that report to him/her. Officially, the Chief Ranger is the head of the Resource and Visitor Protection Branch. Two Deputy Chief Rangers work for the Chief, one… Read More »
Fire protection within Yellowstone falls into two broad categories: Structural fire protection, provided just as with any fire department in any other city, and wildland fire protection, or the management and suppression of fires that occur in the undeveloped, wild areas of the park. Structural Fire Suppression The structural fire protection system in Yellowstone is… Read More »