Top Attractions & Insider Tips for Yellowstone National Park

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Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, is famous for its stunning hot springs, bubbling mudpots, erupting geysers, and abundant wildlife. We’ve visited twice, and among all the national parks we’ve explored, it ranks as our least favorite due to the type of visitors it draws. It’s a highly popular destination, and even the park’s own newspaper advises packing patience. This comprehensive guide will help you hit all the major sights and then find ways to escape the crowds.

YOUR GUIDE TO YELLOWSTONE – TOP THINGS TO DO IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

WHAT WE COVER [ CLICK LINKS TO SKIP AHEAD ]

• Overview of the Park
• Visitor Centers
• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Tower-Roosevelt Area
• Canyon Village Area
• Fishing Bridge Area
• West Thumb Area
• Old Faithful Area
• Madison Area
• Norris Area
• Winter Tours and Activities
• Where to See Wildlife
• Best Backcountry Hikes
• Best Time to Visit
• Directions + Road Conditions
• Essential Tips for Your Visit
• Photography Tips
• Where to Eat
• Where to Stay
• What to Pack
• What’s Nearby

OVERVIEW OF THE PARK

First off, the park is enormous and can feel overwhelming given all there is to see. It’s the 8th largest national park in the US, covering 3,472 square miles with a low elevation of 5,282 feet and a high elevation of 11,358 feet. There are over 900 miles of trails, and 80% of the park is forested.

Most of the park lies in the northeast corner of Wyoming, stretching into Idaho and Montana. There are 5 entrances, and once inside, the roads form a large figure 8. To help you navigate, we’ll highlight each major area and share what we found worthwhile.

If you want a more detailed map, here’s one from NPS.

We’ll be writing more detailed guides on each area of the park.

VISITOR CENTERS

We always begin our park visit at one of the Visitor Centers. There you can learn about current conditions and get advice from rangers on how to best spend your time. They are typically open from late May to early October unless noted otherwise. Hours vary by location and season (see them here).

• Albright (Mammoth) Visitor Center (open year-round)
• Canyon Visitor Education Center (open late April to early November)
• Fishing Bridge Visitor Center & Trailside Museum
• Grant Visitor Center
• Madison Information Station and Trailside Museum
• Museum of the National Park Ranger (open late May to late September)
• Norris Geyser Basin Museum and Information Station
• Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
• West Thumb Information Station
• West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (open year-round)

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS AREA

Although you can start exploring from whichever entrance you use, this guide begins at the northeast corner and moves clockwise. Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the park’s most popular areas, known for its iconic terraces.

Highlights

• Albright Visitor Center – originally quarters for single Army officers, now a place to learn about Yellowstone’s history and wildlife.
• Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces – walk along boardwalks and stairs through constantly changing hydrothermal terraces. The springs are colorful when active and white when dry. Features include: Opal Terrace, Liberty Cap, Hymen Terrace, Devil’s Thumb, Minerva Terrace, Palette Spring, Cleopatra Terrace, New Blue Spring, Main Terrace, Canary Spring, Cupid Spring, Grassy Spring, Dryad Spring, Mound Terrace, Jupiter Terrace, and Reservoir Springs.
• Upper Terrace Drive – a 1.5-mile paved road. It wasn’t as scenic as we were told, but it’s not crowded and offers views of Prospect Terrace, New Highland Terrace, Orange Spring Mound, Bath Lake, White Elephant Back Terrace, and Angel Terrace. The Horse Corral parking area gives a view of Fort Yellowstone and Canary Springs.
• Historic Fort Yellowstone – take a tour of this 1800s wilderness outpost used to manage poaching, vandalism, and squatters.
• Heritage and Research Center – a few miles from Mammoth Hot Springs, this state-of-the-art facility houses Yellowstone’s museum collection, archives, library, and archaeology lab.
• Old Gardiner Road – a dirt road for driving, cycling, hiking, and cross-country skiing that offers scenery and views of the Yellowstone River. You can spot elk, bison, and antelope here.
• Roosevelt Arch – a beautiful stone arch at the North Entrance dedicated to the president famous for his conservation efforts.
• Boiling River – take a dip in this secret (but not-so-secret) spot where boiling hot spring water meets cool river water, creating a perfect temperature. It can get very crowded.
• Undine Falls – upper and lower falls of Lava Creek, a quick stop worth making.

