Yellowstone National Park’s Dunraven Pass opens ahead of schedule

The road from Canyon Village to Tower Fall (Dunraven Pass) opened today, May 16, to public motor vehicle traffic.

Originally scheduled to open May 24, road crews were able to complete spring plowing operations ahead of schedule due to mild winter conditions. The Chittenden Road to Mount Washburn will remain closed at this time. All park roads are now open for the season.

The public are asked to:

* Watch for quickly changing weather conditions and possible temporary closures due to late spring storms. Many areas of the park are still experiencing winter conditions, and snow and ice may cover sections of roads and trails.

* Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions and traffic delays due to road improvement projects in Yellowstone: Visit Park Roads. Call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information.

* Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting "82190" to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).

* Come prepared. Services in the spring are limited. Visit Operating Dates for area-specific season opening dates.

* Bison, elk, bears and other wildlife use roads as travel corridors. Roadside snowbanks prevent them from easily moving off the roads. Do not crowd, harass or push wildlife. Be mindful as wildlife endure this difficult time of the year.

* Stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other wildlife. It is your responsibility to maintain safe distances at all times.



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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:

New Book Showcases 75 Hikes across the Rocky Mountains

From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies.

What’s in this trail guide?

* Detailed descriptions for 75 day hikes that lead to tranquil backcountry lakes, roaring waterfalls, deep canyons, alpine meadows and placid glaciers. Many ascend to high mountain passes and summits. All of them will lead you to extraordinary places that offer breathtaking scenery.

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains is now available on Amazon.

Flathead National Forest Campgrounds Prepare to Open for the Summer Season

Camping season is right around the corner on the Flathead National Forest. The Flathead has 31 developed campgrounds that provide a range of services, accommodations, and access. These range from campgrounds with roads, Wi-Fi, and cell phone coverage to more primitive locations with limited services. Of the 31 campgrounds, 13 are under management by a concessionaire through a special use permit. There are currently two concessionaires that provide customer service and high-quality recreation experiences. Flathead Valley Campgrounds operate the Tally Lake, Big Creek, and Devil Creek Campgrounds, along with several sites around the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Big Sky Recreation Company runs the campgrounds at Holland Lake, Swan Lake, and Lindbergh Lake.

The Flathead continues to make improvements to several popular sites using Legacy Restoration Funds made possible by the Great American Outdoors Act, including new water systems at the Tally Lake and Devil Creek Campgrounds. The Devil Creek Campground will have a delayed opening due to construction and is anticipated to open June 1. While Tally Lake Campground is open as usual, construction on the Campground water system has begun with anticipated completion by July. No water will be available to visitors during this improvement work and some sites may be impacted.

Holland Lake Campground will supply portable restrooms for the Bay Loop area in place of flushing restrooms while the wastewater system is inoperable. The RV dump station will be closed this season, but potable water will be available. The areas already serviced by vault toilets will remain open with no change.

This year, Swan Lake, Holland Lake, and Lindbergh Lake campgrounds are opening early and are currently on a first come, first served basis until normal reservations begin on May 17 for Holland Lake and Swan Lake campgrounds. Lindbergh Lake campground remains first come, first served all season.

In addition to designated campgrounds, dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Forest. Dispersed camping is managed on a first come first served basis and can give a one-of-kind camping experience. If you plan on camping away from a designated campsite, please research that area beforehand and follow all posted rules and regulations during your stay. The maximum stay for the most dispersed sites on the forest is 16 days, although some popular sites near water will have shorter stay limits posted.

As you start to plan your adventures, keep in mind that bears are awake and food, garbage, and other scented items attract bears. Help avoid attracting bears while camping and recreating. The food storage order for Flathead National Forest is designed to minimize grizzly bear/human conflicts. Visit the Forest website for more information on recreating safely in bear country: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/flathead/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5347448

For more information about camping, visit our website or contact the associated Ranger Station: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/flathead/recreation/camping-cabins

Hungry Horse/Glacier View Ranger District: (406) 387-3800
Tally Lake Ranger District: (406) 758-5204
Swan Lake Ranger District: (406) 837-7500
Spotted Bear Ranger District: (406) 758-5376

To reserve a campground through Recreation.gov, please visit: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/1016



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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:

Hot Off The Press!

Brand new, and hot off the press! I'm super excited to announce the release of my new book: Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico

This new trail guide is now available on Amazon!

Weather-permitting, South Entrance in Yellowstone National Park to open Friday, May 10

Weather-permitting, the following roads in Yellowstone National Park will open 8 a.m. Friday, May 10 to public motor vehicle traffic:

* South Entrance to West Thumb
* West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass)
* West Thumb to Lake Village
* Tower-Roosevelt to Tower Fall

Weather-permitting, the road from Canyon Village to Tower Fall (Dunraven Pass) will open 8 a.m. May 24.

Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions and traffic delays due to road improvement projects in Yellowstone:

* Visit Park Roads.

* Call (307) 344-2117 for recorded information.



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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