History of Yellowstone National Park in Timeline

Yellowstone National Park, primarily in Wyoming with parts in Montana and Idaho, was established on March 1, 1872, by President Ulysses S. Grant, marking it as the first national park in the US and globally. Renowned for its diverse wildlife and geothermal activity, it features the iconic Old Faithful geyser. Subalpine forests dominate its landscape, placing it within the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion, making it a significant natural landmark.

1900: Lacey Act Provides Legal Support

In 1900, the Lacey Act was enacted, providing legal support for officials prosecuting poachers in Yellowstone National Park and aiding in the protection of wildlife.

1901: Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Connection Opens

In 1901, a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy connection opened via Cody, improving rail access to Yellowstone National Park.

1902: Rail Line Extended to Gardiner Station

In 1902, the Northern Pacific Railroad extended its spur line to Gardiner station, where passengers could switch to stagecoach to continue their journey, improving access to Yellowstone.

1902: Bison Population Decline

In 1902, the bison population in Yellowstone National Park had decreased to less than 50 individuals, marking a critical low point for the species.

1903: Construction of Old Faithful Inn

The Old Faithful Inn was built from 1903 to 1904.

1904: Construction of Old Faithful Inn

The Old Faithful Inn was built from 1903 to 1904.

1908: Union Pacific Railroad Connection Opens

In 1908, a Union Pacific Railroad connection opened to West Yellowstone, further expanding rail access to the park.

1910: Visitor Interaction with Black Bears

Starting in 1910, black bears became a park symbol in Yellowstone due to visitor interactions with the bears.

1914: Wolf Extermination Funding

In 1914, the U.S. Congress allocated funds for the extermination of wolves and other animals perceived as harmful to agriculture and animal husbandry on public lands.

1915: Automobile Conflicts Arise

By 1915, the increasing number of automobiles entering Yellowstone National Park, reaching 1,000 per year, caused conflicts with horses and horse-drawn transportation, leading to eventual restrictions.

1915: Automobiles Admitted in Phases

In 1915, automobiles were first allowed into Yellowstone National Park in phases, marking a change in transportation methods and increasing visitation.

1916: National Park Service Created

In 1916, the National Park Service was created. This agency would later take over management of Yellowstone National Park.

1916: U.S. Army Management Ends

In 1916, the U.S. Army's 30-year oversight of Yellowstone National Park concluded. The National Park Service was created in 1916, and assumed responsibility for park management the following year.

1917: National Park Service Takes Over

In 1917, the National Park Service took over the administration of Yellowstone National Park, succeeding the U.S. Army. The National Park Service had been created the previous year.

October 31, 1918: Army Turns Control Over to National Park Service

On October 31, 1918, the U.S. Army officially relinquished control of Yellowstone National Park to the National Park Service, marking the end of a 32-year period of military administration.

1918: Previous Yellowstone River Record Height

In 1918, the Yellowstone River reached a height of 11.5 feet (3.5 m). This record height was broken in June 2022.

1924: Construction of New Entrances Begins

From 1924 through 1935, Yellowstone National Park officials began constructing new facilities at the west, south, and northeast entrances to accommodate the increasing number of automobiles arriving from all directions.

1926: Wolf Killings

By 1926, Park Service hunters had killed 136 wolves in Yellowstone National Park as part of a government-funded extermination program.

1927: Milwaukee Road Connection Opens

In 1927, a Milwaukee Road connection opened to Gallatin Gateway near Bozeman, also providing motorcoach access to visitors via West Yellowstone.

1933: Record Cold Temperature

In 1933, Yellowstone National Park recorded its coldest temperature at −66 °F (−54 °C).

1933: Civilian Conservation Corps Involvement Begins

In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began playing a significant role in developing Yellowstone National Park's facilities, as part of the New Deal relief effort.

1935: New Entrances Construction Completed

From 1924 through 1935, Yellowstone National Park officials completed construction of new facilities at the west, south, and northeast entrances to accommodate the increasing number of automobiles arriving from all directions.

