Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is America's first national park. Located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
The Basics
Hours:
Hours vary according to season and attraction.
Address:
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168
North Entrance - Near the gateway community of Gardiner, MT, the North Entrance is the only park entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year. November through April, the North Entrance provides the only access to Cooke City, MT. US Highway 212 east of Cooke City is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. The road from Mammoth to Norris is open to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through the first Sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third Monday in December to Monday of the first full week in March.
West Entrance - Adjacent to the town of West Yellowstone, MT, the West Entrance is open to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through the first Sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third Monday in December to Monday of the second full week in March.
South & East Entrances - Open to wheeled vehicles from the second Friday of May through the first Sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third Monday in December to Monday of the second full week in March.
Northeast Entrance - Near the gateway communities of Silver Gate and Cooke City, MT, this entrance is open year around for wheeled vehicle access to Cooke City through Gardiner, MT and the North Entrance. The Beartooth Highway is open from late May/early June (weather dependent) to mid October.
Climate
Yellowstone's climate is one of cold winters and moderate summers. Most of the park is above 7,500 feet and the weather is unpredictable. Be prepared for changing temperatures, storms and emergencies.
Private vehicle: $25 Snowmobile or motorcycle: $20 Foot, Bike, Ski: $12
Reservations
Reservations not necessary.
Picknicking
Picnicking in Yellowstone National Park
There are 49 picnic areas in the park. Fires are permitted only in picnic areas with fire grates. Charcoal grills may only be used in areas with fire grates. There are fire grates in the following picnic areas: Bridge Bay, Cascade Lake Trail, East Lot (Old Faithful Area), Grant Village, Nez Perce, Norris Meadows, Snake River, Spring Creek and Yellowstone River. Gas stoves may be utilized for meal preparation in any picnic area. Camping is Not Allowed in any picnic area. There is no water at any picnic area and most have pit toilets.
Outdoor Boating and Fishing
Boating
Private Boats
A permit is required for all vessels (motorized and non-motorized including float tubes) and must be obtained in person at any of the following locations: South Entrance, Lewis Lake Campground, Grant Village Backcountry Office, and Bridge Bay Ranger Station. Non-motorized boating permits are available at West Entrance, Northeast Entrance, Mammoth Backcountry Office, Old Faithful Backcountry Office, Canyon Backcountry Office, Bechler Ranger Station, West Contact Station, West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce and locations where motorized permits are sold. The fee is $20 (annual) or $10 (7 day) for motorized vessels and $10 (annual) or $5 (7 day) for non-motorized vessels. A Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device is required for each person boating.
Boat permits issued in Grand Teton National Park are honored in Yellowstone, but owners must register their vessel in Yellowstone and obtain a no-charge Yellowstone validation sticker from a permit issuing station.
Jet skis, personal watercraft, airboats, submersibles, and similar vessels are prohibited in Yellowstone National Park.
All vessels are prohibited on park rivers and streams except the channel between Lewis and Shoshone Lakes, where only hand-propelled vessels are permitted.
Rentals and Guided Boat Trips
Outboards and rowboats may be rented (first come, first served) from Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. Xanterra also provides guided fishing boats. Other commercial businesses are permitted to offer guided services for canoeing, kayaking, and motorized boating.
Fishing
Yellowstone National Park is managed to protect cultural and natural resources and outstanding scenery, and to provide for visitor use. Angling has been a major visitor activity for over a century, but preservation of national resources takes precedence.
Because of the increasing number of anglers in the park, more restrictive regulations have been adopted in Yellowstone. These restrictions include: season opening/closing dates, restrictive use of bait, catch-and-release only areas, and number/size limits according to species. A few places are closed to the public to protect threatened and endangered species, sensitive nesting birds, and to provide scenic viewing areas for visitors seeking undisturbed wildlife.
Catch and Release Restrictions
All native sport fish species in Yellowstone National Park are subject to catch-and-release-only fishing rules. The native species affected by this change are the Cutthroat Trout and its several subspecies, Montana Grayling, and Mountain Whitefish.
In addition to the catch-and-release-only fishing rules, the opening date of the fishing season on Yellowstone Lake has been moved to June 15.
Permits and Fees
A Yellowstone National Park Fishing Permit is required to fish in the park. Anglers 16 years of age and older are required to purchase either a $15 three-day permit, a $20 seven-day permit or $35 season permit. Anglers 15 and younger have two options: 1) Children 15 and younger may fish without a permit if they are fishing under the direct supervision of an adult who has a valid park fishing permit or 2) Children 15 and younger may obtain a free permit that must be signed by a responsible adult; with this permit, a child can fish without direct adult supervision. Fishing permits are available at all ranger stations, visitor centers, and Yellowstone Park General Stores. No state fishing license is required in Yellowstone National Park.
Non-Toxic Fishing
Because lead from fishing tackle concentrates in aquatic environments, tackle such as leaded split shot sinkers, weighted jigs, and soft weighted ribbon are prohibited. Only non-toxic alternatives to lead are allowed.
Yellowstone's abundant and diverse wildlife are as famous as its geysers. Habitat preferences and seasonal cycles of movement determine, in a general sense, where a particular animal may be at a particular time. Early morning and evening hours are when animals tend to be feeding and thus are more easily seen. But remember that the numbers and variety of animals you see are largely a matter of luck and coincidence.
Wild animals, especially females with young, are unpredictable. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife. Each year a number of park visitors are injured by wildlife when approaching too closely. Approaching on foot within 100 yards (91 m) of bears or within 25 yards (23 m) of other wildlife is prohibited. Please use roadside pullouts when viewing wildlife. Use binoculars or telephoto lenses for safe viewing and to avoid disturbing them. By being sensitive to its needs, you will see more of an animal's natural behavior and activity. If you cause an animal to move, you are too close!
Yellowstone also has a wide variety of plant life. In the spring and early summer, wild flowers appear in abundance. They are well worth viewing, and it is usually safer to approach them.
Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding in Yellowstone
Xanterra Parks & Resorts offers horse rides of one and two hours in length which are available at Mammoth, Tower-Roosevelt, and Canyon.
Guided stock trips into the backcountry (horse or llama) may be arranged with one of the stock outfitters licensed to operate in Yellowstone.
Private stock can be brought into the park. Overnight stock use is not permitted prior to July 1, due to range readiness and/or wet trail conditions. Horses are not allowed in front country campgrounds, but are permitted in certain backcountry campsites.
Xanterra Parks and Resorts rent bicycles at the Old Faithful location in the park. If you plan to bring one, remember it is subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles. Bicycling is permitted on established public roads, parking areas, and designated routes. Bikes are prohibited on backcountry trails and boardwalks.
Use extreme caution when riding on park roads; roads are winding and narrow while shoulders are either narrow or nonexistent. Vehicle traffic is heavy most of the time. There are no bicycle paths along roadways.
Safety gear, including helmet and high visibility clothing, should be worn by all bicyclists. During April, May, and June, high snowbanks make travel more dangerous. Road elevations range from 5,300 to 8,860 feet (1615 to 2700 meters), and services and facilities are relatively far apart--typically 20 to 30 miles (37 to 56 kilometers).
Motorists frequently do not see bicyclists or fail to give them sufficient space on the road. Drivers sometimes pass on hill crests, blind curves, or in oncoming traffic. Vehicles, especially motor homes or those towing trailers, may have wide mirrors, posing an additional hazard. Be careful.
Bicycling Routes
Several gravel roads are open to BOTH bicycle and automotive traffic. The Old Gardiner Road and Blacktail Plateau Drive allow two-way bike traffic and one-way auto traffic. These roads are best suited for mountain bikes. Please do not block entrance gates when parking at these locations.
Biker / Hiker Campsites
Camping for bicyclists is limited to the developed campgrounds located throughout the park. Campsites are available by reservation and on a first come, first served basis.
The distances separating campgrounds and the fact that the campgrounds typically fill early each day during the peak visitation season will pose logistical problems for the bicycle camper in Yellowstone. A limited number of campsites are reserved for hikers and bicyclists at all campgrounds with the exception of Slough Creek. Camping is not available at Old Faithful.
Bicyclists camping without a vehicle can use designated hiker/biker sites for $4 per individual per night. All other vehicle campsites range from $10 to $16 per night depending on the campground. Opening and closing dates vary considerably for each campground.
The following routes are restricted to bicycle and foot travel only:
Mammoth Area
1. The abandoned railroad bed paralleling the Yellowstone River between Gardner and the park boundary at Reese Creek (5 miles).
2. Mammoth Service Road beginning at the top of the hill on the Old Gardiner Road above Mammoth, northwest to the telephone station (1.5 miles).
3. Bunsen Peak Road (6 miles) and Golden Gate Service Road between Golden Gate and Joffe Lake (1.5 miles).
West Entrance Area
4. Riverside Trail from entrance to Barnes Road (1.4 miles).
Old Faithful Area
5. Fountain Freight Road is located 6 miles north of Old Faithful. Mountain bikes recommended (5.5 miles).
6. Daisy Geyser cut-off to Biscuit Basin.
7. The paved trail in front of Old Faithful Lodge to Morning Glory Pool. Bicycles are not allowed on the unpaved trail continuing beyond Morning Glory Pool to Biscuit Basin (2 miles).
8. Lone Star Geyser Road (just past the Kepler Cascades' pullout) from the Grand Loop Road to Lone Star Geyser (2 miles).
Lake Area
9. Natural Bridge Road near Bridge Bay (1 mile).
10. The old roadbed near the lakeshore between Lake Hotel and where the roadbed joins the main road south of Lake Junction (1 mile).
Tower Area
11. Mount Washburn from the Chittenden Road parking area to the summit of Mount Washburn (3 miles). Bicycles are not permitted on the trail between the summit and Dunraven Pass parking area.
12. Old Chittenden Service Road between Grand Loop Road and Tower Fall campground (2 miles).
13. Rose Creek Service Road behind the Lamar Ranger Station (1 mile).
Most of Yellowstone is backcountry and managed as wilderness; many miles of trails are available for skiing. Track is set only on a few trails. All unplowed roads and trails are open to cross country skiing and showshoeing. When skiing on unplowed roadways used by snowmobiles, keep to the right to avoid accidents.
There are dangers inherent in wilderness: unpredictable wildlife, changing weather conditions, remote thermal areas, deep snow, open streams, and rugged mountains with extreme avalanche danger. When you choose to explore Yellowstone, you experience the land on its own terms; there is no guarantee of your safety. Be prepared for any situation and know the limit of your ability.
Most trails are marked with orange metal markers attached to trees. Few streams have bridges. Parties venturing into the backcountry should carry a USGS topographic map and a compass and know how to use them. Even on a well-marked trail, it is easy to get lost in a "whiteout" or blizzard. Only skiers thoroughly familiar with the area should attempt off-trail travel. When planning your trip, get specific information on conditions from rangers at a ranger station or visitor center.
Park elevations with adequate skiable snow range from 7,000 to 10,000 feet (2133 - 3048 meters.) Skiers and snowshoers who live at lower elevations should take a short day or overnight trip to test their capabilities before attempting longer outings.
A Backcountry Use Permit is required for all overnight ski trips. Contact a park ranger at a ranger station or visitor center before you begin a ski trip-- whether for a few hours or several days. Some park areas could be open to skiing or snowshoeing on designated routes only during severe winter conditions to protect wildlife. Maps of these routes will be posted at trailheads, but check with a ranger before beginning your trip. Trip planning should include allowances for limited daylight, snow conditions, temperature extremes, and the number of people in the group, their experience and physical condition. Overnight ski and snowshoe trips during December and January are difficult due to short days, extreme temperatures, and soft snow. Learn as much as you can about winter survival. Talk with park rangers before you leave on any trip.
Choose skis and boots made for touring or mountaineering. Narrow racing skis won't provide enough surface area to break trail.
