Updates from Yellowstone | Spring/Summer 2026

Your 2025 Impact in Action

UPDATES FROM YELLOWSTONE Spring/Summer 2026

$16+ M

Raised for the park

320,000 Visitors to the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center

33

Presenters from 19 associated Tribes

428

Institute educational programs

55,000

Institute educational contact hours

131

Youth Conservation Corps participants worked on projects in the park

6,035

Native fish tagged

48

Lake tributaries documented for native fish spawning

2,000

Feet of boardwalk replaced

75,000 Junior Ranger participants

“I am thrilled to share the portfolio of park projects that Yellowstone Forever is supporting this year.

I invite you to explore the work ahead and join us in preserving Yellowstone—forever.”

Lisa Diekmann President & CEO Yellowstone Forever

120

Bear-proof storage boxes installed

1,527

Bear jams managed by rangers

270

Birds banded for research

DISCOVER YELLOWSTONE BEYOND THE BLACKTOP Hiking in Yellowstone opens up a side of the park you simply can’t experience from the road. Leave the pavement behind and you’ll find quieter places where the sounds of traffic fade, replaced by birdsong, rushing water, and the low hiss of steam rising from the earth. Even in one of the world’s most iconic national parks, solitude is closer than you might think—only 2% of park visitors venture more than a half mile from their vehicles or main paved paths.

With a little preparation, hiking is one of the most rewarding ways to explore Yellowstone. The park protects more than 2.2 million acres and offers over 1,000 miles of trails, winding through forests, meadows, canyons, and alpine landscapes. Along the way, hikers can discover cascading waterfalls, follow rivers and lakeshores, walk among steaming hydrothermal features, and climb to viewpoints thousands of feet above the valley floor with sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness.

Yellowstone’s trails and boardwalks system offers something for every age and ability. For families with young children—or anyone seeking a gentler introduction— the park’s boardwalks provide an accessible way to get close to nature. These thoughtfully designed paths lead visitors through geyser basins and thermal areas, offering front row views of bubbling mud pots, colorful hot springs, and erupting geysers while protecting both people and fragile features.

Lesser Known Trails for a Quieter Yellowstone Experience Looking to escape the crowds? These lesser traveled hikes reward curious explorers with solitude, scenery, and a deeper connection to Yellowstone’s wild landscapes. Trail conditions and accessibility can vary by season—always check current conditions before heading out.

Howard Eaton Trail (sections) One of Yellowstone’s historic routes, this trail winds through forests and meadows between Mammoth and Tower. While the full route is long, shorter day hike sections offer quiet walking and a strong sense of the park’s past.

Avalanche Peak Trail A steady climb just east of Fishing Bridge rewards hikers with stunning views of Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Range.

The elevation gain keeps crowds thinner, but the payoff is big on clear days.

For those looking to go a bit farther, day hikes range from short, scenic walks to longer, more challenging routes that reveal Yellowstone’s wild side. You don’t have to hike far to feel immersed—just a small step off the main paths can lead to quieter, more intimate encounters with the landscape.

HIKE WITH AN EXPERT!

If you’d rather explore with guidance, consider joining one of our Yellowstone Forever Institute Naturalist Day Hikes. Led by experienced educators and naturalists, these guided hikes are free for Yellowstone Forever members and help deepen your understanding of the park’s geology, wildlife, ecology, and history.

Whether you’re exploring a boardwalk with family, setting out on a quiet forest trail, or learning alongside an expert guide, hiking Yellowstone brings you closer to the park’s wild beauty—and to the sense of wonder that keeps people returning year after year.

Bighorn Pass Trail (early miles) Located near the northwest corner of the park, this trail quickly leaves busy areas behind. Early sections make a scenic day hike through meadows and forested ridges with fewer encounters than more famous routes.

Many quieter trails also mean fewer amenities and limited cell service. Carry bear spray, hike in groups, and be prepared for changing weather and trail conditions.

For more information about hiking opportunities in Yellowstone, visit yellowstone.org/yellowstone-hiking-101

Hiking Essentials

This year marks 50 years of education through the Yellowstone Forever Institute.

