Lamar Field Campus

Located in Yellowstone's scenic Lamar Valley, the historic Buffalo Ranch field campus is the year-round base for many of the Institute's field seminars. Peaceful and spectacular home to wolves, bears, elk, and bison, Lamar Valley is an excellent place to experience and learn about Yellowstone.

The facility includes simple and comfortable accommodations in log guest cabins, a heated bathhouse with showers and rest rooms, and a common building with classrooms and kitchen. Students share space in log cabins that include three single beds, a propane heater, and reading lights. The cabins do not have electrical outlets or plumbing. Students are expected to bring a sleeping bag and pillow and prepare their own meals in the fully equipped kitchen. Cabins can be reserved by participants and the fee is $25 per night per person. Early reservations are advised.  

If you are participating in a course based at the Buffalo Ranch but prefer alternative accommodations, National Park Service campgrounds and park hotels are nearby. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited in park hotels and reservations should be made as early as possible. 

Facility Information and Procedures

Vehicles: Please park only in recommended areas and do not drive or park near the cabins. If you store food in your vehicle, do so only in mouse-proof containers.

Cabins: We hope you find the sleeping cabins rustic, yet comfortable and adequate. A bathhouse with showers and restrooms is located near the cabins. Please do not eat or leave food in the cabins. It attracts mice, ground squirrels, and maybe larger animals. Stoves, lanterns, or heaters can not be used in or around the cabins.

Smoking: Smoking is your choice, but please do not smoke in any cabins, other buildings, or Institute vehicles.

Animals: Please do not feed any animals here or any place in the park. It's tempting, but in the long run you're only doing the animals a disservice by creating an unnatural dependence on humans which often leaves them unprepared for natural events. Service animals are permitted. Please inquire when you register.

No Collecting: It is important that no one collects and takes any objects out of the park. It is also against the law. With three million visitors each year, the best policy is that we do what we can to minimize our disturbances as we explore the park.

Exploring: You may explore anywhere you like unless the area is posted otherwise. Some of the best surprises are found off trail. Use your common sense and please let someone know your plans if you will be away from the facility.

Neighbors: Two rangers live in the log residences. While they are friendly, please give them the privacy they deserve by not stopping in to visit them. In case of emergencies, however, they are the quickest source of aid.

Phone: The phone in the kitchen is the only Institute phone. Please limit your calls and use arrangements that prevent the Institute from being billed for long distance. The number here is 307-344-7749. The phone is available 24 hours a day.

Store: The Institute store is usually open for business each evening and on demand at other times. There is a good selection of books, clothing, and hats.

The "Bunkhouse":  This is the center of activity, housing two classrooms, the kitchen area, and bathrooms. There is also a heated bathhouse with showers and rest rooms. The kitchen is a community area where every one does their own cooking and pitches in to help with dishes and clean up. Due to congestion in the refrigerators, it is especially important that you minimize the amount of food and beverage being stored at any given time and that you remove all your food upon departure. Please recycle aluminum and glass. The kitchen area is a lot of fun so make yourself at home there. The coffee is almost always on!

The entire facility operates on a generator system, so we ask that you do not use high-load electrical appliances such as hair dryers and curling irons.

The bunkhouse is open at all times for phone and restroom use, or a midnight snack.

Quiet Time: The facility is intended to be a fun and stimulating place, yet retreat-like too. Please be sensitive to activities of yours that may disturb people's quiet time after 10 p.m.