Yellowstone National Park

The world’s first national park contains more than two million acres of steaming geysers, crystalline lakes, thundering waterfalls, panoramic vistas, and a remarkable diversity of mammals, birds and fish. Since being declared a national park in 1872 by the US Congress, Yellowstone National Park has attracted many from every state and country, speaking different languages…and they are proud of the treasure that is Yellowstone.

YELLOWSTONE, A GEOLOGICAL HOTSPOT

Yellowstone is home to the largest collection of geysers, hot springs, mud pots Yellowstone and fumaroles in the world. From the punctual eruptions of the famous Old Faithful Geyser to the constantly changing terraces of the Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park is a geologist’s heaven.

YELLOWSTONE NATURAL WONDERS

Although Yellowstone National Park is primarily flanked by geysers, mud cauldrons and hot springs, Yellowstone’s lakes, rivers and waterfalls tend to draw the flash of a camera. Set your sights on Yellowstone Lake, one of the world’s largest natural fresh water lakes and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Yellowstone Country is also home to an abundant and diverse wildlife that include grizzlies, wolves and elk.

YELLOWSTONE OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

The best way to experience Yellowstone Country’s natural wonders is to completely immerse yourself in this spectacular setting. Discover Yellowstone National Park while hiking through 1,100 miles of trails or get a little wet during a fly fishing excursion. During the winter months, Yellowstone National Park still brings much to do with snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK GUIDES AND TOURS

Join in an interpretive tour and journey through the park’s wildlife, waterfalls and geysers. Choose from a collection of Yellowstone’s guided tours that suit your exploring preference. Get a hands-on wildlife excursion and learn more on Yellowstone’s wildlife or go beyond the boardwalks and discover Yellowstone’s backcountry during an adventure tour!

GENERAL YELLOWSTONE PARK INFORMATION

Yellowstone has five entrance stations. Be sure to carefully read about access at each station at different times of year and remember that everything is weather dependent.

All entrances and interior roads are open daily for 24 hour entry, exit, and travel during the late spring, summer, and fall except for the North to the Northeast entrance which is open year -round. Most entrances as well as interior roads close for the winter season the first Sunday of November and open to over-the-snow tracked vehicles in mid-December through mid-March.

The East Entrance – typically opens to wheeled vehicles the first Friday in May and to tracked-oversnow vehicles December 22 through March 1, weather permitting. The East Entrance is 52 miles from Cody via the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway (US 14-16-20).

The Northeast Entrance – is open year around for wheeled vehicle access to Cooke City from Gardiner, MT via the North Entrance only. 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 Northeast Entrance is 78 miles from Cody via the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (WY 296).

The West Entrance – typically opens to wheeled vehicles the third Friday in April through early November, and to tracked-oversnow vehicles from December 15 to March 15, weather permitting.

The South Entrance – typically opens to wheeled vehicles the second Friday in May through early November and to tracked-oversnow vehicles from December 15 to March 15, weather permitting.

The North Entrance – is the only park entrance accessible for entry and exit to wheeled vehicles year-round. 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.

Access is limited in November and April due to weather conditions.

Please be sure to check the Park Roads page or call ahead for opening dates.

For the Yellowstone National Park Road Report please call (307) 344-2117

FURTHER INFORMATION

National Park Service, Visitor Services Office
Post Office Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Web: www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm
Phone: (307) 344-7381

HOW TO GET THERE

The East Entrance is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming just 52 miles west of Cody via Highway 14-16-20 (the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway). The Northeast Entrance is 78 miles from Cody via WY 296 (the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway). Other entrances into Yellowstone are Highway 191-89-287 in Wyoming, and Highways 20, 287, 191, 89 & 212 in Montana.