Yellowstone National Park to resume regular hours Sunday

The government has been reopened for three weeks and starting Sunday, Yellowstone National Park will resume regular operating hours.

On Sunday, January 27th, visitor centers that or normally open this time of year will reopen by 11:00 a.m.

That includes the Albright Visitor Center, the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, the lobby of the Canyon Visitor Education Center, and the ranger-staffed desk at the West Yellowstone Information Center.

As soon as visitor centers open, the public will again be able to obtain backcountry permits.

The park will resume collecting entrance fees on Sunday, January 27th.

On Monday, January 28th, a majority of the furloughed staff will return and open the remaining park functions.

For example, employees will begin to process the backlog of applications for special use permits, film permits, commercial use authorizations, and research permits.

By midday Monday, the public will also be able to obtain permits for the non-commercially-guided snowmobile access program.

The public affairs office will reopen on Monday.

The park is asking for patience as employees work to reopen facilities and operations in a manner that is safe for them and the public.

There is a lot of snow removal needed around buildings and safety checks that must be completed.

The park extends a thanks to Xanterra Travel Collection, who made donations during hte shutdown, enabling National Park Service Staff to groom roads and allow oversnow access to continue.

They also thank local gateway communities and partners who provided support over the last 35 days.