Yellowstone National Park
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.
Designation: National Park
- Arts and Culture
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Astronomy
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Road Biking
- Boating
- Boat Tour
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
- Group Camping
- RV Camping
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Fly Fishing
- Food
- Dining
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
- Boat Tour
- Hands-On
- Arts and Crafts
- Volunteer Vacation
- Hiking
- Backcountry Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Horse Trekking
- Horseback Riding
- Paddling
- Canoeing
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Kayaking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Skiing
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Snow Play
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Swimming
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Phone Numbers:
- Voice: 307-344-7381
- Fax: 307-344-2014
- TTY: 307-344-2386
- Contact Yellowstone's park rangers for general park questions, lost and found, or for special use permits.: YELL_Information@nps.gov
Grand Prismatic Spring
The bright colors found in Grand Prismatic Spring come from thermophiles—microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures
Credit: NPS/Jim Peaco
Aurum Geyser
Aurum Geyser erupting
Credit: NPS/Jim Peaco
Black Pool
Black Pool at the West Thumb Geyser Basin
Credit: NPS/Diane Renkin
Beehive Geyser
Visitors to the Upper Geyser Basin watch Beehive Geyser erupt.
Credit: NPS/Jim Peaco
Wolf howling
Alpha male of the Canyon wolf pack
Credit: NPS/Jim Peaco
Fishing Bridge Trailside Museum
The stone-and-log architecture of Fishing Bridge Trailside Museum became a prototype for park buildings all around the country
Credit: NPS/Jim Peaco
Great Fountain Geyser
Great Fountain Geyser erupts against a blue summer sky
Credit: NPS/Diane Renkin
Old Faithful Geyser in winter
Winter is a magical time to watch Old Faithful Geyser erupt
Credit: NPS/Jim Peaco
Palette Spring
The vibrant colors of Palette Springs are formed by thermophiles—heat-loving organisms
Credit: NPS/Jim Peaco
Bighorn sheep
Two bighorn rams rest and chew their cud
Credit: NPS/Peggy Olliff
Lower Falls from Artist Point
Lower Falls from Artist Point
Credit: NPS/Diane Renkin
Bison herd in a thermal area
Bison near Mud Volcano
Credit: NPS/Diane Renkin
Grizzly bear
Grizzly bear in the woods
Credit: NPS/Jim Peaco
Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River near Tower Fall
Credit: NPS/Dave Krueger
- Entrance - Private Vehicle - $35.00: Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Vehicles must be private, non-commercial, and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.
- Entrance - Non-commercial Groups - $20.00: Non-commercial group (e.g. church groups, scouts) traveling in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 or more people. Cost is per person. Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.
- Entrance - Motorcycle - $30.00: Entry for one driver and one passenger for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.
- Entrance - Snowmobile - $30.00: Entry for one driver and one passenger for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.
- Entrance - Per Person - $20.00: Entry for visitors on foot, bicycle, ski, etc., when 16 years of age or older.
- Commercial Entrance - Sedan - $20.00: A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. The cost is $25 + $20 per person. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.
- Commercial Entrance - Van - $125.00: Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 7-15 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.
- Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus - $200.00: Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 16-25 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.
- Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach - $300.00: Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 26 or more passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.
- Annual Entrance - Park - $70.00: Provides unlimited entry for one year (valid through the month of purchase) to the pass holder and passengers in the same vehicle, or pass holder and up to three persons where per person fees are charged. Purchase at any entrance station.
- All Park Hours: Yellowstone is open daily, year-round, although activities and services are limited at night and certain times of year. The park has five entrance stations, but not all entrance stations are open year-round. Make sure to carefully read about access at each station at different times of year. And remember, all dates are weather-dependent. Please note that camping is possible only in designated campgrounds.
- West Entrance: Adjacent to the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, the West Entrance is usually open (weather-dependent) to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through early November, and to tracked-oversnow (snowmobiles and snowcoaches) vehicles from December 15 to March 15.
