National Park

Yellowstone National Park

National Park★ 4.8
Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River in Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, seen from a vantage along the canyon rim with mist rising from the waterfall.

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal wonders. Today, millions of people come here each year to camp, hike, and enjoy the majesty of the park.

Plan your visit

Best time for a first visit
Late May through September is the practical window for a first trip: all five entrances and the full Grand Loop Road are open, and every lodging area operates. July and August bring the biggest crowds around Old Faithful and Canyon; June and September trade a little certainty on high-elevation weather for noticeably more room. Best time to visit Yellowstone
How much time to allow
Plan on two full days minimum - one for the geyser basins and one for the canyon and wildlife valleys. Three to four days lets you add Yellowstone Lake, Mammoth Hot Springs, and a dawn wildlife drive without spending the trip in the car.
Entry rules for 2026
No vehicle reservation or timed entry is required - you pay at the gate and drive in. A private vehicle is $35 for seven consecutive days; an annual Yellowstone pass is $70. 2026 fees, passes & road dates
Roads are seasonal
Most park roads close October 31 and reopen in stages from mid-April through late May; Dunraven Pass (Canyon to Tower) closes earlier, on October 12, 2026. Only the Gardiner-to-Cooke City road through the park's north end stays open to cars year-round. Official road dates & status
Check before you drive
Construction can add delays of up to 30 minutes in 2026, including at the Gardner River High Bridge and between Canyon and West Thumb, and wildland fire danger changes conditions quickly - it is currently rated very high. Check current conditions the morning you enter. Current park conditions

Highlights

Start a first Yellowstone trip with these four. Together they cover the geysers the park is famous for, its grandest canyon, the best wildlife valley in the lower 48, and North America's largest high-elevation lake.

Reviewed against current NPS guidance August 7, 2026

The signature experience

Old Faithful & the geyser basins

Old Faithful anchors the Upper Geyser Basin's boardwalks, and Grand Prismatic Spring - the park's giant rainbow-colored hot spring - is a short drive north in Midway Geyser Basin. Walk the boardwalks; swimming in hot springs is prohibited and more than 20 people have died from thermal burns.

Know before you go: Parking at Old Faithful and Midway fills midday in summer. Go before 10 a.m. or in the evening, and always stay on the boardwalk.

Plan your Old Faithful visit

Best scenic overlook

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The 308-foot Lower Falls drops into a canyon of yellow and pink rock. Artist Point on the south rim is the classic view, with rim trails and overlooks on both sides for a longer visit.

Know before you go: About 50 miles of road separates Old Faithful and the canyon - treat them as separate half-days rather than back-to-back stops.

Visit Artist Point

Best wildlife & sunrise

Lamar Valley at dawn

The Lamar Valley in the park's northeast corner is the most reliable place to see bison herds, and the best chance at wolves and bears - especially in the first and last hours of light. It is also the park's best sunrise drive.

Know before you go: Stay 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from bison. Bring binoculars; pullouts along the valley road are the viewing spots.

Plan a Lamar Valley morning

Best easy scenic stop

Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb

North America's largest high-elevation lake pairs big-water views with the West Thumb Geyser Basin, where hot springs sit right on the shoreline. The historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel area makes an easy, low-effort afternoon.

Know before you go: The lake is cold year-round and afternoon storms build fast at this elevation - check the forecast before boating or paddling.

Visit Yellowstone Lake

Guided ways to spend a day beyond the full-day tour above, chosen to cover genuinely different experiences - private touring, dawn wildlife, paddling, and two very different hikes. Each card links to our full guide; booking links go to the operator.

Some booking links below are affiliate links, which may support YourNPGuide at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Private - all ages - biologist guide

Private Yellowstone Tour: ICONIC Sites, Wildlife, Family Friendly Hikes + Lunch

★ 5.0 (911 reviews) · 7 hours–9 hours

A private 7-9 hour tour led by a wildlife biologist, with spotting scopes provided and a picnic lunch beside Yellowstone Lake. The strongest-reviewed tour in the park.

Check availability for Private Yellowstone Tour: ICONIC Sites, Wildlife, Family Friendly Hikes + Lunch, opens in a new tab Read our full guide to Private Yellowstone Tour: ICONIC Sites, Wildlife, Family Friendly Hikes + Lunch

Free and self-guided

Park-wide - free - no reservations

Ranger-Led Programs in Yellowstone

Free ranger talks, walks, and evening programs across the developed areas from late May to early September - the best interpretation in the park at no cost.

Lamar & Hayden valleys - self-guided

Wildlife Watching in Lamar & Hayden Valleys

Dawn or dusk at the valley pullouts with binoculars - bison herds, elk, and with patience wolves and grizzlies. Free, and year-round in Lamar.

