Yellowstone National Park Guide 2025: America’s First National Park

This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know for visiting Yellowstone National Park in 2025, from witnessing the reliable eruptions of Old Faithful to spotting wolves in Lamar Valley and navigating the park’s extensive network of hiking trails. Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning to discover new corners of this geological wonderland, this guide will help you maximize your experience in America’s original national park.

Understanding Yellowstone: A Geological and Ecological Marvel

Before planning your visit, understanding the remarkable formation and characteristics of Yellowstone enhances appreciation for this natural wonder.

Geological Origins and Features

Yellowstone National Park sits atop one of the world’s largest active volcanic systems. The Yellowstone Caldera, often called a “supervolcano,” formed through massive eruptions that occurred approximately 2.1 million, 1.3 million, and 640,000 years ago. This volcanic activity continues to fuel the park’s famous geothermal features.

The park contains approximately 10,000 geothermal features, including:

• Geysers: Yellowstone contains about 500 geysers—more than half of all active geysers on Earth. Old Faithful, the park’s most famous feature, erupts approximately every 90 minutes.
• Hot Springs: These colorful pools, like Grand Prismatic Spring (the third-largest hot spring in the world) , get their vibrant hues from heat-loving microorganisms called thermophiles.
• Mud Pots: These acidic features with limited water create bubbling, gurgling mud pools, such as those found in the Fountain Paint Pot area.
• Fumaroles (Steam Vents): These features have limited water but plenty of heat, creating steam vents like those in Norris Geyser Basin.
• Travertine Terraces: At Mammoth Hot Springs, hot water rises through limestone, dissolving calcium carbonate and depositing it at the surface to form terraces.

For 2025, park geologists have noted increased activity in the Norris Geyser Basin, with Steamboat Geyser (the world’s tallest active geyser) maintaining its pattern of more frequent eruptions that began in 2018.

Ecological Diversity

Yellowstone encompasses diverse ecosystems that support an extraordinary array of plant and animal life:

• Flora: The park contains over 1,350 native plant species, from lodgepole pine forests to alpine meadows and sagebrush steppe.
• Fauna: Yellowstone is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states, including iconic species like bison, elk, wolves, bears (both grizzly and black), moose, and pronghorn.
• Aquatic Systems: The park contains more than 200 lakes and 1,000 streams, supporting native fish species like the Yellowstone cutthroat trout.

Yellowstone’s wildlife management has become a global conservation success story, particularly the reintroduction of wolves in 1995, which has helped restore natural ecological balance. For 2025, biologists report stable wolf populations with approximately 90-100 wolves in 8-9 packs, while the bison population remains robust at around 5,000 animals.

Planning Your Visit to Yellowstone National Park

Proper planning ensures a rewarding experience in this vast and popular park.

Best Time to Visit

Yellowstone National Park experiences dramatic seasonal changes that significantly affect visitor experience:

Spring (April-May)

Spring offers a transitional period with unique advantages and challenges:

• Weather: Highly variable, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 30-60°F (0-15°C). Snow remains common, especially at higher elevations.
• Wildlife: An excellent time for wildlife viewing, with newborn bison calves, bear sightings increasing as they emerge from hibernation, and wolves still relatively visible before summer vegetation growth.
• Crowds: Significantly fewer visitors than summer, particularly in April and early May.
• Accessibility: Roads begin opening in mid-April, with all roads typically open by Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting.

For 2025, park officials anticipate an earlier spring opening for the West Entrance to Old Faithful road (potentially by mid-April), weather permitting, due to infrastructure improvements.

Summer (June-August)

Summer is Yellowstone’s busiest season, bringing both opportunities and challenges:

• Weather: Generally pleasant, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 70-80°F (20-27°C), though afternoon thunderstorms are common.
• Accessibility: All park roads, facilities, and services are open, offering maximum access to attractions.
• Wildlife: Animals are active, though some (like wolves) may be harder to spot as they retreat to higher, cooler elevations.
• Crowds: The park experiences peak visitation, with potential traffic congestion, full parking lots at popular attractions, and longer waits for services.

