Yellowstone National Park is a renowned national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho. Here are some key points about Yellowstone:
Establishment: Yellowstone was established as the first national park in the world on March 1, 1872, by President Ulysses S. Grant. It is widely considered the birthplace of the national park system.
Geothermal Features: The park is famous for its geothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. The most famous geyser in the world, Old Faithful, is located in Yellowstone.
Wildlife: Yellowstone is home to diverse wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, and more. It is one of the few places in the U.S. where you can see these animals in their natural habitat.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: The park features the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a stunning canyon carved by the Yellowstone River. The Lower Falls within the canyon is a major attraction.
Yellowstone Lake: This is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America and adds to the park’s scenic beauty.
Superintendent: The park is managed by the National Park Service, and it has a superintendent who oversees its operations and management.
Volcanic Activity: Yellowstone sits atop a volcanic hotspot, and the park is known for its caldera, which is a massive crater formed by a volcanic eruption.
Outdoor Activities: Visitors can engage in various outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, wildlife watching, and photography.
Seasonal Access: Yellowstone is open year-round, but some roads and facilities may be closed during the winter months due to snow. Summer is the peak tourist season.
Conservation: The park is dedicated to the conservation of its natural and cultural resources, and visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize their impact on the environment.
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Island Park is closest to the West Yellowstone entrance
Yellowstone is 2.2 million acres. You won’t be able to see all of it in just a couple days, so make sure to book a longer stay at one of our rental properties to enjoy as much of it as you can!
Hwy-20 and the park entrance can see rush-hour traffic of people going into the park in the morning and coming home from the park in the evening. You may get caught in a “wildlife jam”. We suggest getting out of the house as early in the morning as possible, and staying in the park as late as possible to help avoid some of the heavy traffic.
Friendly tip… it’s no fun sitting in a car stuck in traffic when you have to go to the bathroom. Encourage everyone in your group to use the restroom immediately before leaving your rental home. Even if they say they don’t have to go!
Informative
The official Yellowstone National Park website is super detailed and organized with all the information you should need. Plan your visit today!
Check out the Quick Overview Map to help you understand the layout and top sites of the park!
Immerse yourself in Yellowstone’s awesome Flickr account images!
Download the National Park Service app. Since cell reception isn’t reliable in the park, download the app and save for offline use before coming to the park.
Yellowstone has something to offer every month of the year.
A few of the prohibited activities in Yellowstone are drones, spotlighting wildlife (viewing with lights), and traveling off-road by vehicle or bicycle.
Need information on accessibility like audio/visual assistance or wheelchairs and mobility? Loaner and rentable wheelchairs are available.
Be bear aware! All of Yellowstone is bear habitat—from the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks around Old Faithful. Prepare for bear encounters no matter where you go.
Don’t forget the bear spray. You can rent or buy from multiple locations inside Yellowstone like the Yurt south of the Tribal Heritage Center at Old Faithful. Watch videos, practice with an inert can of bear spray (does not contain red pepper, capsaicin or capsaicinoids which allows you to practice firing without the risk to yourself or others), and get comfortable on how to use it before you ever NEED to use it! Remember to recycle the bear spray can when you’re done. (Bears can also be found in Island Park!)
Wonders abound in Yellowstone, though many come with an unfamiliar danger. Learn how to adventure through Yellowstone safely.
Bringing a pet to Yellowstone may limit your activities in the park. There are no kennels in Yellowstone and you cannot leave your pet unattended.
Review the Goods & Services to find out more on the four medical clinics in the park (only one is open year-round), limited cellular service, electric vehicle charging stations, locksmith service, etc.
Guided Tours
There is so much to see, why not let a professional that knows the area take you on an amazing guided tour! There's so many options to choose from, so why not pick a few?
Old Faithful Snow Lodge has the only bicycle rental in Yellowstone.
Taking the whole family on a bike ride through Yellowstone? Make sure you read and understand the regulations and safety information before bicycling in the park.
Check the Backcountry Situation Report for updates and a map. Fishing and boating season is closed through the winter and reopens the Saturday of Memorial Day.
Day Hikes
Yellowstone has over 900 miles (1,449 km) of hiking trails, and is primarily managed as wilderness. Day hiking does not require a permit.
Looking for a great souvenir or just need some basic supplies? Be sure to stop by the plethora of general stores and gift shops.
Wondering where to eat? Check out the full dining options to see where they are in the park, what meal they serve, and when they’re open throughout the year.
Kids & Educational
Ever wonder what Yellowstone National Park sounds like? Immerse yourself in the aural landscape of America’s first national park.
Start exploring now by virtually touring some of the main attractions around the park.
Yellowstone’s abundant and diverse wildlife are as famous as its geysers. There are nearly 300 species of birds, 16 species of fish, five species of amphibians, six species of reptiles, and 67 species of mammals—including seven native ungulate species and two bear species.
Check out some of the popular questions that visitors ask Yellowstone rangers.
Did you know that Fourth Graders and their family can get free access to Yellowstone?
Winter – Things to Know
Most park roads are only open to commercially-guided snowcoach and snowmobile tours. The road between the North and Northeast entrances is open to regular vehicles year-round. Island Park is near the West entrance. Our suggestion is to book a guided tour if you’re planning on visiting Yellowstone in the winter.
Park your vehicle in the town of West Yellowstone and cross-country ski or snowshoe right into Yellowstone National Park’s Riverside Ski Trail!
Bicycles including bicycles modified for oversnow travel, are prohibited on oversnow routes. Fires are not allowed in the backcountry during the winter. Check the Backcountry Situation Report for updates and a map. Fishing and boating season is closed through the winter and reopens the Saturday of Memorial Day.
The Non-commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program permits people to snowmobile in Yellowstone without the presence of a commercial guide. All snowmobilers must either be on a guided tour or have a current permit.
Learn how to #PlanLikeAParkRanger by following the top 10 tips for a winter visit! Restricted vehicle access and limited services make winter visits far different than a summer experience.
Need to fuel up your sleds? 6 of the 7 gas stations are open 24/7.
Many of the restaurants/bars are closed in winter, so be sure to check out the available winter dining options ahead of time.
Grab-n-go food or snacks are available at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge Geyser Grill, the Canyon Visitor Education Center Warming Lobby, and the Madison Warming Hut.
Lunch counter & groceries are available at Mammoth Hot Springs General Store.
Yellowstone has miles of trails for the adventurous skier and snowshoer. Though track is set only on a few trails, all unplowed roads and trails are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