See allAll

Where to go in Yellowstone

Yellowstone's Grand Loop Road is a 140-mile figure eight, and the famous stops sit far apart. Organize each day around one of these areas instead of trying to circle the whole loop.

The planning rule: Plan one major area per day. NPS drive times alone put Old Faithful to Canyon at well over an hour without stops - and in summer, wildlife traffic jams are part of the schedule.

Area access and drive-time guidance reviewed August 7, 2026

Canyon country

Canyon Village & the falls

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Lower and Upper Falls, and the rim overlooks including Artist Point and Inspiration Point.

Allow: Half to a full dayBase near: Canyon Village

Plan around: Central position makes Canyon the most efficient single base for seeing the whole park.

Canyon rim guide

Wildlife country

Lamar Valley & the northeast

Bison herds, wolf watching at dawn, Trout Lake, and the quieter northeast corner toward Cooke City.

Allow: A dawn or dusk half-day - or moreBase near: Gardiner, Mammoth, or Cooke City

Plan around: Reached via the year-round north road through Tower Junction. Dunraven Pass from Canyon is seasonal and closes October 12 in 2026.

Lamar Valley wildlife guide

The north entrance

Mammoth Hot Springs

Travertine terraces, historic Fort Yellowstone, and elk that wander the townsite. The only developed area open year-round by car.

Allow: Half a dayBase near: Gardiner or Mammoth

Plan around: Pairs naturally with a Lamar Valley morning - both sit on the year-round north road.

Mammoth terraces guide

The lake district

Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb & Grant

Lakeshore geysers at West Thumb, the historic Lake Village area, and boating or guided kayaking on the largest high-elevation lake in North America.

Allow: Half to a full dayBase near: Lake Village, Grant Village, or Bridge Bay

Plan around: The natural gateway to or from Grand Teton via the South Entrance.

Yellowstone Lake guide

Getting to Yellowstone and around the park

Yellowstone has five entrances in three states, and the right one depends on where you fly in and which areas anchor your trip.

Transportation guidance reviewed August 7, 2026 Sources: NPS - Directions, NPS - Park roads

Choosing an airport

Fly into the side you plan to explore

Bozeman, Billings, Jackson, Cody, and Idaho Falls have year-round commercial service. West Yellowstone's small airport runs seasonally from Salt Lake City, early May to mid-October. Bozeman is the common pick for west- and north-side trips; Cody serves the East Entrance; Jackson pairs Yellowstone with Grand Teton.

Entrances & airports guide

Five entrances

Match your entrance to your first night

West Entrance (West Yellowstone) is closest to the geyser basins. North (Gardiner) serves Mammoth and is the year-round door. Northeast (Cooke City) opens into the Lamar Valley. East (from Cody) crosses Sylvan Pass to the lake. South connects from Grand Teton and Jackson.

Keep in mind: West Entrance to Madison Junction is about 30 minutes before you reach the Grand Loop itself.

Entrances & directions

Seasonal reality

The road calendar shapes everything

In 2026 most roads open in stages April 17 to May 22 and close October 31; Dunraven Pass closes October 12. From mid-December to mid-March the interior is reachable only by guided snowcoach or snowmobile from the West, South, and East entrances - by car, only the Gardiner-to-Cooke City road stays open.

2026 road dates & fees guide

Where to stay in and near Yellowstone National Park

There is no single convenient base - the park is too big. Stay near the west side for geysers, Canyon for the most central nights, or the north for wildlife mornings. On trips of four nights or more, splitting your stay between two areas saves hours of driving.

The simplest way to choose: All nine in-park lodges are run by Yellowstone National Park Lodges and fill quickly - book as early as your dates allow. Campground reservations open on a rolling basis six months ahead.

Lodging and campground guidance reviewed August 7, 2026 Sources: NPS - Campgrounds, NPS - Lodging

Best in-park lodge for a first trip

Old Faithful Inn

The park's iconic log hotel stands steps from Old Faithful, which means geyser basins at dawn and dusk without driving. Open May to mid-October.

Tradeoff: Know before booking: rooms span rustic to pricey and sell out far ahead; this is a historic building, not a resort.

Old Faithful Inn guide

Best campground for first-timers

Madison Campground

Central to the west side with 276 sites at $38 a night, open May 1 to October 17 in 2026. The most practical camping base for the geyser basins.

Tradeoff: Reserve through Yellowstone National Park Lodges, not Recreation.gov. No hookups - Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground with full hookups.

Madison Campground guide

Best campground for wildlife watchers

Slough Creek Campground

A small Recreation.gov campground in the Lamar Valley's wolf and bison country - dawn wildlife watching starts at your tent flap.

Tradeoff: Remote, few services, and extremely competitive. Book the moment your six-month window opens.

Slough Creek guide

Best gateway-town base

West Yellowstone

The largest gateway town sits at the West Entrance, 30 minutes from the Grand Loop, with the deepest bench of hotels, restaurants, and outfitters.

