RFK, Jr. Visits Famous Yellowstone Bison

 

RFK Jr visits Yellowstone to meet the famous bison 🦬 👀😂 pic.twitter.com/pLo3nIrJqN

— Politi_Rican 🇵🇷 𝕏 🇺🇸 (@TheRicanMemes) July 18, 2026

Grandfather Injured By Charging Bison

 

The above video is a good example for keeping your distance from bison in Yellowstone National Park or anywhere else. Bison are surprisingly fast.

Fortunately, the grandfather, although injured, is expected to fully recover.

From Cowboy State Daily: 

A man was seriously injured Friday evening after being thrown 8 feet into the air by an angry bull bison in Yellowstone National Park.

Mike MacLeod, a professional photographer from Bozeman, Montana, said the incident happened at the Bridge Bay Campground, south of Fishing Bridge.

MacLeod said the man was walking with his grandson when the agitated bison made them the targets of its aggression.

“I was just trying to get some dramatic footage of that bison having a fit,” he told Cowboy State Daily. “It’s changed my idea of what to expect from these guys at this time of year, because I would not have predicted that happening.”

The National Park Service has not released any information on the incident.

To read more, go here. 

Top 10 Things To Know About Yellowstone This Summer

Above, lounging Yellowstone bison in a meadow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If there were one place that beckons return visits, it is Yellowstone National Park.

I have been there three times, most recently in 2019. I wasn't planning on going there but we ended up going in after touring nearby Grand Teton National Park.

We didn't stay long as it was in the middle of the vacation season. We just went to the Old Faithful Geyser area and later, headed back out as it was very overrun with people. The best Yellowstone vacation we've taken was in 2015 in mid-June before the summer vacation season kicked into gear and schools haven't closed for the summer. The crowds weren't too bad and we took a couple of tours with a tour company.

Abovc, one of many geysers in Yellowstone. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is planning to visit Yellowstone, it is best to plan ahead. RV Travel posted an article on ten things to know about visiting Yellowstone this summer.

They begin it with:

This summer, visitors to Yellowstone National Park are being urged to plan ahead—both to stay safe and to help protect one of America’s most iconic wild landscapes. Across 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone offers unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal wonders that include half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic landmarks like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

By following these top 10 things to know before you go, you can make the most of your visit while helping ensure Yellowstone remains healthy, wild, and awe-inspiring for generations to come.

 

Above, Lower Yellowstone Fall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

What Not To Do In Yellowstone

Over the years, I have been to Yellowstone National Park several times. The first being in 1990 and the last being in 2019.

Above, Yellowstone bison grazing in a meadow next to a river. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While Yellowstone is a national park that should be put on everyone's "bucket list" of things to do, there are a few things there that visitors should avoid doing.

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on six mistakes to avoid in Yellowstone.

They begin it with:

My California cousins may have taken their first steps at Disneyland, but growing up in Montana, my family’s go-to “theme park” was Yellowstone National Park—where the theme wasn’t Mickey Mouse but rather Mother Nature.

More than 30 years later, my home base is still just an hour from the Beartooth Pass, which leads to Yellowstone’s northeast entrance. As both a local and regular parkgoer, a part of me dies inside every time I read about a Yellowstone “touron”—a term now in our vernacular thanks to the popular Instagram account—doing something dumb. Touron offenses run the gamut from getting too close to wildlife to damaging fragile geological sites, and these incidents often put visitors in danger. People have been gored, stranded in their vehicles during winter, and even "dissolved" in hot springs.

Don’t get me wrong: I don’t want people to stop visiting Yellowstone, and I certainly don’t want to be giving hall monitor energy. I just want us to respect the environment and ourselves while enjoying the world’s first national park. For that reason, here are a few common mistakes to avoid during your visit, whether it’s your first or 15th time driving through the Roosevelt Arch. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start. And remember, in the wise words of Jellystone’s lovable Yogi, be “smarter than the average bear.”

 To read more, go here.

Bison Safety

Above, a couple of lounging bison at Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Every so often, I read about people at Yellowstone National Park (and elsewhere) getting gored by a bison. These incidents aren't the bison's fault, they are the fault of stupid and careless people.