For summer 2025, the park has implemented a pilot timed-entry reservation system for the Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring areas during peak hours (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) to manage congestion.

Fall (September-October)

Fall offers perhaps the most balanced visitor experience:

• Weather: Generally pleasant in September with increasing variability in October. Daytime temperatures typically range from 30-70°F (0-20°C), with freezing temperatures common at night.
• Wildlife: An excellent time for wildlife viewing, with the elk rut (mating season) in September and early October providing dramatic displays and vocalizations.
• Crowds: Visitation decreases significantly after Labor Day, with October offering a particularly uncrowded experience.
• Accessibility: Most facilities remain open through September, with progressive closures in October. Roads begin closing in early November.

For 2025, fall color forecasts predict exceptional aspen displays in the northern sections of the park, particularly around Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower-Roosevelt areas.

Winter (November-March)

Winter transforms Yellowstone into a serene snow-covered landscape with unique experiences:

• Weather: Cold and snowy, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 0-30°F (-18 to -1°C) and nighttime temperatures frequently falling well below zero.
• Accessibility: Most park roads close to regular vehicles. The road from the North Entrance to the Northeast Entrance (through Lamar Valley) remains open year-round, while other areas are accessible only via snowcoach, snowmobile, or cross-country skiing.
• Wildlife: Excellent viewing opportunities along the open road through Lamar Valley, with wolves, bison, and elk highly visible against the snow.
• Crowds: The park’s quietest season, offering a peaceful, pristine experience.

For winter 2025-2026, the park has expanded guided snowcoach and snowmobile tours, with new sustainable electric snowcoaches being introduced on a limited basis.

Entrance Fees and Passes

Yellowstone National Park charges entrance fees that help maintain and improve visitor facilities:

• Private Vehicle: $35 (valid for 7 consecutive days, includes all passengers)
• Motorcycle: $30 (valid for 7 consecutive days, includes operator and passenger)
• Individual (foot or bicycle): $20 per person (valid for 7 consecutive days)
• Yellowstone Annual Pass: $70 (valid for 12 months from purchase date)

For frequent national park visitors or those planning to visit multiple parks, consider these multi-park passes:

• America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 (covers entrance fees at all national parks and federal recreational lands for one year)
• Senior Pass: $20 annual or $80 lifetime (for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62+)
• Military Pass: Free (for current U.S. military members and their dependents)
• 4th Grade Pass: Free (for U.S. 4th graders and their families through the Every Kid Outdoors program)
• Access Pass: Free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities

Entrance fees can be paid at entrance stations or online through Recreation.gov. For 2025, the park recommends purchasing digital passes in advance to reduce wait times at entrance stations.

Getting to Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone’s remote location in the northern Rocky Mountains requires careful transportation planning:

By Car

The most common and flexible approach to reaching the park:

• From the East: Via Cody, Wyoming on US-14/16/20 (East Entrance)
• From the South: Via Jackson, Wyoming through Grand Teton National Park on US-89/191/287 (South Entrance)
• From the West: Via West Yellowstone, Montana on US-20/191/287 (West Entrance)
• From the North: Via Gardiner, Montana on US-89 (North Entrance) or via Cooke City, Montana on US-212 (Northeast Entrance)

The park has five entrance gates, each providing access to different regions of the park. The West Entrance is typically the busiest, while the Northeast Entrance sees the least traffic.

By Air

Several regional airports serve the Yellowstone area:

• Yellowstone Airport (WYS): Located in West Yellowstone, Montana, just minutes from the West Entrance. Offers seasonal service (typically June-September) from Salt Lake City.
• Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD): Located in Cody, Wyoming, about 50 miles from the East Entrance. Offers year-round service from Salt Lake City and Denver.
• Jackson Hole Airport (JAC): Located in Jackson, Wyoming, about 60 miles from the South Entrance. Offers year-round service from multiple major cities.
• Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN): Located in Bozeman, Montana, about 90 miles from the North Entrance. The largest airport in the region with extensive flight options.
• Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA): Located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, about 110 miles from the West Entrance. Offers service from several major cities.

