This Week in Yellowstone National Park

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from September 17th to September 23rd, 2026, I'll talk about bears in hyperphagia, tell you why this is the best time to see great grey owls, and share about the things that fell into the thermal areas this year. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a really cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Operating Dates: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from September 10th to September 16th, 2026, I'll talk about fall colors, share the history of the Nez Perce Trail through the park, and try to remind you to be in the moment during park visits. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a really cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Operating Dates: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from September 3rd to September 9th, 2026, I'll talk about the elk rut, tell you where you can best see the elk during mating season, briefly share about the king elk of Mammoth Hot Springs, and share a favorite hike of mine for this time of the year. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Operating Dates: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from August 27th to September 2nd, 2026, I'll let you know what to actually expect when visiting the park in September, talk a bit about the importance of obsidian in the park, tell you what is closing in the park this week, and try to explain why seeing a grizzly this time of the year is so hard to do. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from August 20th to August 26th, 2026, I talk about a dirt road just outside of the park that few people ever drive, tell you about the history of glaciers in the park and what they left behind, and offer a reminder to leave things found in the park in the park. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Sorry it was a long one. Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm I forgot to mention that the Mary Mountain Trail/Nez Perce Trail is closed due to carcasses and bear activity.

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from August 13th to August 19th, 2026, I talk about the southern end of the park; finally, I discuss the awesomeness of the picnic areas of the park, and share a short blurb about why we still talk about the 1988 fires. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from August 6th to August 12th, 2026, I talk about how to maximize wildlife watching during this slow season for animals, discuss wildfire smoke impacting the park, and tell you about a boat on Grand Prismatic Hot Springs. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Wolf Hunting Petition: https://secure.speciesunite.com/page/195573/petition/1?locale=en-US Yellowstone AQI: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/current-data.htm?site=yell&location=west-entrance Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from July 30th to August 5th, 2026, I hope to inspire you to go stargazing, talk about one of the oldest buildings in Yellowstone, and share some useful resources to help you see all the geysers erupt. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

You asked for it, so here you go. This episode is me discussing the bison attack at the campground, as well as talking about bison safety, how to be a good steward of Yellowstone, and generally all things bison. Apologies if this was too much of a rant. I tried to stay to my outline. A new standard episode will drop on Thursday

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from July 23rd to July 29th, 2026, I dive into the Hayden vs Lamar debate, let you know why viewing the park as two main driving loops is somewhat flawed, and share with you the smelliest geyser basins. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from July 16th to July 22nd, 2026, I will quickly talk about the bison incident, tell you to take one of the best scenic drives in the country, share an awesome and free resource full of park information, and talk about that green streak in the Yellowstone River at the falls. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Yellowstone Resources and Issues Handbook: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/upload/0_RI_2026_front.pdf Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from July 9th to July 15th, 2026, I try to get you excited for the bison rut, talk about how Yellowstone once had a zoo, and hope to inspire you to look at the region beyond the park boundaries. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from July 2nd to July 8th, 2026, I will let you know about the 4th of July in and around the park, try to encourage you to stop and smell the flowers, and then give some history about the carcass dumping sites. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from June 25th to July 1st, 2026, I will encourage you to catch sunrises and sunsets, tell you about bison funeral processions, and give some tips on dealing with warm weather at elevation. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions page: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from June 18th to June 24th, 2026, I will tell you why now is the time to hit up a specific lake in the northern range, give some tips on how to avoid the summer crowds, and share some history of an expedition before the park was the park. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from June 11th to June 17th, 2026, I hope to convince you to set an early morning alarm, tell you to take those side roads, and let you know why moose are so tricky to find in Yellowstone. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions page: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from June 4th to June 10th, 2026, I tell you to go to the water features of the park, talk about bear bells, bear spray, and bear horns, and quickly tell you what you need to know if you are visiting Yellowstone with your pet. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions page: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from May 28th to June 3rd, 2026, I will share with you why this week is so good for wildlife watching, talk about how to ensure you are being an ethical visitor, and let you know about off-trail travel in the park. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from May 21st to May 27th, 2026, I will talk about driving Dunraven Pass, get a bit pedantic about Lamar Valley, and discuss how bear jams and bear names impact bear behavior. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions Page: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

This week in Yellowstone National Park, from May 14th to May 20th, 2026, I will talk about seeing bears, discuss what to expect from gateway towns this week, and give a history of Tower Fall. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.” Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm