Yellowstone is one of the best places in the world to just get outside! There are many reasons why the park has been referred to as a "Wonderland" over the decades. Visitors have known since the 1700's that this place is different, exciting, enchanting.

Where can employees start their exploration of this outdoor world?

Each location in the park has a National Park Service Visitor Center...stop in for a visit.

Take a guided walk, watch a film or take in an evening education program. And...Interpretive Rangers are happy to guide employees to some of the most interesting spots and great hiking trails. Check out a park map and make plans to visit different areas.

For those that want more research material, books that give information about scenic areas and features throughout Yellowstone are available in park stores.

Experienced employees are also a good source of information. They can guide new explorers to places that few visitors ever see.

No matter what outdoor adventure is chosen, all employees must follow the basic rules of living in a wilderness area. Search and Rescue teams and Medical Personnel are in the park. However, they are often many miles from any given area hikers and backcountry campers may be. All employees are given information about park safety. It's an important part of living in Yellowstone.

Tie up your hiking shoes!...
Yellowstone National Park has hundreds of miles of trails to discover! From easy trails that wander through meadows and forests, to difficult trails that take hikers up mountainsides, this park has it all! Day hikes abound and are a great way to spend just one day out in the backcountry.

Get credit for hiking! Just join the 100-Mile or 500-Mile Hiking Club, offered through the Employee Co-Op Recreation Program. The hiking club teaches you how to hike safely in the woods, helps you find a hiking buddy, and rewards your adventure with free stuff!

Hiking can take every level of adventurer right into the heart of Yellowstone. Animal sightings are common (use caution and stay away...all animals in yellowstone are wild!) along with great stops at waterfalls, rivers and lakes. It is the easiest way to explore the real Yellowstone!

Looking for Organized sports? The Employee Co-Op Recreation Program offers league sports such as softball, volleyball and basketball each summer season. The Rec. Department staff also offers other great ways to get outside, including tournament activities and disk golf.

Let's go camping!...
Yellowstone has great campgrounds. Some larger campgrounds are near the most popular areas like Lake Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Others offer sites that are quieter and access backcountry trails for a camping/hiking experience.

For the more adventurous (and the more wilderness-experienced!), there are backcountry campsites available for backpacking trips into the park. These campsites are limited and often require a hike of several miles. Those wishing to pack into backcountry campsites are required to attend a short study session and pass a test to obtain a backcountry permit. Visit the National Park Service Backcountry Office in any Visitor Center for information and permits.

New to camping or hiking? Good News!....the Employee Co-Op Recreation Program rents camping gear for a deposit and small fee! Oh, the joys of working in Yellowstone!

How about the fishing?...
Yellowstone is nationally known for its fly-fishing waters. Cutthroat, brown and rainbow trout call our waters home. The Firehole River, with its year-round temperate waters (caused by the run-off of thermal features) is considered a "blue-ribbon" trout stream.

With constantly changing "hatches" attracting the fish, the daily challenge of finding the right fly is addicting and the excitment of bringing in a fighting rainbow is a great way to spend a day in Yellowstone! (P.S. Many areas in Yellowstone are catch and release only. Some areas have restrictions to ensure the health of the native fish populations.)

Fly fishing supplies are available in just a few locations around the park. Fisher guys and gals should bring an ample supply of flies, line and leader along with their gear.

Yellowstone's Employee Co-Op Recreation Program offers free fly fishing seminars each summer season, along with fishing field trips and casting classes!

Anyone wishing to fish in Yellowstone National Park must obtain a park fishing license. These can be purchased in any park Visitor Center.

"Hey...I see a bear!"...
...is a common phrase heard around Yellowstone. Along with bison, elk and moose, these large creatures are amazing to see! Wildife watching is a favorite recreational activity in Yellowstone and the easiest way to get outside! Many employees sign up for a box lunch from the EDR, hop into a car and "cruise" the park in search of wildlife! Bear and bison sightings are often the cause of "animal jams"...and sometimes dozens of vehicles park in the area. Could finding bears be any easier?

Areas where bears or moose are roaming attract photographers from all over the world...and they attract NPS Rangers who direct traffic and answer questions about the animal that has such an audience. Most wildlife photographers have a good knowledge of their subject and, if asked at the right time, are happy to talk about them.

Wolf watching is a major draw for many park visitors. Wolves have made a remarkable come-back and are seen by the casual watcher now more than ever. While elusive and shy, wolves can be seen on distant ridges feeding or resting

Watch for special van trips organized by the Co-op Recreation Program. These are great opportunities to get around the park and see scenery and wildlife you might miss on your own! Watch the posted schedules at your location.

No matter what animals you wish to see...bear...bison...bighorn sheep
...elk...antelope...beaver ...otter...wildlife watchers should bring a camera and binoculars...and a lunch! Seasoned wildlife watchers are ready for sudden weather changes with extra layers of clothing.

"What about bicycling?"...
While many employees bring a bicycle (and a helmet!) to Yellowstone, bicycles are not allowed on most trails in the park. Bicycles can be a great way to get to and from work at some locations.

While riding on Yellowstone's main roads is legal, it must be done with caution. Many Yellowstone roads were engineered long before large vehicles came into the park and they have little or no shoulder. Recreational vehicles and large trucks often have difficulty negotiating the sharp (and often blind) curves and hills in the park. Bicyclers are at risk of being hit by road traffic and should ride with caution....and in single line!

Bikers can go outside the park and ride thousands of miles of National Forest trails that surround Yellowstone! For more information about National Forest areas, go to the
US Forest Service link on the Around Yellowstone page.

Be sure to read about Discovering the Bubbles and Art & Photography in this "Play Here" section. And go to Travel Yellowstone for more.