Visitor Center

Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum

Visitor Center
Madison Information Station at Yellowstone National Park sits in a rustic stone-and-wood building with a trailside museum near Madison Junction.

Between Old Faithful and West Yellowstone, stop here for restrooms, fishing permits, a park store, and ranger programs; Junior Ranger info is available.

Located about halfway between Old Faithful and West Yellowstone, you can stop here for park information as visitors have been doing since 1930. The structure is an example of "parkitecture" or designing a building in a way that reflects the surrounding ecosystem. You can also shop for souvenirs in the park store, attend a ranger program, purchase a fishing permit (fees are payable by debit or credit card), or use the restrooms.

Quick facts

Daily Hours
Varies
Seasonal Hours
Year-round
Seasonal Operation
Year-round
Phone
307-344-7381

Hours & contact

Daily Hours
Varies
Seasonal Hours
Year-round
Seasonal Operation
Year-round
Phone
307-344-7381
Phone Available
0
Email
YELL_Information@nps.gov
Best Contact Method
In-person at the information desk

Services

Rangers Available
1
Free Park Maps
1
Trail Maps
0
Permit Issuance
  • Fishing permits
Permit Types
Fishing permits
Backcountry Permits
0

Facilities

Restrooms
Flush (Indoor)
Restroom Type
Flush (Indoor)
Water Fountain
1
Bookstore
1
Wi-Fi Available
0
Cell Service
Intermittent; strongest near parking area and desk
Accessibility
ADA compliant entrances, restrooms, and exhibits
ADA Compliant
1

Exhibits & nearby

Has Exhibits
1
Exhibit Topics
Natural and human history at Trailside Museum
Interpretive Films
Times vary; check desk
Junior Ranger
1
Nearby Lodging
Old Faithful area, 15-20 minutes away

Planning advice

Best For
Permits, basic information, and restrooms.
Highlights
Flush toilets, Trailside Museum, fishing permit sales.
Why Visit
Get restrooms, fishing permits, and ranger programs along the Madison corridor.
Parking Reality
Parking capacity varies; expect moderate traffic, especially during peak travel between Old Faithful and West Yellowstone
Facility Intel
Flush toilets indoors; potable water filling station near restrooms; public WiFi not available; cell service intermittent
Best Time To Visit
Year-round; mornings are quieter.
Tips Advice
  • Fishing permits available here; pay by debit/credit.
  • Indoor flush toilets; potable water station nearby.
  • Cell service intermittent; plan ahead.
  • Park store on site for souvenirs and maps.

More details

Park Area
Madison Area
Parking Availability
Varies
Parking Capacity
Varies
Parking Peak Time
Varies
Parking Notes
Parking capacity varies; no published RV restrictions noted; expect moderate traffic
Operating Hours
Varies
Seasonal Variations
Year-round
Accessibility Features
ADA compliant entrances, restrooms, and exhibits
Exhibits Displays
Natural and human history at Trailside Museum
Has Bookstore
1
Bookstore Operator
Western National Parks Association
Ranger Talks
1
Film Presentations
0
Film Schedule
Times vary; check desk
Park Newspapers
0
Safety Info Available
1
Park Maps Available
1
Permit Protocol
Backcountry permits are issued at Grant Village and Albright Visitor Center; fishing permits sold here
Climbing Permits
0
Nearest Trailheads
Madison River access; Two Ribbons Trail nearby
Nearby Dining
Old Faithful area dining options, 15-20 minutes away
Nearby Facilities
Restrooms, park store, water fountain
Notable Features
Historic parkitecture station housing Trailside Museum, ranger programs, and fishing permit sales
Best Visit Time
Year-round; mornings are quieter
Insider Tips
  • Take a moment to appreciate the parkitecture.
  • Fishing permits available with debit/credit.
  • Ranger programs run regularly; ask at the desk.
  • Cell service is spotty; map offline when possible.
Family Friendly Notes
Junior Ranger info available; ranger programs suitable for families
Current Conditions Info
Current conditions posted on the NPS Yellowstone basic info page
Stop If Skip If
✅ STOP IF: You need fishing permits, restrooms, or Junior Ranger info. ❌ SKIP IF: You want backcountry permits.
Review Summary
Visitors value the historic structure and convenient restrooms, plus fishing permit sales and ranger programs. It tends to be quieter than larger hubs, making it a good, efficient stop for basic needs.

Location

Snowy Yellowstone scene with a herd of bison along the Madison River near Madison Junction in Yellowstone National Park.Winding river cuts through a grassy meadow with a dense pine forest in the distance, Yellowstone scenery near a visitor area.Outdoor amphitheater with wooden benches and a blank screen at a Yellowstone information station site, surrounded by pines and mountains.Interior view at Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum in Yellowstone National Park.

Frequently asked questions

Are there restrooms here?

Yes. Indoor flush toilets are available at the Madison Information Station.

Can I buy fishing permits here?

Yes. Fishing permits are sold on-site and can be paid with debit or credit card.

Are Junior Ranger programs available?

Yes. Junior Ranger information and ranger programs are available at this location.

Is there backcountry permit service at this center?

Backcountry permits are not issued here; use Grant Village or Albright Visitor Center.

Is there WiFi available?

Public WiFi is not available at this location; plan for limited cell service and offline maps.

Cody Firearms Museum

Cody Firearms Museum – firearms history in Cody; not a Yellowstone permit center.

Fairy Falls

Trailhead to Fairy Falls/Grand Prismatic Overlook; no restrooms, water, or on-site maps.

Old Trail Town

Desk and maps only—quick bathroom break and map check.

Sources

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.