Popular Day Hikes

• Beaver Ponds Loop (5 miles RT, 3-4 hours, moderately strenuous)
• Bunsen Peak (4.6 miles RT, 2-3 hours, △1,300 feet, moderately strenuous) – tallest mountain in the Gallatin Range
• Lava Creek (8.5 miles RT, 2-3 hours, moderately strenuous)
• Rescue Creek (16 miles RT, 8-12 hours, strenuous)
• Sepulcher Mountain (11 miles RT, 6-8 hours, △3,400 feet, strenuous)
• Wraith Falls (1 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy) – 90-foot cascades

TOWER-ROOSEVELT AREA

The Tower-Roosevelt Area holds special significance because Thomas Moran’s paintings of Tower Falls and Calcite Springs Overlook played a key role in Yellowstone’s establishment as a national park in 1872.

Highlights

• Blacktail Plateau Drive – a 6-mile scenic one-way drive through Elk Creek Gorge, partly paved and partly gravel. Avoid if it has rained recently. It’s a popular area for spotting black bears. We drove it three times on different days and unfortunately didn’t see any.
• Petrified Tree – Specimen Ridge has the largest concentration of petrified trees in the world.
• Roosevelt Lodge – built in 1920.
• Calcite Springs Overlook – a short walk to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone at its narrowest point, a 132-foot waterfall, and basalt columns.
• Tower Fall – a 132-foot waterfall documented since the 1800s.
• Lamar Buffalo Ranch – a historic ranch originally built to increase bison herd sizes.
• Lamar Valley – one of the most popular spots for wildlife viewing. We only saw pronghorn and distant wolves through binoculars, but you can also find bison, black bears, bighorn sheep, elk, grizzlies, and mule deer.

Popular Day Hikes

• Garnet Hill Loop (7.6 miles RT, 4-5 hours, moderate)
• Hellroaring (6.2 miles RT, 3-4 hours, strenuous)
• Lost Lake Loop (2.8 miles RT, 1-2 hours, △300 feet, moderate)
• Slough Creek (to First Meadow: 3.4 miles RT, 2-5 hours, moderate)
• Trout Lake (1.2 miles RT, 0.5-1.5 hours, moderate) – see river otters, cutthroat trout, and waterfowl
• Yellowstone River Picnic Area (3.7 miles RT, 2-3 hours, moderate)

CANYON VILLAGE AREA

This area is known as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It’s roughly 20 miles long and features one of the most popular day hikes, plus stunning views of waterfalls and wildlife.

Highlights

• Canyon Visitor Education Center – learn about the supervolcano, geysers, and hot springs at Yellowstone.
• North Rim Drive – many pullouts to see the canyon. Viewpoints include Lookout Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point to see Lower Falls of the Yellowstone.
• Lower Falls – the larger of the two falls, a 308-foot beauty visible from Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, Artist Point, Brink and Lower Falls Trail, South Rim Trail, and Uncle Tom’s Trail.
• South Rim Drive – leads to Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point.
• Artist’s Point – one of the park’s most popular spots, offering a great view of the canyon.
• Upper Falls – at 109 feet, see the falls from Upper Falls Trail.
• Mount Washburn Hike – hike to the 10,243-foot peak for panoramic views and look for bears along the hillsides.
• Chittenden Road – a short drive up to a great view near Mount Washburn.
• Hayden Valley – see grizzly bears, bald eagles, bison, black bears, elk, and wolves.

Popular Day Hikes

• Cascade Lake (5 miles RT, 2.5-3.5 hours, easy) – grizzly habitat
• Grebe Lake (6.2 miles RT, 3-4 hours, moderately easy)
• Observation Peak (9.6 miles, 5 hours, △1,400 feet, strenuous)
• Ribbon Lake Loop (5.8 miles RT, 3-4 hours, moderately easy)
• Seven Mile Hole (10 miles, 5-8 hours, strenuous) – starts at Glacier Boulder.
• Mount Washburn (from Dunraven Pass: 6 miles RT, 3-6 hours, △1,343 feet, strenuous || from Chittenden Road: 5 miles RT, 2.5-4 hours, △1,393 feet, strenuous)
• Uncle Tom’s Trail (0.7 mile RT, 1-2 hours, △275, moderate) – great spot to see Lower Falls.

FISHING BRIDGE AREA

The Fishing Bridge area includes Lake Village and Bridge Bay. As the name suggests, it was historically a popular fishing spot, but now that fishing is no longer allowed, it’s become a place to watch fish instead. Check out the bubbling sounds and smells of mud pots and fumaroles. This was one of the least exciting parts of the park for us, but it was also a good place to escape the crowds.

Highlights

• Fishing Bridge – watch fish and see the bridge built in 1937.
• Yellowstone Lake – a 136-square-mile basin part of the large caldera left by a massive volcanic eruption.
• Mud Volcano & Sulphur Caldron – check out mudpots and fumaroles (steam vents). We also saw a cute group of short-tailed weasels here.
• Pelican Valley – another great spot for wildlife viewing, with hopes to spot grizzly bears, bison, elk, and more.
• Natural Bridge – a short hike to a beautiful natural bridge.

Popular Day Hikes

• Avalanche Peak (4.2 miles RT, 3-4 hours, △2,100 feet, extremely strenuous)
• Elephant Back Mountain (3.5 miles RT, 1.5-2.5 hours, △800 feet, moderately strenuous) – panorama of Yellowstone Lake
• Natural Bridge (2.5 miles RT, 1-2 hours, easy)
• Pelican Creek (0.6 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy)
• Pelican Valley (6.2 miles RT, 3-4 hours, moderately easy)
• Storm Point (2.3 miles RT, 1-2 hours, easy)

WEST THUMB AREA

The West Thumb area is home to the largest geyser basin on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. There are numerous hydrothermal features and even some underwater geysers. You can explore via boardwalks or take a guided kayaking trip. This was my personal favorite area of the park. It was moderately trafficked compared to other areas and had beautiful blue hot springs.

Highlights

• West Thumb Geyser Basin – hydrothermal features along Yellowstone Lake. What you see: Fumaroles, Twin Geysers, Hillside Geyser, Abyss Pool, Black Pool, Big Cone Fishing Cone, Lakeshore Geyser, Lakeside Spring, Seismograph and Bluebell Pools, Thumb Paint Pots, Surging Spring, Collapsing Pool, Ledge Spring, Percolating Spring, Thumb Geyser, Perforated Pool, Ephedra Spring, and Blue Funnel Spring.
• Grant Village Visitor Center – learn about the role fire has played in shaping the park.
• Shoshone Lake – the second largest lake in Yellowstone.
• Snake River – originates in Yellowstone and continues through Grand Teton National Park.

Popular Day Hikes

• Duck Lake (0.8 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy)
• Lake Overlook (1.5 miles RT, 1 hour, △400, moderately strenuous)
• Riddle Lake (4.8 miles, 2-3 hours, easy)
• Shoshone Lake (5.8 miles RT, 2-3 hours, easy)
• Yellowstone Lake Overlook (1.5 miles RT, 1-2 hours, moderately strenuous)
• West Thumb Geyser Basin (0.6 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy)

OLD FAITHFUL AREA

This area is easily the most crowded part of the park, with two of the most popular attractions: Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring. There are three main geyser basins: Upper, Midway, and Lower.

photo right: James St John

Highlights

• Upper Geyser Basin has the largest concentration of fragile features in the park (150 hydrothermal features in one square mile), including Old Faithful, Beehive Geyser, Castle, Grand, Daisy, and Riverside, Morning Glory Pool, and more.
• Old Faithful Visitor Center, Upper Geyser Basin – learn about the geology of this amazing geyser and find out when to expect its eruption (usually between 60-110 minutes apart; see prediction times here).
• Old Faithful Inn, Upper Geyser Basin – built in 1903-4, it is one of the last remaining log hotels in the US.
• Midway Geyser Basin – Yellowstone’s largest hot spring, Grand Prismatic Spring.
• Lower Geyser Basin – Fountain Paint Pots and Great Fountain (which erupts only twice a day within a 2-hour window).
• Lone Star Geyser – erupts every three hours and, being a bit off the main boardwalks, is typically less crowded.

Popular Day Hikes

• Fairy Falls (5 miles RT, 2-4 hours, easy) – a tall skinny waterfall with a great view of Grand Prismatic Spring.
• Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook (1.2 miles RT, 0.5-1.5 hours, easy)
• Lone Star Geyser (4.8 miles RT, 2-3 hours, easy)
• Mallard Lake (6.8 miles RT, 4-6 hours, moderate-difficult)
• Mystic Falls (2.4 miles RT, 1.5-2.5 hours, moderate-difficult)
• Observation Point (1.6 miles RT, 1-2 hours, △160 feet, difficult)

MADISON AREA

Artist Paintpots and Firehole Falls both fall in the Madison Area. There are plenty of short, easy hikes to check out, and even a swimming area that’s popular on hot summer days.

Highlights

• Artist Paintpots – a small thermal area with colorful hot springs, mudpots, and a section of burned forest.
• Gibbon Falls – an 84-foot cascading waterfall.
• Madison Information Station – a National Historic Landmark from 1929-30, now a Yellowstone Forever bookstore.
• Monument Geyser Basin – dormant thermos-bottle-shaped geyser cones.
• Terrace Springs – a small thermal area with a short boardwalk.
• Fishing – fish the Madison or Firehole River.
• Firehole Canyon Drive – a beautiful scenic drive past 800-foot-thick lava flows.
• Firehole Falls – a 40-foot waterfall with a popular swimming area when it’s warm.

Popular Day Hikes

• Artists Paintpots (1 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy)
• Harlequin Lake (1 mile RT, 0.5-1 hour, easy)
• Monument Geyser Basin (2 miles RT, 1-2 hours, moderate) – small geyser area.
• Purple Mountain (6 miles RT, 4-6 hours, strenuous)

NORRIS AREA

This is the hottest and oldest thermal area in Yellowstone. There are two main areas to explore: Porcelain Basin and Back Basin, with some extremely active geysers.

Highlights

• Norris Geyser Basin Museum – one of the original trailside museums built in 1929-30.
• Porcelain Basin – barren of trees, walk along the boardwalk to see thermal features: Congress Pool, Porcelain Springs, Hurricane Vent, Sunday Geyser, Constant Geyser, Whirligig Geyser, Pinwheel Geyser, Whale’s Mouth, Crackling Lake, Black Growler Steam Vent, Ledge Geyser.
• Back Basin – a wooded area with geysers and hot springs spread throughout: Emerald Spring, Steamboat Geyser, Cistern Spring, Black Pit Spring, Echinus Geyser, Arch Steam Vent, Mystic Spring, Puff ‘n Stuff Geyser, Black Hermit Caldron, Green Dragon Spring, Blue Mud Steam Vent, Yellow Funnel Spring, Porkchop Geyser, Pearl Geyser, Vixen Geyser, Corporal Geyser, Veteran Geyser, Palpitator Spring, Fearless Geyser, and Minute Geyser.
• Roaring Mountain – a large thermal area that makes a hissing sound.
• Gibbon River – a beautiful river popular with fly-fishers.
• Virginia Cascades – three miles of old roads take you past 60-foot-high Virginia Cascades (you can cross-country ski in winter).
• Museum of the National Park Ranger – talk to a retired ranger and learn about the history of rangers who protect our parks.

Popular Day Hikes

• Ice Lake Trail (0.6 miles RT, 0.5 hr, easy)
• Grizzly Lake Trail (3.5 miles RT, 1.5-2.5 hrs, △320 feet, moderate)
• Monument Geyser Basin (2 miles RT, 0.5-1.5 hrs, easy)
• Norris Geyser Basin Trail (Porcelain Basin: 1.6-mile loop, 0.5-1.5 hrs, easy || Back Basin: 2-mile loop, 1-2 hrs, easy)

WINTER TOURS

Most park roads close by early November, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still see the park. Once enough snow falls, roads open to “oversnow” travel only, usually by mid-December. You can then join a guided snowmobile or snowcoach tour. This is a unique time to visit since crowds are much smaller. By mid-March, plowing begins, with plans to reopen to normal cars in mid-April.

Note: Only authorized companies can provide tours. You can also apply for the Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program here.

WILDLIFE VIEWING

One of the main reasons people visit Yellowstone is to see wildlife! Some call Yellowstone the Serengeti of North America. You can find bears, bison, elk, moose, and more.

