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wildlife · essential
Hayden Valley
The treeless valley is a geologic memory of water—and one of the loop's best wildlife stages.
Yellowstone fire danger is HIGH
The dedicated NPS fire page and July 14 release list HIGH fire danger. No fire restrictions were in place when checked; both danger and restrictions can change.
Checked Jul 26, 2026
Parkwide chip sealing can move without notice
NPS says chip sealing can cause delays up to 30 minutes at various Yellowstone locations in 2026. Slow down on loose gravel and increase following distance.
Checked Jul 26, 2026
Chapter
A lake bed full of bison
20 minutesRoadside viewing · Paved or compacted pullouts · partial wheelchair access
Narration
A lake bed full of bison
What to notice
- Bison herds
- Yellowstone River
- Treeless glacial-lake sediments
Field notes
- Valley formation
- Former arm of Yellowstone Lake covered by glacial till after retreat about 13,000 years ago
- Bison-to-cattle brucellosis record
- No documented direct transmission
- Recent safety incident
- Visitor injured by bison near Mud Volcano on June 26, 2026