Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the world's first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. The park contains, mostly within the northwest corner of Wyoming, but with portions extending into the states of Idaho and Montana.

History
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park reserve declared anywhere in the world, by President Ulysses S. Grant. In 1978 it was designated a World Heritage Site. Although it is commonly assumed that the park was named for the yellow rocks seen in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the park's name comes from the Yellowstone River that flows through it, which is in turn named after sandstone bluffs found farther down its course in eastern Montana.

Long before any recorded human history in Yellowstone, a massive volcanic eruption spewed an immense volume of ash that covered all of the western U.S., much of the Midwest, parts of the US east coast, northern Mexico, and some areas in Canada. The eruption left a caldera approximately 34 by. See volcanoes for background; Yellowstone is classed as a supervolcano and its last eruption is thought to have been a VEI-8 event with over 1000 km3 of ejecta, a thousand times more powerful than the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. The Yellowstone super volcano is believed to erupt every 600,000 to 900,000 years with the last event occurring 640,000 years ago. Its eruptions are among the largest known to have ever occurred on Earth, producing drastic climate change in the aftermath.

Landscape
With half of the earth's geothermal features, Yellowstone holds the planet's most diverse and intact collection of geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. Its more than 300 geysers make up two thirds of all those found on earth. Combine this with more than 10,000 thermal features comprised of brilliantly colored hot springs, bubbling mudpots, and steaming fumaroles, and you have a place like no other.

Yellowstone's hydrothermal features would not exist without the underlying magma body that releases tremendous heat. They also depend on sources of water, such as from the mountains surrounding the Yellowstone Plateau. There, snow and rain slowly percolate through layers of permeable rock riddled with cracks. Some of this cold water meets hot brine directly heated by the shallow magma body. The water's temperature rises well above the boiling point but the water remains in a liquid state due to the great pressure and weight of the overlying water. The result is superheated water with temperatures exceeding 400 F.

The superheated water is less dense than the colder, heavier water sinking around it. This creates convection currents that allow the lighter, more buoyant, superheated water to begin its journey back to the surface following the cracks and weak areas through rhyolitic lava flows. This upward path is the natural "plumbing" system of the park's hydrothermal features. Once it reaches the surface, the various colors of the pools are due to different types of bacteria growing in different temperatures.

Flora and fauna


The park is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet, and as a result is an exceptional area for wildlife viewing.

Yellowstone is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. Sixty-seven different mammals live here, including grizzly bears and black bears. Gray wolves were hunted to extinction by 1926, but reintroduced from Canada in 1995, and more than 100 live in the park now, making it one of the best places to see them in the wild. In addition, the park is also home to thriving populations of coyotes and red foxes. Wolverine and lynx, which require large expanses of undisturbed habitat, are also found in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Seven native ungulate species - elk, mule deer, bison, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and white-tailed deer live here. Non-native mountain goats have colonized northern portions of the park and numerous small mammals, including beavers, are found throughout the park.

Records of bird sightings have been kept in Yellowstone since its establishment in 1872; these records document 330 species of birds to date, of which approximately 148 species are known to nest in the park. The variation in elevation and broad array of habitat types found within the park contributes to the region's relatively high diversity.

Glacial activity and current cool and dry conditions are likely responsible for the relatively small number of reptiles and amphibians found in the park.

Yellowstone is home to more than 1,350 species of vascular plants, of which 218 are non-native.

Climate
The weather in Yellowstone National Park can change very rapidly from sunny and warm to cold and rainy, so it's important to bring along extra layers of clothing which can be used as needed. Snow can fall in Yellowstone at any time of the year.


 * Summer: Daytime temperatures are often in the 70s F (25 °C) and occasionally in the 80s F (30 °C) in lower elevations. Nights are usually cool and temperatures may drop below freezing at higher elevations. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons.
 * Winter: Temperatures often range from zero to 20 °F (-20 to -5 °C) throughout the day. Sub-zero temperatures over-night are common. The record low temperature is . Snowfall is highly variable. While the average is $$ per year, it is not uncommon for higher elevations to get twice that amount.
 * Spring & Fall: Daytime temperatures range from the 30s to the 60s (0 to 20 °C) with overnight lows in the teens to single digits (-5 to -20 °C). Snow is common in the Spring and Fall with regular accumulations of 12" in a 24-hour period. At any time of year, be prepared for sudden changes. Unpredictability, more than anything else, characterizes Yellowstone's weather. Always be equipped with a wide range of clothing options. Be sure to bring a warm jacket and rain gear even in the summer.