RV Travel posted an article with a video on bison safety. It includes tips on what to do, what to look out for and what not to do.

They begin it with:

A sighting of bison, the largest wild animal roaming North America, tops many an RVer’s bucket list experience. But to keep the experience positive for humans and bison, some basic bison safety and etiquette rules are necessary. Especially for RV travelers who might actually encounter bison in the wild. See the video at the bottom of this article.

As awe-inspiring as bison may be, never forget they are also massive muscular walls of brute strength that also come equipped with sharp horns. Even though their size might make them appear slow, bison are surprisingly agile and fast!

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Education channel produced the video (near the bottom of this article) so that visitors know proper bison etiquette in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to their state park. However, you need not be in Texas to benefit from this video. American bison in any state can be expected to react in the same ways.

To see the video and read more, go here. 

10 Best Scenic Drives For Wildlife Lovers In US National Parks

Above, Yellowstone's bison in a creekside meadow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Summer vacation season is here. 

Now is the time to get out the roadmaps, national park visitor guidebooks and travel guides and plan vacations. 

The BBC Wildlife Magazine (Discover Wildlife) has posted 10 best scenic drives across U.S. national parks. To date, I've driven about half of them.

They begin it with:

The United States is home to some of the most beautiful roads on Earth — winding through dramatic deserts, soaring mountains, and vast wildlife-rich plains.

These scenic drives around US national parks offer not just jaw-dropping views, but the chance to spot bighorn sheep, bears and elk, all before you’ve left the car and started your hike.

Whether you're cruising along a canyon rim or pausing in a high-altitude meadow, take your time and explore at your own pace. Just remember: conditions can change fast. Always check the National Park Service website before you set out, as many of these roads close seasonally due to snow or other extreme weather.

To read more, go here. 

Florida Man Gored By Yellowstone Bison

Above, a Yellowstone bison lounging on a hill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Despite many warnings, including those when one enters Yellowstone National Park, stupid people are getting injured (or even killed) by approaching bison too close.

It has happened again in Yellowstone when a Florida man got too close to a bison and got himself gored.

From RV Travel:

A 47-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida, was gored by a bison while visiting Yellowstone National Park on Sunday, May 4, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

Park officials say the man approached the animal in the Lake Village area and was attacked after getting too close. He sustained minor injuries and was treated by medics at the scene.

Yellowstone—and most national parks—require visitors to stay at least 25 yards away from all wildlife, and at least 100 yards from predators like bears and wolves. Bison, though seemingly docile, are unpredictable and can run up to three times faster than humans.

This marks the first reported bison-related injury in Yellowstone in 2025. There were two such incidents in 2024 and one in 2023. Bison have injured more people in the park than any other animal.

When I photographed bison in Yellowstone, I used a zoom lens to do so.

As been said, "Don't pet the furry cows!"

To read more, go here. 

Montana Gov. Gianforte Sues Yellowstone National Park Over Bison Plan

Above, lounging bison and their calves in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A legal battle is brewing in the state of Montana over a plan by the National Park Service and Department of the Interior over a bison management plan.

Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana departments of Livestock and Fish, Wildlife & Parks are plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

According to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle: 

Citing a failure to cooperate with Montana state agencies and violation of federal laws, Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration has sued to have Yellowstone National Park’s bison management plan nullified.

The 51-page lawsuit, filed on Dec. 31 in Billings District Court, names the National Park Service, Department of Interior and its leaders — including Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly — as defendants.

In addition to Gianforte, the Montana departments of Livestock and Fish, Wildlife & Parks are plaintiffs in the suit.

Yellowstone’s bison plan was finalized in July 2024 amid protests from the Gianforte administration, first outlined in a 17-page letter in 2023.

Under Gianforte’s leadership, the state has sought lower bison populations in the park to lessen the chance of the animals migrating into Montana in the winter.

The state wants the park bison population to number no more than 3,000 animals, a target agreed to in 2000 when the Interagency Bison Management Plan was adopted.

In the new plan, however, Yellowstone cited updated scientific findings to justify a population range between 3,500 to 6,000 animals after calving. That would put the population at an average of 5,000 head a year.

To read more, go here. 