1935: End of Wolf Extermination

In 1935, the National Park Service ended its practice of exterminating wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

1942: Civilian Conservation Corps Involvement Ends

In 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) played its final role in developing Yellowstone National Park's facilities.

1959: Hebgen Lake Earthquake

In 1959, the 7.2‑magnitude Hebgen Lake earthquake occurred just outside the northwest boundary of Yellowstone National Park, triggering a landslide and causing significant damage and fatalities.

1963: Leopold Report

In 1963, following public controversy over elk population reduction, the United States Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall appointed an advisory board which published the Leopold Report, recommending the management of Yellowstone's elk population.

1966: Mission 66 Completion

By 1966, Mission 66, an effort to modernize and expand park service facilities, was planned to be completed in Yellowstone National Park, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service.

1973: Endangered Species Act and Wolf Listing

With the passing of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, the wolf was one of the first mammal species listed, marking a turning point in wolf conservation efforts.

June 30, 1975: Earthquake Strikes Inside Park

On June 30, 1975, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck inside Yellowstone National Park, resulting in minimal damage.

July 28, 1975: Grizzly Bear Listing

On July 28, 1975, the Fish and Wildlife Service initially listed the grizzly bear as a threatened species in the contiguous United States.

October 26, 1976: International Biosphere Reserve Designation

On October 26, 1976, Yellowstone was designated an International Biosphere Reserve.

September 8, 1978: United Nations World Heritage Site Designation

On September 8, 1978, Yellowstone became a United Nations World Heritage Site.

1978: Yellowstone Named UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1978, Yellowstone National Park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its significance as a natural and cultural treasure.

February 22, 1980: Earthquake in Yellowstone

On February 22, 1980, there was an earthquake in Yellowstone.

July 21, 1987: Teton–Yellowstone Tornado

On July 21, 1987, the most powerful tornado recorded in Wyoming, classified as an F4, touched down in the Teton Wilderness of Bridger-Teton National Forest and hit Yellowstone National Park.

August 20, 1988: Worst Day of Yellowstone Fires

August 20, 1988, marked the single worst day of the Yellowstone fires, with more than 150,000 acres (61,000 ha; 230 sq mi) consumed.

1988: Grant Village Damaged in Forest Fires

During the late 1980s, most construction styles in Yellowstone reverted to the more traditional designs. After the enormous forest fires of 1988 damaged much of Grant Village, structures there were rebuilt in the traditional style.

1988: Yellowstone Fires Animal Deaths

In 1988 surveys indicated that only about 345 elk (of an estimated 40,000–50,000), 36 deer, 12 moose, 6 black bears, and 9 bison had perished in the Yellowstone Fires.

1988: Large Forest Fires

In 1988, Yellowstone National Park experienced large forest fires that burned over one-third of the park's area.

1992: New Fire Management Plan Adopted

By 1992, Yellowstone National Park had adopted a new fire management plan which observed stricter guidelines for the management of natural fires, based on knowledge gained from the 1988 fires.

1995: Placement on List of World Heritage in Danger

In 1995, Yellowstone was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to issues such as tourism, wildlife infection, and invasive species.

1996: Bison Management

In 1996, Yellowstone National Park personnel continued the practice of corralling bison herds back into the park due to concerns about brucellosis transmission to cattle.

1996: Previous Lamar River Record Height

In 1996, the Lamar River reached a height of 12.15 feet (3.70 m). This record height was beaten in June 2022.

1997: Bison Slaughter

During the winter of 1996–1997, a large number of bison exited Yellowstone National Park, resulting in the shooting or slaughter of 1,079 bison due to concerns over brucellosis transmission.

1998: Last Lynx Sighting

Lynx have not been seen in Yellowstone since 1998.

1999: Bald Eagle Nesting Pairs

In 1999, twenty-six pairs of nesting bald eagles were documented in Yellowstone National Park.

May 2001: Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Created

In May 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey, Yellowstone National Park, and the University of Utah established the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) to monitor and disseminate information about the geological processes and potential hazards of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field.

