Rocky Mountain Region
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Welcome to Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, located primarily in Northwest Wyoming but extending into Montana and Idaho. Known for its geothermal features, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife, Yellowstone offers an unparalleled experience. On March 1, 1872 it became the world’s first national park and started America’s best idea.
Basic Facts
Address:
Yellowstone National Park
WY 82190
Operation Hours and Seasons:
The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. Seasonal road closures occur in winter.
Visitors:
Over 4 million per year (2022) – the fourth most visited National Park in the US
Entrance Fees:
Private Vehicle: $35.00 for seven days
Per Person: $20.00 for individuals entering on foot, bicycle, or motorcycle for seven days
Website:
nps.gov/yell
Map:
nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Additional Information:
For additional local information, visit yellowstonepark.com or yellowstonenationalparklodges.com
Getting there
Take US-191 North from Jackson, Wyoming to the park entrance and don’t forget to visit Grand Teton National Park on your way. The city of Cody, Wyoming is to the east of the park. Take US-20 (after you visited the Buffalo Bill museum). Coming from the West (e.g. Idaho Falls) take US 20 to West Yellowstone. If you come from the North, exit I-90 in Livingston, MT and take US-90 South.
Weather
Yellowstone National Park experiences varied weather throughout the year:
Spring (March to May)
- Temperatures range from 30s to 60s°F (0-20°C). Snow may linger at higher elevations; moderate temperatures ideal for hiking.
Summer (June to August)
- Highs range from 60s to 80s°F (15-27°C). Ideal for hiking and exploring the geothermal features.
Fall (September to November)
- Temperatures range from 30s to 60s°F (0-20°C). Crisp air and vibrant fall foliage.
Winter (December to February)
Highs in the 20s to 30s°F (-6 to 0°C). Snow is common, making it ideal for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Let’s dive into the various activities you can enjoy during your visit:
Hiking
Yellowstone National Park offers a variety – to be more specific more than 900 miles – of trails for all levels. Remember that many of the trails are more than 7,000 ft above sea level and many are snow-covered through late July. Plan accordingly and don’t forget that you are in bear country. Lastly, do not leave the trails. Taking shortcuts could lead to soil erosion and could be dangerous in hydrothermal areas as you might step on thin soil and plunge into boiling water.
Check the park’s website for any closures and pick your favorite trail(s) in any of the seven major areas:
- Mammoth Area
- Madison Area
- Tower Area
- Canyon Area
- Old Faithful
- Fishing Bridge/ Lake Village
- West Thumb / Grant Village
Here’s a tiny selection of trails you could hike:
Easy
- Old Faithful Geyser Loop/Upper Geyser Basin (Old Faithful): A 1-mile boardwalk trail around the famous geyser Old Faithful and other geothermal features. Most visitor just check Old Faithful’s schedule, park their car, walk to the bleachers, wait for the eruption, take pictures, and leave. There is so much more to see and there are other geysers which erupt frequently. You can certainly make this easy walk and several miles strenuous trail with memories that last a lifetime.
- Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces (Mammoth Area): A 1.75-mile trail through the travertine terraces. Mammoth Hot Springs is a Don’t miss!
Moderate
- Fairy Falls: A 6.7-mile round trip to a stunning waterfall (the park’s fourth highest). Visit Grand Prismatic Spring on your way.
- Elephant Back Mountain Trail. A 3.6 miles moderate uphill hike leading to a fantastic overlook of Yellowstone Lake. The switchbacks through the forest make the climb manageable, and the views at the top are rewarding.
Strenuous
- Mount Washburn (Canyon Area): A 6-mile round trip hike with panoramic views from the summit. Pick a clear day and you will be rewarded with distant views up to 50 miles.
- Specimen Ridge Trail: A long and strenuous 17 miles one way hike offering incredible views, fossilized trees, and a high likelihood of spotting wildlife. A shuttle is required for a one-way hike, or it can be done as an out-and-back for a shorter version.
Photography
Capture the diverse landscapes and geothermal features:
- Golden Hour: Soft sunlight enhances the textures and colors of the geothermal features.
- Geysers: Use the blue sky as backdrop and you will take wonderful pictures
- Night Photography: The clear skies are perfect for astrophotography.
- Wildlife: There are plenty of opportunities to take pictures of wildlife. Please keep a safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 yards from bison, elk, and all other wildlife.
You can also check the website of the Old Faithful Inn for guided photo safari tours.
Horseback Riding
Explore the park’s trails on horseback. Horses are permitted with some restrictions. Day-use only, confined to designated trails. Every horse needs a recent Coggins test. Check the park’s website for details: nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/horsebackriding.htm Guided tours are available inside and outside the park by private, licensed outfitters.
General Aviation
Fly into Yellowstone Airport (KWYS), about 2 miles north of West Yellowstone, Montana. It has one 8,400 ft runway 01/19 with 01 having an instrument landing system. Rent a car or arrange ground transportation to explore the park. Scenic flight tours offer aerial views of the park and surrounding areas. A fixed base operator offers both general aviation and jet fueling services. The airport also offers a complementary campground for general aviation pilot. While KWYS is the closest airport to the park boundaries, alternatives are Jackson Hole (KJAC) in Jackson, WY or Yellowstone Regional (KCOD) in Cody, WY. Keep in mind that these three airports sit around 5,100 – 6,500 feet. Density altitude is always a factor.
Important Tips
- Stay on board walks: People have been severely injured or even killed by falling into hot water or breaking through thin ground into thermal basin
- Weather: Be prepared for sudden weather changes, especially in higher elevations.
- Permits: Required for backcountry hiking and certain activities. Check with the visitor center.
- Respect Nature: Stick to marked trails and avoid disturbing wildlife. Don’t get too close to the furry cows. Yup, don’t let a buffalo gore you! The appear to be tame but are unpredictable and dangerous.
- Driving: Many visitors drive the 142-mile Grand Loop Road which will take you to a plethora of sight. Take your time, ideally 3-4 days to see everything. A one-day push might otherwise limit your time at each sight or you might skip some Don’t Miss. Obey the posted speed limits and watch for wildlife.
- Safety: Inform someone of your hiking plans and carry a map.
Remember, Yellowstone National Park is a unique and delicate ecosystem, so let’s all do our part to protect and preserve its natural beauty for future generations to enjoy. Have a fantastic adventure exploring the wonders of Yellowstone!
My personal experience
If you ask me what left a lasting impression, Old Faithful or Grand Prismatic Spring, I will answer Bison! Ever since my 6th grade English teacher showed us slides of his trip to Yellowstone, I wanted to see a bison out in the wild. The bison is the largest land mammal in North America and seeing these amazing creatures in the wild left me speechless. I was wondering how the West looked like when millions of them roamed in vast herds.
Yellowstone is the largest park in the lower 48, larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined. On my first visit, I made the mistake to plan too little time. Visiting all the geologic features, driving through the park, stopping for wildlife takes time – a lot. Didn’t make the same mistake on my next visit. If you have time, plan to visit Yellowstone for at least four days. I started my trips in towns close to the east and south entrances like most visitors. If you like it less crowded with people enter the park through the north entrance. The lake and canyon seemed to be less crowded than areas around the geysers, especially Old Faithful. I never stayed inside the park. Well, I had a peak inside the Old Faithful Inn. It’s gorgeous but comes with a steep price tag and sells out months in advance.
