National Park Service, Yellowstone Forever, and Blackstone Infrastructure’s Tallgrass Announce $105 Million Fund for Yellowstone National Park

The National Park Service, together with its official nonprofit and philanthropic partner, Yellowstone Forever, and Blackstone Infrastructure portfolio company Tallgrass, announces the establishment of a $105 million Conservation and Stewardship Fund, creating a permanent source of support for the long-term stewardship of the world’s first national park.

The fund will direct resources toward three priorities essential to Yellowstone’s long-term stewardship: advancing conservation and research to extend the reach and impact of the park’s scientific work; enhancing access and visitor experience through investments in infrastructure; and expanding opportunities for Wyoming students and community members to experience Yellowstone.

This latter effort will include the establishment of the Tallgrass WYld Yellowstone Initiative, named for the long-time Wyoming energy infrastructure operator with more than a decade of operations in the Cowboy State.

“More than 120 years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of Yellowstone’s iconic gateway, enshrining the promise that our National Parks exist for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “This historic $105 million investment honors that legacy, bringing together the best of American enterprise and conservation to expand access to Yellowstone and inspire the next generation to experience America’s great outdoors. We’re grateful to Blackstone, Tallgrass and Yellowstone Forever for their partnership and extraordinary commitment.”

"Yellowstone is one of America's great natural treasures, and we feel a profound sense of responsibility to protect it for future generations,” said Sean Klimczak, Blackstone’s Global Head of Infrastructure. “This historic gift reflects our belief that infrastructure investment can and should be a force for good, helping us invest in Yellowstone's future and the growth of the communities that surround it."

“This is a transformational investment in Yellowstone National Park,” said Lisa Diekmann, President & CEO of Yellowstone Forever. “It gives us the ability to meet urgent needs today while building enduring support for the research, education, stewardship and visitor infrastructure that will protect this park for generations to come.”

“Wyoming has been part of the Tallgrass story from the beginning, and Yellowstone captures something timeless about the spirit of this state,” said Crystal Heter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tallgrass. “We’re proud to do our part to preserve what makes Yellowstone so extraordinary and to strengthen its connection with the next generation.”

The National Park Service will retain full authority over park management decisions, and projects supported through the fund will be consistent with applicable laws, policies and park priorities.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking

On this date in hiking history: The first climbing death in America

The following is an excerpt from Ramble On: A History of Hiking.

During an extended tour of America, an Englishman named Frederick Strickland arrived at the Notch House on October 18, 1849, with the sole intention of standing atop Mount Washington. Strickland, a 29-year-old graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, was the second son of Sir George Strickland, a baron and long-time member of the British Parliament. Fatefully, just days before his arrival, an early-season snowstorm slammed into the White Mountains. A local newspaper reported that three feet of snow had fallen in the higher elevations during the storm. Despite stern warnings from Thomas Crawford and others, Strickland remained adamant about climbing the mountain. He purportedly told Crawford, the manager of the Notch House, that “I can walk where no horse could go.” He was also confident that he could make the entire round trip in just one day, and therefore took very few provisions with him. Although Crawford relented, he told Strickland that he wouldn’t risk the lives of his guide or his horses, and that they would turn around once they reached deep snow.

With that stipulation made clear, Strickland, his English companion and a guide set out on horseback from the Notch House on the following morning. As predicted, the group began to encounter deep snow as they proceeded above the treeline. By the time they arrived at Mount Pleasant (now Mount Eisenhower), the guide refused to proceed any further. Despite fresh warnings and further pleading from the guide and his traveling companion, Strickland chose to continue alone, on foot. His plan was to summit the mountain and then return to the Mount Washington House using the second Crawford Path, by then known as the Fabyan Path. Strickland was able to reach the summit, but became lost during his descent, likely after passing below the timberline. His frozen body was found two days later near the Ammonoosuc River. After failing to arrive at the Mount Washington House on the night of October 19th, Crawford organized search parties to ascend both trails. They easily found Strickland’s tracks in the snow and were able to follow them to his final resting place. It’s speculated that Strickland had fallen into the river at some point, as he had removed some of his clothes in a desperate attempt to keep from freezing. Strickland became the first person on record to perish on Mount Washington, and is quite likely the first climbing death in America.



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Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk through the woods for pleasure? Ramble On: A History of Hiking explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world.

