National park · United States
Yellowstone National Park
Give Yellowstone 3 nights minimum and drive the figure-8: lower loop (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone) one day, upper loop (Mammoth, Lamar Valley) the next. Enter before 8:00 or after 16:00; midday parking at Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful fills. Go Jun–Sep for full road access, late May or September for fewer people.Give Yellowstone 3 nights minimum and drive the figure-8: lower loop (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone) one day, upper loop (Mammoth, Lamar Valley) the next. Enter before 8:00 AM or after 4:00 PM; midday parking at Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful fills. Go Jun–Sep for full road access, late May or September for fewer people.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
8,991 km² (3,471 sq mi)3,471 sq mi (8,991 km²)
approximate
Established
1872
Best months
Jun, Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 8,991 km² (3,471 sq mi)3,471 sq mi (8,991 km²)
- About 3,472 sq mi (8,991 km²), mostly in Wyoming, with portions in Montana and Idaho.
- Established
- 1872
- Best months
- Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Yellowstone, set aside in 1872, was the world's first national park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It sits on a supervolcano caldera and holds roughly half the planet's geothermal features: more than 300 geysers, plus hot springs, mudpots and fumaroles. It is also the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate-zone ecosystems left, with bison, elk, grizzly bears and reintroduced gray wolves. The park covers about 8,991 km² (3,472 sq mi), mostly in northwest Wyoming, with edges in Montana and Idaho.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1978Yellowstone National Park.
Size and age
8,991 km² (3,471 sq mi)3,471 sq mi (8,991 km²) · national park since 1872
About 3,472 sq mi (8,991 km²), mostly in Wyoming, with portions in Montana and Idaho.
Why go
- More than 300 geysers and about 10,000 thermal features — roughly half the world's total.
- Old Faithful erupts on a predictable cycle; boardwalk viewing, no hike needed.
- Grand Prismatic Spring and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are drive-up viewpoints with short walks.
- Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are among the best places in the lower 48 to see wolves, bison and bears.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecCaution
- JanMost roads closed; oversnow travel only
- FebSnowcoach/snowmobile season; very cold
- MarOversnow season ends mid-March
- AprMost roads closed for plowing; North Entrance open
- MayRoads reopen through the month; snow possible
- JunAll roads open; wildlife active; crowds build
- JulPeak crowds and peak lodging prices
- AugBusiest month; book lodging far ahead
- SepFewer people, elk rut, cooler days
- OctQuiet; some services close late in month
- NovMost roads close early November
- DecOversnow season starts mid-December
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BisonAll year · Lamar and Hayden Valleys; keep well back — they injure more visitors than bears do. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Gray wolvesAll year · Best at dawn and dusk in Lamar Valley; reintroduced in 1995. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Grizzly and black bearsApr–Oct · Carry bear spray on trails; never approach for a photo. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| ElkSep–Oct · Rut season; bulls are aggressive — keep distance. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Bighorn sheep and pronghornMay–Sep · Northern range and rocky slopes. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Jackson Hole (JAC)
Fly in, then drive north through Grand Teton to the South Entrance.
1.5–2 h
From Bozeman (BZN)
Rental car west on I-90/US-191 to the North Entrance at Gardiner.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From West Yellowstone (WYS)
Seasonal flights Jun–Sep, then a few minutes to the West Entrance.
