Yellowstone National Park

The basics

Yellowstone covers a whopping 2.2 million acres (890,000 hectares) of wilderness, so guided tours are the best way to fully appreciate this massive park. There are a number of Yellowstone National Park tours suitable for any age and interest, including full-day visits of the park highlights; lower-loop tours from Jackson, Wyoming; guided trail hikes; rafting or kayaking excursions; scenic river floats perfect for young kids or the elderly; and wildlife viewing.

Things to know before you go

• Yellowstone is home to hundreds of animal species, including black bears, grizzly bears, bison, wolves, and elk. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife.

• The National Park Service charges entrance fees, which includes a seven-day entry permit for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

• Annual passes provide unlimited entry for one year (valid through the month of purchase).

• Bring attire for warm and cool weather as temps can fluctuate with altitude, and pack a hat and sunblock.

• Yellowstone is ideal for visitors of all ages, perfect for a multi-generational family trip.

How to get there

Yellowstone has five park entrance stations with visitor centers to the northwest, northeast, south, east, and west. The nearest airports are the Yellowstone Airport near the town of West Yellowstone in Montana, and the Jackson Hole Airport in Jackson, Wyoming.

When to get there

You can visit Yellowstone year-round, though most roads close from early November to mid-April, when travel is limited to snowmobile and snowcoach. The park is most crowded in July and August, so plan a spring or fall trip for good weather and fewer visitors.

Yellowstone’s Hot Springs and Geysers

When it comes to Yellowston’s hot springs, the Old Faithful Geyser is just the beginning. To visit the park's geysers, enter through the West Entrance and continue to Madison, the jumping off point for geyser basins to the north and south. The Lower Geyser Basin, which includes Fountain Paint Pot, and the Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful, are both to the south. The Mammoth Hot Springs and Steamboat geysers are in the Norris Geyser Basin to the north.

What is the best month to visit Yellowstone National Park?

The best month to visit Yellowstone National Park depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. If you want the absolute best weather, come June–August—though that means crowds. If you want a wild, snowy landscape all to yourself, come from November to February. And if you can brave a little chill for a little more elbow room, come in the shoulder season.

How many days do you need to explore Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone is a whopping 2.2 million acres. If you simply want to hit the most famous spots like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, you could get by in 2 days. But if you want to drive both the Upper and Lower Loops, catch some wildlife, and not feel rushed, you’ll definitely want to devote 3-4 days to the world’s first national park.

Do you need a reservation to enter Yellowstone?

You do not need a reservation to enter Yellowstone National Park, though you do need a park pass. Purchase 7-day passes at the entrance or online for $35 per vehicle ($30 for motorcycles; $20 for individuals). Save time at the park gates and buy yours ahead of time at recreation.gov.

How much does it cost to drive through Yellowstone?

Driving through Yellowstone will cost you the price of gas, but entering Yellowstone requires a park pass. Nab yours online or in person at the entrance—7-day passes are $35 per vehicle, $20 per individual, and $30 per motorcycle. Note that if you use the South Entrance, you’ll run into Grand Teton National Park, which is a separate fee.

How much does it cost to see Old Faithful?

Viewing Old Faithful is free, but you’ll need to pay to enter Yellowstone National Park. 7-day passes can be bought in person or online for $35 per vehicle. Individuals are $20; motorcycles are $30. To save time in Yellowstone’s typically long entrance lines, prebook your pass online at recreation.gov.

Are there any guided tours to Yellowstone?

There are guided tours in Yellowstone National Park for nearly every activity you can think of, from backpacking and snowmobiling to fly-fishing and even painting—the national park works with designated concessionaires across all these services, and their information can be found on the park website. Of course, rangers lead small guided excursions as well, most often in summer.

Ways to explore

Yellowstone covers a whopping 2.2 million acres (890,000 hectares) of wilderness, so guided tours are the best way to fully appreciate this massive park. There are a number of Yellowstone National Park tours suitable for any age and interest, including full-day visits of the park highlights, lower-loop tours from Jackson, guided trail hikes, rafting or kayaking excursions, and wildlife safaris galore. Scenic river floats are particularly great for young kids or the elderly.

You should set aside at least a full day to get a true taste of the park—though it would take at least a long weekend or week to truly experience all this sprawling wonder has to offer. Remember that the National Park Service charges entrance fees, which include a 7-day entry permit for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

Accessibility

Given its relatively undeveloped nature, it’s impossible for Yellowstone to be entirely accessibile—but many wilderness areas, campsites, and trails are fully wheelchair accessible. The park also offers sign language interpreters for tours (just be sure to request in advance) and assistive listening devices.

Age limits

None. Yellowstone is ideal for visitors of all ages, perfect for a multi-generational family trip.

What to pack

Hat, sunblock, binoculars, bear spray (just in case), snacks and water for long hikes

What to wear

Hiking boots; attire for warm and cool weather, as temps can fluctuate with altitude

Not allowed

Touching or feeding wildlife, drones, smoking near trails and geothermal features, venturing off boardwalks, swimming in thermal features

Amenities

Wi-Fi at the visitor center, hotels and cabins, gas stations, restrooms

Address

Yellowstone has five park entrance stations with visitor centers to the northwest, northeast, south, east, and west. The nearest airports are the Yellowstone Airport near the town of West Yellowstone in Montana, and the Jackson Hole Airport in Jackson, Wyoming.

Driving

Yellowstone is best reached by car, with entrances near several major towns. From Jackson, Wyoming, take US-191 north to the South Entrance (about 60 miles). From Bozeman, Montana, take US-191 south to the West Entrance (about 90 miles).

Public transportation

There’s no public transportation into Yellowstone National Park. The closest commercial airports are in Bozeman, Jackson, and Cody, but from there, you’ll need to rent a car or join a guided tour to access the park.

Best times to visit

Crowds are thickest at midday, especially around Old Faithful and other individually popular attractions. The hours just before sunset are much calmer and great for photographs. Early morning is also less frenzied, but cold overnight temperatures create extra-steamy conditions—not ideal for pics or Grand Prismatic Spring viewing—that take a while to disperse.

Best days to visit

Sundays tend to be the quietest day at Yellowstone, as many weekenders have started heading back home at this point.

Best months to visit

You can visit Yellowstone year-round, though most roads close from early November to mid-April, when travel is limited to snowmobile and snowcoach. Don’t let that deter you, though—winter in Yellowstone is unexpectedly glorious, with steam billowing from hot springs, absolutely zero crowds, and the rare chance to see wolves in their natural habitat.

Special events

The park hosts special lectures and themed walks throughout the year—check out the official Yellowstone calendar to plan accordingly.