All airports offer rental car services necessary for reaching and exploring the park. For 2025, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has expanded service with new direct flights from Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.

Park Entrances and Visitor Centers

Yellowstone has multiple visitor facilities that serve as orientation points:

• Albright Visitor Center: Located at Mammoth Hot Springs near the North Entrance, open year-round. Features exhibits on park history and wildlife.
• Canyon Visitor Education Center: Located in Canyon Village, focuses on the park’s geology and the Yellowstone volcano.
• Fishing Bridge Visitor Center: Located near Yellowstone Lake, focuses on the park’s birds and aquatic ecosystems.
• Grant Visitor Center: Located at Grant Village, focuses on the role of fire in Yellowstone’s ecosystem.
• Madison Information Station: Located at Madison Junction, a historic structure with information services.
• Norris Geyser Basin Museum: Located at Norris Geyser Basin, focuses on the park’s thermal features.
• Old Faithful Visitor Education Center: Located at Old Faithful, provides information on the park’s hydrothermal features.
• West Thumb Information Station: Located at West Thumb Geyser Basin, offers information about the area’s thermal features.
• West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center: Located in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, operated by the Chamber of Commerce.

For 2025, the park has completed renovations at the Canyon Visitor Education Center, adding new interactive exhibits on the Yellowstone volcano and its global significance.

Navigating Yellowstone: Transportation and Accessibility

Understanding Yellowstone’s transportation system is essential for a smooth visit, especially during peak seasons.

Park Roads and Driving

Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road forms a figure-eight pattern connecting major attractions. The full loop is approximately 142 miles and would take 4-7 hours to drive without stops. Most visitors explore sections of the loop rather than attempting the entire circuit in one day.

Key road information for 2025:

• Spring Opening: Roads begin opening in mid-April, with all roads typically open by Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting.
• Fall Closing: Roads begin closing in early November, with all roads except the North Entrance to Northeast Entrance road closed by early November.
• Construction: Major road construction is scheduled between Madison Junction and Old Faithful, with potential delays of up to 30 minutes during peak hours.
• Traffic Congestion: During summer months, particularly July and August, “wildlife jams” (traffic stopped for wildlife viewing) are common, especially in Lamar and Hayden Valleys.

For the most current road status information, check the park’s website or call the road information hotline at (307) 344-2117.

Public Transportation

Unlike some national parks, Yellowstone does not operate a shuttle system. Visitors must rely on private vehicles, commercial tours, or limited transportation services:

• Commercial Tours: Numerous companies offer guided tours of the park, ranging from single-day highlights tours to multi-day comprehensive experiences.
• Xanterra Parks & Resorts: The park’s primary concessionaire offers limited shuttle service between some in-park lodging facilities.
• Winter Transportation: During winter, guided snowcoach and snowmobile tours provide access to the park interior.

For 2025, the park is piloting a limited shuttle service between Canyon Village and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone overlooks to reduce parking congestion at this popular destination.

Accessibility Services

Yellowstone strives to make the park accessible to visitors of all abilities:

• Accessible Facilities: All visitor centers, most restrooms, and many lodging facilities are wheelchair accessible.
• Accessible Trails: Several boardwalks and trails are accessible, including portions of the Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalks.
• Accessibility Guide: The park offers a detailed accessibility guide available at visitor centers and on the park website.
• Service Animals: Service animals are permitted throughout the park, including on boardwalks (emotional support animals are not considered service animals).

For 2025, the park has added new accessible viewing platforms at Grand Prismatic Spring and improved accessibility at several picnic areas.

Yellowstone’s Major Attractions and Regions

Yellowstone can be divided into distinct regions, each offering unique attractions and experiences.

Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin

The park’s most famous area contains the highest concentration of geysers in the world:

• Old Faithful Geyser: Erupts approximately every 90 minutes, reaching heights of 106-185 feet with eruptions lasting 1.5-5 minutes. For 2025, predicted eruption times are posted at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center and online.
• Upper Geyser Basin: Contains about 150 geysers in one square mile, including predictable features like Grand, Daisy, Riverside, and Castle geysers.
• Morning Glory Pool: A stunning hot spring known for its vibrant colors, located at the end of the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk.
• Old Faithful Inn: A historic log hotel built in 1904, featuring a massive stone fireplace and soaring lobby.

For 2025, the park has implemented a timed-entry reservation system for the Old Faithful area during peak hours (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) from June 1 to September 15. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov up to 60 days in advance.

Midway Geyser Basin and Lower Geyser Basin

These areas contain some of the park’s most colorful and dramatic thermal features:

• Grand Prismatic Spring: The park’s largest hot spring and one of its most photographed features, known for its rainbow-like colors.
• Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook: A moderately difficult 0.8-mile round-trip hike offering spectacular aerial views of the spring.
• Excelsior Geyser: A massive hot spring that discharges more than 4,000 gallons of water per minute into the Firehole River.
• Fountain Paint Pot: Features all four types of thermal features: geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles.
• Great Fountain Geyser: A predictable geyser along Firehole Lake Drive that erupts every 9-15 hours.

For 2025, the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook trail has been improved with additional viewing platforms to accommodate increasing visitor interest.

Norris Geyser Basin

The hottest and most dynamic thermal area in the park:

• Steamboat Geyser: The world’s tallest active geyser, with major eruptions reaching over 300 feet. Eruptions are unpredictable but have been more frequent since 2018.
• Porcelain Basin: An open, barren basin with numerous small geysers and hot springs.
• Back Basin: A more forested area featuring Steamboat Geyser and other significant thermal features.
• Norris Geyser Basin Museum: A historic structure offering exhibits on the park’s thermal features.

For 2025, park scientists have noted increased thermal activity in Norris Geyser Basin, with several dormant features becoming active again.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Located near the North Entrance, this area features unique travertine terraces:

• Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces: Constantly changing limestone formations created by hot water rising through limestone, depositing calcium carbonate.
• Historic Fort Yellowstone: Former U.S. Army post now serving as park headquarters, with historic buildings and a self-guided tour.
• Albright Visitor Center: Located in a historic stone building, offering exhibits on park history and wildlife.
• Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel: Historic hotel offering accommodations near the terraces.

For 2025, the Upper Terraces Drive has reopened after being closed for thermal activity, offering vehicle access to additional viewing areas.

Tower-Roosevelt and Lamar Valley

The northeast section of the park, known for wildlife viewing and rugged landscapes:

• Lamar Valley: Often called “America’s Serengeti,” this broad valley offers the park’s best wildlife viewing, particularly for wolves, bison, pronghorn, and bears.
• Tower Fall: A 132-foot waterfall framed by dramatic volcanic pinnacles.
• Petrified Tree: An ancient redwood tree turned to stone by volcanic activity millions of years ago.
• Roosevelt Lodge: Historic rustic cabins and dining facility named after President Theodore Roosevelt, who camped nearby.

For 2025, the park has established additional roadside wildlife viewing pullouts in Lamar Valley to reduce traffic congestion during wildlife sightings.

Canyon Village and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Home to the park’s most dramatic canyon and waterfalls:

• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: A spectacular 20-mile-long canyon with walls up to 1,200 feet deep, showcasing colorful volcanic rocks.
• Upper and Lower Falls: The Lower Falls drops 308 feet (nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls), while the Upper Falls drops 109 feet.
• Artist Point: Perhaps the most famous viewpoint in the park, offering a classic view of the Lower Falls and canyon.
• North and South Rim Drives: Provide access to multiple viewpoints along both sides of the canyon.
• Canyon Visitor Education Center: Features exhibits on the Yellowstone volcano and the formation of the canyon.

For 2025, the South Rim Trail has been fully reopened following trail improvements, offering hikers spectacular views between Artist Point and Uncle Tom’s Point.

Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb

Centered around North America’s largest high-elevation lake:

• Yellowstone Lake: A massive body of water covering 136 square miles, with a maximum depth of 430 feet.
• West Thumb Geyser Basin: A unique thermal area on the shore of Yellowstone Lake, featuring lakeside hot springs and geysers.
• Lake Hotel: The park’s oldest hotel (1891), featuring colonial revival architecture and elegant ambiance.
• Fishing Bridge: A historic area where visitors once fished for native cutthroat trout (fishing is now prohibited from the bridge).
• Lake Butte Overlook: Offers panoramic views of Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Mountains.

For 2025, new interpretive exhibits at West Thumb Geyser Basin highlight the unique underwater thermal features in Yellowstone Lake.

Madison and the Firehole River Valley

The western region of the park, featuring scenic river valleys:

• Madison River: A premier fly-fishing destination formed by the confluence of the Gibbon and Firehole Rivers.
• Firehole Canyon Drive: A scenic one-way road featuring Firehole Falls and swimming area (open summer only).
• Firehole Lake Drive: A one-way side road providing access to Great Fountain Geyser and other thermal features.
• Madison Information Station: A historic structure offering information services during summer.

For 2025, the Madison area serves as a key junction for visitors navigating road construction between Madison and Old Faithful, with information staff available to assist with trip planning.

Activities and Experiences in Yellowstone

Yellowstone offers a wide range of activities for visitors of all interests and abilities.

Wildlife Viewing

Observing Yellowstone’s abundant wildlife is a highlight for most visitors:

Prime Wildlife Viewing Locations

• Lamar Valley: The premier wildlife viewing area, particularly for wolves, bison, pronghorn, and bears. Best times are early morning and evening.
• Hayden Valley: Excellent for bison, grizzly bears, and occasionally wolves. The valley is especially active around dawn and dusk.
• Mammoth Hot Springs: The developed area often hosts a resident elk herd, particularly during fall rut.
• Tower-Roosevelt Area: Good for black bears, particularly in spring when they feed on roadside vegetation.
• Fishing Bridge and Lake Area: Potential for grizzly bear sightings, particularly in spring when bears feed on spawning cutthroat trout.

Wildlife Viewing Tips

• Timing: Wildlife is most active around dawn and dusk.
• Equipment: Bring binoculars or a spotting scope. Most wildlife viewing occurs at a distance.
• Patience: Be prepared to wait and observe. Wildlife movement is unpredictable.
• Safety: Always maintain safe distances from wildlife: 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves, 25 yards (23 m) from all other animals.
• Guided Experiences: Consider joining a wildlife tour with experienced guides who know where to find animals and can provide high-quality spotting scopes.

For 2025, the Yellowstone Forever Institute offers new specialized wildlife watching programs, including wolf-focused tours in Lamar Valley and bear-watching excursions in spring.

Hiking and Backpacking

With over 900 miles of trails, Yellowstone offers hiking opportunities for all ability levels:

Day Hiking Highlights

Easy Hikes (under 3 miles, minimal elevation gain):

• Fairy Falls Trail to Grand Prismatic Overlook: 0.8-mile round-trip, moderate climb to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking Grand Prismatic Spring.
• Storm Point Loop: 2.3-mile loop along Yellowstone Lake, offering lakeside views and potential wildlife sightings.
• Trout Lake Trail: 1.2-mile round-trip to a beautiful alpine lake where otters are occasionally spotted.
• Forces of the Northern Range Trail: 0.8-mile loop near Roosevelt Lodge exploring forest fire ecology.

Moderate Hikes (3-6 miles or moderate elevation gain):

• Mystic Falls Loop: 3.5-mile loop featuring a beautiful waterfall and panoramic views of the Upper Geyser Basin.
• Fairy Falls Trail: 5-mile round-trip to a 200-foot waterfall (includes the Grand Prismatic Overlook).
• Elephant Back Mountain Loop: 3.8-mile loop offering panoramic views of Yellowstone Lake.
• Beaver Ponds Loop: 5-mile loop near Mammoth Hot Springs with good wildlife viewing opportunities.

