Overview
Yellowstone National Park spans roughly 2.2 million acres across the northwestern corner of Wyoming and spills into small portions of Montana and Idaho. Established in 1872, it holds the distinction of being the world's first national park and remains one of the most geologically active places on Earth, sitting atop a massive volcanic hotspot.
The park is home to more than half of the world's geysers, along with hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots that color the landscape in striking oranges, yellows, and blues. Grand Prismatic Spring — the largest hot spring in the United States — and Old Faithful are the park's most iconic thermal features, but thousands of lesser-visited sites reward explorers who venture off the main boardwalks.
Beyond its geology, Yellowstone is a functioning, largely intact ecosystem. Bison herds roam freely across the Lamar and Hayden valleys. Gray wolves, reintroduced in 1995, have re-established viable packs. Grizzly bears, black bears, elk, pronghorn, bald eagles, and river otters are all regularly observed. The park's combination of dramatic scenery, wildlife density, and scientific significance makes it unlike almost anywhere else in the world.
Before You Go
Entry Fees and Passes
Yellowstone charges a per-vehicle entrance fee; the America the Beautiful Annual Pass (also called the Interagency Annual Pass) covers entry to all federal lands and may offer better value for travelers visiting multiple national parks. Verify current fee amounts at the official NPS site (nps.gov/yell) before your trip, as fees are periodically updated.
Reservations
Camping and lodging within the park fills many months in advance for summer visits. Reservations for park-operated lodges and campgrounds are handled through Xanterra Parks & Resorts; check their site and the NPS site directly. Arriving without accommodation booked during July and August is a significant risk.
Health and Altitude
Much of Yellowstone sits above 7,000 feet (2,100 m). Visitors unaccustomed to higher elevations should pace themselves, stay hydrated, and be aware of symptoms of altitude sickness. Sun exposure is intense at elevation; sunscreen and sunglasses are essential even on overcast days.
Bear and Wildlife Safety
- Carry and know how to use bear spray (available for purchase or rent near park entrances).
- Maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23 m) from all other wildlife including bison.
- Never leave food unattended or store it in your vehicle overnight — use bear boxes or hang food properly.
- Thermal areas have strict boardwalk rules; boiling pools have caused fatalities when people left designated paths.
Visas
Yellowstone is in the United States. Entry requirements vary by nationality. For accurate, up-to-date visa guidance, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official US Customs and Border Protection website (cbp.gov).
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Yellowstone has no commercial airport within its boundaries. The most convenient gateways are:
- Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), Jackson, Wyoming — approximately 60 miles south of the park's South Entrance. Offers year-round service and is the closest commercial airport with direct routes from major US hubs.
- Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD), Cody, Wyoming — near the East Entrance, with seasonal service.
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), Bozeman, Montana — approximately 90 miles north of the North Entrance at Gardiner. Offers robust year-round service and is a popular choice for visitors entering via the north.
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) and Billings Logan International (BIL) are additional options requiring longer drives.
By Car
The vast majority of visitors arrive by private vehicle or rental car. Gateway towns with rental car agencies include Jackson, Cody, Bozeman, and West Yellowstone. A vehicle is effectively essential for exploring the park independently once inside.
By Bus / Shuttle
Some seasonal shuttle services connect gateway towns such as West Yellowstone and Gardiner to the park. Verify current schedules and providers locally or through the NPS website, as these change seasonally.
Getting Around
Driving Inside the Park
Yellowstone's road network forms a rough figure-eight loop (the Grand Loop Road) totaling about 142 miles, connecting all major regions. Roads are generally open May through October; winter closures affect most routes except the road between Gardiner and Cooke City via Mammoth Hot Springs, which stays open year-round. Road conditions and seasonal opening dates should be verified at nps.gov/yell before travel.
Park roads have strictly enforced speed limits, and bison jams — where herds block traffic — are common and unavoidable. Allow significant extra time for any drive.
In-Park Shuttles
The park does not operate a comprehensive public transit system throughout its interior. Some lodges offer limited shuttle options for guests. Verify locally.
Guided Tours
Xanterra and various permitted outfitters offer bus tours, wildlife-watching excursions, and guided hikes. In winter, snowcoach and snowmobile tours provide access to the park's interior when roads are closed to wheeled vehicles.
Cycling
Bicycling is permitted on paved and unpaved roads open to motor vehicles. A few roads have designated bicycle-only periods in spring before opening to cars — check the NPS site for dates. Elevations and distances are substantial; this is better suited to experienced cyclists.
Where to Stay
Inside the Park
Yellowstone offers lodging within its boundaries through its concessionaire, ranging from historic inns to cabin clusters and simple motel-style rooms. Old Faithful Inn — a National Historic Landmark constructed largely from local lodgepole pine — is arguably the most architecturally significant and popular property. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, and several smaller lodge complexes round out the in-park options. All book out far in advance for summer; plan to reserve six months or more ahead.
Camping
The park has multiple campgrounds ranging from RV-accessible sites with hookups to more rustic tent-only areas. Some accept advance reservations; others are first-come, first-served. Check the NPS and Xanterra sites for current availability and policies.
