Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Madison River
Ribbon of Life
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2015
1. Madison River Marker
Twelve miles east, the waters of the Gibbon and Firehole Rivers join to form the Madison River. Flowing through the heart of this valley, rich waters nourish an abundance of wildlife. Trout eat their fill from bountiful insect hatches. Using keen eyesight, osprey and other raptors swoop down to capture their meals while river otters glide underwater, hunting for fish. Upstream, elk and bison forage on lush valley grasses.
Learning from the Past
Wild trout are abundant here. But the fish community has been greatly altered by historic stocking of non-native species. Westslope cutthroat and grayling once thrived in the Madison River. They are now gone, displaced by non-native rainbow and brown trout. Today, Yellowstone’s native fish are protected by a “catch and release” program and the use of barbless hooks.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 44° 39.163′ N, 111° 2.079′ W. Marker is in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, in Park County. It is in Mammoth. Marker can be reached from West Entrance Road (U.S. 287), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Land of Lodgepoles (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Union Pacific Identification Pylon (approx. 3.1 miles away in Montana); Montana's Centennial Train (approx. 3.2 miles away in Montana); Oregon Shortline Terminus (approx. 3.3 miles away in Montana); Snowed In! (approx. 3.3 miles away in Montana); Oregon Short Line 1903 (approx. 3½ miles away in Montana); The Madison Elk Herd (approx. 7.8 miles away); Plateau of Fire (approx. 8.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yellowstone National Park.
More about this marker. The top of the marker features a picture of a river otter and an osprey hunting fish in the Madison River. The bottom of the marker has pictures of former inhabitants, Madison River natives Grayling and Westslope Cutthroat Trout; and Today’s Inhabitants. Madison River non-natives Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2015
2. Madison River Marker
The Madison River can be seen behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2015
3. Marker on the Two Ribbons Trail
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2015
4. Madison River
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 1, 2015
5. Two Ribbons Trail
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 501 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 22, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