Challenging Hikes (over 6 miles or significant elevation gain):

• Mount Washburn Trail: 6.4-mile round-trip from Dunraven Pass to a 10,243-foot summit with panoramic views.
• Seven Mile Hole Trail: 10-mile round-trip descending 1,400 feet into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
• Specimen Ridge Trail: 17-mile one-way trail (typically done as a shorter out-and-back) offering spectacular views and petrified forests.
• Avalanche Peak Trail: 4.7-mile round-trip with 2,100 feet of elevation gain to a 10,566-foot summit with 360-degree views.

Backpacking

Yellowstone offers over 300 backcountry campsites for overnight wilderness experiences:

• Permits: Required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov beginning January 1, 2025, for the upcoming season.
• Popular Routes: Thoroughfare Trail, Bechler River Trail, Sky Rim Trail, and Pelican Valley Trail.
• Regulations: Strict food storage requirements (bear canisters or food poles) and camping restrictions apply.
• Planning Resources: The Backcountry Office provides detailed information, maps, and advice for trip planning.

For 2025, the park has implemented a new online backcountry trip planning tool that allows visitors to explore route options and check campsite availability before applying for permits.

Fishing

Yellowstone offers world-class fly fishing opportunities:

• Permits: Required for all anglers 16 and older. Available at visitor centers, ranger stations, and many local sporting goods stores.
• Native Species: Yellowstone cutthroat trout, westslope cutthroat trout, and Arctic grayling are catch-and-release only.
• Prime Locations: Yellowstone River, Madison River, Firehole River, Lamar River, and Slough Creek.
• Regulations: Vary by water body. Some areas require barbless hooks and have specific season dates.

For 2025, the park has updated fishing regulations to further protect native fish populations, with some new catch-and-release only sections on the Lamar River.

Boating and Water Activities

Yellowstone Lake and other park waters offer various water-based activities:

• Boating: Permitted on Yellowstone Lake and Lewis Lake. Permits and boat inspections required to prevent aquatic invasive species.
• Kayaking/Canoeing: Popular on Yellowstone Lake, with rentals available at Bridge Bay Marina.
• Guided Fishing Charters: Available on Yellowstone Lake through Xanterra Parks & Resorts.
• Swimming: Limited to a few designated areas, including the Firehole Swimming Area and Boiling River (when open).

For 2025, the Boiling River swimming area remains closed due to damage from the 2022 flood event, with reopening anticipated for 2026.

Winter Activities

Winter transforms Yellowstone into a snow-covered wonderland with unique recreational opportunities:

• Snowcoach Tours: Guided oversnow vehicle tours to Old Faithful, Canyon, and other interior locations.
• Snowmobile Tours: Guided tours to various park destinations (all snowmobiles must be with commercial guides).
• Cross-Country Skiing: Groomed trails near Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower, and Old Faithful, plus ungroomed trails throughout the park.
• Snowshoeing: Excellent way to explore the winter landscape, with ranger-led programs available.
• Winter Wildlife Viewing: The road from Mammoth to Cooke City remains plowed and open to regular vehicles, offering excellent wildlife viewing.

For winter 2025-2026, the park has introduced new sustainable electric snowcoaches on a limited basis, offering quieter, more environmentally friendly winter transportation.

Accommodations and Dining

Yellowstone offers a range of lodging and dining options both within and near the park.

