Lodging: Some 90 percent of the park lies in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, with the remainder in Idaho and Montana. Salt Lake is the closest big city. Lodging in Yellowstone National Park is operated by AmFac Parks & Resorts. Call (307) 344-7311 for more reservation information about accommodations at the following locations in the park:

Thermal pool

In the park: Old Faithful Inn, open from early May to mid-October; Old Faithful Lodge Cabins, open from mid-May to mid-September; Old Faithful Snowlodge, open from mid-May to early October and from mid-December to mid-March; Lake Yellowstone Hotel, open from mid-May to the end of September; Lake Lodge Cabins, open from mid-June to mid-September; Grant Village Lodge, open from mid-May to mid-September; Canyon Village Lodge and Cabins, open from early June to the end of August; Roosevelt Lodge Cabins, open from early June to the end of August; Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins, open from mid-May to early October and from mid-December to early March.

Cities 5 to 10 miles from the park: Gardiner, Montana: (406) 848-7971; West Yellowstone, Montana: (406) 646-7701; Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana: (406) 838-2272.

Cities within a 2hour drive of the park: Cody, Wyoming: (307) 587-2297; Dubois, Wyoming: (307) 455-2556; East YellowstoneWapiti Valley, Wyoming: (307) 587-9595; Jackson, Wyoming: (307) 733-3316; Big Sky, Montana: (800) 943-4111; Billings, Montana: (406) 245-4111; Bozeman, Montana: (406) 586-5421; Livingston, Montana: (406) 222-0850; Red Lodge, Montana: (406) 446-1718; Idaho Falls, Idaho: (208) 523-1010; Eastern Idaho Visitor Information Center: (800) 634-3246.

Mother Nature at work

Permits & Regulations: It is a good idea (ought to be a requirement) to read through the fishing regulations of Yellowstone National Park. The streams and lakes are under a dizzying web of varying regulations and restrictions. Some rivers are permanently closed, others have sections permanently closed, while still other streams are not fishable until certain dates. Few streams allow the keeping of cutthroats, although brook, brown and rainbow trout have size and creel limitations. Only four streams in the entire park allow the use of bait. So do yourself and the park a favor and familiarize yourself with the rules.

Any person 12 years of age or older fishing in the park is required to have a valid Yellowstone National Park fishing permit. The permit must be signed. For anyone 16 years of age or older, a permit fee is charged (minimal charge of $20 for a season, $10 for a week). When supervised by an adult, children 11 years of age or younger may fish without a permit. The park has four streams that have special regulations for children. At Obsidian, Panther, Indian Creeks, and part of the Gardner River near Norris-Mammoth Crossing, kids 11 and younger may fish with bait.

The general fishing season in Yellowstone National Park is each day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., beginning on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through the first Sunday in November. There are several exceptions to the general opening date so check the regulations (which are almost all tied into cutthroat spawning). Anglers may not use toxic weights (jigs, lead split shot, softweight ribbon) in the park. Only non-toxic weights may be used.Contact the Chief Ranger's Office, PO Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.