Yellowstone National 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
Electric Peak Sunset
The sun sets behind Electric Peak.
Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank
Beehive Geyser Eruption
Behive Geyser erupting in the Upper Geyser Basin
Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank
Bison in Lamar Valley
Bison grazing in Lamar Valley in the fall
Credit: NPS / Brett Raeburn
Dark Wolf in Snow
A wolf in the Firehole area.
Credit: NPS / Jim Peaco
Grand Prismatic Spring
The bright colors found in Grand Prismatic Spring come from thermophiles—microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures
Credit: NPS/Jim Peaco
Grizzly Bear
A grizzly bear on a cold morning.
Credit: NPS / Jim Peaco
Bull Elk
A bull elk on Sepulcher Mountain Trail
Credit: NPS / Neal Herbert
Pelican Creek
Pelican Creek winding into Yellowstone Lake
Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank
Lighted Teepees at Roosevelt Arch
Lighted teepees at the Roosevelt Arch
Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank
Skiers Watching Bison
Skiers watching bison in the snow
Credit: NPS / Neal Herbert
Pelicans on Yellowstone Lake
Pelicans on Yellowstone Lake during sunrise.
Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank
- 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: Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Entrance - Snowmobile - $30.00: Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 snowmobiles with up to 4 total passengers.
- 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.
- Nonresident - $100.00: Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Yellowstone National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour 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
- 2027-03-16 to 2027-04-20 [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
- 2027-03-16 to 2027-05-04 [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
- 2027-03-16 to 2027-05-11 [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.
- M 1.2 - 29 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana (M1.17)
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Details - M 1.1 - 29 km SSW of Silver Gate, Montana (M1.05)
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Details - M 1.5 - 53 km SE of West Yellowstone, Montana (M1.51)
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Details - M 0.4 - 23 km E of West Yellowstone, Montana (M0.37)
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Details - M 1.2 - 51 km NE of Alta, Wyoming (M1.17)
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Details - M 1.8 - 46 km ESE of West Yellowstone, Montana (M1.79)
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Details - M 1.3 - 51 km NE of Alta, Wyoming (M1.27)
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Details - M 0.2 - 7 km SE of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana (M0.24)
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Details - M 0.1 - 3 km SSE of Hebgen Lake Estates, Montana (M0.11)
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Details - M 0.9 - 52 km N of Kelly, Wyoming (M0.85)
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