Podcast

This Week in Yellowstone National Park

Places & Travel, Society & Culture

"This Week in Yellowstone" is your go-to podcast for everything you need to plan your next trip to America’s first national park. Each week, I bring you up-to-date weather forecasts, wildlife sightings, road and trail conditions, current events, and much more to help you make the most of your Yellowstone National Park adventure. Whether you’re gearing up for an upcoming visit or simply love learning about this iconic park, this podcast is here to inspire and inform you with fresh, and hopefully fascinating updates.

Read each week, as best he can, by the guy with the bison tattoo.

Episodes
96
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
42 min
On air since
2025
Latest episode
5 days ago

Episodes

96 episodes, newest first

  1. This Week in Yellowstone: October 29th to November 4th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 44

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from October 29th to November 4th, 2026, I’ll let you know about the road closures, give you some tips about how to enjoy the last open days of the interior of the park, and let you know why the roads are closing in the park despite there being no snow. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a really cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time. “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    42 min
  2. This Week in Yellowstone: October 22nd to October 28th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 43

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from October 22nd to October 28th, 2026, I’ll tell you why this week is awesome for seeing the moon, let you know what is closing, share some information about Swan Lake Flats, and give you a heads-up about what it’ll be like to hike this week. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a really cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time. “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    41 min
  3. This Week in Yellowstone: October 15th to October 21st, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 42

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from October 15th to October 21st, 2026, I’ll give you a can’t-miss experience on the east side of the park, share a now-defunct trail that used to stretch the entire park, and let you know how to best enjoy the week by listening to your gut.. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a really cool trail to hike, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time. “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    43 min
  4. This Week in Yellowstone: October 8th to October 14th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 41

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from October 8th to October 14th, 2026, I’ll let you know about some major road closures, tell you why the cold weather in the forecast is something to be excited about, and try to explain why Yellowstone’s ravens are so cool. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a really cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time. “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    38 min
  5. This Week in Yellowstone: October 1st to October 7th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 40

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from October 1st to October 7th, 2026, I’ll talk about why October is a rad time to be in the park, discuss how September snow in the park is a thing of the past, and give some tips to see bears in the evening hours. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a really cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time. “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Operating Dates: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    43 min
  6. This Week in Yellowstone: September 24th to September 30th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 39

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from September 24th to September 30th, 2026, I’ll talk about being an ethical bear watcher, let you know why being in the park right now is super awesome, and share some fun facts about marmots and pikas. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a really cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Operating Dates: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    43 min
  7. This Week in Yellowstone: September 17th to September 23rd, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 38

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from September 17th to September 23rd, 2026, I'll talk about bears in hyperphagia, tell you why this is the best time to see great grey owls, and share about the things that fell into the thermal areas this year. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a really cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Operating Dates: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    45 min
  8. This Week in Yellowstone: September 10th to September 16th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 37

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from September 10th to September 16th, 2026, I'll talk about fall colors, share the history of the Nez Perce Trail through the park, and try to remind you to be in the moment during park visits. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a really cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Operating Dates: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    42 min
  9. This Week in Yellowstone: September 3rd to September 9th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 36

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from September 3rd to September 9th, 2026, I'll talk about the elk rut, tell you where you can best see the elk during mating season, briefly share about the king elk of Mammoth Hot Springs, and share a favorite hike of mine for this time of the year. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Operating Dates: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    42 min
  10. This Week in Yellowstone: August 27th to September 2nd, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 35

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from August 27th to September 2nd, 2026, I'll let you know what to actually expect when visiting the park in September, talk a bit about the importance of obsidian in the park, tell you what is closing in the park this week, and try to explain why seeing a grizzly this time of the year is so hard to do. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    46 min
  11. This Week in Yellowstone: August 20th to August 26th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 34

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from August 20th to August 26th, 2026, I talk about a dirt road just outside of the park that few people ever drive, tell you about the history of glaciers in the park and what they left behind, and offer a reminder to leave things found in the park in the park. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Sorry it was a long one.

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    I forgot to mention that the Mary Mountain Trail/Nez Perce Trail is closed due to carcasses and bear activity.

    48 min
  12. This Week in Yellowstone: August 13th to August 19, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 33

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from August 13th to August 19th, 2026, I talk about the southern end of the park; finally, I discuss the awesomeness of the picnic areas of the park, and share a short blurb about why we still talk about the 1988 fires. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    44 min
  13. This Week in Yellowstone: August 6th to August 12th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 32

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from August 6th to August 12th, 2026, I talk about how to maximize wildlife watching during this slow season for animals, discuss wildfire smoke impacting the park, and tell you about a boat on Grand Prismatic Hot Springs. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Wolf Hunting Petition: https://secure.speciesunite.com/page/195573/petition/1?locale=en-US

    Yellowstone AQI: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/air/current-data.htm?site=yell&location=west-entrance

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    37 min
  14. This Week in Yellowstone: July 30th to August 5th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 31

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from July 30th to August 5th, 2026, I hope to inspire you to go stargazing, talk about one of the oldest buildings in Yellowstone, and share some useful resources to help you see all the geysers erupt. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    44 min
  15. The Summer of the Bison: Safety, Behavior, and the Rut in Yellowstone National Park

    Show notes

    You asked for it, so here you go. This episode is me discussing the bison attack at the campground, as well as talking about bison safety, how to be a good steward of Yellowstone, and generally all things bison.

    Apologies if this was too much of a rant. I tried to stay to my outline.

    A new standard episode will drop on Thursday

    44 min
  16. This Week in Yellowstone: July 23rd to July 29th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 30

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from July 23rd to July 29th, 2026, I dive into the Hayden vs Lamar debate, let you know why viewing the park as two main driving loops is somewhat flawed, and share with you the smelliest geyser basins. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    48 min
  17. This Week in Yellowstone: July 16th to July 22nd, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 29

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from July 16th to July 22nd, 2026, I will quickly talk about the bison incident, tell you to take one of the best scenic drives in the country, share an awesome and free resource full of park information, and talk about that green streak in the Yellowstone River at the falls. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Yellowstone Resources and Issues Handbook: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/upload/0_RI_2026_front.pdf

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    46 min
  18. This Week in Yellowstone: July 9th to July 15th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 28

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from July 9th to July 15th, 2026, I try to get you excited for the bison rut, talk about how Yellowstone once had a zoo, and hope to inspire you to look at the region beyond the park boundaries. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    49 min
  19. This Week In Yellowstone: July 2nd to July 8th, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 27

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from July 2nd to July 8th, 2026, I will let you know about the 4th of July in and around the park, try to encourage you to stop and smell the flowers, and then give some history about the carcass dumping sites. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Backcountry Conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    40 min
  20. This Week in Yellowstone: June 25th to July 1st, 2026

    Season 2, Episode 26

    Show notes

    This week in Yellowstone National Park, from June 25th to July 1st, 2026, I will encourage you to catch sunrises and sunsets, tell you about bison funeral processions, and give some tips on dealing with warm weather at elevation. I will also give you the complete weather forecast, a cool trail to hike, the snowpack update, the wildlife report, and everything else you need to have an incredible time, “This Week in Yellowstone.”

    Backcountry Conditions page: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm

    42 min