10–15 min
Open the page →
From Cody (COD)
Drive west on US-14/16/20 to the East Entrance.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Idaho Falls (IDA)
Drive northeast via US-20 to West Yellowstone.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mammoth Hot Springs | Travertine terraces, park headquarters, North Entrance and Roosevelt Arch. | Open year-round by road from Gardiner. |
| Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin | Old Faithful, boardwalk loops and the largest concentration of geysers. | Open; visitor centre and lodges. |
| Grand Prismatic and Midway Geyser Basin | The park's largest hot spring, seen from a boardwalk and an overlook trail. | Open; parking fills midday. |
| Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone | Lower and Upper Falls, Artist Point and rim trails. | Open; short paved walks. |
| Lamar Valley (northeast) | Open valley along the road to Cooke City; wolves and bison at dawn and dusk. | Road open year-round to Cooke City from the Northeast Entrance; main loop roads close in winter. |
| Yellowstone Lake and Fishing Bridge | Lake shore, Hayden Valley nearby, boating and the lake's thermal features. | Open in summer. |
Sketch map
- 1Mammoth Hot Springs · Headquarters≈44.976, -110.701Map ↗
- 2Old Faithful · Viewpoint≈44.461, -110.828Map ↗
- 3Grand Prismatic Spring · Viewpoint≈44.525, -110.838Map ↗
- 4Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (Artist Point) · Viewpoint≈44.719, -110.497Map ↗
- 5Lamar Valley · Trail≈44.900, -110.250Map ↗
- 6Yellowstone Lake · Viewpoint≈44.467, -110.367Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle, 7 days | US$35 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; covers all occupants (check current NPS rate). |
| Motorcycle or snowmobile, 7 days | US$30 | vehicle | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Walk-in / bicycle, 7 days | US$20 | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | vehicle | Covers Yellowstone and other federal fee areas for 12 months. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
Boating permit or guide
Oversnow travel (winter) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$35
- US$30
- US$20
- US$80
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Yellowstone National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on boardwalks
- Thermal ground is thin crust over scalding water; off-boardwalk areas around geysers are closed.
- Wildlife distance
- Federal law: Stay at least 23 m (25 yd) from bison, elk and other large animals, and 91 m (100 yd) from bears and wolves.
- Drones
- Launching or operating drones is prohibited in the park.
- Fires
- Only in provided rings at campgrounds; campfires may be banned in high fire danger.
- Pets
- Not allowed on trails or boardwalks; must stay in a vehicle or be leashed in developed areas.
- Oversnow travel
- Winter access by commercial snowcoach or guided snowmobile only; daily entry limits apply.
Where to stay
In the park
Old Faithful and Canyon lodges
In-park lodges and cabins; book months ahead for summer.
Near the park
Gardiner, Montana
North Entrance town; motels and guesthouses, open year-round.
Near the park
West Yellowstone, Montana
West Entrance town; the largest cluster of motels and restaurants.
Near the park
Jackson, Wyoming
South of Grand Teton; a longer drive to the park but a full-service base.
Safety
Thermal burns high
Wildlife encounters high
Altitude and weather swings medium
Wildlife road jams medium
Distances and fuel medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic and Mammoth boardwalks are wheelchair-accessible.
- Many viewpoints are drive-up with short paved paths.
- Some canyon and overlook trails are steep with steps; check each trail before committing.
Visiting lightly
- Use the park shuttle or carpool where available; parking is the main bottleneck.
- Pack out all rubbish and never feed wildlife.
- Book in-park lodging early so gateway towns are not the only option.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Yellowstone National Park?
A private vehicle pass is about US$35 for 7 days in 2026 (check the current NPS rate); motorcycle about US$30 and walk-in or bicycle about US$20 per person. The US$80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers Yellowstone and other federal fee areas for a year.
What are the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park?
For short walks: the Old Faithful boardwalk, the Grand Prismatic Overlook and the canyon rim at Artist Point. For something longer: Fairy Falls (about 8 km, flat) or Mount Washburn (about 10 km to a fire lookout). Carry bear spray on any trail away from boardwalks.
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?
June to September for full road access, with late May and September the best balance of open roads and fewer people. July and August are the busiest. Most park roads close from early November to mid-April, when access is by commercial snowcoach or guided snowmobile only.
How many days do you need in Yellowstone?
Three nights is the practical minimum: one day for the lower loop (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, the canyon), one for the upper loop (Mammoth, Lamar Valley) and a spare day for wildlife or a longer hike. The figure-8 road system means long drives between stops.
Can you drive through Yellowstone in one day?
Yes, but it is a long day. The lower loop is about 145 km and the upper loop about 113 km; driving both plus stops easily fills 8–10 hours. Most visitors split it over two days.
Do I need a reservation to enter Yellowstone?
No timed-entry reservation is required as of 2026 (check before you travel, as pilot systems have been used in recent years). You do need a permit for backcountry camping, fishing and boating, and winter oversnow travel must be with a commercial operator.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go