For half a century, the Institute has been rooted in learning—learning from the landscape and learning alongside one another. Shaped by generations of instructors, staff, volunteers, partners, and participants who care deeply about Yellowstone, this anniversary invites us to honor the legacy we’ve inherited—and carry it forward with intention.

With over 1,000 miles of trails, Yellowstone is a hiker’s paradise. Come prepared with our books, guides, water bottles, binoculars, and more, for your next park adventure. shop.yellowstone.org

“Education is central to the national park idea. It’s the bridge that connects preservation with participation, the two tenets of the park’s foundational dual mandate.

Educational programs help visitors form a personal relationship with this place, which in turn creates a constituency of care. Education is an unconditional service and a benefit in and of itself, understanding the full value of Yellowstone as a living laboratory; as a fully-intact landscape; as a historic place for inspiration, adventure, and quiet, and drives support for this place so many love.”

—Sam Archibald, Field Education Manager “Experiencing Yellowstone through the fresh eyes of first-time visitors—or helping returning visitors see the park through a new lens—continually renews my own relationship with this place. Sharing moments like a first wild wolf sighting or chorus howl, an iconic ‘bison jam’ surrounded by the thunderous presence of 1,000–2,000‑pound animals, the gentle gurgle of bubbling paint pots, or the geologic wonder of an erupting geyser can be truly life‑altering. Ultimately, I hope to foster a lifelong relationship between participants and our wild spaces—both in Yellowstone and beyond.”

—Amanda Evans, Lead Field Educator “As an educator, one of my favorite moments is watching the incredible wonder that comes across a participant’s face as they see their first wild wolf, watch Beehive Geyser erupt, or they see the harlequin ducks of LeHardy Rapids for the first time. The reaction of a participant not only is a deeply impactful moment for them, but it is something that continues to shape my own understanding of this place.

Seeing this landscape through their eyes causes me to constantly witness new perspectives on parts of this place that I may have seen hundreds of times.”

—Kyle Wonders, Lead Field Educator

Join us this summer as we celebrate 50 years of the Yellowstone Forever Institute

SHARE YOUR STORY: AUTUMN & CODY GARST Autumn Garst’s first journey to Yellowstone National Park with her partner, Cody, became the kind of experience that lingers long after the suitcases are unpacked.

Growing up on the East Coast, she’d seen her share of scenic places, but nothing prepared her for the “natural beauty, wildlife, mountains, and geothermal features” that greeted her in America’s first national park. It felt, she says, “like discovering a part of myself I didn’t know was missing.”

An accessible private tour through Lamar Valley with the Yellowstone Forever Institute quickly became the centerpiece of the trip. Autumn describes it as “an intimate look at

the park’s wild heart,” where bison moved across the valley floor and the landscape seemed to stretch on forever.

The day unfolded with a quiet lunch along the shores of Yellowstone Lake and a front row view of Old Faithful erupting—moments stitched together with awe and gratitude.

Yellowstone didn’t just impress Autumn and Cody; it grounded them.

“It’s by far our favorite place we’ve been,” she says. And with a smile, she adds, “We can’t wait to come back.”

“Yellowstone opened my eyes with its natural beauty, wildlife, mountains, and geothermal features.”

You’re invited to join the Yellowstone Society!

Elevate your connection to Yellowstone, become a member of the Yellowstone Society today!

As a member of the Yellowstone Society, your annual gift of $1,000 or more provides exceptional support for the park’s most urgent needs. Plus, you will continue to enjoy your member benefits with additional perks, including name recognition at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, a subscription to the Yellowstone Insider newsletter, and invitations to special private events including the Society Gathering in the park which is happening this October 15-17 at the historic Old Faithful Inn! To join, visit Yellowstone.org/society or reach out to our philanthropy team by email: supporters@yellowstone.org or phone: 406-848-2400 (Ext. 1).

We look forward to connecting with you and appreciate your continued support of the world’s first national park!

Yellowstone Forever is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. Our mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy.

Yellowstone Forever P.O. Box 1857 Bozeman, MT 59771

YELLOWSTONE.ORG

406-848-2400

PHOTO CREDITS: YF/NPS