Tradeoff: Expect summer premiums and book early - it is the default base for most first visits.

Explore West Yellowstone

Best year-round base

Gardiner & Mammoth

Gardiner sits at the North Entrance on the only road open to cars all year, with Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel just inside the park. The right base for winter trips and Lamar Valley mornings.

Tradeoff: Farthest from Old Faithful - pair it with a west-side stay on longer summer trips.

Explore Gardiner

Stay safe in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone's hazards are real but manageable. These are the rules that actually change what you do each day.

Safety guidance reviewed August 7, 2026 Official sources: NPS - Safety, NPS - Current conditions

Wildlife distances

The animals are wild, unfenced, and faster than you.

  • Stay at least 100 yards from bears, wolves, and cougars.
  • Stay at least 25 yards from bison and elk - bison injure more visitors than any other animal, and they roam boardwalks and roadsides.
  • Never approach or feed wildlife, and never pose for photos near them.
  • If an animal changes its behavior because of you, you are too close.
Official wildlife safety

Bear country

Both grizzly and black bears live throughout the park.

  • Carry bear spray where you can reach it in seconds - waist or chest, never in a pack. If charged, spray at 30 to 60 feet.
  • Hike in groups and make noise, especially near streams and blind corners.
  • Store all food and scented items properly; never leave them out.
  • Do not run from a bear.
Bear safety details

Thermal areas

The ground in geyser basins is a thin crust over scalding water.

  • Stay on boardwalks and marked trails - no exceptions, no shortcuts.
  • Swimming in hot springs is prohibited; more than 20 people have died from thermal burns.
  • Even runoff channels can scald. Keep children's hands out of the water.
  • Pets are prohibited in thermal areas.
Thermal area rules

Roads, weather & altitude

The drive is the most dangerous part of most Yellowstone days.

  • Speed limit is 45 mph; traffic accidents are the park's most common cause of injury and death. Use pullouts, never traffic lanes, for wildlife viewing.
  • Most of the park sits above 7,000 feet - expect afternoon storms, possible altitude symptoms, and hypothermia risk in any month.
  • Cell coverage is limited; download maps and tell someone your plan.
  • Treat or filter any backcountry water before drinking.
Current conditions

Choose your Yellowstone National Park itinerary

Start with this rule: Match the trip to the time you actually have. The park rewards fewer areas done well over a checklist done from the driver's seat.

Itinerary guidance reviewed August 7, 2026 Official sources: NPS - Directions & drive times

One day

Pick one side of the figure eight

From the West Entrance: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and the Firehole basins. From the North: Mammoth terraces and a Lamar Valley wildlife drive. Trying to do both sides in a day means watching Yellowstone through a windshield.

See the one-day plans

Yellowstone National Park visitor essentials

The practical details that do not fit anywhere else - and that decide whether the trip runs smoothly.

Visitor guidance reviewed August 7, 2026 Official sources: NPS - Safety & conditions

Connectivity & navigation

Plan to be offline for most of the day.

  • Cell service is limited to developed areas and absent across most of the park - download offline maps before entering.
  • Save your lodging confirmation and the road-status page for offline reference.
  • Tell someone your daily plan when heading to remote areas like the Lamar Valley or any backcountry trail.
Current conditions

Fuel, food & services

Services inside the park are seasonal and far apart.

  • Fill the tank in gateway towns; in-park stations are spread across a 140-mile loop.
  • Restaurants cluster at developed areas (Old Faithful, Canyon, Lake, Mammoth) and queue long at peak hours - pack lunches for flexibility.
  • Most in-park services close with the roads at the end of October.
In-park operating dates

Pets

Yellowstone is one of the most restrictive parks for dogs.

  • Pets are prohibited in thermal areas, on all trails, and in the backcountry.
  • Where allowed (parking areas, campgrounds, roadsides), they must stay within 100 feet of a road and on a leash.
  • Never leave a pet unattended in a vehicle in summer heat.
Official pet regulations

What to pack

High elevation makes every season feel like two.

  • Layers year-round - mornings near freezing and warm afternoons are normal at 7,000+ feet, and storms build fast.
  • Sun protection matters more at altitude; so does drinking water.
  • Binoculars turn Lamar and Hayden valley pullouts from parking lots into the best wildlife show in the lower 48.

Location

The sun sets behind the sharp point of a snow-covered mountain; pink clouds are reflected in a pondA geyser erupts steam in front of the bright sun.Bison graze in sage brushA dark wolf stands in the snow and looks towards the viewer.Brilliant blues and greens of a hot spring ringed by oranges, yellows, reds, and browns.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation to enter Yellowstone?

Timed-entry reservations are not currently required.

When is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?