Gateway Towns
Visitors who cannot secure in-park lodging have good options in the surrounding towns:
- West Yellowstone, Montana — the most commercially developed gateway, with a wide range of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals.
- Gardiner, Montana — small, convenient for the North Entrance.
- Cody, Wyoming — a larger town with more amenities, about an hour from the East Entrance.
- Jackson, Wyoming — a well-developed resort town south of the park with extensive accommodation options at various price points.
Things to See & Do
Geyser Basins
The Upper Geyser Basin contains Old Faithful and the highest concentration of geysers on Earth. Eruption intervals for Old Faithful are posted at the visitor center and are reasonably predictable. The Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest and most dynamic thermal area in the park and is worth a separate visit. Midway Geyser Basin is home to Grand Prismatic Spring, best appreciated from the overlook trail above it.
Wildlife Watching
- Lamar Valley in the park's northeast is considered one of the premier wildlife-watching locations in North America, particularly for wolves and bison. Early morning and dusk offer the best sightings.
- Hayden Valley is excellent for bison, grizzly bears, and waterfowl.
- Bring binoculars or a spotting scope; distances can be large and regulations require you to stay well back from animals.
Hiking
Yellowstone has over 900 miles of trails. Day-hike highlights include the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone rim trails (Upper and Lower Falls viewpoints), the Mount Washburn trail for panoramic views, and the Fairy Falls trail to a viewpoint above Grand Prismatic Spring. Backcountry permits are required for overnight trips.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The park's dramatic river canyon — carved by the Yellowstone River — features two major waterfalls. Lower Falls drops roughly 308 feet (94 m), nearly twice the height of Niagara. The canyon's vivid yellow and orange rhyolite walls give the park its name.
Winter Activities
From mid-December through mid-March the park transforms. Roads close to wheeled vehicles, and snowcoach or snowmobile tours access the interior. Wildlife is easier to spot against snow. Mammoth Hot Springs remains accessible year-round and its terraces are striking in winter. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted in designated areas.
Food & Drink
Inside the Park
Yellowstone's concessionaire operates dining facilities at most of the major lodge complexes, ranging from sit-down restaurants (Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room) to casual cafeterias and grab-and-go options. Quality and price vary by venue. Reservations for the full-service restaurants are strongly advised in summer and can typically be made through Xanterra. Verify current hours and availability before your visit.
Gateway Towns
West Yellowstone has a practical range of restaurants and fast-casual options catering to tourists. Gardiner is smaller but has a handful of cafes and bars. Cody offers a broader local dining scene. Jackson has the most sophisticated food options, with restaurants covering a range of cuisines and price points.
Self-Catering
If you are camping or have kitchen access, bring supplies from gateway towns. Inside the park, general stores at Canyon Village, Grant Village, Old Faithful, and Fishing Bridge sell basic groceries and camping supplies, but selection is limited and prices are higher than in towns outside the park. Stock up before entering if possible.
Practical Information
Cell Service and Connectivity
Cell service is extremely limited inside Yellowstone. Most areas have no signal; a few spots near visitor centers may have intermittent coverage. Download offline maps, the NPS Yellowstone app, and any needed information before entering. Do not rely on real-time navigation once inside.
Facilities
Restrooms and potable water are available at visitor centers and major developed areas. Gas is available at a small number of locations inside the park (Fishing Bridge, Canyon Village, Grant Village, and Old Faithful area — verify current operating status). Fill your tank in gateway towns to avoid uncertainty.
Emergency Services
Yellowstone has ranger stations and emergency response infrastructure, but the park is large and response times can be significant in remote areas. The park's main dispatch can be reached through ranger stations. For general emergencies in the US, call 911. Carry a first-aid kit and know the location of the nearest ranger station relative to your planned activities.
Leave No Trace
Pack out all trash. Stay on designated trails and boardwalks — thermal areas are particularly dangerous off-trail, and fragile microbial mats are easily and permanently damaged. Feeding wildlife is illegal and harmful to animals. Drones are prohibited throughout the park.
Safety
Thermal Hazards
Boiling hydrothermal pools and geysers are among the most serious dangers in the park. The ground crust near thermal features can be thin and unstable. Visitors have died from falling into thermal pools. Never leave boardwalks or paved paths in geyser basins, and keep children close at all times.
Wildlife
Bison injure more visitors than any other animal in the park each year — they are fast, unpredictable, and dangerous despite their placid appearance. Bears, mountain lions, and wolves are present. Carry bear spray and know how to deploy it. Store food properly at all times. Report any aggressive animal encounters to a ranger immediately.
Weather
Yellowstone's mountain weather changes rapidly at any time of year. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. Snow is possible in every month of the year at higher elevations. Layer clothing and carry rain gear regardless of season.
River and Water Safety
The Yellowstone River and its tributaries run fast and cold. Wading and swimming are prohibited in many thermal-influenced areas. Even where permitted, cold-water shock is a real risk in snowmelt-fed streams.