2001: Lynx DNA Confirmation

In 2001, DNA taken from hair samples obtained in Yellowstone National Park confirmed that lynx were at least transient to the park.

2001: Catch and Release Regulations

Since 2001, all native sport fish species caught in Yellowstone waterways are subject to catch and release regulations.

2002: Record High Temperature

In 2002, Yellowstone National Park recorded its highest temperature at 99 °F (37 °C).

2003: Removal from List of World Heritage in Danger

In 2003, Yellowstone was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

2003: Changes at Norris Geyser Basin

In 2003, changes at the Norris Geyser Basin led to temporary trail closures due to new fumaroles, enhanced geyser activity, and increasing water temperatures.

2003: Lynx Track Discovery

In 2003, the tracks of one female lynx and her cub were spotted and followed for over 2 miles (3.2 km) in Yellowstone National Park. Fecal material and other evidence were tested and confirmed to be those of a lynx.

2006: Canyon Village Visitor Center Opens

In 2006, the visitor center at Canyon Village opened in Yellowstone National Park, incorporating a more traditional design.

2007: Increased Annual Visitation

From 2007 average annual visitation increased to 3.5 million during the ten years.

2007: Recorded Deaths in Yellowstone

From 2007 to 2023, there were 74 deaths recorded within the park, with driving being the leading cause.

2007: Grizzly Bear Delisting

In 2007, the grizzly bear was taken off the endangered species list.

February 27, 2008: Wolf Delisting

On February 27, 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf population from the endangered species list due to successful recovery efforts.

2009: Grizzly Bear Relisting

In 2009, a federal district judge overturned the delisting ruling, reinstating the grizzly bear on the endangered species list.

2010: America the Beautiful Quarters Program Honoree

In 2010, Yellowstone National Park was honored with its own quarter under the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.

2011: Geyser Study Completed

In 2011, a study found that at least 1,283 geysers have erupted in Yellowstone, with an average of 465 being active each year.

March 30, 2014: Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake Near Norris Basin

On March 30, 2014, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck near the middle of Yellowstone National Park close to the Norris Basin, with no reported damage.

2014: Fire Management Plan

The latest Fire Management Plan, created in 2014, allows natural fires to burn in Yellowstone National Park if they posed no immediate threat to lives and property.

2016: Record Recreational Visitors

In 2016, Yellowstone saw a record of 4,257,177 recreational visitors.

2016: Discovery of Hadesarchaea Thermophiles

In 2016, researchers from Uppsala University discovered a class of thermophiles, Hadesarchaea, in Yellowstone's Culex Basin, capable of converting carbon monoxide and water to carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

2017: Grizzly Bear Delisting (Second)

In 2017, the grizzly bear was once again removed from the endangered species list.

September 2018: Grizzly Bear Protections Restored

In September 2018, a U.S. district judge ruled that the grizzly's protections must be restored in full, arguing the Fish and Wildlife Service was mistaken in removing the bear from the threatened status list.

June 2022: Park Closure Due to Flooding

In June 2022, Yellowstone National Park closed entrances and evacuated visitors after experiencing record-level rainfall and flooding that caused multiple road and bridge failures, power outages, and mudslides.

2023: Recorded Deaths in Yellowstone

From 2007 to 2023, there were 74 deaths recorded within the park, with hiking, climbing, and walking representing 38% of incidents on trails and geothermal areas.

2023: Visitation Increase

In 2023, Yellowstone park visitation was 4.5 million people.

2023: Bison Population Growth and Cull

In 2023, the Yellowstone bison population had increased to 6,000 individuals, resulting in a cull of 1,150 bison.

2023: Whitebark Pine Listed as Threatened

In 2023, the whitebark pine was listed as a threatened species due to a fungus known as white pine blister rust.

July 2024: Hydrothermal Explosion Occurs

In July 2024, a hydrothermal explosion occurred in Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin.

2024: Wolf Population Survey

A survey conducted in 2024 reported that there were 9 wolf packs, totaling 108 individuals, in Yellowstone National Park.

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