Yellowstone
National Park

By Act of Congress on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park was "dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and "for the preservation, from injury or spoilation, of all timber, mineral deposits, natural curiosities, or wonders. . . and their retention in their natural condition." Yellowstone is the first and oldest national park in the world.

The commanding features that initially attracted interest, and led to the preservation of Yellowstone as a national park, were geological: the geothermal phenomena (there are more geysers and hot springs here than in the rest of the world combined), the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, fossil forests, and the size and elevation of Yellowstone Lake.

The human history of the park is evidenced by cultural sites dating back 12,000 years. More recent history can be seen in the historic structures and sites that represent the various periods of park administration and visitor facilities development.

Ninety-nine percent of the park's 3,400 square miles (2.2 million acres) remains undeveloped, providing a wide range of habitat types that support one of the continent's largest and most varied large mammal populations. Yellowstone is a true wilderness, one of the few large, natural areas remaining in the lower 48 states of the United States. Here, you meet nature on its terms, not yours. Park regulations exist for your safety and for the protection of natural and cultural resources. Please obey all park rules and regulations

VISITATION:

Visitation is highest in June, July, and August.

LOCATION:

Located primarily in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with portions extending into southwestern Montana and southeastern Idaho.

ADDRESS:

Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

 

TELEPHONE:

(307)344-7381
TDD (307)344-2386

 

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Summer: The season runs from mid-April to late-October.  Once an entrance/road opens it is open 24 hours.  The only exceptions are caused by road construction and weather-caused restrictions.
Winter:  The season runs from mid-December to mid-March.  The road for the North Entrance at Gardiner, MT to the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City, MT is open to wheeled-vehicle use year around.  Only over-snow vehicles are allowed on other park roads.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Summer: Daytime temperatures are often in the 70s (25C) and occasionally in the 80s (30C) in lower elevations. Nights are usually cool and temperatures may drop below freezing at higher elevations. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons.

Winter: Temperatures often range from zero to 20F(-20 to –5C) throughout the day. Sub-zero temperatures over-night are common. The record low temperature is –66F (-54C). Snowfall is highly variable. While the average is 150 inches per year, it is not uncommon for higher elevations to get twice that amount.

Spring & Fall: Daytime temperatures range from the 30s to the 60s (0 to 20C) with overnight lows in the teens to single digits (-5 to –20C). Snow is common in the Spring and Fall with regular accumulations of 12" in a 24 hour period.

At any time of year, be prepared for sudden changes. Unpredictability, more than anything else, characterizes Yellowstone’s weather. Always be equipped with a wide range of clothing options. Be sure to bring a warm jacket and rain gear even in the summer.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: Automobile access is available by many state and federal highways. Commercial airlines serve the following airports year-around: Cody and Jackson, WY; Bozeman and Billings, MT, and Idaho Falls, ID. The West Yellowstone, MT airport is open from June to early September. Other commercial transportation is available seasonally from Cody and Jackson, WY and from Bozeman, MT.

In Park: There is no public transportation provided within the park. Most visitors travel the 370 miles of paved roads in their personal vehicles. Concessionaires provide bus tours in the summer and snow-coach tours in the winter. Please phone (307) 344-7311 for details and reservations.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

The entrance fee is $20 for a private, non-commercial vehicle; $15 for each snowmobile or motorcycle; or $10 for each visitor entering by foot, bike, ski, etc. This fee provides the visitor with a 7-day entrance permit for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Commercial tours are subject to a separate fee schedule. Golden Age, Eagle, and Access passports are honored and provide free admission to the park.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Lodging and camping facilities:

Lodging:

Lodging in Yellowstone is operated by AmFac Parks & Resorts. Please call (307) 344-7311 for information about accommodations and reservations at the following locations:

Old Faithful Inn – open early May to mid-October

Old Faithful Lodge Cabins – open from mid-May to mid-September

Old Faithful Snowlodge – open from mid-May to early October and from mid-December to mid-March

Lake Yellowstone Hotel – open from mid-May to the end of September.

Lake Lodge Cabins – open from mid-June to mid-September

Grant Village – open from mid-May to mid-September

Canyon Village Lodge & Cabins – open from early June to the end of August

Roosevelt Lodge Cabins – open from early June to the end of August

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins – open from mid-May to early October and from mid-December to early March.

Camping:

Five of Yellowstone's campgrounds are operated by AmFac Parks & Resorts. Only these five campgrounds accept reservations. Please call (307) 344-7311 for more reservation information about camping at the following locations:

Bridge Bay Campground - open from mid-May to mid-September - $15.00

Canyon Campground - open from early June to early September - $15.00

Grant Village Campground - open from mid-June to early October - $15.00

Madison Campground - open from early May to late October - $15.00

Fishing Bridge RV Park - open from mid-May to mid-September - $27.00

Seven of Yellowstone's campgrounds are operated by the National Park Service and are on a first-come, first-served basis. During the height of the tourist season (late June through mid-August), these seven campgrounds are full by late morning so it is best to obtain a site early in the day. These NPS-operated campgrounds are located at:

Mammoth - open year-round - $12.00

Norris - open from mid-May to late September - $12.00

Indian Creek - open from early June to mid-September - $10.00

Lewis Lake - open from early June to late October - $10.00

Pebble Creek - open from early June to the end of September - $10.00

Slough Creek - open from late May to late October - $10.00

Tower Fall - open from mid-May to the end of September - $10.00

Food / Supplies:

There are restaurants, cafeterias, and/or fast-food grills associated with all of the lodging locations previously mentioned. In addition grills can be found in some stores not affiliated with lodging. A complete listing of dining locations within the park is available.

Supplies and groceries are available at Hamilton Store locations near all lodges and in other locations throughout the park. A complete listing is available.

 

Other Concessions / Opportunities:

Service Stations:

Yellowstone Park Service Stations offers gasoline at service stations in the following locations:

Old Faithful Lower Station - open from mid-April to early November

Old Faithful Upper Station - open from late May to late September

Canyon Village - open from late April to early November

Grant Village - open from mid-April to mid-October

Mammoth Hot Springs - open from early May to mid-October

Fishing Bridge - open from mid-May to late September

Tower Junction - open from early June to early September

Repair services are available at service stations at Old Faithful, Fishing Bridge, Canyon, and Grant Village.

 

Yellowstone Association Book Sales:

The Association works to the benefit of the park in two major ways. They operate book stores providing educational materials to the public in all park visitor centers. As a non-profit organization they are able to make large donations of excess proceeds to benefit the park in many ways. Annual donations to the park frequently exceed $500,000.

 

Yellowstone Park Foundation Support:

The Foundation's mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park. They are the only non-profit organization in the world dedicated exclusively to this purpose. During the last two and a half years they have raised more than $3.5 million to support projects and programs that were beyond the financial capacity of the National Park Service.

Accessibility:

The pamphlet, Visitor Guide to Accessible Features in Yellowstone National Park, is available free online and at all visitor centers in the park. For more information, write to: Park Accessibility Coordinator; P.O. Box 168; Yellowstone National Park WY 82190-0168.

 

Special Needs:

Medical Services:

Yellowstone Park Medical Services provides facilities at these locations in the park:

Mammoth Clinic is open year-round. Hours are typically from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Call (307) 344-7965

Lake Hospital is open from mid-May to mid-September

Old Faithful Clinic is open from early May to mid-October

Emergency medical services are provided by rangers on duty. Call 911 in case of an emergency.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES / PARK USE:

Visitors engage in widely varied recreational activities including backpacking, bicycling, boating, crosscountry skiing, day hiking, fishing, horseback riding, visiting park highlights, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Details are available on each of these subject areas by viewing our Expanded Website.

 

RESERVATIONS / PERMITS:

Campground / Lodging / Dining - Reservations are strongly recommended for all concession operated facilities. Reservations should be made as far in advance as possible. For reservation information, call (307) 344-7311. For listings, see Facilities and Opportunities above.

Backcountry Camping - Yellowstone has a designated backcountry campsite system, and a permit is required for all overnight stays. Refer to our Expanded Website for more information.

Fishing / Boating - Permits are required. See Fishing or Boating in Recommended Activities/Park Use above.

 

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Check at visitor centers for current information on road closures, weather forcasts, ranger-led activites, park regulations, and permits.  Visitors should keep in mind that, due to high levels of visitation, travel through the park can be slow, especially during July and August.  Make lodging and camping reservations as early as possible.   Yellowstone is large and its major scenic attractions are widely dispersed.   You will get more from your visit by limiting your travels to one or two areas if you have one day or less to spend in Yellowstone.  Allow a week or more if you wish to see most major park attractions.

 

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Pets:

Yellowstone National Park is a designated natural area where wildlife is free to roam undisturbed. Even while on a leash, pets are often disturbing to wildlife. For this reason, as well as others, pets are prohibited in the backcountry and on trails and boardwalks. Pets are permitted within 25 feet of roads, parking lots, and campgrounds but must be kept crated, caged or restrained on a leash not to exceed six feet in length.

Other Impacts:

Visitors can unknowingly have a detrimental impact on park resources. Information regarding impacts relating to thermal areas, wildlife, bicycling, and swimming can be found through this link.

 

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Visitor attractions too numerous to mention here exist near park boundaries. Our Expanded Website provides details about many of those attractions.

Learn about our Fifth Biennial Scientific Conference - Exotic Organisms.

Last Updated:Tuesday, 24-Aug-99 12:45:14
http://www.nps.gov/yell/
Coordinator: Tom Cawley