Today — March 1, 2022 — marks the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Yellowstone National Park. Signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant, America’s first national park was set aside to preserve and protect the scenery, cultural heritage, wildlife, geologic and ecological systems and processes in their natural condition for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

“We’re proud to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone with America,” said Superintendent Cam Sholly. “This anniversary should remind us of the incredible value of our National Park System and the need for us to continue working together to address the many challenges of the future.”

Beginning today (Tuesday), the park will host and participate in a wide range of activities to commemorate 150 years of Yellowstone. Highlights include:

Feb. 28-March 1: Wyoming Governor’s Hospitality & Tourism Conference  

Superintendent Sholly will address how the 150th is an important moment in time for Wyoming, the country and the world.

March 1: Wind River Inter-Tribal Virtual Gathering

The Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes of the Wind River Reservation will commemorate the park’s anniversary while elevating the Tribal community’s voice in conserving and managing the park. Hosted by the Wind River Tribes and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Superintendent Sholly will be a featured speaker.

March–August: 

Yellowstone’s social media team will moderate a series of presentations with subject matter experts about the past, present and future of priority issues, including people of Yellowstone, geology, wildlife conservation, climate change research, transportation and infrastructure, historic preservation, tribal initiatives, youth programs and partnerships. The video series will be shared on Yellowstone’s website and social media platforms.

Spring: New employee housing open house

This year marks the opening of new employee housing. This $40 million project replaced 64 obsolete trailers with new modular homes. The old trailers located throughout the park were 40-60 years old and in substandard condition. The project also upgraded utilities and incorporated landscape designs.

May 6: Yellowstone National Park Lodges: 150 Years of Inspiration

Yellowstone National Park Lodges will host a public event that coincides with the summer opening of the Old Faithful Inn. Yellowstone and partner representatives will give remarks followed by refreshments, free Historic Yellow Bus tours of the Old Faithful Historic District area and a Native American Art Exhibition and Marketplace.

May 15-18: 15th Biennial Scientific Conference on Yellowstone

Themed “Expanding the Scope of Science Together: The Next 150 Years,” this conference will be hosted by Montana State University. It will bring together researchers and practitioners from academia, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and tribal communities to reflect on the science and conservation accomplishments that brought us to the present day and envision solutions for some of the grand challenges facing Greater Yellowstone’s future.

May 19-20: University of Wyoming’s Symposium on Yellowstone’s 150th

The University of Wyoming College of Law and the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources will host this public event at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody. Keynote talks and panel discussions will celebrate the park’s history and look to the future.

May 26–Sept. 30: Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center

Yellowstone National Park and Yellowstone Forever will pilot the Tribal center at Old Faithful where Tribal artists, scholars and presenters can directly engage visitors through education.

May 27: Tower Junction to Chittenden Road (near Dunraven Pass) Opens

The segment of road between Tower Junction and Chittenden Road will open to the public following two years of improvements. The $28 million project was funded through the Nationally Significant Federal Lands Program and fee dollars.

June 1-3: Wind River Inter-Tribal Gathering

This in-person gathering will bring together tribal nations, federal managers, non-governmental organizations, and others to discuss conservation, important issues to tribal nations, and the future of consultation and collaboration. Tribes associated with Yellowstone, nonprofits and agency personnel will honor, nourish, dance, heal and celebrate Native Americans. Hosted by the Wind River Tribes and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition.

June 23: Historic Fort Yellowstone Preservation Project Groundbreaking

This $22 million project, funded through the Great American Outdoors Act and the Legacy Restoration Fund, is one of the largest historic preservation efforts in the National Park Service. It will stabilize and rehabilitate the exteriors of 16 buildings located within the Historic Fort Yellowstone at Mammoth Hot Springs.

Aug. 23-28: Tepee Village

Yellowstone is working with numerous tribes to establish a temporary tepee village at the park’s North Entrance. Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with tribal members to learn about their heritage and culture.

Visit go.nps.gov/Yellowstone150 for more information.