Overview

Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park was America’s first national Park. Found in the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, YNP is a outdoor recreation destination attracting more than 3 million visitors each year. Here you will find a variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Geothermal attractions include Old Faithful and many of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Yellowstone Lake.

Location

Yellowstone National Park Headquarters
PO Box 168
Mammoth, WY 82190
307-344-7381

Directions

From Sun Valley, Yellowstone is about 260 miles northeast. Take Highway 75 south to the junction with Highway 20. Head east and continue on Highway 20/26 to Idaho Falls, ID. At Idaho Falls, take Highway 20 north to West Yellowstone, MT.

Seasons

Yellowstone National Park is open every day, all year. Temperatures vary widely in the park. Highs reach approximately 90 degrees in summer and 45 below zero in winter. Most Park entrances (except the North and North East) close in November for road maintenance and also in late March/early April to prepare roads for summer traffic. Internal park roads are only open to over-snow transportation during winter.

Activities Include

Geyser Viewing
YNP has more than 300 geysers. Check out famous Old Faithful, erupting about every hour and five minutes, as well as other geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin like Riverside, Grand and Beehive.

Morning Glory Pool is famous for its incredible colors resembling the morning glory flower. In the Lower Geyser Basin, visit the Fountain Paint Pots to see sputtering colored mud.

Wildlife Viewing and Photography
Watch for black bears, grizzlies, wolves, coyotes, antelope, moose, eagles, and buffalo, elk, big horn sheep, and trumpeter swans throughout YNP.

Hiking
Dress for unpredictable mountain weather, be prepared for wildlife encounters, and check with Visitor Centers and Ranger Stations for updated trail conditions/closures. Easy day hikes in Yellowstone National Park include:

• Old Faithful Area
  Fairy falls - 5 to 6 miles - easy
  Mystic Falls - 2.4 miles - moderate
  Lone Star Geyser - 5 miles - easy
• Grant Village Area
  Shoshone Lake - 6 miles - moderate
  Lake Overlook - 2 miles - moderate
  Riddle Lake - 5 miles - moderate
  Fishing Bridge - Lake Area
  Elephant Back Mountain - 3 miles - moderate/difficult
  Pelican Creek - 1 mile - easy
  Storm Point - 3 miles - easy/moderate
• Canyon Area
  Clear Lake/Ribbon Lake Loop 3 to 6 miles - easy
  Cascade Lake - 5 miles - easy
  Mt. Washburn - 6 miles - somewhat strenuous
• Mammoth Hot Springs Area
  Beaver Ponds Loop - 5 miles - easy/moderate
  Bunsen Park - 4 miles - somewhat strenuous
  Wraith Falls 1 mile - easy

Camping
Reserve a YNP camping site and get more information and camping regulations from Xanterra Parks and Resorts, operating campgrounds at Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Grant Village, and Madison. Other campgrounds include Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and Tower Falls and can be reserved on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations: 307-344-7901 (same day) and 307-344-7311 (future)

Fishing and Boating
YNP fishing season for brook, brown, rainbow and lake trout begins the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (usually the last weekend in May) and extends through the first Sunday in November. Anglers are responsible to adhere to Park fishing and boating regulations and permit/license requirements and should be aware some streams are closed to protect fish populations.

Snowmobiling
West Yellowstone leads to the YNP west entrance and approximately 180 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. Entrance fees to YNP start at $15 per snowmobile/day and riders are encouraged to contact Yellowstone National Park online or via phone at (307) 344-2107 for more information.

Snowcoach Tours
Popular snow coach tours travel through Old Faithful, Yellowstone Grand Canyon, and the Mammoth Hot Springs areas and cost about $100 to $255 per person, providing a fun, warm, safe transportation alternative.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Backcountry Use Permits are required for overnight ski trips and maps are available from Xanterra Parks & Resorts and YNP Visitor Centers.

More Information

Travelers are encouraged to check weather and road conditions/closures before and during travel to Yellowstone National Park:

• Montana Department of Transportation, 800-226-7623
• Wyoming Department of Transportation, 888-996-7623