Tribes Welcome Yellowstone Bison Expansion Plan

Above, a herd of Yellowstone bison in a riverside meadow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There is a plan to expand the range of bison of Yellowstone National Park in Montana, but the state is threatening to sue. Tribes are welcoming the plan.

According to Indianz.com:

A highly anticipated update to how Yellowstone National Park manages bison is setting the stage to expand the animal’s range in Montana, tribes and conservationsts say.

After years of work, Yellowstone released its new bison management plan this summer. More than 27,000 people commented on the document, which calls for more bison compared to the previous plan from 24 years ago. It also incorporates management changes that have been put into effect over the past two decades, including a surge in bison hunting near park boundaries and a new program to transfer live, disease-free bison to tribal nations.

“We have come a very long way since the last bison management plan was signed in 2000,” Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly said in a release. “This new plan solidifies much of the progress made over the past two decades and provides a foundation for future decision making.”

The plan, written as an environmental impact statement, has raised questions about what an increased herd size in the national park means for management outside the park. 

Yellowstone analyzed three alternatives in developing the new plan and chose to use existing hunting and transfer efforts to manage for a herd size of 3,500 to 6,000 bison. The population has averaged about 5,200 for the past decade.

Tom McDonald, vice chairman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, called the new plan a step toward restoring buffalo on the larger landscape. 

Expanding where Yellowstone bison can go would help make tribal and state hunting safer, McDonald told Montana Free Press. Most hunting occurs outside the park’s north entrance, in Beattie Gulch, where bison are shot as they leave the park in winter searching for food. 

To read more, go here. 

6 Mistakes To Avoid In Yellowstone

Above, trying to pet a "fluffy cow" like this one is not a good idea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In recent years, a new word has been coined that combines the words tourist and moron. It us touron.

A touron is someone who does something stupid in places like Yellowstone National Park such as trying to pet a "fluffy cow" (i.e., a bison) and getting gored.

With the above in mind, Travel + Leisure has an article on six mistakes to avoid in Yellowstone National Park. 

They begin it with:

My California cousins may have taken their first steps at Disneyland, but growing up in Montana, my family’s go-to “theme park” was Yellowstone National Park — where the theme wasn’t Mickey Mouse but rather Mother Nature.

Thirty years later, my home base is still just an hour from the Beartooth Pass, which leads to Yellowstone’s northeast entrance. As both a local and regular parkgoer, a part of me dies inside every time I read about a Yellowstone “touron” — a term now in our vernacular thanks to the trending Instagram account — doing something dumb. Most headlines, like June’s “Bison gores 83-year-old woman in Yellowstone National Park,” involve tourists getting too close to wildlife, but touron offenses run the gamut. In May, someone filed a complaint about a “lack of trained Grizzlies.” Just a month earlier, a car full of visitors got stuck in snow for six hours after ignoring road closed signs. And last August, several tourists stuck their hands in a hot spring. Fortunately, it wasn’t the same one that “dissolved” a man in 2016.

Don’t get me wrong: I don’t want people to stop visiting Yellowstone, and I certainly don’t want to be giving hall monitor energy. I just want us to respect the environment and ourselves while enjoying the world’s first national park. For that reason, below are a few "don’ts" that I hope you find helpful, whether it’s your first or 15th time driving through the Roosevelt Arch. It’s not an exhaustive list (see here for the motherlode of park rules and regulations), but it’s a good start. And remember, in the wise words of Jellystone’s lovable Yogi, be “smarter than the average bear.”

To read more, go here. 

Yellowstone: June Visits Up 8% From Last Year

Above, bison grazing with thermal activity nearby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one wants to visit Yellowstone National Park, they should do so during the off-season.

There's a very good reason for this. The park is very crowded during the summer months of June, July and August. In fact, the park is seeing more visitors this year than last year.

NBC Montana reported:

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY — Yellowstone National Park hosted 914,612 recreation visits in June 2024, up 8% from June 2023.

The park has hosted 1,633,739 visitors this year, which is up 9% from 1,492,843 in 2023.

The busiest time to visit the park is June, July and August.

To read more, go here.

Photographing Yellowstone Wildlife Safely

Above, a zoom shot of a mother bear and cub in Yellowstone. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Because people do dumb things, such as approaching bison too close, Yellowstone National Park officials have to remind people on how to safely photograph wildlife.

