Brilliant blues and greens of a hot spring ringed by oranges, yellows, reds, and browns.

National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Info

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal wonders. Today, millions of people come here each year to camp, hike, and enjoy the majesty of the park.

Park Photos

Brilliant blues and greens of a hot spring ringed by oranges, yellows, reds, and browns.
1 of 14

The bright colors found in Grand Prismatic Spring come from thermophiles—microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures

Credit: NPS/Jim Peaco

Brilliant blues and greens of a hot spring ringed by oranges, yellows, reds, and browns.
A crowd of people standing along a wooden boardwalk watches a geyser erupt.
A visitor stands on a boardwalk near a hot spring and a lake.
People on a wooden boardwalk watch a geyser erupt.
A wolf howls while standing on a snowy field.
Visitors walk into a rustic, log and stone building.
A geyser erupting in the middle of a large pool.
A crowd in front of an erupting geyser during a snowy winter day.
Visitors walk in front of a brightly colored, terraced landscape.
Two bighorn sheep laying on the ground.
A river plunges into a steep, barren canyon.
A herd of bison grazing through a barren and steaming thermal area.
A grizzly bear standing on a fallen tree.
A greenish river meanders through a hilly river valley.

Activities

Auto and ATV
Scenic Driving
Biking
Mountain Biking
Road Biking
Camping
Backcountry Camping
Canoe or Kayak Camping
Car or Front Country Camping
Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
Group Camping
RV Camping
Picnicking
Hiking
Backcountry Hiking
Front-Country Hiking
Horse Trekking
Horseback Riding
Canoe or Kayak Camping
Boating
Boat Tour
Fishing
Freshwater Fishing
Fly Fishing
Boat Tour
Paddling
Canoeing
Kayaking
Skiing
Swimming
Arts and Culture
Guided Tours
Self-Guided Tours - Walking
Self-Guided Tours - Auto
Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
Hands-On
Arts and Crafts
Junior Ranger Program
Museum Exhibits
Bookstore and Park Store
Astronomy
Wildlife Watching
Birdwatching
Park Film
Cross-Country Skiing
Snow Play
Snowmobiling
Snowshoeing
Food
Dining
Volunteer Vacation
Shopping
Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Fees

Passes

Operating Hours

Yellowstone is open daily, year-round, although activities and services are limited at night and certain times of year. The park has five entrance stations, but not all entrance stations are open year-round. Make sure to carefully read about access at each station at different times of year. And remember, all dates are weather-dependent. Please note that camping is possible only in designated campgrounds.

DayHours
Friday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Sunday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Saturday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day

Adjacent to the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, the West Entrance is usually open (weather-dependent) to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through early November, and to tracked-oversnow (snowmobiles and snowcoaches) vehicles from December 15 to March 15.

DayHours
Friday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Sunday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Saturday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day

Near the gateway community of Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance is the only park entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year. November through April, the North Entrance provides the only access to Cooke City, Montana. US Highway 212 east of Cooke City is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. The road from Mammoth to Norris opens to wheeled vehicles the third Friday in April through early November, and to tracked-oversnow vehicles, conditions permitting, from December 15 to early March.

DayHours
Friday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Sunday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Saturday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day

Depending on the weather and conditions, this entrance usually opens to wheeled vehicles the first Friday in May and to tracked-oversnow vehicles December 22 through March 15.

DayHours
Friday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Sunday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Saturday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day

Open (weather-dependent) to wheeled vehicles from the second Friday in May through early November and to tracked-oversnow vehicles from December 15 to March 15. Limited services are available near the South Entrance.

DayHours
Friday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Sunday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Saturday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day

Near the gateway communities of Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana, this entrance is open year around for wheeled vehicle access to Cooke City through Gardiner, Montana. US Highway 212 east of Cooke City is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. Opening dates for roads east of Cooke City vary from year to year, depending on the weather. The Beartooth Highway is open from late May/early June (weather dependent) to mid October.

DayHours
Friday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Sunday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Saturday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day

Weather info

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.