At a glance
The world's first national park — supervolcano, geysers, hot springs, and America's largest bison herd.
Things to do: Arts and Culture · Auto and ATV · Scenic Driving · Astronomy · Biking · Mountain Biking · Road Biking · Boating · Boat Tour · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Canoe or Kayak Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
ParkAtlas, maintained by Stellaroos, combines its park and trail dataset with public information from the National Park Service. NPS data snapshot retrieved . Fees, access, and conditions can change; verify current details with NPS before traveling.
Popular trails
Curated routes with approximate round-trip distance. Tap one to log it in the app.In the app, tap one to log it.
Camping
Approximately 2150 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reservations are strongly recommended in peak season (June – September).
Best time to visit
Peak season: June – September. The park is open year-round, though some roads and facilities close or run reduced hours in winter.
Yellowstone's weather can vary quite a bit, even in a single day. In the summer, daytime highs can exceed 70°F (21°C), only to drop 20 or more degrees when a thunderstorm rolls through. It can snow during any month of the year, and winter lows frequently drop below 0°F (-18°C), especially at night. Bring a range of clothing options, including a warm jacket and rain gear, even in the summer.
Pack for Yellowstone
Four things worth having for alpine weather that changes by the hour. From the full gear list; links support ParkAtlas.
Black Diamond trekking poles
Knees on the descent will thank you. These collapse small enough for a carry-on.
See on Amazon →
Marmot PreCip rain shell
Afternoon thunderstorms are a feature of the mountain West, not a bug.
See on Amazon →
Smartwool Smartloft vest
Core warmth without the arm bulk. Lives in the car from October to May.
See on Amazon →
Entrance fees
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Vehicles must be private, non-commercial, and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.$35
- Entrance - Non-commercial Groups — Non-commercial group (e.g. church groups, scouts) traveling in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 or more people. Cost is per person. Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.$20
- Entrance - Motorcycle — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.$30
- Entrance - Snowmobile — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 snowmobiles with up to 4 total passengers.$30
- Entrance - Per Person — Entry for visitors on foot, bicycle, ski, etc., when 16 years of age or older.$20
Annual Entrance - Park: $70. An America the Beautiful pass ($80/yr) covers every national park.
Getting there
Nearest city: Jackson, WY. Park center: 44.420°, -110.590°.
Yellowstone National Park covers nearly 3,500 square miles in the northwest corner of Wyoming (3% of the park is in Montana and 1% is in Idaho). Yellowstone has five entrance stations, and several are closed to regular vehicles during winter. It takes many hours to drive between these entrances, so be sure to check the status of roads at the entrance you intend to use while planning your trip and before you arrive.
Coming from a big city? See every park near Salt Lake City or Boise.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit Yellowstone National Park?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $35. Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: $20. Entrance - Motorcycle: $30.
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone?
Peak season is June – September. The park is open year-round, with some roads and facilities on reduced winter schedules. Yellowstone's weather can vary quite a bit, even in a single day. In the summer, daytime highs can exceed 70°F (21°C), only to drop 20 or more degrees when a thunderstorm rolls through. It can snow during any month of the year, and winter lows frequently drop below 0°F (-18°C), especially at night. Bring a range of clothing options, including a warm jacket and rain gear, even in the summer.
Can you camp in Yellowstone National Park?
Yes — about 2150 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reserve ahead in peak season.
What is the closest city to Yellowstone National Park?
Jackson, WY is the nearest major city. Yellowstone National Park covers nearly 3,500 square miles in the northwest corner of Wyoming (3% of the park is in Montana and 1% is in Idaho). Yellowstone has five entrance stations, and several are closed to regular vehicles during winter. It takes many hours to drive between these entrances, so be sure to check the status of roads at the entrance you intend to use while planning your trip and before you arrive.
What are the best hikes in Yellowstone?
Popular trails include Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail (1.8 mi), Fairy Falls Trail (4.8 mi), Norris Geyser Basin Trail (1.5 mi), Mystic Falls Trail (1.0 mi). The park has roughly 1000 named trails.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.