ABC Fox Montana posted an article on safely photographing Yellowstone's wildlife.

They begin with:

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. - Officials from Yellowstone reached out Saturday to remind photographers how to safely get the best shots of the many wildlife encounters that can occur in the park, such as grizzlies and wolves fighting over food sources. 

The first step in capturing the moment, according to the park, is to zoom with the camera lens, not your feet. Park rules are to keep a distance of 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23 m) from all other wildlife.

To read more, go here. 

What Will Happen To Yellowstone's Bison?

Above, a Yellowstone bison herd in a riverside meadow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The population of wild bison in Yellowstone National Park has been a large one. The mix of bison and people has been problematic over the years with many encounters with tragic consequences.

Recently, an 83 year old woman was gored by a bison.

RV Travel reported that a plan to manage the bison population has been developed.

They begin with:

Theodore Roosevelt said, “The extermination of the buffalo has been a veritable tragedy of the animal world.” While they didn’t quite reach extinction, it was close. Because of that, each year millions of tourists view these magnificent creatures with awe in Yellowstone National Park. But the bison presence isn’t an easy thing. Too many bison in the park’s confines can lead to problems. What will happen to Yellowstone’s bison? 

Environmental impact statement tells the tale

Today, June 6, the Park Service published its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for a Bison Management Plan. We now have an answer to the question. The FEIS presents a broad range of actions for managing bison inside the park. The Services says the plan allows them to manage bison based on new scientific information and changed circumstances. A major part of the plan includes exploring ways to increase the transfer of bison to American Indian Tribes, and to continue working closely with Tribal Nations and agency partners.

 To read more, go here.

Elderly Woman Gored By Bison

Above, a Yellowstone bison relaxing on a hill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's a reason why people need to keep their distance from the "furry cows" at Yellowstone National Park and other places where bison roam. One can get seriously injured or killed if they come too close to the animal. 

I've always used zoom lenses when photographing bison.

Last Saturday, an elderly woman was gored and seriously injured by a bison protecting its space.

The New York Post reported:

An 83-year-old woman was gored by a wild bison that was “defending its space” in Yellowstone National Park, according to officials.

The unidentified visitor from Greenville, South Carolina, suffered “serious injuries” in the terrifying run-in on the Storm Point Trail at Yellowstone Lake on Saturday, the National Park Service said Monday.

“The bison, defending its space, came within a few feet of the woman and lifted her about a foot off the ground with its horns,” the NPS said.

After first being taken to a medical clinic in the park, the injured woman was flown by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the park service said. There was no immediate update on her condition.

Yellowstone revealed the injury while warning visitors to stay at least 75 feet away from the animals, which can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and stand 6 feet tall.

To read more, go here. 

Man Stands In Road As Bison Stampede Towards Him

Above, a pair of Yellowstone bison relaxing on a hill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's a lot of stupid people in this world.

Here's a touron (tourist moron) who stood in the middle of a Yellowstone National Park road as a herd of bison stampeding towards him. Definitely a leading candidate for a Darwin Award.

From Whiskey Riff:

And the award for “National Park Idiot of the Year” goes to…

There are some people that live on God’s green Earth that live their life like they’re invincible. The man in this video, who stands right in the middle of a road in Yellowstone National Park with a bison herd barreling right at him, is one of those people.

To read more and see the video, go here.

RV Travel: Why Are So Many Tourists Stupid?

In recent years, there have been (unfortunately) numerous stories of stupid behavior of tourists in national and state parks.

There are people who think nothing of putting themselves in danger just to get a selfie with a bear, elk or bison.

RV Travel asks why are so many tourists stupid in a new article.

They begin it with:

OPINION

There’s an undeniably smug pleasure many of us take in observing others’ failings or stupid behavior, and indeed, it’s hard not to feel superior when reading about the latest winners of the Darwin Awards. Or when gaping at the pictures posted on the People of Walmart site. Who goes out in public like that? How do some people come up with such incredibly dumb ideas?

And aren’t we special/smart/superior not to be like that?

