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A Cellphone Snapshot of a Grizzly Has a Yellowstone Tourist Facing Federal Charges

Jim Holstein |

In May, a Yellowstone tourist attempted to get an up-close cellphone picture of a mother grizzly bear and her three cubs. Not only is that dangerous, but it’s also in violation of one of the Yellowstone National Park laws.
The tourist is now facing federal charges for attempting to approach and take photos within 100 feet of wildlife. The Illinois woman is also faced with one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife.
U.S. Park Police were able to find the woman because another tourist witnessed and recorded the event. In the video recording, the defendant appears to get within 15 feet of the bear before backing off when the grizzly briefly charged at her.
The woman will go in front of a magistrate judge on August 26 to answer to her charges. If she is convicted, she could be sentenced to a year in prison and be ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

Other laws you need to follow

Other laws you need to follow
Taking photos of grizzly bears isn’t the only rule in Yellowstone. Here are a few of the Yellowstone National Park laws that keep you, other visitors and wildlife safe:

  • Animals: Whether it’s an 800-pound bear or a two-pound rabbit, park rangers do their best to protect all of the animals in Yellowstone. After all, the park is designed in part to be a sanctuary for them. But don’t worry, you won’t need to study all of the laws before your trip. Policies are posted throughout the park in an intent to ensure everyone is well aware of the laws.
  • Fires: Hot and dry conditions make summer the worst season for wildfires in Yellowstone. While we can’t do anything to prevent wildfires started by lightning strikes, tourists can do their part by adhering to posted fire laws. Additionally, you should never start a fire or smoke outside of a designated area.
  • Trails: We know it’s tempting to do a little off-road driving or biking to get a better look at the beautiful surroundings, but don’t do it—leaving the trails can result in some hefty fines. We promise you can get a great view of everything from the safety of the road.
  • Hot springs: The thermal hot springs are a major attraction in Yellowstone, but there are rules in place to protect the springs and visitors. Swimming is prohibited in the springs, as is walking off designated trails to get a better look at the hydrothermal areas.
  • Camping: Sleeping under the stars in Yellowstone is an experience you’ll never forget, but you can’t just set up your tent anywhere you please. In addition to obtaining the right permits, all campers must stay within designated camp sites during their stay.

See Yellowstone with our team

Book a trip with Yellowstone Tour Guides instead of attempting to experience the park on your own. From day hikes to multi-day vacation packages, we offer a package for everyone. When you book with us, you can rest easy you’ll stay in good standing with all of the Yellowstone National Park laws and have a great time during your visit!

Be Prepared for Springtime Scheduling Changes at Yellowstone

Charlie |

If you’re anything at all like us, you can’t wait to see Yellowstone in all its springtime beauty. Many people say it’s the best time to visit the park—crowds are smaller and temperatures are lower. Also, you can really see some spectacular animal activity that requires a degree of caution—the large mammal population begins to stir and wake up in the spring, as bears, elk, wolves, bison and other animals shake themselves awake and get ready for another warm season.

Our team of Yellowstone tour guides is also getting back into the swing of things, ready to lead tours around America’s greatest park. Yellowstone Tour Guides is the top choice in the area for a reason, so give us a call any time to learn more about our tours!

Unfortunately, until we get to that wonderful warmer weather, there’s still a few weeks of winter left for us to deal with, and there are some housekeeping issues that we want to get ahead on, including information about plowing. Take a look below for some more information that you should familiarize yourself with before planning your trip.

Road plowing ahead in Yellowstone
The roads in Yellowstone are usually covered in snow by early March every year, so a ritual of life in the park is that we need to prepare for the big spring plow that covers many of the park’s roads. This year, the date to keep in mind is the Ides of March—March 15—which is the date in 2020 when most of the park will shut down for spring plowing.

Basically, snow accumulates on the roads that so many visitors and Yellowstone tour guides use to access the park, so accessibility will be limited during this time as plows crisscross the park, clearing pavement from Norris to Madison to Mammoth Hot Springs and everywhere in-between. One thing to keep in mind is that even though the roads might be closed, all resources at Mammoth Hot Springs, including the post office and general store, remain open for business as usual during the plowing period.

Our wildlife tour—the show goes on during plowing!
One of our most popular tours will fortunately remain unaffected during this period of plowing and road inaccessibility. As mentioned above, this time of year is a great chance to really see some wonderful animal activity, particularly as our larger mammals start to get into gear and ready to attack a new warm season. We are pleased to announce that even during the spring plow our Yellowstone tour guides will still be leading our wildlife tour to Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley. This is due to the fact that this section is open year-round, so access is always readily available.

Late winter and early spring can be a magical time to visit Yellowstone as the snow starts to melt and the first flowers start to poke their heads up through the snow. It’s also a great time to take a wildlife tour—it might be your best chance to experience an uncrowded park where some of its most magnificent creatures could be in plain sight for you and your family to enjoy. Contact Yellowstone Tour Guides to learn more or schedule a tour!

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“I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.”
― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America