When to Go

Animals tend to feed early morning and evening, so they are more likely to be active then. Bears emerge from hibernation in March and April, then head to higher elevations when summer gets hot. If you hope to see wolves, coyotes, and foxes, winter is great because they stand out against the snow. Their pups typically appear in May.

Where to Go

Although it depends on season and weather, these are generally the most popular wildlife viewing areas.

• Fishing Bridge: Grizzly Bears
• Hayden Valley: Bison, Black Bears, Elk, Grizzly Bears, Wolves
• Lamar Valley: Bison, Black Bears, Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Grizzly Bears, Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Wolves
• Mammoth Hot Springs: Bison, Black Bears, Elk, Mule Deer
• Madison: Bison, Elk
• North Entrance: Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Elk, Pronghorn
• Northeast Entrance: Moose
• Old Faithful: Bison, Elk
• South Entrance: Moose
• West Thumb: Elk, Moose

Safety and Tips

• This isn’t a zoo. Seeing wildlife takes planning, timing, and a bit of luck.
• Remain at least 100 yards away from bears or wolves, and at least 25 yards from all other wildlife.
• Never, never, never approach or pursue animals just to take a photo or get a closer look. It’s illegal to remain near or approach wildlife.
• If an animal comes toward you, back up slowly.
• Use pullouts when viewing animals.

BEST BACKCOUNTRY HIKES

The best way to avoid crowds, even in summer, is to get away from easily accessible areas. There are plenty of backcountry hikes that most visitors never explore.

We didn’t do any backcountry hikes because, frankly, we were terrified of bears. The week before our visit, a US forestry officer was mauled by a grizzly near our campground while we were staying in Glacier (it’s very rare and hadn’t happened in over a decade). It was also a bad idea to read up on every fatal bear attack in North America on our drive to Yellowstone.

Keep in mind that you should plan appropriately for these hikes. Have the right gear, know how to navigate trails, bring plenty of food and water, and know what to do if you encounter wildlife. If you plan on camping, you will need backcountry camping permits.

• Thorofare and South Boundary Trails (68.2 miles one-way, △5,738 ft) – One of the greatest backpacking routes in the US, with big river crossings and plenty of wildlife opportunities.
• Firehole Meadows (17.2 miles one-way, △1,274 feet) – Connects some of Yellowstone’s best features: geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows.
• Shoshone Lake (11-mile loop, △393 feet) – Explore some of the most remote shores of the lower 48’s largest backcountry lake.
• Bechler River Trail (48.6 miles RT, △4,199 feet) – Head to the southwestern area of Yellowstone to explore the wettest part of the park, with rapids, waterfalls, and heavy woods.
• Specimen Ridge (17.6 miles one-way, △3,633 feet) – A great trail for adventurous hikers, requiring good route-finding, river crossings, and light scrambling.
• Agate Creek Trail (14.4 miles RT, △1,336 feet) – See wildlife and thermal features; some scrambling and route-finding required.
• Black Canyon of the Yellowstone (14 miles one-way, △1,740 feet) – Explore Yellowstone’s deep canyons.
• Sky Rim Trail (16.8 miles one-way, △3,000 feet) – A loop with beautiful panoramic ridges and views.
• Mary Mountain Trail (20.3 miles, △1,423 feet) – Explore the Central Plateau grasslands and woods.

WHEN TO VISIT

Yellowstone can be visited year-round, but summer is by far the busiest season. More than half of annual visitors come between June and August.

• Summer (June-August) – The busiest season. Best time to see a variety of wildlife: wolves, bears, moose, elk, and deer. Activities and facilities are in full swing. Temperatures usually stay around 70°F, cooler at night, and even below freezing at higher elevations. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.
• Fall (September-October) – Mating season, great for seeing elk, bison, and bears. Bears are active preparing for hibernation. Crowds thin, campgrounds begin to close, but most facilities remain open. Daytime temperatures range from 30°F to 60°F; nights drop to the teens. Fall foliage provides a beautiful backdrop, but snow may start.
• Winter (November-March) – The slowest time, hardest to get around. Limited to ‘oversnow’ travel and guided tours, so crowds are minimal. Recommended for avoiding crowds if you can brave the cold (0-20°F, sub-zero at night). Bears hibernate, but it’s easier to spot wolves, foxes, and coyotes against the snow.
• Spring (April-May) – Temperatures rise, roads begin to open. Hiking reopens at lower elevations; skiing and snowshoeing remain at higher elevations. Spring weather is similar to fall, but it’s baby season. With greenery not yet grown in, animals are easier to spot. Daytime temperatures 30°F-60°F; nights in the teens. Snow is possible.

