Yellowstone National Park, primarily in Wyoming with parts in Montana and Idaho, was established in 1872 as the world's first national park. It's renowned for its diverse wildlife and abundant geothermal features, most notably the Old Faithful geyser. Subalpine forests dominate its landscape, forming part of the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion. Its creation was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant.
In 1900, the Lacey Act was enacted, providing legal support for officials prosecuting poachers in Yellowstone.
In 1901, a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy connection opened via Cody, enhancing rail access to Yellowstone.
In 1902, the bison population in Yellowstone National Park had decreased to less than 50 individuals.
In 1902, the rail line was extended to Gardiner station, where passengers also switched to stagecoach, improving transportation to Yellowstone.
The Old Faithful Inn was built from 1903 to 1904.
The Old Faithful Inn was built from 1903 to 1904.
In 1908, a Union Pacific Railroad connection was established to West Yellowstone, providing another rail route for visitors.
Starting in 1910, black bears became a park symbol due to visitor interaction with the bears in Yellowstone National Park.
Starting in 1914, the U.S. Congress allocated funds to destroy wolves on public lands in Yellowstone National Park, to protect elk populations.
By 1915, with 1,000 automobiles entering Yellowstone per year, conflicts arose with horses and horse-drawn transportation, leading to the eventual prohibition of horse travel on roads.
In 1915, automobiles were first admitted into Yellowstone National Park in phases, marking a transition from horse-drawn transportation.
In 1916, the National Park Service was created, and many management principles developed by the army in Yellowstone were adopted by the new agency.
In 1916, the U.S. Army's 30-year oversight of Yellowstone National Park concluded, marking a shift in management approach.
In 1917, the administration of Yellowstone National Park was transferred to the National Park Service, which had been created the previous year, marking a new era in the park's management.
On October 31, 1918, the U.S. Army officially turned control of Yellowstone National Park over to the National Park Service, completing the transition of management.
In 1918, the Yellowstone River reached a height of 11.5 feet, a previous record which was broken in June 2022 when the river reached 13.88 feet.
In 1921, the Mammoth School, created by the Park Service, opened.
By 1926, Park Service hunters had killed 136 wolves in Yellowstone National Park.
In 1927, a Milwaukee Road connection opened to Gallatin Gateway near Bozeman, facilitating motorcoach access to Yellowstone via West Yellowstone.
In 1933, Yellowstone recorded its coldest temperature of −66 °F (−54 °C).
In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began playing a major role in developing Yellowstone facilities through reforestation, campground development, trail construction, and fire hazard reduction.
The National Park Service ended the practice of wolf extermination in Yellowstone National Park in 1935.
In 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) activities came to an end. The CCC played a major role between 1933 and 1942 in developing Yellowstone facilities.
In 1959, the 7.2-magnitude Hebgen Lake earthquake occurred just outside the northwest boundary of Yellowstone National Park. This triggered a massive landslide that caused a partial dam collapse on Hebgen Lake and created Earthquake Lake. 28 people were killed, and it also caused geysers to erupt in the park.
In 1963, after public controversy regarding elk population reduction, the United States Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall appointed an advisory board to collect scientific data to inform future wildlife management of the national parks, resulting in the Leopold Report.
In 1966, Mission 66 was planned to be completed, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service, but construction diverged from the traditional log cabin style with design features of a modern style.
In 1970, park officials changed their policy and started a vigorous program to educate the public on the dangers of close contact with bears.
With the passing of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, the wolf was one of the first mammal species listed in Yellowstone National Park.
On June 30, 1975, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck inside Yellowstone National Park, but caused minimal damage.
On July 28, 1975, the grizzly bear was initially listed as a threatened species in the contiguous United States by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
On October 26, 1976, Yellowstone was designated an International Biosphere Reserve, recognizing its ecological significance.
On September 8, 1978, Yellowstone was designated a UN World Heritage Site, acknowledging its cultural and natural importance.
In 1978, Yellowstone was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its significant natural and cultural value.
The text references the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens to provide context to the size of the Yellowstone Caldera eruptions.
Between 1983 and 2008, there have been 70 swarms of earthquakes
For three months in 1985, 3,000 minor earthquakes were detected in the northwestern section of Yellowstone National Park, during what was referred to as an earthquake swarm, attributed to minor subsidence of the Yellowstone caldera.
On July 21, 1987, the Teton–Yellowstone tornado, classified as an F4 with wind speeds estimated at between 207 and 260 miles per hour, touched down in the Teton Wilderness and hit Yellowstone National Park, leveling 15,000 acres of mature pine forest.
On August 20, 1988, known as "Black Saturday", strong winds rapidly expanded the Yellowstone fires, burning more than 150,000 acres in a single day.
In 1988, extensive forest fires burned over one-third of Yellowstone National Park, impacting the landscape and prompting a review of fire management policies.
In 1988, surveys indicated that the fires killed very few park animals, including about 345 elk, 36 deer, 12 moose, 6 black bears, and 9 bison. Changes in fire management policies were later implemented by land management agencies throughout the United States.
In 1988, the enormous forest fires damaged much of Grant Village, leading to structures being rebuilt in the traditional style.
In 1992, Yellowstone adopted a new fire management plan which observed stricter guidelines for the management of natural fires.