And yet … and yet, perhaps the line between smart and stupid is a lot fuzzier than we think. Consider, for example, the gleeful fascination that self-styled outdoorsy types have with “tourons,” that mashup of tourist and moron used to describe people who think it’s a good idea to take selfies with a bison or elk, or who try to pet bear cubs. These encounters, which frequently end badly for the touron, are grounded in a Disney-fied view of nature and its creatures as essentially benign and placed on this world for our enjoyment. For a touron, the thought that we might be perceived as a threat—or even as a food source—is inconceivable. And it’s that lack of awareness that causes so much self-satisfaction for observers who pat themselves on the back for knowing so much better.

 To read more, go here.

Where To See Bison In Your RV Travels

Above, a pair of bison on a hill near a Yellowstone gasoline station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before they were almost slaughtered to extinction, the American bison roamed North America by the hundreds of thousands.

Today, the bison has made a comeback and measures are being taken to control their population.

For those who travel by RV, there are several places in which to observe bison in their natural habitat. RV Life has posted six of them.

They begin with:

Imagine waking up on your camping trip to the sight of bison grazing nearby. These majestic creatures are a living testament to America’s wild past. If you’re keen on blending your love for camping with a unique wildlife experience, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll highlight the best campgrounds where you can get up close with bison in their natural habitat. 

To read more, go here. 

5 Things To Never Do In National Parks

Above, lounging bison in a Yellowstone meadow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Sometimes I have to wonder if people visiting our national parks are leaving their commons sense at the entrance gates.

There's been a spate of encounters between people and bison and people chasing after bears.

Sunset Magazine's website has a list of five things one should never do in national parks.

They begin with:

While the peak of summer travel season in our majestic National Parks is coming to a close, fall is still a busy (and very beautiful) time to visit, especially with the leaves changing colors. But given the number of altercations between humans and wildlife as of late—with viral videos of tourists chasing bears and being gored by bison in Yellowstone—perhaps it’s time for a refresher on what you shouldn’t do when visiting our National Parks. The basic principles of Leave No Trace are important guidelines to follow so that you and your family stay safe, and to ensure that the natural environment remains intact for future generations to enjoy it.

Though incidences of injury from animals are indeed on the rise, the risk of being attacked is still relatively low, but with so many people in the park during peak season, it’s not surprising that this many things happen. Overwhelmingly, the incidents are a result of the people getting too close to the animals, like the scenario in Yellowstone where tourists were racing towards a family of bears.

“A lot of people don’t have familiarity with real, authentic wildlife. When they come into these areas they think that they’re essentially visiting a zoo. This is not a zoo. These are National Parks,” said Grant T. Johnson, a wildlife guide in Yellowstone in a recent CNN broadcast. “These are true wild, authentic wildernesses, and these animals are wild and they’re potentially dangerous if you push the limits with them.”

As fall travel season approaches, here’s a reminder of what you absolutely shouldn’t do when traveling to National Parks, or other wild lands for that matter. Ultimately, staying safe and keeping wildlife wild is up to us as visitors, so do so responsibly.

To read more, go here. 

Yellowstone Looking At Alternatives To Managing Bison

Above, a group of lounging Yellowstone bison. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the prime attractions of Yellowstone National Park are the herds of bison.

The park maintains a bison population of around 5,000 and they are looking at alternative ways to manage them.

According to KTVH:

HELENA — Yellowstone National Park has released the draft environmental impact statement for managing park bison.

The plan lays out several alternatives for managing bison inside the park while considering what may happen to bison that wander outside of the park’s jurisdiction.

 To read more, go here.

Yellowstone Bison Gores Woman

Above, a herd of bison in a Yellowstone riverside meadow. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

People tend to forget or ignore warnings that bison are wild animals and are unpredictable. They will charge people, causing injuries or death.

A woman was gored today near Lake Lodge in Yellowstone National Park. She was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide reported:

A bison gored a 47-year-old woman Monday morning in Yellowstone National Park — the first time this year that a visitor has encountered the large ungulates' horns in America's first national park. 

The woman sustained "significant injuries to her chest and abdomen" and was transported by helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, according to Yellowstone officials in a Monday afternoon press release.

Gorings are an unfortunate but almost annual affair in the park. 

The incident is under investigation. It is currently rutting season and bison are easily agitated during this period.

To read more, go here.