Kim McMahill

In 2022, the National Park Service has five entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Four have already come and gone, but the last fee-free day will be on November 11 for Veterans Day. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

In 2022, the National Park Service has five entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Three have already come and gone, but the next fee-free day is coming up on September 24 in celebration of National Public Lands Day. The last fee-free day of the year will be on November 11 for Veterans Day. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

Although we saw a grizzly sow and her cub shortly after entering the park, our most recent trip into Yellowstone National Park was defined by bison. Most were grazing near the road, walking down the road, or congregated in the distance. But we spotted a few fording the river, which was interesting to watch through the binoculars. The photo isn’t great, but you get the gist. There is always something special to see in Yellowstone. No matter how many times I’ve gone there, I always come away learning or seeing something new.

In 2021 the National Park Service has six entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. The next  fee-free day is  August 25, in celebration of the National Park Service’s birthday. Be sure to get out and enjoy your favorite National Park or discover something new for free. The remaining fee-free days in 2021 are September 25 (National Public Lands Day) and November 11 (Veterans Day). For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

In 2021 the National Park Service has six entrance fee-free days where all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. August 4 is one such day in celebration of the one-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act. Be sure to get out and enjoy your favorite National Park for free. The remaining free days are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   August 25: National Park Service Birthday September 25: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day There is nothing so American as our national parks. The scenery and the wildlife are native. The fundamental idea behind the parks is native. It is, in brief, that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us. The parks stand as the outward symbol of the great human principle.”  Franklin D. Roosevelt

This past weekend, even though the weather predictions weren’t great, we ventured into Yellowstone National Park and it was a stellar day with warm temperatures and beautiful blue skies. The wildlife must have also enjoyed the lovely day as we saw a grizzly bear, three black bears (one alone and one with a cub), bison (many new calves), elk (one new calf), deer, pronghorn, and three moose outside the northeast gate. On top of the wonderful wildlife viewing, the temperatures were perfect for some hikes. We always try to get into the park before Memorial Day to avoid the bigger crowds. It is starting to fill up, but at least we could find parking spots and a few moments of solace. If you get an opportunity to visit, I hope you can find you moment of peace and calm as well.

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous," Aristotle. I can think of no better way to describe Yellowstone in the fall. The park is always amazing, but nothing compares to the opportunity to enjoy its wonders without the hordes of people and to find complete solitude in much of its diverse landscape.

We recently made our first trip into Yellowstone National Park. Winter snow still lingered in the trees, shaded areas, and in the highest elevations. The scenery and wildlife were amazing and Yellowstone Lake was especially majestic. The surface was like glass, reflecting the clouds. Near the shoreline ice had been forced in by the wind and steam rose from thermal vents. Simply stunning.