Check the most up-to-date weather here and here.

Top Attractions & Insider Tips for Yellowstone National Park

DIRECTIONS + ROADS

The park has limited road access, especially outside summer and fall. Be prepared with the right vehicle for what you want to see. Roads usually close in early November due to weather, except the road between Mammoth Hot Springs and the northeast entrance, which stays open year-round.

Find the most up-to-date road conditions here.

MORE TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT

• Permits and Passes: Save time at the gate by picking up an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass before heading to the park. It gets you into all national parks, national forests, BLM land, and more.
• Driving around the park takes longer than you think, and you need lots of patience. In summer, there are many people. Many don’t know how to use pullouts and stop in the middle of the road, causing traffic jams. Add construction, animal crossings, and long distances.
• Hold onto your hats. The wind can surprise you and carry hats into off-limits areas. You’ll see many lost hats around the park.
• Bears are everywhere. We talk about bear safety here.
• DO NOT approach animals. These are wild and unpredictable.
• Stay on boardwalks and paths. They protect us and the land. Remember, the park sits on an active volcano! We saw groups ignoring signs and walking on fragile areas for photos. I regret not being bolder and telling them off, but maybe you can do what we couldn’t. If respect isn’t enough, read this list of deaths in the park to know it’s also for your safety.
• Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms. Keep that in mind when planning your day. We got far out on a trail and thought we might get hit by lightning.
• Hot springs are very dangerous! These are not for swimming. They injure and kill more people than any other natural feature in the park.
• Avoid crowds by starting early. Peak hours are 9 am to 3 pm; busiest months are June-August.
• Pick up a day hikes sampler from the visitor center.
• Find the most up-to-date operating hours here.
• Get a preview by checking out one of 9 webcams.
• Check current road conditions here.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

• Camera Equipment (Camera, 35mm + 70-200mm Lenses, Tripod)
• Geyser spray can ruin lenses. Protect them or wipe down quickly. Bring a raincoat at Beehive and watch wind direction. I got drenched. The geyser sprays as far as the benches on the left, farther than anyone anticipated.

WHERE TO EAT

The nice thing about a park with so many visitors is that it has plenty of amenities, including restaurants and stores. During busy season, it will still be extremely crowded at meal times, so try to go at off-hours. Also, as in most parks, prices are higher, so if you’re on a budget, plan to bring your own food.

RESTAURANTS

• Mammoth Hot Springs Dining Room, Mammoth Hot Springs Area
• Terrace Grill, Mammoth Hot Springs Area
• Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Old Faithful Area
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge Dining Room, Old Faithful Area
• Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria, Old Faithful Area
• Geyser Grill, Old Faithful Area
• Bear Paw Deli, Old Faithful Area
• Grant Village Dining Room, West Thumb Area
• Lake House Restaurant, Fishing Bridge Area
• Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room, Fishing Bridge Area
• Lake Yellowstone Hotel Deli, Fishing Bridge Area
• Lake Lodge Cafeteria, Fishing Bridge Area
• Canyon Lodge Dining Room, Canyon Village Area
• Canyon Deli, Canyon Village Area
• Canyon Lodge Cafeteria, Canyon Village Area
• Roosevelt Dining Room, Tower-Roosevelt Area

STORES

• Mammoth General Store, Mammoth Hot Springs Area
• Upper General Store, Old Faithful Area
• Lower General Store, Old Faithful Area
• Fishing Bridge General Store, Fishing Bridge Area
• Lake Village General Store, Fishing Bridge Area
• Bridge Bay Mini Store, Fishing Bridge Area
• Grant Village General Store, West Thumb Area
• Grant Village Mini Store, West Thumb Area
• Canyon General Store, Canyon Village Area
• Roosevelt General Store, Tower-Roosevelt Area
• Tower Fall General Store, Tower-Roosevelt Area

WHERE TO STAY

Yellowstone is massive, so staying in the park saves time you’d otherwise spend driving in and out. There are plenty of options, but many visitors, so book as early as possible. Some lodges and reservable campgrounds fill up a year in advance during peak times.