In-Park Lodging

Operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts, in-park accommodations range from historic hotels to rustic cabins:

• Old Faithful Inn: A historic log hotel (1904) with a spectacular lobby. Open early May to mid-October. Rates for 2025: $259-$589 per night.
• Lake Yellowstone Hotel: The park’s oldest hotel (1891), featuring colonial revival architecture. Open mid-May to early October. Rates for 2025: $269-$599 per night.
• Canyon Lodge and Cabins: The park’s largest accommodation complex with modern lodge buildings and cabins. Open early June to mid-September. Rates for 2025: $239-$429 per night.
• Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel: Historic hotel near the North Entrance, open year-round (except April and November). Rates for 2025: $249-$469 per night.
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge: Modern lodge open summer and winter seasons. Rates for 2025: $249-$469 per night.
• Roosevelt Lodge Cabins: Rustic cabins near Tower-Roosevelt. Open early June to early September. Rates for 2025: $119-$189 per night.
• Grant Village: Modern lodging near Yellowstone Lake’s West Thumb. Open mid-May to late September. Rates for 2025: $239-$329 per night.
• Lake Lodge Cabins: Rustic cabins with a central lodge building near Yellowstone Lake. Open mid-June to mid-September. Rates for 2025: $189-$269 per night.

Reservations for in-park lodging can be made up to 13 months in advance and are strongly recommended, particularly for summer months when facilities frequently sell out. For 2025, Xanterra has implemented a new cancellation policy requiring 30 days’ notice for full refunds during peak season.

In-Park Camping

Yellowstone offers 12 campgrounds with over 2,000 sites:

• Reservation Campgrounds: Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Grant Village, and Madison are managed by Xanterra and require reservations (available up to 13 months in advance).
• First-Come, First-Served Campgrounds: Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and Tower Fall are managed by the National Park Service. For 2025, the NPS has transitioned some of these campgrounds to a partial reservation system through Recreation.gov.

Campground fees range from $25 to $35 per night for standard sites, with Fishing Bridge RV Park (the only campground with full hookups) charging $85 per night for 2025.

Gateway Communities

The towns surrounding Yellowstone offer additional lodging options:

• West Yellowstone, Montana: The largest gateway community with numerous hotels, motels, vacation rentals, and restaurants. Located just outside the West Entrance.
• Gardiner, Montana: Located just outside the North Entrance, offering a range of accommodations and dining options.
• Cooke City, Montana: A small community near the Northeast Entrance, with limited but charming lodging and dining options.
• Cody, Wyoming: Located 50 miles from the East Entrance, offering numerous accommodations and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum complex.
• Jackson, Wyoming: Located near Grand Teton National Park, about 60 miles from Yellowstone’s South Entrance. Offers luxury resorts, hotels, and a vibrant dining and shopping scene.

For 2025, West Yellowstone has added several new hotels and vacation rental properties to accommodate increasing visitation.

Dining Options

Yellowstone offers various dining experiences within the park:

• Fine Dining: Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room and Old Faithful Inn Dining Room offer upscale dinner service with reservations recommended.
• Casual Dining: Canyon Lodge Dining Room, Grant Village Restaurant, and Mammoth Hotel Dining Room offer table-service meals.
• Quick-Service Options: Geyser Grill at Old Faithful, Terrace Grill at Mammoth, and Canyon Lodge Eatery offer fast-casual options.
• General Stores: Located throughout the park, offering groceries, snacks, and basic supplies.

For 2025, Xanterra has expanded plant-based and sustainable menu options throughout the park’s dining facilities, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients.

Practical Information and Tips

Essential information for planning and enjoying your Yellowstone visit.

Safety Considerations

Yellowstone’s natural environment presents various safety challenges:

• Wildlife Safety: Maintain safe distances from all wildlife (100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 yards from all other animals). Never approach, feed, or disturb wildlife.
• Thermal Area Safety: Stay on boardwalks and designated trails in thermal areas. The ground can be thin, with scalding water just below the surface.
• Altitude Considerations: Most of the park lies above 7,000 feet. Take time to acclimate, stay hydrated, and be aware of altitude sickness symptoms.
• Weather Preparedness: Weather can change rapidly. Carry layers, rain gear, and sun protection year-round.
• Hiking Safety: Carry bear spray on all hikes, stay on designated trails, hike in groups when possible, and make noise in dense vegetation or blind corners.