- Spring Shoulder Season
- 2026-03-16 to 2026-04-20 [object Object]
- Fall Shoulder Season
- 2026-11-01 to 2026-12-14 [object Object]
- Spring Shoulder Season
- North Entrance: Near the gateway community of Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance is the only park entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year. November through April, the North Entrance provides the only access to Cooke City, Montana. US Highway 212 east of Cooke City is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. The road from Mammoth to Norris opens to wheeled vehicles the third Friday in April through early November, and to tracked-oversnow vehicles, conditions permitting, from December 15 to early March.
- East Entrance: Depending on the weather and conditions, this entrance usually opens to wheeled vehicles the first Friday in May and to tracked-oversnow vehicles December 22 through March 15.
- Spring Shoulder Season
- 2026-03-16 to 2026-05-04 [object Object]
- Fall Shoulder Season
- 2026-11-01 to 2026-12-14 [object Object]
- Spring Shoulder Season
- South Entrance: Open (weather-dependent) to wheeled vehicles from the second Friday in May through early November and to tracked-oversnow vehicles from December 15 to March 15. Limited services are available near the South Entrance.
- Spring Shoulder Season
- 2026-03-16 to 2026-05-11 [object Object]
- Fall Shoulder Season
- 2026-11-01 to 2026-12-14 [object Object]
- Spring Shoulder Season
- Northeast Entrance: Near the gateway communities of Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana, this entrance is open year around for wheeled vehicle access to Cooke City through Gardiner, Montana. US Highway 212 east of Cooke City is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. Opening dates for roads east of Cooke City vary from year to year, depending on the weather. The Beartooth Highway is open from late May/early June (weather dependent) to mid October.
- Physical: 2 Officers Row Yellowstone National Park Headquarters Yellowstone National Park WY 82190
- Mailing: PO Box 168 Yellowstone National Park WY 82190-0168
- Architecture and Building
- Archeology
- Arts
- Photography
- Explorers and Expeditions
- Forts
- Migrations
- Military
- Cavalry
- US Army
- Indigenous and Native Warrior
- Native American Heritage
- Science, Technology and Innovation
- Social Movements
- Conservation Movement
- Transportation
- Roads, Routes and Highways
- Wars and Conflicts
- Tribal Conflicts
- Indian and Frontier Wars
- Westward Expansion
- Animals
- Birds
- Bison
- Cats (wild)
- Elk
- Fish
- Wolves
- Canyons and Canyonlands
- Climate Change
- Fire
- Foothills, Plains and Valleys
- Forests and Woodlands
- Coniferous Forests
- Fossils and Paleontology
- Petrified Wood
- Geology
- Groundwater
- Aquifers
- Freshwater Springs
- Geothermal
- Hot Springs
- Geysers
- Glaciers
- Grasslands
- Lakes
- Mountains
- Natural Sounds
- Night Sky
- River and Riparian
- Rock Landscapes and Features
- Scenic Views
- Thickets and Shrublands
- Trails
- Unique Species
- Rare
- Endangered
- Volcanoes
- Watersheds
- Waterfalls
- Wetlands
- Wilderness
Yellowstone National Park covers nearly 3,500 square miles in the northwest corner of Wyoming (3% of the park is in Montana and 1% is in Idaho). Yellowstone has five entrance stations, and several are closed to regular vehicles during winter. It takes many hours to drive between these entrances, so be sure to check the status of roads at the entrance you intend to use while planning your trip and before you arrive.
Directions Link
Directions Link
Yellowstone's weather can vary quite a bit, even in a single day. In the summer, daytime highs can exceed 70°F (21°C), only to drop 20 or more degrees when a thunderstorm rolls through. It can snow during any month of the year, and winter lows frequently drop below 0°F (-18°C), especially at night. Bring a range of clothing options, including a warm jacket and rain gear, even in the summer.
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