Shoulder seasons (April–May and September–October) offer milder weather and fewer crowds.

Are pets allowed in the park?

Pets are allowed only in front-country areas; they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry.

Is there a shuttle system inside the park?

There is no mandatory park-wide shuttle system; visitors drive their own vehicles.

Where are good places to see bears?

Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are reliable for wildlife viewing, but always maintain safe distances.

Do I need a backcountry permit?

Backcountry permits are mandatory for backcountry camping; obtain them at ranger stations or visitor centers.

Essential Yellowstone National Park guides

Use these first for the decisions that affect the whole trip. Every guide is part of this park's planning library.

Four campgrounds covering the park's main planning choices. Reservations open on a rolling basis six months ahead; Pebble Creek remains closed from 2022 flood damage.

West side - first-timers

Madison Campground

276 sites central to the geyser basins, open May 1 to October 17 in 2026. The most practical first-timer base; reserve through Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

Lamar Valley - wildlife

Slough Creek Campground

A small Recreation.gov campground in wolf and bison country - dawn wildlife watching from your tent. Book the moment your six-month window opens.

Yellowstone Lake - big and scenic

Bridge Bay Campground

431 lakeside sites near the marina, open mid-May to mid-September. The natural base for the lake district.

North side - year-round

Mammoth Campground

The park's only year-round campground, at Mammoth Hot Springs - first-come, first-served from October 15 to April 1.

See allAll

The in-park icons and the most practical gateway options. All nine in-park lodges are operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges and sell out far ahead.

Old Faithful - historic icon

Old Faithful Inn

The park's landmark log hotel, steps from Old Faithful. Geyser basins at dawn without driving - book as early as your dates allow.

Old Faithful - winter access

Old Faithful Snow Lodge

One of only two lodges open in winter, when the interior is otherwise reachable only by snowcoach or snowmobile.

West Yellowstone - gateway comfort

Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone

Modern cabins in the largest gateway town, 30 minutes from the Grand Loop - the practical pick when in-park lodging is full.

See allAll

Four hikes covering the park's range - an iconic overlook walk, a summit day, an easy wildlife-country lake, and a quiet lakeshore loop. Carry bear spray beyond the boardwalks.

Dunraven Pass - summit day

Dunraven Pass – Mount Washburn Trail

The classic Mount Washburn ascent: big views over the whole park and frequent bighorn sightings. The pass road closes October 12 in 2026.

Lamar Valley - easy

Trout Lake Trail

A short climb to a quiet lake in wildlife country - the easy hike to pair with a Lamar Valley morning.

Yellowstone Lake - easy loop

Storm Point Trail

A gentle lakeshore loop to a windswept point on Yellowstone Lake, away from the road crowds.

See allAll

The four features that define the park - each worth planning a day around, and each covered in the planning sections above.

Midway Geyser Basin

Grand Prismatic Spring

The park's giant rainbow hot spring, best seen from the overlook trail in late-morning light once the steam burns off.

Canyon south rim

Artist Point

The classic full-frame view of the Lower Falls and the yellow canyon walls - arrive early for parking.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone

The 308-foot centerpiece of the canyon, taller than Niagara, with viewpoints on both rims.

Lake district

Yellowstone Lake

North America's largest high-elevation lake - shoreline geysers at West Thumb, boating, and the historic hotel district.

Upper Geyser Basin

Old Faithful

The predictable icon - eruptions average 130 feet on a roughly 100-minute rhythm, with forecasts posted at the visitor center and in the NPS App.

Northeast - year-round road

Lamar Valley

America's Serengeti: some of the continent's largest bison and elk herds, and the world's most reliable wild wolf watching.

Between Canyon and Lake

Hayden Valley

Central Yellowstone's wildlife stage - nearly the whole central bison herd gathers here in July and August.

See allAll

Each gateway serves a different trip. Match the town to the side of the park your days are built around.

West Entrance - most services

West Yellowstone

The largest gateway town, 30 minutes from the Grand Loop, with the deepest bench of lodging, restaurants, and outfitters.

North Entrance - year-round

Gardiner

The base for Mammoth, Lamar Valley mornings, and winter trips - it sits on the only park road open to cars all year.

East side - western character

Cody

Museums and rodeo country, a mountain-pass drive from the East Entrance. Best as a night before or after the park rather than a daily base.

See allAll

Start at the one nearest your entrance for current conditions, ranger programs, and geyser predictions.

Mammoth - open year-round

Albright Visitor Center

The park's year-round headquarters at Mammoth, in historic Fort Yellowstone.

Grant Village - south side

Grant Visitor Center

The stop for South Entrance arrivals connecting from Grand Teton.

See allAll

All Yellowstone National Park guides 17 published

Browse the complete planning library, grouped by the decision you are making.

Park strategy

Getting there

Trails & hiking

Safety

Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.