Yellowstone NP Hiking
Map and Guide
Maps!
Yellowstone NP Hiking
Map and Guide
Go to Park DetailsThe 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.
Park Details
Location Information
Located primarily in the northwestern 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
Directions:
There are five entrances to Yellowstone National Park.
North Entrance: U.S. Hwy 89 from I-90 at Livingston, Montana
Northeast Entrance: U.S. Hwy 212 from I-90 at Billings, Montana or Hwy 296 from Cody, Wyoming
West Entrance: U.S. Hwy 191 from Bozeman, Montana or U.S. Hwy 20 from Idaho Falls, Idaho
East Entrance: U.S. Hwy 16 from Cody, Wyoming
South Entrance: U.S. Hwy 89 from Jackson, Wyoming
Transportation:
To Park:
Commercial airlines serve the following airports near Yellowstone National Park all year: Cody and Jackson, WY; Bozeman and Billings, MT, and Idaho Falls, ID. The West Yellowstone, MT airport is serviced from June to early September.
Bus service from Bozeman, MT to West Yellowstone, MT via Highway 191 is available all year. Bus service directly from Idaho to West Yellowstone is limited to the summer months. Commercial transportation from Bozeman, MT to Gardiner, MT is available during the winter and summer seasons. Commercial transportation to the park from Cody and Jackson, WY is available during the summer season. Contact local Chambers of Commerce for specific carriers and schedules.
Train service is not available to Yellowstone National Park. The nearest train depots are in southeast Idaho and northern Montana. Contact Amtrak for specific schedules.
In Park:
There is no public transportation service provided within Yellowstone
National Park.
AmFac Parks & Resorts provides bus tours within the park during the summer season. The Lower Loop Tour departs from locations in the southern part of the Park only. The Upper Loop Tour departs from Lake Hotel, Fishing Bridge RV Park, and Canyon Lodge to tour the northern section of the park only. The Grand Loop Tour departs from Gardiner, MT and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel to tour the entire park in one day. During the winter season, they provide several snowcoach tours from various locations. Please call (307) 344-7311 for information or reservations.
During the summer season, commercial businesses offer tours originating from Bozeman, MT, Jackson, WY, Cody, WY, and West Yellowstone, MT. During the winter season, some businesses provide snowcoach tours for most park roads or bus transportation on the Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City road.
Operating Hours/Seasons
Summer:
Season runs from mid-April to late-October. Once a road/entrance opens, it is open 24 hours. (Exceptions: road construction and weather-caused restrictions.)
Winter:
Season runs from mid-December to mid-March. The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, MT to the Northeast Entrance and Cooke City, MT is open to wheeled vehicle use year round. Only oversnow vehicles are allowed on other park roads.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Entrance Fees:
The entrance fee is $20 for a private, noncommercial vehicle; $15 for each visitor over 16 years of age entering by snowmobile or motorcycle; or $10 for each visitor over 16 years of age 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. Remember to keep your admission receipt in order to re-enter the parks.
Advance reservations are not needed to enter the park. Annual Area, Golden Access, Golden Age, and Golden Eagle Passports are possible alternatives to the above fees.
Annual Area Pass:
A $40 Annual pass for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks is available. It is valid one year from date of purchase.
Golden Access Passport:
This lifetime passport is available to citizens or permanent residents of the United States, regardless of age, who have been medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled. The passport must be obtained in person and is available at any federal area where an entrance fee is charged. Proof of medically determined blindness or permanent disability and eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law must be shown. The passport admits the holder and any accompanying passengers in a private, noncommercial vehicle to national parks and provides a
50% discount on camping and some other fees. When entry is not by private vehicle, the passport admits the passholder, spouse, and children. The passport is free of charge.
Golden Age Passport:
This lifetime passport is for U.S. citizens or permanent residents 62 years of age or older. A one-time fee of $10 is charged. The passport must be obtained in person
and is available at any federal area where an entrance fee is charged. The passport admits the holder and accompanying passengers in a private, noncommercial vehicle to national parks and provides a 50% discount on camping and some other
fees. When entry is not by private vehicle, the passport admits the passholder, spouse, and children.
Golden Eagle Passport:
This $50 passport is valid for one year from the date of purchase. The passport may be purchased at any federal area where an entrance fee is charged. It allows the permit holder and any accompanying passengers in a private, noncommercial vehicle to enter all federal parks which charge entrance fees. When entry is not by private vehicle, the passport admits the passholder, spouse, and children.
Commercial Visitors:
Commercial bus tours are subject to a separate fee schedule based upon the seating capacity of the bus.
1 to 6 seats -- $30
7 to 25 seats -- $45
26 or more seats -- $100
Backcountry Reservations and Permits:
Although permits must be obtained in person no more than 48 hours in advance,
backcountry campsites may be reserved in advance. Requests for reservations must be submitted by mail or in person. They cannot be made over the phone or by fax. Reservations are booked on a first come, first served basis. A confirmation notice, not a permit, is given or mailed to the camper. This confirmation notice must then be converted to the actual permit not more than 48 hours in advance of the first camping date. Details are provided on the
confirmation notice. The reservation fee is $15 regardless of the number of nights out or the number of people involved. The fee is not refundable. To receive the forms to make an advance reservation, write:
National Park Service
Attention: Backcountry Office
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.
Or you may call (307) 344-2160 or (307) 344-2163 to request forms.
Permits and Reservations Made Less Than 48 Hours in Advance:
Because only a portion of the approximately 300 backcountry campsites are available for advance reservations, you may choose to wait until you arrive in the park to reserve your site(s) and obtain your permit. The $15 fee applies only to reservations made more than 48 hours in advance of the start of your trip.
Where to Get Your Permit:
During the summer season (June - August), permits are available 7 days a week between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the following locations:
During the spring, fall, and winter seasons, ranger stations and visitor centers do not have set hours. To obtain a Backcountry Use Permit during these seasons, check the office hours posted at the nearest ranger station or visitor center.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Facilities and Opportunities
Visitor Centers
Exhibits
Self-guided Nature Trails
Road Conditions
Children's Environmental Education
Ranger-Led Activities
Lodging
Camping
Food/Supplies
Other Concessions
The Yellowstone Association
The Yellowstone Institute
Accessibility and Medical Services
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Backpacking
Bicycling
Boating
Cross Country Skiing
Day Hiking
Fishing
Horseback Riding
Picnicking
Wildlife Viewing
Visitation
Highest in June, July, August
Check at Visitor Centers for current information on road closures, weather forecasts, ranger-led activities, 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 at least two days or more if you wish to see most major park attractions.
Park Highlights
Visitor Impacts
Special Events Programs
Check at Visitor Centers while in the park.
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Glacier National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Additional Information
Chambers of Commerce: