Yellowstone, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the United States, and the gold standard for national park lovers. Travelers come from all over the United States and the world to take in its natural beauty.
About Yellowstone
Established in 1872, Yellowstone has long been home to wildlife, geothermal activity, and stunning beauty. It is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, but extends into Montana and Idaho and is part of the South Central Rockies. The park spans 3,456 square miles, and is home to lakes, canyons, rivers, mountain ranges, and hot springs. Yellowstone Lake is one of the highest elevation lakes in North America and is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera, which is the largest super-volcano on the continent. Half of the worlds geysers and hydrothermal features are in Yellowstone, and lava from previous volcanic eruptions cover most of the park. It is famous for its wildlife and is a great place to see bears, wolves, bison, and elk.
How to Get There
Yellowstone is north of Idaho Falls, Idaho and south of Great Falls, Montana. From the east, U.S. 20 bisects Cody, Wyoming and continues west 53 miles to the east entrance of Yellowstone. The northeast entrance of Yellowstone is accessible from U.S. 212 via Cooke City, Montana. The north entrance is just outside Gardiner, Montana on U.S. 89. Yellowstone Airport is the closest airport, just 1 mile north of the town of West Yellowstone.
What To Do
Yellowstone has plenty to see, whether you are there for a quick visit or several days. Here are our top recommendations:
Grand Prismatic Spring-- This color spring is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world. It's the most popular landmark in Yellowstone, so be sure to get there early to beat the crowds.
Old Faithful-- This is the most famous (and most predictable) of the geysers in Yellowstone. It erupts around every 90 minutes, so you're guaranteed to see it with a little patience.
Upper Geyser Basin and Morning Glory Pool-- This is a beautiful area with a lot of walking paths that pass many geysers and thermal features. You can walk through the Upper Geyser Basin all the way to the Morning Glory Pool and see Castle Geyser, Daisy Geyser, and Grotto Geyser along the way.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone--- This the top rated place to see in Yellowstone. It's over 24 miles long, up to 4,000 feet wide, and up to 1,2000 feet deep. There are walking trails along both rims of the canyon.
Mammoth Hot Springs-- There are many trails to walk around in this area, taking you to Minerva Terrace, Palette Spring, Liberty Cap, and Canary Spring.
Yellowstone Lake-- This is a great place to take a boat tour, go fishing, or kayak. Several hikes can be accessed here as well, including the hike to Storm Point.
Grand Loop Road-- This scenic drive is one of the best things to do in Yellowstone. Yellowstone's main roads form an 8-shape that connect all of the must see attractions besides the Lamar Valley.
Lamar Valley-- This is the best place to view wildlife in Yellowstone, especially at sunrise. It is often called the Serengeti of North America. Our highlights were seeing bison and elk. It's in a more remote location, but it's worth the drive.
Mount Washburn-- This is one of the best hikes to do in Yellowstone, with stunning views from 10,243 feet and wildlife along the way. It is a strenuous hike that takes about 2-3 hours each way. You can hike from the Dunraven Pass (about 3.2 miles each way) or Chittenden Road Trail (about 2.5 miles each way). Chittenden Road Trail is easier, but Dunraven Pass has better views.
The park encompasses more than 900 miles of hiking trails, primarily managed as wilderness. Remember that most of the trails are more than 7,000 feet above sea level and are snow covered until late July. You can see all of the hikes here.
Where to Camp
Yellowstone has 12 campground and over 2,000 sites. Five of these campgrounds accept reservations, but the rest are first come first serve. Many campgrounds are closed throughout the year, so be sure to check in advance. You can see all campgrounds here.
If you have a larger budget, Yellowstone has 9 hotel and cabin style lodges. Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins are great options. Make reservations well in advance to guarantee your spot, and check and make sure the lodges are open at the time of your visit.
Costs and Fees
Entrance fees: The entrance fee is $25 per vehicle (read: not per person). If you plan on visiting multiple parks, we recommend buying the America the Beautiful annual park pass for just $80. If you visit just 3 parks in the year it pays for itself, and you're able to visit unlimited parks and re-enter as many times as you want.
Camping fees: Campsites can cost as little as $15 per night, and up to $35 per night. Lodges can cost over $300, but you can sometimes get a better deal if you book far in advance.
Tips and Tricks
Utilize the National Park website to get the latest updates and help plan your visit.
Bring in any food and water you want. While Yosemite has plenty of options and stores within the park, it's always good to be prepared.
You are in bear country! Dispose of everything away from your campground, and store all food in the car.
When you see wildlife, be sure to keep a distance. If you are close enough that it reacts to you, you are too close.
Dogs are not allowed on the trails in Yellowstone. Given the geothermal activity everywhere, it makes sense.
The summer months are the best time for visiting, with temperatures around 70°F during the day and cold to freezing temperatures at night at higher elevations. The spring and fall ranges between 30°F and 60°F during the day, and temperatures into the single digits at night. Snow is common during these months. Temperatures in the winter can range between 0°F and 20°F and sub-zero temperatures at night.
Leave everything better than you found it. Clean up after yourself your pets, and follow the Leave No Trace principle.
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