Visitor information

 * Park website

By plane
The principal airport serving Yellowstone is Jackson Hole Airport, in Grand Teton National Park, near Jackson, and the largest airport in Wyoming. United and Delta serve Jackson Hole year-round, from Denver and Salt Lake City respectively. These airlines plus American and Frontier provide seasonal flights from those cities and eight others across the US.

Other airports with commercial services are at:


 * Bozeman (Montana) . From eight cities year round and more seasonally. During the winter only, Xanterra runs a once-a-day hotel bus from Bozeman; expect to pay $100 per person.
 * Cody (Wyoming), Yellowstone Regional Airport. From Salt Lake City and Denver.
 * Idaho Falls (Idaho) . From six cities.
 * West Yellowstone (Montana) . From Salt Lake City, Jun–Sep only.

By bus
Several bus companies provide service to the areas surrounding Yellowstone National Park, though direct bus routes into the park are limited. Here are some of the primary bus companies that operate in the region:


 * Greyhound - Offers routes to nearby cities such as Bozeman, Montana, and Idaho Falls, Idaho.
 * Jefferson Lines - Provides service to several locations in Montana, including Bozeman, which is a gateway to Yellowstone.
 * Salt Lake Express - Operates routes that connect Salt Lake City, Utah, to various locations in Idaho and Montana, including West Yellowstone.

From these nearby cities, you can often find additional transportation options such as shuttle services or rental cars to enter Yellowstone National Park.

By car
The park has 5 entrances. The nearest cities to each entrance are given.


 * - Accessed from Gardiner (Montana) via US Route 89, from Livingston. This entrance is open all year and leads to the park headquarters at Mammoth Hot Springs,  inside the park boundary. The iconic Roosevelt Arch is at this entrance.
 * - Accessed from Silver Gate and Cooke City via US Route 212 (Beartooth Highway). The entrance and road to Cooke City are open all year, but Route 212 past Cooke City is closed in winter (mid-October to late May).
 * - Accessed from Cody,, via US Route 14/16/20. This entrance is closed in winter (early November to early May).
 * - Accessed from Grand Teton National Park via US Route 89/191/287. This entrance is closed in winter (early November to mid-May).
 * - Accessed from West Yellowstone via US Route 20/191/287, from Ashton, Idaho. This entrance is closed in winter (early November to late April).

By foot
There are an extensive number of trails entering the park on all sides including the 3100 mi Continental Divide Trail.

Fees and permits
All vehicles and individuals entering the park must pay an entrance fee that is valid for seven days. Fees as of 2023 are:


 * $20 - individual on foot, bicycle, etc.
 * $30 - motorcycle or snowmobile.
 * $35 - non-commercial vehicle.
 * $70 - Yellowstone National Park Annual Pass, allows access to the park for one year for a private vehicle.

While in the past entrance fees to Yellowstone also included fees for entering Grand Teton National Park, visitors planning to visit both parks will now have to pay separate entrance fees for each.

Get around


A useful way to orient yourself is to visualize the roads inside Yellowstone as making a "figure-8" shape. The lower loop, West Thumb - Old Faithful - Madison - Norris - Canyon - Lake Village - West Thumb, is about 90 mi around. The upper loop, Norris - Mammoth - Tower-Roosevelt - Canyon - Norris, is about 70 mi around. The park is large.

By car
Most visitors use private vehicles to get around inside Yellowstone National Park. Roads can become very crowded whenever people stop to view wildlife; use pullouts, and be respectful of other motorists to help avoid bear-jams. When snow falls roads may be closed, and during winter months many park roads close permanently.

By bus
There is no public transportation available within the park. Xanterra 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 and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel to tour the entire park in one day. During the winter season snowcoach tours are provided from various locations. Call +1 307 344-7311 for information or reservations.

In addition, during the summer season, commercial businesses offer tours originating from many area towns and cities. 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.

By bicycle
Cycling in the park can be a very rewarding experience, but due to the great distances in the park some additional planning is necessary to ensure that lodging is available each night. The park reserves a number of campsites for cyclists, but during the busy summer season it is probably best to reserve sites in advance wherever possible.