Lodges

There are 9 lodges with over 2,000 rooms. From late spring through fall, all are open. In winter, only Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel are open. Check current status and availability here.

• Canyon Lodge (Just North of the Center of the Park)
• Grant Village Lodge (Center of the Park)
• Lake Hotel (Center of the Park)
• Lake Lodge (Center of the Park)
• Mammoth Hotel and Cabins (North Entrance)
• Old Faithful Inn (Near Main Visitor Center)
• Old Faithful Lodge (Near Main Visitor Center)
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge (Near Main Visitor Center)
• Roosevelt Lodge (North Side of the Park)

Camping at the Park

If you want to camp, there are 12 campgrounds with over 2,000 sites. Reservations can be made at 5; the rest are first-come, first-served. Most are open late spring to fall, except Mammoth Campground, which is open year-round.

Most first-come, first-served campgrounds fill by early morning. Each site is limited to six people, and you can camp up to 14 days from July 1 to Labor Day, except Fishing Bridge (no limit). The limit for the rest of the year is 30 days.

Sites That Take Reservations (these also charge tax and/or utility pass-through fees)

• Bridge Bay ($25.25 per night; 432 sites)
• Canyon ($30 per night; 273 sites)
• Fishing Bridge RV Park ($47.75 per night; 340 sites)
• Grant Village ($30 per night; 430 sites)
• Madison ($25.25 per night; 278 sites)

First-Come, First-Served Sites (check this site to see when they fill)

• Indian Creek ($15 per night; 70 sites)
• Lewis Lake ($15 per night; 85 sites)
• Mammoth ($20 per night; 85 sites)
• Norris ($20 per night; 111 sites)
• Pebble Creek ($15 per night; 27 sites)
• Slough Creek ($15 per night; 16 sites)
• Tower Fall ($15 per night; 31 sites)

Note: There are also backcountry campsites available.

RVing and Other Options

Most sites offer some RV access. Check site details to see if your RV fits. For full hook-ups, only Fishing Bridge RV Park offers that, but reservations book up extremely quickly.

If you can’t find a place in the park, here are nearby cities for accommodations (click links to compare hotel prices).

Within 5 Miles

• Gardiner, MT
• West Yellowstone, MT
• Cooke City, MT

Within 50 Miles

• Big Sky, MT
• Island Park, ID
• Livingston, MT
• Red Lodge, MT
• Cody, WY
• Jackson, WY
• Dubois, WY

WHAT TO PACK

This varies depending on whether you’re camping or in a hotel, what activities you’ll do, and what time of year. Here’s a general list to get you started.

• Food – we preferred packing our own.
• Layers – temperatures change with elevation.
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing (serious viewers had spotting scopes).
• Rain jackets.
• Waterproof hiking shoes (Hers + His).
• Camping equipment (if camping).
• Camera equipment (Camera, 35mm + 70-200mm Lenses, Tripod).
• Hiking gear (Trekking Poles, Daypack).
• Water (Light Waterbottle, Insulated Waterbottle).

WHAT’S NEARBY

Keep in mind some roads close in winter, so you may need a longer route.

• Grand Teton National Park (130 mi / 2 hr 35 min)
• Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (245 mi / 4 h 40 min)
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (241 mi / 3 h 58 min)
• Craters of the Moon National Monument (235 mi / 4 h 41 min)
• Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument (297 mi / 5 h)
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial (519 mi / 8 h 50 min)
• Glacier National Park (376 mi / 6 hr 24 min)
• Devil’s Tower National Monument (472 mi / 7 h 25 min)

MORE RESOURCES

• Lonely Planet Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks
• NatGeo Illustrated Yellowstone National Park Trails Map
• Best Easy Day Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

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SEE MORE NATIONAL PARK GUIDES

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400+ NATIONAL PARK SYSTEMS IN THE US

“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust

ESTHER + JACOB

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 50 travel blogs in the world. They believe adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They live in a new city every year and are currently exploring NYC.

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