In 1995, Yellowstone was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the effects of tourism, wildlife infection, and invasive species.
In 1995, northwestern wolves imported from Canada were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
During the winter of 1996–1997, a large bison herd that exited Yellowstone National Park was corralled due to the perceived threat of brucellosis transmission to cattle.
In 1996, the Lamar River reached 12.15 feet. This record was broken in June 2022 when the river reached 16.7 feet.
During the winter of 1996-1997, 1,079 bison that exited Yellowstone National Park were either shot or sent to slaughter, due to the perceived threat of brucellosis transmission to cattle.
Lynx have not been seen in Yellowstone National Park since 1998.
In 1999, twenty-six pairs of nesting bald eagles were documented in Yellowstone National Park.
In May 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey, Yellowstone National Park, and the University of Utah created the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) to monitor geological processes.
In 2001, DNA taken from hair samples confirmed that lynx were at least transient to Yellowstone National Park.
Since 2001, all native sport fish species caught in Yellowstone waterways are subject to catch and release regulations.
In 2002, Yellowstone recorded its record high temperature of 99 °F (37 °C).
By 2003, the Yellowstone Park bison herd had increased to 4,000 animals.
In 2003, Yellowstone was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger, after addressing concerns about tourism, wildlife infection, and invasive species.
In 2003, changes at the Norris Geyser Basin resulted in the temporary closure of some trails due to new fumaroles and increased geyser activity.
In 2003, the tracks of one female lynx and her cub were spotted and followed for over 2 miles in Yellowstone National Park. Fecal material and other evidence confirmed their presence.
On March 10, 2004, a biologist found 5 dead bison that had apparently inhaled toxic geothermal gases trapped in the Norris Geyser Basin due to a seasonal atmospheric inversion.
In April 2004, there was an upsurge in earthquake activity in Yellowstone National Park following the discovery of dead bison earlier in March.
In 2004, the wolf population in Yellowstone was monitored, though later figures in 2005 showed a slight decrease possibly due to migration.
A 2005 survey reported 118 wolves in 13 packs in Yellowstone National Park.
In 2005, researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder discovered that some of the diverse hyperthermophilic species in Yellowstone's hot springs gain sustenance from molecular hydrogen.
In 2005, the Yellowstone Park bison herd reached a peak with 4,900 animals.
In 2006, the visitor center at Canyon Village opened, incorporating a more traditional design.
Beginning on April 30, 2007, 16 small earthquakes with magnitudes up to 2.7 occurred in the Yellowstone Caldera for several days as part of an earthquake swarm.
As of 2007, the whitebark pine in Yellowstone is threatened by white pine blister rust, a fungus, but the impact is less severe compared to forests further north and west.
From 2007 to 2016, average annual visitation increased to 3.5 million.
From 2007 to 2023, a total of 74 deaths were recorded within the park. Driving is the leading cause of fatalities, accounting for over 45%.
In the summer of 2007, the bison population was estimated at 4,700 animals.
The grizzly bear was taken off the endangered species list in 2007 in Yellowstone National Park.
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.
In December 2008, over 250 earthquakes were measured over four days under Yellowstone Lake, the largest measuring a magnitude of 3.9.
In 2008, the Mammoth School closed due to changes in employee demographics and funding agreements.
In 2008, the bison population in Yellowstone National Park dropped to 3,000 after a harsh winter and controversial brucellosis management strategies.
In 2009, a federal district judge overturned the delisting of the grizzly bear, reinstating its protected status in Yellowstone National Park.
In January 2010, more than 250 earthquakes were detected over two days in Yellowstone National Park.
In 2010, Yellowstone National Park was honored with its own quarter under the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.
A study completed in 2011 found that at least 1,283 geysers have erupted in Yellowstone.
On October 1, 2013, Yellowstone National Park closed to the public due to the 2013 United States federal government shutdown.
On March 30, 2014, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck near the Norris Basin in Yellowstone National Park at 6:34 am. No damage was reported.
In 2014, the latest Fire Management Plan allowed natural fires to burn if they posed no immediate threat to lives and property.
In August 2015, the eighth recorded bear-related death in the park's history occurred.
In 2016, Yellowstone National Park had a record of 4,257,177 recreational visitors.
In 2016, researchers from Uppsala University reported the discovery of a class of thermophiles, Hadesarchaea, in Yellowstone's Culex Basin. These organisms can convert carbon monoxide and water to carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
In 2017, the grizzly bear was once again removed from the endangered species list in Yellowstone National Park.
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.
In 2021, campfire programs, guided walks, and other interpretive presentations were suspended due to COVID-19.
In June 2022, Yellowstone National Park closed entrances and evacuated visitors due to record-level rainfall and flooding that caused road and bridge failures, power outages, and mudslides. The Yellowstone River reached a new record height at 13.88 feet. The park partially reopened June 22 after a 9-day closure, with north and northeast entrances later opening in October.
As of January 2023, there are at least 108 wolves in Yellowstone National Park in 10 packs, forming the core of a larger population within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
From 2007 to 2023, a total of 74 deaths were recorded within the park. Driving is the leading cause of fatalities, accounting for over 45%.
In 2023, Yellowstone National Park surpassed the 2016 record for recreational visitors with 4.5 million visitors.
In July 2024, a hydrothermal explosion occurred in Biscuit Basin.
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