In Traveling During COVID: My Personal Experience, I detailed my observations while traveling during COVID on my 2-week, 3-national park trip. I also touched on a few ways the national parks were operating differently due to COVID. Since my Traveling During COVID blog received a lot of attention, I decided to expand on what it means to visit Yellowstone during COVID.
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Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, people have had to cancel their 2020 vacation plans. But now that restrictions are loosening, vacationers are wondering where they can go and if it is worth it with the COVID risks. It seems that most vacationers are flocking to the great outdoors where you can easily social distance and masks are not required. Yellowstone National Park may be one of your best options for vacationing during this time. If you plan to visit Yellowstone during COVID, you should know what to expect.
This is a volatile time, and COVID-19 case counts are ever developing. Because of this, restrictions, policies, and requirements of Yellowstone can change with little to no warning. The observations in this article are those I experienced late June 2020. At which the park was in Phase 2 of its reopening plan.
Where to Stay on your Visit to Yellowstone During COVID
During Phase 2, hotels are closed to overnight guests as well as visitors who want to get a glimpse at their magnificent lobbies. If you plan on staying overnight inside the park, you can camp or stay at a cabin-style lodge. Most campgrounds are open. If you dare, some backcountry campsites are also open. More information on backcountry camping can be found here.
If possible, make campground reservations prior to your arrival. However, a park official at the Canyon Campground said they had 60 no-shows the day before we checked in. Several people in line did not have reservations, and all were able to get campsites.
Restrooms and laundry services at the campground were open for use. However, showers were not. Gross! Luckily, we were RV camping so we could shower in the RV. But if you are a tent camper, I suggest bringing body wipes to cleanse yourself.
Restrooms throughout the park were cleaned frequently and thoroughly. I was consistently impressed with how clean the restrooms were. All restrooms with flushable toilets have hand-washing stations. Pit toilets without hand-washing sinks did have hand sanitizer dispensers installed.
How to Eat on your Visit to Yellowstone During COVID
Restaurants in the park are closed for dine-in guests. However, the park restaurants do offer “take out” food services. I recommend making a meal plan for your visit to Yellowstone during COVID. Buy groceries prior to entering the park, eat sandwiches for meals where you are away from your campground, and cook campfire meals when at your campsite.
If sandwiches and campsite cooking are not for you, here is a list of Yellowstone restaurants open for “take-out” services:
- Old Faithful Geyser Grill
- Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace Grill
- Old Faithful Lodge Bake Shop
- Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria
- Wylie’s Canteen at Lake Lodge
- Lake Lodge Lobby Bar
- Grant Village Dining Room
- Canyon Lodge Eatery
Other Facilities/Services on your Visit to Yellowstone During COVID
On my visit to Yellowstone during COVID in late June, officials requested visitors where masks indoors but did not require it. With the number of COVID cases increasing, Yellowstone has an updated note on their website that states masks are now required indoors. Masks are not required outdoors unless social distancing is not achievable.
Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers
Most ranger stations and visitor centers are closed to reduce close-proximity interactions between visitors and rangers. This is actually super inconvenient as people have more questions than ever at this time. There is practically no cell service in the park. Talking to rangers and park employees has always been the best way to get up-to-date park information.
The only ranger station I could find to be open was at the West Thumb Geyser area. If your kids have national park passports, find this location to get their passports stamped.
Gift Shops and General Stores
The Old Faithful gift shop and general store was the first facility I encountered in my 6 days in Yellowstone. These buildings limited the amount of people allowed inside, and others had to wait in line outside at marked social distancing spots. Masks were required here. I assumed this was the norm for the park, but it was not. No other general store we entered followed these protocols including the general stores at Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Bridge Bay, and West Thumb.
Swimming Holes
Boiling River and the Firehole swimming area are usually very popular swimming locations during the summer months. However, these swimming spots are closed during Phase 2.
Why You Should Visit Yellowstone During COVID
If you decide to brave the COVID-19 risks and take a vacation, Yellowstone National Park is a great option. The park has taken many precautions to help alleviate the risk of tramsitting the virus. Because of these strange times, there are actually some unexpected benefits to visit Yellowstone during COVID.
Fewer Crowds
Normally the summer months in Yellowstone are unbearable. Waiting times to get into the park can be over an hour, parking lots fill up early in the day, and you have to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers at popular sights. However, due to fears of traveling during COVID and lodging restrictions, crowds are far fewer than that of a normal summer.
Most of the times we entered the park, we waited less than 5 minutes. There was only one time where the wait was longer, and there were still only 8-10 cars in line. We only had trouble finding a parking spot twice in the 6 days in Yellowstone. And there were plenty of non-crowded areas on the usually crowded platforms surrounding Old Faithful.
Entire Park is Open
During Phase 1, only a portion of the park and one entrance was open. With the exception of the road from Canyon to Tower-Roosevelt, the entire park is now open during Phase 2. The road Tower-Roosevelt road closure is due to scheduled construction and is not closed for COVID-19 reasons. Other parks, such as Glacier National Park, are still not completely open. If you decide to visit Yellowstone during COVID, you will not have to give up seeing sights or get a lesser experience because of the pandemic.
Active Wildlife
Yellowstone closed to the public in March and reopened during Phase 1 in early June. With the lack of people in the park, the wildlife began to roam free in areas they usually avoid. As such, the wildlife is much more active right now. I actually remember thinking, “ugh, it’s just another black bear,” by the ump-teenth we had seen one. We lost count; we saw so many. And I do not think that is normal.
Phase 3 of Reopening
When Phase 3 is initiated, most of Yellowstone’s services and facilities will open. Hotels and lodges will host overnight visitors. Full service restaurants will open their doors to dine-in guests. Ranger programs will reemerge. Tour buses will begin to fill the park roads. And any other services and facilities (hopefully this includes campground showers) will open. There is currently no set date for initiating Phase 3. But once Phase 3 begins, the crowds will reappear and the wildlife will be less prevalent.
Take Precautions on your Visit to Yellowstone During COVID
The bottom line is there is a global pandemic going on right now, but I understand people are tired of being locked up in their homes. If you do decide to vacation to Yellowstone or anywhere else during this time, take precautions and use common sense. Keep six feet away from anyone who is not part of your household or travel group. Wear your mask when indoors or when social distancing is not an option. Wash your hands frequently, and follow good hygiene practices.
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