Yellowstone To Review Guided Horse Trips

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park officials are beginning to review the park's regulations for guided backcountry horse trips.

The goal is to come up with revisions in time for the 2014 summer season.

The National Park Service has scheduled public hearings on its policies for guided trips involving livestock. Upcoming meetings will take place Tuesday in Jackson, Wednesday in West Yellowstone, Mont., Monday in Gardiner, Mont., and March 20 in Cody.

The Associated Press reports Yellowstone currently has 45 concession contracts for guided saddle and pack stock tours.

Commercial stock day use in Yellowstone is up by about 50 percent over the past 15 years. Park spokesman Al Nash says the increased use is prompting the review.