Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Update: Yellowstone lifts remaining temporary closures near Old Faithful following May 4 bear incident

Yellowstone has lifted the remaining temporary trail, backcountry campsite and fishing closures near Old Faithful that were put in place after a May 4 bear incident in which two hikers were injured by an adult female grizzly bear with cubs.

The closure related to the 2024 Biscuit Basin hydrothermal explosion remains in place due to continued unpredictable hydrothermal activity.

Since the incident, Yellowstone bear management staff have surveyed the Mystic Falls Trail and surrounding area. Staff have not documented recent bear activity, including fresh tracks, scat or feeding sites. Based on these observations, the park has determined that bear-related risk in this area is consistent with that of other Yellowstone trails at this time of year.

Visitors are reminded to carry bear spray, know how to use it, stay alert and hike in groups whenever possible.



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Sunday, July 5, 2026

Grand Teton National Park to conduct high-visibility enforcement operations this summer

Grand Teton National Park law enforcement rangers will conduct a series of high-visibility enforcement (HVE) operations throughout the summer to promote safe driving behaviors and reduce serious traffic incidents in the park.

Enforcement efforts will primarily be near the park’s southern boundary and will include increased patrol presence and traffic stops. These traffic safety campaigns are focused on seatbelt use, speeding, and impaired driving. Patrols will focus on targeted areas during designated enforcement periods to increase visibility and encourage compliance with traffic laws.

Motor vehicle crashes and impaired driving remain some of the leading safety concerns in national parks. Park rangers encourage all visitors to help keep roads safe by driving responsibly. Remember to:

* Wear seatbelts at all times.

* Obey posted daytime and nighttime speed limits.

* Never drive impaired.

* Stay alert for wildlife, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

* Allow extra travel time during peak summer visitation.

* Stay patient in construction zones.

The upcoming patrol operations are funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in partnership with the National Park Service Traffic Safety Coalition.



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Saturday, July 4, 2026

Happy 4th of July!

On this day in 1930, sculptor Gutzon Borglum unveiled the 60-foot granite head of George Washington on Mount Rushmore. More info here.
Here’s a short newsreel from the George Washington unveiling:





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Friday, July 3, 2026

New Montana license plate supports safe crossings for wildlife

Starting July 1, Montanans will be able to purchase a new specialty license plate that will raise funds and awareness for wildlife crossing structures on highways. These crossings help animals move safely over and under busy roads, reducing collisions and maintaining important movement and migration routes.

Based on expected sales, the plate could raise around $100,000 annually to support these efforts.

Crossing structures such as overpasses and underpasses, combined with fencing, can reduce vehicle collisions with deer, elk, moose and other wildlife by more than 90 percent. They provide safe passage across highways for Montana’s diverse wildlife and help save lives, while also avoiding millions of dollars in vehicle damage, medical bills and other costs.
The plate features artwork by Kylie Bute, a June 2025 graduate of Gallatin High School in Bozeman who won the Montana Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings License Plate Artwork Contest.  

“My passion for art has always been about telling stories, and this design is a way to spread awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and movement,” Bute said.  

Each sale of the new specialty plate will generate a $20 contribution to the Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, created by the 2025 Montana Legislature and administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to help fund wildlife connectivity and wildlife collision-reduction projects across the state. 

For more information on purchasing Montana license plates, go to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division website. 



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Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Glacier National Park flood update (7/1/26)

Glacier National Park posted this on their social media a few minutes ago:
As the rain subsides and rangers make safety assessments, many areas are re-opening across the park! Here’s what you should expect:

✅Open

▫️Going-To-The-Sun Road is open in its entirety.
▫️The Many Glacier road has been reopened, and the Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn are open for guest check-in and visitor services.
▫️Limited trails are open in Many Glacier:
🔹Swiftcurrent Lake Loop
🔹Trail to Grinnell Lake via Josephine South Shore (⚠️note that lake access is limited due to high water).
🔹Apikuni Falls (⚠️hikers are advised to stop at the end of the maintained trail. Do not attempt to climb the rocks to the base of the falls).

🚫Closures

▫️The Many Glacier Campground will remain closed until conditions are safe. It is projected to open July 2.
▫️Many Glacier public boating and AIS inspections are temporarily suspended due to unsafe conditions caused by submerged logs and debris.
▫️Commercial services offering boat tours and horseback trail rides are also suspended in the Many Glacier Valley.

🚨Safety reminder🚨

Visitors should be extra vigilant near water. Swift, cold streams and rivers, slick rocks, and slippery logs all present dangers. Never walk, play, or climb on slippery rocks and logs, especially around waterfalls. Visitors should expect rivers and streams to remain high and dangerous.

Photo 1 - Many Glacier Campground Amphitheater 6/29/26 - NPS/Andrew Friedgen




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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:


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