Fishing
Fact: Larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined, Yellowstone National Park
is immense at 3,472 square miles. Yellowstone Lake alone covers 136 square
miles. As the world's first national park, it no doubt vies for the title
"World's Greatest Trout Park". If you are limited to less than a week to both
explore and fish Yellowstone Park and you are mainly interested in driving to
your destination or taking a day hike, this section of the book will serve you
well. However, if you have planned an extensive vacation in the Park to fully
fish its riches, including the backcountry, then I would recommend purchasing Fishing Yellowstone National Park
by Richard Parks or The Yellowstone Fly-Fishing Guide by Craig Mathews and Clayton Molinero.
Campground Information:
"Campsite
availability is first-come, first-served at the following campgrounds: Mammoth,
Norris, Indian Creek, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek and Tower Fall. During peak
camping season (late June to mid-August) all campgrounds may be filled by 11:00
am; arrive early to obtain a site. [Slough Creek often has vacated campsites
filled by 9 am.] Reservations can be made for Canyon, Bridge Bay, Madison,
Grant Village, and the Fishing Bridge RV Park by calling (307) 344-7311.
Overnight camping of any type (tent, vehicle, or RV) outside designated
campgrounds is not permitted.
"Hookups
are available at the concession-operated Fishing Bridge RV Park, which is open
from late May to early October. The RV Park provides water, sewer, and
electrical hookups. The RV Park is restricted to hard-sided camping units;
tents and trailers are not allowed.
"Showers and laundry facilities are provided by a concession service for
an additional fee. They are located adjacent to the campgrounds at Canyon,
Grant Village, and Fishing Bridge RV Park (showers and laundry are located
within four miles of Bridge Bay campground)." -Park hand-out: Yell 361, 1998
The
park entrances are the South Entrance above Jackson, Wyoming, the West Entrance
in the town of West Yellowstone, the North Entrance below the town of Gardiner,
Montana, the northeast entrance a few miles from Cooke City, Montana, and the
East Entrance leading to Cody, Wyoming. All entrances lead to Yellowstone Lake,
and a loop connects all the entrances. In keeping with the spirit of this
fishing guide, I have included only those rivers, streams and lakes that can be
reached by vehicle or in a short day hike. Since the Park does not employ
mileage marker signs like the state of Montana, I have concentrated on the park
entrance roads and the Grand Loop Road.
Note:
Unlike the state of Montana, Yellowstone National Park does not use mileage
marker signposts (MM). Mileage estimates within the Park are based on an
odometer from a 1993 Chevy pickup truck with oversized tires. I was often in
conflict with the official signs so look upon these declarations of mileage
with a jaundiced eye (M=mileage estimate).
Note:
The information covering the Park section of the Gallatin River and its
tributaries along Highway 191 is covered in the Southwestern Montana section,
Highway 191. Highway 191 is the western border of the park to the Gallatin
Canyon, where the Park boundary ends.
