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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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),…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
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
Current Alerts
A section of the West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalk will be closed to Fishing Cone and Lakeshore Geyser through mid-October while crews replace damaged support structures along the shoreline. The remaining sections of boardwalk will remain open to visitors. Dates are subject to change without notice.
Bull elk are fast and unpredictable this time of year and can seriously injure people. If an elk charges, run. In addition to staying at least 25 yards (23 m) away from elk and bison, always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.
The parking lot, boardwalk, and Firehole River at Biscuit Basin, located north of Old Faithful, is closed to all travel until further notice due to the possibility of another event at the site of a hydrothermal explosion that occurred July 23, 2024.
Expect a single lane of traffic with up to 15-minute delays, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 through late October 2026. Oversized/overweight vehicles (8'6"+ wide, 75'+ long, 80,000 lbs+ gross vehicle weight) will not be able to cross the bridge during this time.
Although an entrance pass is required to enter Yellowstone National Park, vehicle reservations are not needed. You are encouraged to purchase an entrance pass before arriving, but you may also purchase passes at any entrance station upon arrival.
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
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
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
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Look out across the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or take in the beauty of the Yellowstone River and its…
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…
Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail
Follow the rim of the Yellowstone River valley, enjoying views of bighorn sheep, the Narrows of the Yellowstone, Overhanging Cliff,…
Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
Hike to a high mountain meadow for a commanding view of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake and the distant…
West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail
Stroll through a geyser basin of colorful hot springs and dormant lakeshore geysers situated on the scenic shores of Yellowstone…
Trout Lake Trail
Enjoy a short hill climb through Douglas-fir forest to Trout Lake.
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Abandoned Railroad Bed Bike Trail
An abandoned railroad bed located near the north entrance of Yellowstone makes a beautiful bike trail.
Storm Point Trail
Pass by Indian Pond and through a forest to the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Along the way, look for marmots in the…
Sepulcher Mountain Trail
Climb to the summit of Sepulcher Mountain while keeping an eye out for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and moose along the way.
Sentinel Meadows & Queen’s Laundry Trail
Follow the Firehole River and cross meadows until reaching a hydrothermal area. Look for the large sinter mounds of hot springs and…
Riddle Lake Trail
Hike through small mountain meadows and forests to the shores of a picturesque little lake. Look for elk in the meadows and…
Ribbon Lake Trail
Take a stroll out to Ribbon Lake, also passing by Lily Pad and Clear lakes.
Pelican Valley Trail
Hike through forests, meadows, and a river valley—all of which are some of the best grizzly bear country in the lower 48…
Osprey Falls Trail
Walk along an old service road through meadows before descending into one of the deepest canyons in the park to see Osprey…
Old Lake Road Bike Trail
The old roadbed near the lakeshore between Lake Hotel and where the roadbed joins the main road south of Lake Junction (1…
Old Faithful Lower General Store to Morning Glory Pool Bike Trail
The paved trail in front of Old Faithful Lodge runs all the way to Morning Glory Pool. Take this short, (2 mi.…
Observation Point Trail
Head up switchbacks to a commanding view of the Upper Geyser Basin.
Observation Peak Trail
Hike to a high mountain peak for an outstanding view of the Yellowstone wilderness.
Showing 18 of 88 NPS Things to Do records available for Yellowstone National Park.
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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. The current structure…
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…
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…
West Thumb Information Station
This facility is closed until further notice as of July 2026. A small facility at the start of the West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalks, where…
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).…
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…
Campgrounds
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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.…
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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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