About 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.
Quick Facts
Entrance Fees
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.
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.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 snowmobiles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entry for visitors on foot, bicycle, ski, etc., when 16 years of age or older.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Operating 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.
Activities
Getting There
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Entrance Passes
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.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Snow Pass Ski Trail
The Snow Pass Ski Trail is a 4.2 mile (6.76 km), skier-tracked, one-way, easiest to most-difficult, ski that takes skiers…
Easiest to most-difficult
Mount Washburn Spur Trail
A long hike from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and up the east side of Mount Washburn.
Strenuous hike
Dunraven Pass - Mount Washburn Trail
Starting at the Dunravenn Pass Trailhead you ascend Mount Washburn on a trail with spectacular views. The Mount Washburn Trail…
Strenuous hike
Chittenden Road - Mount Washburn Trail
Head up the shortest route to the top of Mount Washburn where you can enjoy panoramic views and interpretive exhibits.
Moderately strenuous hike
Rescue Creek Trail
Climb gradually through aspens and meadows, then descend through forests to sagebrush flats that lead to a footbridge across the…
Moderately strenuous
Lewis River Channel/Dogshead Trail
Hike through forest to the crystal-clear waters of the Lewis River Channel. Look for eagles and osprey fishing for trout…
Moderate hike
Visitor Centers
Albright Visitor Center
Here you can gather park information, orient yourself to the rest of the park (including road conditions, and campground and lodge availability), shop for souvenirs,…
Hours: Albright Visitor Center is located in the northern part of the park near the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces. Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Canyon Visitor Education Center
Stop by the Canyon Visitor Education Center to learn more about the geologic story of the area, including the Yellowstone volcano, and view a room-size…
Hours: Canyon Visitor Education Center is located north of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum
The distinctive stone-and-log architecture of this old building—known as "parkitecture"—was one of several prototypes for park buildings around the country. Today, the visitor center and…
Hours: Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Grant Visitor Center
Fire plays an important, natural role in the ecosystems found in Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding region. Learn more about this and the fires…
Hours: Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app. Visitor center opening date subject to change. Check locally if in the park. Check back frequently for updates.
Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum
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…
Hours: Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Museum of the National Park Ranger
Once a US Army outpost built in 1908, this visitor center houses exhibits that celebrate the history of the park ranger profession. To enhance the…
Hours: Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the Norris Geyser Basin Museum, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Norris Geyser Basin Museum and Information Station
Situated on the ridge overlooking the Norris Geyser Basin, this historic building is staffed during the summer with rangers who provide park information and facilitate…
Hours: Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
Located near Old Faithful Geyser, this visitor center offers views of the geyser's eruption from the tall, windowed front of the visitor center. Additionally, you…
Hours: Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
West Thumb Information Station
A small facility at the start of the West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalks, where you can visit with a park ranger and gather park information,…
Hours: Park information can be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (Chamber of Commerce Desk)
Located in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, there is a desk staffed by National Park Service rangers (summer and winters only). The building is…
Hours: Open daily, mid-April through September, and open weekdays, early November through mid-April.
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (NPS Desk)
Located in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, there is a desk and backcountry office staffed by National Park Service rangers (summer and winters only).…
Hours: Park information may be found on bulletin boards posted at the visitor information center, with rangers stationed outside the visitor information center, as well as by using the NPS Yellowstone app.
Campgrounds
Bridge Bay Campground
Bridge Bay Campground—elevation 7,800 feet (2377 m)—is located near Yellowstone Lake, one of the largest, high-elevation, fresh-water lakes in North America. Campers at Bridge Bay…
Canyon Campground
Canyon Campground—elevation 7,900 feet (2408 m)—lies in a lodgepole pine forest at Canyon Village, south of the Washburn range and near the breath-taking Grand Canyon…
Fishing Bridge RV Park
Fishing Bridge RV Park—elevation 7,800 feet (2377 m)—is located near the Yellowstone River where it exits Yellowstone Lake on its way toward the Grand Canyon…
Grant Village Campground
Grant Campground—elevation 7,800 feet (2377 m)—is located in Grant Village, just off the Grand Loop Road at the south end of Yellowstone Lake. It is…
Indian Creek Campground
Located about eight miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs on the road to Norris, Indian Creek Campground—elevation 7,300 feet (2225 m)—sits near the base of…
Lewis Lake Campground
Lewis Lake Campground—elevation 7,800 ft (2377 m)—is about eight miles from the South Entrance and a short walk from the southeast shore of Lewis Lake.…
Madison Campground
Madison Campground—elevation 6,800 feet (2073 m)—sits about 14 miles east from the town of West Yellowstone and 16 miles north of Old Faithful. Nearby, the…
Mammoth Campground
The only campground in the park open year-round, Mammoth Campground—elevation 6,200 feet (1890 m)—is located five miles south of the park's North Entrance. Scattered juniper…
Norris Campground
Norris has been closed to the public for five years and will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Due to Norris’ remote location, the park…
Pebble Creek Campground
Pebble Creek Campground was significantly impacted by the 2022 floods and will remain CLOSED until further notice for flood recovery work.
Slough Creek Campground
Near some of the best wildlife watching opportunities in the park. Located at the end of a two-mile dirt road, this campground is best suited…
Tower Fall Campground
Tower Fall Campground—elevation 6,600 feet (2012 m)—is located on the north side of the steep, winding, road to Dunraven Pass. The campground is near the…
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