Tularemia Detected in Glacier National Park’s Many Glacier Valley

Park officials have confirmed that two dead snowshoe hares were found in Glacier National Park’s Many Glacier Valley tested positive for tularemia, a rare but serious bacterial disease.

The first hare was found on Sept. 26, 2026, in the National Park Service Many Glacier staff housing area. The second was found on Sept. 30, 2026, along the trail to the Swiftcurrent Falls viewing area.

Tularemia occurs naturally and can affect wildlife, pets and humans. The disease is most commonly transmitted through bites from infected ticks or flies, and can cause wildlife illness and death, especially in small mammals. Tularemia infections in humans are rare but can cause serious illness. Humans and pets can contract tularemia through contact with infected animals, contaminated food or water, tick bites, or inhalation of bacteria released into the air from disturbed carcasses of infected animals. Person-to-person transmission is rare.

To reduce the risk of tularemia infection, visitors should take the following precautions:

* Use insect repellent regularly and check yourself, children and pets for ticks after spending time outdoors. Learn more about tick prevention.

* Wash hands thoroughly and often.

* Keep a safe distance from wildlife and do not touch wildlife carcasses.

* Drink only water that has been treated or boiled.

* Avoid activities, such as mowing or weed trimming, that could disturb sick or dead animals and release bacteria into the air.

In humans, tularemia can cause symptoms, including fever, chills, joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, dry cough, chest pain, skin ulcers or sores at the site of a tick bite, and swollen lymph nodes. Anyone who develops these symptoms within two weeks of visiting the area should seek medical attention and tell their healthcare provider about possible exposure to tularemia. The disease can be treated with antibiotics, early diagnosis and treatment are important.

Visitors who find dead animals in the park should not touch or disturb them and should report their location to park staff as soon as possible.

For more information, visit the National Park Service’s tularemia webpage.


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Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:

Temporary Closure in Alpine Sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road

With temperatures drastically lowering, Glacier National Park is expecting rain and possible snowfall this weekend. Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, a temporary road closure in the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road will be implemented. The closure will extend from Avalanche to Jackson Glacier Overlook.

According to the National Weather Service forecast, winter weather may extend through Sunday, Oct. 11, with rain, snow, and gusting wind expected in higher elevations of the park.

The closure area of Going-to-the-Sun Road may change as needed for visitor and staff safety. Glacier National Park will evaluate and re-open the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road when conditions improve.

Visitors are reminded that weather conditions can change quickly, and park travelers should always be prepared for inclement weather. Check the park website for the most up to date information. Visitors can also sign up for Glacier National Park notifications to receive road status updates by texting GNPROADS to 333111.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Construction Work on US Highway 26/89/191 near Moran to begin in October

Grand Teton National Park and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are taking both short- and long-term action to address accelerating erosion along the confluence of the Snake River and Buffalo Fork near U.S. Highway 26/89/191 at Moran Junction.

The highway is a critical year-round transportation link, carrying approximately 900,000 vehicles annually between Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, and communities throughout Wyoming. Erosion along the Snake River has brought the river channel increasingly closer to the highway, creating a significant risk to the road and the regional transportation network.

“Protecting this highway is about more than protecting a road,” said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins. “This is an essential transportation route for residents, visitors, businesses and communities throughout the region. We need to address the immediate threat while also developing a long-term solution that protects the highway and restores a healthy river corridor.”

FHWA’s Western Federal Lands Highway Division will complete emergency roadwork during the fall 2026 low-flow period. The project is intended to slow riverbank erosion and protect the highway ahead of spring 2027 runoff.

Construction is expected to take approximately 12 weeks, with most work occurring between October and December. The schedule will depend on river flows, weather and site access. During construction, the road will be reduced to one lane. Traffic will be controlled by temporary traffic lights and flaggers. Travelers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes.

Grand Teton National Park and FHWA are also working together to identify a long-term solution that addresses river erosion, protects the highway and improves the ecological health of the Snake River corridor.

Additional information about construction activities, traffic impacts and the long-term project will be shared on the park website.



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Rising more than 7000 feet above Jackson Hole, the majestic mountains of Grand Teton National Park provide one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. With more than 240 miles of trails meandering throughout this park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Exploring Grand Teton National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Grand Teton: