As America’s first and most storied national park, Yellowstone stands in a league of its own as one of the premier destinations for adventures hoping to enjoy the trip of a lifetime. All told, Yellowstone occupies nearly 2 ¼ million acres of land in northwest Wyoming, which is a bit larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
As you’d imagine, there’s quite a bit of exploring to be had here at Yellowstone.
If you’re wondering how to plan a trip to Yellowstone, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’ll take a closer look at everything you need to know about the park, the surrounding areas, and the abundance of wildlife and natural beauty.
Yellowstone Basics
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty about this incredible national treasure, let’s take a closer look at some basic info about the park.
When is Yellowstone Open?
Technically, Yellowstone is open year-round for people to enjoy the park. However, you’ll quickly find that just because the park is technically open, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be able to enjoy each part of it at any given time of year.
The weather is unpredictable, to say the least, and during the winter months, the region is inundated with snow. During the snow season, many of the major roads in the park are closed to prepare for all the snow. These closures begin in early November, and roads typically stay closed until the middle of April, which is when snow clearing is finally complete.
Just because much of the park lies dormant during the winter, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to enjoy. Fans of snow sports live for winters at Yellowstone, when they’re able to ski or snowmobile to their heart’s content.
How Much Does the Park Cost?
Yellowstone offers a variety of different ways to enjoy the park, and they’re all affordable, especially when you consider just how much there is to see and do within the park.
For vehicles, the cost of admission is $35, and it’s valid for seven days from the start of your visit. So, if you stay a week at Yellowstone, your admission works out to $5 a day for your entire car. Visitors on a motorcycle or snowmobile pay $30, and Individuals without vehicles pay $20 for the seven-day pass.
For frequent travelers, the annual pass to Yellowstone is an incredible value. For $70, you’ll receive a yearly pass that’s good through the calendar month you purchased the pass in the following year. So, if you are buying an annual pass on July 1st, 2020, your pass will be valid until July 31st, 2021.
The annual pass is good for one admission if you’re on a motorcycle, snowmobile, or on foot. In a vehicle, your pass is good for you and three guests.
Children 15 and under receive free admission to the park, and schools and academic institutions are eligible for academic fee waivers, which cover the cost of entry to the park.
Yellowstone National Park also accepts the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Pass, which offers admission to over 2,000 different recreation sites and national parks. At only $80 for an annual pass, America the Beautiful Recreation Pass is a no brainer for all outdoor enthusiasts who want to explore everything our great nation has to offer.
The Parks Department also has several days each year where admission is waived at every national park in the country. The days are subject to change each year, so you’ll want to check out this page to stay up to date with when the parks are free.
Getting to Yellowstone
Before you can enjoy the sights and sounds of Yellowstone, you’ll need to get to the park! Regardless of where you’re located, getting to Yellowstone is fairly easy.
Many tourists choose to include Yellowstone as part of their road trip itinerary. If that sounds like you, chances are you’re well on your way to planning the best routes for your trip, so we’ll leave the driving to you.
For people who plan to fly into the area before heading out to enjoy the park, there are several viable options. In the Yellowstone area, there are three different airports that provide service near the park:
- Yellowstone Airport – West Yellowstone, Montana
- Jackson Hole Airport – Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport – Belgrade, Montana
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport – Idaho Falls, Idaho
Yellowstone Airport is the closest transportation hub to the park, and it’s only a few miles from the western entrance. Delta Airlines is the only commercial airline that flies into this airport, and there are daily connections to and from Salt Lake City, Utah.
Due to the unpredictable weather in the area, this airport is only in service from mid-May through September, so it’s only an option for summer trips.
Under an hour from the park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, you’ll find Jackson Hole airport, which is one of the most popular and scenic airports in the area. This airport provides daily flights throughout the country, with flights arriving from every major city in the country.
This airport is located in the middle of Grand Teton National Park, and the Teton mountains provide a gorgeous and dramatic backdrop. You’ll be hard-pressed to fly into a more beautiful airport, anywhere in the world.
Because this airport is situated inside a national park, parking for rental cars is scarce. So, if you’ll be needing a car, you should make a reservation as far in advance as possible to guarantee availability.
Jackson Hole airport is served by many major airlines, but most of the service is limited to the spring and summer. Year-round service for Denver, Salt Lake City, and Dallas/Fort Worth is available, with service from all other airports provided only during the shoulder seasons.
Just outside of Bozeman, Montana, you’ll find Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport, which is Montana’s busiest airport. This airport is also your best option if you plan on flying in outside of the summer and spring since the airport offers daily flights all year. The airport is about an hour and a half north of the north and west entrances of the park.
The final airport that’s close enough to Yellowstone to be a viable option is Idaho Falls Regional Airport in Idaho Falls, Idaho. This airport is the second largest in Idaho, and it offers service from Denver, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix, with seasonal service from Los Angeles and Minneapolis/Saint Paul.
Getting Around the Park
By now, you should have a good idea of just how expansive the park is. There’s fifty miles or more separating many of the premier attractions within the park, so it’s impossible to navigate without a vehicle.
The best way to see the park is in a car, or with a guided tour. There are plenty of different rental centers in the cities that surround the park, as well as all of the airports you’d be likely to fly into if you’d like to rent your own car. Otherwise, there are well over fifty different guided tours available from various companies in the area.
The Weather at Yellowstone
We’ll dive into what you can expect to see and experience at Yellowstone during each season, but first, let’s cover a bit about the weather in the park.
Most of Yellowstone is around 6,000 feet above sea level, and weather can change in the area at the drop of a hat. Even in the summer months, severe storms, high winds, and cold temperatures can swoop into the region at any time.
During the summer, temperatures usually hover somewhere in the 70s, and warmer days are common during the season. Even on a hot day, the park rarely gets above 85°F. At night, temperatures drop significantly, and it’s common for temperatures to drop below freezing at higher elevations.
In the spring and fall, temperatures can fluctuate greatly. If you’re lucky, you’ll enjoy weather in the 50s and 60s during these months, but it’s not uncommon to experience 30- and 40-degree days. You’ll see snow at higher elevations in the spring and fall, and nighttime lows regularly drop into the teens and single digits.
Winters at Yellowstone are harsh. The high temperature for much of the winter rarely eclipsed 20°F, and sub-zero temperatures are common. The lowest recorded temperature at Yellowstone was -66°F.
Snow is a constant during the winter months, and snowfall varies widely from year to year. On average, the region gets an incredible 150 inches of snow each year. Depending on the year, it’s not uncommon for the region to experience twice as much snow as the average, especially at higher elevations.
Since the weather is so unpredictable, even during summer months, it’s important to pack appropriately. Always have plenty of layers with you, and pack a heavy coat if you’re traveling to Yellowstone outside of July and August.
Yellowstone by the Seasons
There’s always something to see and do at Yellowstone Park, but the activities and sights you can enjoy will vary greatly depending on which part of the year you’re visiting the park. Below, we’ll break down what you can expect during each of the four seasons when you visit Yellowstone.
Yellowstone in the Winter (December–Early March)
Exploring Yellowstone in the winter isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you’re able to brave the frigid temperatures, snow, and wind, there are tons of exciting things to enjoy at the park during the winter.
Starting in December, road closures begin throughout the park. The only main road that remains open year-round is the road between the northwest entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs. By mid-December, the park’s interior roads begin to open to snow travel, so travelers can begin snowmobiling, skiing, or taking snow coach tours.
During this time, you’ll be able to see bighorn sheep on the park’s north side, trumpeter swans, and American dippers in rivers with open water, wolves in the Lamar Valley, and rime ice in the thermal areas.
Outside of the beautiful wildlife and the snow activities, winter is a great time for informative tours led by park rangers, or an overnight stay at Old Faithful. Yellowstone celebrates its birthday on March 1st, so it’s also a great time to join in on the birthday festivities.
Yellowstone in Spring (Late March–May)
As we get further into March, much remains the same at Yellowstone. Most roads are still closed for the season. The interior roads that were open to snow travel in prior months begin to close so that they can be cleared for the season.
By late March, there isn’t much opportunity to enjoy winter activities at the park, but it also ushers in the dawn of the warmer season, when the park becomes alive with an abundance of wildlife and tourists.
This time of year is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, as there are so many incredible animals to behold. Starting in late March, the grizzly bears begin to emerge from their slumber, wolves continue to thrive in the Lamar Valley, and many of the park’s birds begin to arrive back from their winter travels.
As we get further into spring, you’ll see bison, pronghorn, moose, and elk raising their calves, black bears emerge from hibernation, and wolf pups in the Lamar Valley emerge from their dens, and an abundance of wildflowers, like buttercups, shooting stars, and bitterroot begin to emerge.
By the middle of April, the main roads within the park begin to reopen, and they’re all fully operational as we get into May. May also marks the beginning of lake fishing season, which is one of the most wonderful times of the year at Yellowstone. As the weather warms up, so does people’s appetite for Yellowstone park, and you’ll notice it becomes increasingly crowded throughout the month of May.
Tourism doesn’t start to pick up in the area until around Memorial Day Weekend, so the late spring is usually a great time to beat the crowds while still enjoying much of what the park has to offer.
Yellowstone in Summer (June–September)
While Yellowstone offers so much to behold throughout the year, it all truly comes alive in summer, when animals and tourists alike flock to the park to enjoy the sights and sounds.
By the beginning of June, all services within the park are restored. Fishing season is in full swing, along with most boating services and campgrounds as well. By mid-June, everything is in full swing.
Beginning in June, bears become less visible as they retreat to higher elevations, but many of the parks other animals begin tending to newborns. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and elk give birth to their calves and begin raising them. The songbirds are in full song, the waterfalls are roaring throughout the park, and everything is vibrant and alive.
The only restrictions during this time are at the beginning of the summer when high water levels restrict access to many popular backcountry camping and swimming sites. By July, the water begins to recede, allowing access to more of the backcountry in the process.
Fishing enthusiasts are delighted to begin fishing in streams and rivers in addition to lakes, and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy water activities throughout the summer.
The summer is your best opportunity to enjoy all there is to see and experience at Yellowstone. Rangers lead an abundance of guided tours, and most of the park has gorgeous weather. Hiking and camping are in full swing, and while mosquitos begin to invade the area towards the end of summer, they’re pretty well contained, too.
August is the high season for wildfires, so smoke may obscure your views of certain points within the park, but besides that, summer is usually the best time to see Yellowstone National Park in all its glory.
The summer season is also by far the busiest time at the park, as people from all over the world flock to Yellowstone to see the park in all its glory. While you’ll still have a great time at Yellowstone when it’s crowded, it’s always nicer to enjoy the park when you aren’t elbow to elbow with fellow tourists.
You can steer clear of most of the crowds by getting your day started early, or starting your day late. So, arrive at the park by 7 am, or after 3 pm for the best experience during the summer season.
Yellowstone in Fall (September–November)
While the park is still in full swing at the beginning of the fall season, winter is quick to set in, and it brings with it road closures and harsher weather.
September is your last opportunity to take advantage of everything the park has to offer. By mid-September, Yellowstone Lake closes to boat traffic, and many of the campgrounds begin to close for the season in mid-September as well.
Starting in October, you’ll begin to see gorgeous fall foliage at lower elevations, and snow will begin to accumulate in higher elevations. The elk begin to rut, and the bears return from higher elevations to prepare for the winter. In mid-October, Beartooth Highway and Dunraven Pass close for the season, restricting access to much of the park.
Through October, there’s still plenty of opportunities for hiking and backpacking. Fishing season ends in early-November, and with it comes the remainder of road closures. By mid-November, the park is fully prepared for the winter months, and activity at the park is greatly reduced.
Where to Stay at Yellowstone
Inside the park, there are plenty of amazing accommodations to go along with several incredible campgrounds. There’s no shortage of great places to stay inside the park. But, availability can be limited during the busy season, so you’ll want to be sure to secure your stay as soon as you know your preferred dates.
All told, there are nine different lodges inside the park:
- Canyon Lodge and Cabins
- Grant Village Lodge
- Lake Lodge Cabins
- Old Faithful Inn
- Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins
- Lake Hotel and Cabins
- Old Faithful Lodge
- Old Faithful Snow Lodge
- Roosevelt Lodge
If you’re after a slice of Americana with your stay, Roosevelt Lodge, Lake Lodge Cabins, and Old Faithful Lodge all offer rustic cabin accommodations that are perfect for those looking to connect with nature during their stay.
If you prefer accommodations that are more closely styled to a luxury hotel, you may be better off staying at the Canyon Lodge and Cabins, Grant Village Lodge, Lake Hotel and Cabins, Old Faithful Lodge, Old Faithful Snow Lodge or Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins.
The Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins are open year-round, but the remaining lodges and cabins are closed from fall through early spring.
Beyond these options, Yellowstone also has a dozen campgrounds on the park’s grounds.
- Tower Fall
- Slough Creek
- Pebble Creek
- Norris
- Mammoth
- Madison
- Lewis Lake
- Indian Creek
- Grant Village
- Fishing Bridge RV Park
- Canyon
- Bridge Bay
Of these campgrounds, Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Grant Village, and Madison campgrounds are available for reservations, whereas the remaining seven campgrounds are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. None of the available campgrounds have sewer, water, and electric hookups except for the Fishing Bridge RV Park.
Unfortunately, that park is currently closed for renovations. But, it should be open by September 2020.
Beyond these campgrounds, there are over 300 campsites in the backcountry for those who prefer a little more adventure on their trip to Yellowstone. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with what permits or special requirements there are for camping in the backcountry.
Iconic Yellowstone Sites
There’s so much to see and do at Yellowstone. You could spend a month straight in the park and still wouldn’t be able to cover all of the incredible things to see in the park. If it’s your first trip to Yellowstone, you’ll surely want to make sure you incorporate these iconic sites into your itinerary.
Old Faithful
Perhaps the most famous attraction at Yellowstone is Old Faithful. This awe-inspiring geyser sends water shooting about 130 feet into the air with each eruption. As the name entails, Old Faithful is nothing if not predictable, and you can practically set your watch to the geyser erupting every 90 minutes.
Occasionally, the geyser erupts a bit early or late, so you’ll want to arrive a few minutes early to ensure that you’ll catch it in all its splendor. You can take in Old Faithful with other tourists around the perimeter of the geyser, enjoy an eruption from the dining room of the Old Faithful Inn, or take a hike out to Observation Point for an intimate bird’s eye view of the Upper Geyser Basin.
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
While it may not be quite as awe-inspiring as the actual Grand Canyon, it certainly comes close. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of the area’s most beautiful and popular attractions.
The canyon has been formed through thousands of years of erosion from water, wind, and other forces of nature. The canyon is the main attraction in the Canyon Village section of the park, and it’s also a popular hiking spot, with access to Artist Point and Lookout Point, which both provide breathtaking views of the canyon.
Grand Prismatic Spring
An attraction that must be seen to be believed, the Grand Prismatic Spring is the country’s largest hot spring at over 120 feet deep and 370 feet across. But, visitors don’t flock to the spring for its size, but rather, for its color.
The center of the spring is a characteristic deep blow, but the outer edges of the spring glow with rich red, orange, and yellow colors. The incredible colors are caused by the pigmented bacteria which thrive in the spring. The water’s temperature determines the color of the bacteria.
As you’d imagine, this is one of the most photographed areas of the park, so you should expect to contend with hordes of tourists during the busy season. Try visiting the spring later in the afternoon to avoid the crowd, since the area’s thick fog makes it difficult to enjoy during the early morning hours.
Hayden Valley
No trip to Yellowstone is complete without a stop at Hayden Valley, which is home to much of the diverse wildlife that inhabits the park. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, it’s common to see elk, bison, wolves, bears, and more in the valley.
While you can see the valley from the Grand Loop Road, you’ll have the best perspective from the Mary Mountain or Hayden Valley Trails. Bring a pair of binoculars so you can admire the wildlife up close without getting too close; park rangers recommend keeping a distance of 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other animals.
Final Word
Whether it’s your first trip to Yellowstone, or you’re a seasoned veteran, you should be well on your way to enjoying an amazing trip with the tips in this guide. Be sure to take your time and enjoy everything there is to see and do at this wondrous national park; it’s truly a once in a lifetime experience.