For 2025, the park has enhanced cell coverage in developed areas, but much of the park remains without service. Download offline maps and do not rely on cell phones for navigation or emergency communication.

Connectivity and Services

Yellowstone offers limited modern conveniences:

• Cell Service: Limited to developed areas like Mammoth, Canyon, Old Faithful, Grant Village, and Lake. Most of the park has no coverage.
• Wi-Fi: Available for a fee at most lodging facilities, though bandwidth is limited.
• ATMs: Located at major developed areas.
• Medical Services: Clinics at Mammoth, Lake, and Old Faithful operate seasonally. The nearest hospitals are in Cody, Wyoming, and Bozeman, Montana.
• Fuel: Available at Mammoth, Tower Junction, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, and Old Faithful. Prices are typically higher than outside the park.

For 2025, the park has expanded public Wi-Fi availability at Canyon and Old Faithful visitor centers to help visitors access trip planning resources.

Accessibility Information

Yellowstone strives to accommodate visitors of all abilities:

• Accessible Lodging: All in-park lodging facilities offer accessible rooms (limited quantity, advance reservations essential).
• Accessible Boardwalks: Many thermal areas feature accessible boardwalks, including portions of Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, and West Thumb.
• Accessible Viewpoints: Many roadside viewpoints and overlooks are accessible, including several at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
• Accessibility Guide: A detailed accessibility guide is available at visitor centers and on the park website.

For 2025, the park has added new accessible fishing platforms at Yellowstone Lake and improved accessibility at several picnic areas.

Sustainability and Responsible Tourism

Visitors can help protect Yellowstone for future generations:

• Leave No Trace: Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and minimize your impact.
• Wildlife Etiquette: Never approach or feed wildlife, which can alter their natural behaviors and create dangerous situations.
• Water Conservation: The park faces water shortages in some areas. Take short showers and reuse towels when staying in park lodging.
• Reduce Plastic: Bring reusable water bottles, which can be filled at water stations throughout the park.
• Transportation Choices: Consider carpooling, combining destinations to reduce driving, and turning off engines when stopped for wildlife viewing.

For 2025, Yellowstone has expanded its recycling program and installed additional water bottle filling stations throughout the park.

Connecting Yellowstone with Other Natural Wonders

Yellowstone’s extraordinary geothermal features and abundant wildlife make it a standout destination among America’s natural wonders. Visitors interested in exploring similar breathtaking landscapes might also enjoy Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, where the deep blue waters of North America’s deepest lake create a similarly awe-inspiring natural spectacle. Both parks showcase the dramatic results of volcanic activity shaping our planet over millions of years.

For those drawn to Yellowstone’s dramatic landscapes and diverse ecosystems, Zion National Park in Utah offers a fascinating contrast with its towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and desert environment. The diversity between these parks highlights the incredible range of natural environments protected within the National Park System.

Travelers seeking to explore more hidden gems beyond the typical tourist routes might find inspiration in Paris’s off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, where discovering local secrets and authentic experiences mirrors the joy of finding Yellowstone’s less-visited treasures like the Lamar Valley and Bechler region.

Conclusion: The Timeless Appeal of Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park stands as a testament to America’s conservation legacy and the foresight of those who protected this extraordinary landscape for future generations. From its otherworldly geothermal features and dramatic canyons to its abundant wildlife and pristine wilderness, Yellowstone offers experiences that connect visitors to the raw power and beauty of the natural world.

As the park continues to evolve and adapt to changing visitation patterns and environmental conditions, its fundamental appeal remains unchanged: the opportunity to witness nature’s wonders in their most spectacular and authentic form. Whether you’re watching Old Faithful erupt against a clear blue sky, spotting a wolf pack hunting in Lamar Valley, or simply absorbing the tranquility of a forest trail, Yellowstone creates memories and connections that last a lifetime.

By planning thoughtfully, practicing responsible tourism, and approaching the park with curiosity and respect, visitors in 2025 can experience the same sense of wonder and discovery that has drawn people to Yellowstone since its establishment as the world’s first national park more than 150 years ago.