Visit In Peace

Sun., Oct. 4, 1998

Staff

Yellowstone National Park

Numbers offer a reason why there’s more peacefulness in Yellowstone National Park during autumn.

About 774,300 people visited the park last July compared with 120,300 visitors in October.

School schedules probably account for the bulk of the visitors putting up with traffic jams and warm summer days rather than enjoying bugling bull elk and the cool temperatures of fall.

The summer season in Yellowstone runs from mid-April to Nov. 1. Roads in the park are closed at 8 a.m. Nov. 2. However, the road from the north entrance at Gardiner, Mont., to Mammoth and on to the northeast gate at Cooke City remains open throughout the year.

Although it can snow any month in Yellowstone, late September and early October seem to be an average time for the first storm of the season. But snow from that storm usually melts quickly and leads to better conditions.

Some campgrounds remain open until Nov. 1. Old Faithful Inn is the last lodging available in the park; it closes Oct. 18. There are limited services within Yellowstone from mid-September until the roads close.

To inquire about lodging and make reservations in Yellowstone, call (307) 344-7311.

Current information on Yellowstone is available on the internet. Try The Total Yellowstone Page at www.yellowstone-natl-park.com.

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