By snowmobile or snowcoach
Winter is perhaps the most tranquil time to visit the park when there are the fewest visitors. The winter use season of snowmobile and snowcoach travel begins in mid-December and ends in mid-March. Actual opening or closing dates for oversnow travel varies by entrance and will be determined by adequate snowpack and plowing schedules. Visitors wishing to visit the park on a snowmobile or in a snowcoach must either travel by commercial snowcoach or accompany a commercial guide on snowmobiles (private, unguided snowmobiles or snowcoaches are not allowed) which are available at most entrances. Best Available Technology snowmobiles are required, and there is a daily limit on snowmobile and snowcoach entries. Off-road use of snowmobiles and snowcoaches is prohibited.

See
Yellowstone is world-famous for its natural heritage and beauty - and for the fact that it holds half the world's geothermal features, with more than 10,000 examples. Travelers to Yellowstone can view more than 300 geysers (such as "Old Faithful"), pools of boiling mud, and an amazing assemblage of wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves, bison and elk, all while standing on the surface of the Earth's largest known "super-volcano".

The park can be sub-divided into approximately eight major areas, which are organized below as they would be encountered by someone traveling the park in a clockwise direction, starting from the east.

Bridge Bay, Fishing Bridge & Lake
These three regions are situated on the north side of Yellowstone Lake. Recreation options include boating, fishing, and a handful of thermal features.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:



Historical and educational attractions in this area include:



West Thumb & Grant Village


These two villages are on the western side of Yellowstone Lake and offer boating, fishing, and some interesting thermal features, including the "Fishing Cone", a hot springs that bubbles out directly into the lake. The area's name comes from the fact that with a little imagination, Yellowstone Lake looks like a left hand reaching southward, and this area would be the "thumb" of that hand.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:



Historical and educational attractions in this area include:



Old Faithful


Old Faithful is the image people think of when they think of Yellowstone, and the geyser erupts regularly (check the visitor center for estimated eruption times). This area is also home to the iconic and historic Old Faithful Inn, as well as a vast number of geysers and hot springs that are easily accessible via boardwalks.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:



Historical and educational attractions in this area include:



Madison
Madison is midway between Old Faithful and the Norris Geyser basin and offers an array of thermal features.



Norris


South of Mammoth, the Norris area is a home to a vast array of thermal features, including Steamboat Geyser, the world's largest. The area was named after Philetus W. Norris, the second superintendent of Yellowstone, who provided the first detailed information about the thermal features.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:



Historical and educational attractions in this area include:



Mammoth


Mammoth is home to the park headquarters and the impressive calcite terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. This area has numerous services and is a surprisingly good place to see elk grazing on the manicured lawns surrounding the park administrative buildings.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:



Historical and educational attractions in this area include:





Tower-Roosevelt
The Tower area is one of the park's more rugged regions and is a good place for spotting wildlife. The Lamar Valley, east of Tower, is home to one of the park's more accessible wolf packs as well as elk, bighorn, and other large animals.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:



Historical and educational attractions in this area include:



Canyon


The Canyon village is named after the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and offers access to this impressive natural landscape. Recreational opportunities include hiking and wildlife viewing - the Hayden Valley area is probably the best place in the park for seeing bison.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:



Historical and educational attractions in this area include:



Do


Many visitors believe they can visit all 2.2 million acres or 2200 acre thousand km2 of Yellowstone in 1-2 days - all the while staying within sight of their car or tour bus. To truly appreciate this vast park, get off the park roads and paved tourist paths.

Hiking
There are a huge number of day hikes available in the park, and since many visitors travel only to the most popular geyser basins these trails can provide an opportunity to see the park in a more natural setting.

Old Faithful




Norris




Canyon




Buy
Every major village within the park offers food, camping supplies, and souvenirs for sale, although these stores all close during the winter months.

Gasoline and automotive services are available in the following locations:



Eat


Most of the villages sell food supplies and may offer snack bars. The following restaurants and cafeterias are also available:



Drink
Cocktails can be purchased in the lodge restaurants, and lighter beverages can be obtained at the snack bars.



Sleep


While there are an abundance of hotels and campgrounds within the park, they fill quickly in the summer so visitors may also want to consider lodging options in the gateway towns of West Yellowstone and Gardiner.

Lodging
Lodging in the park fills quickly and should be booked in advance. Cancellations are common, so if a particular lodging option is unavailable it is a good idea to re-check frequently to see if it becomes available. Reservations for all lodges and cabins in the park can be made through Xanterra Parks & Resorts or by calling (307) 344-7311. All park accommodations are non-smoking and, reflecting the natural surroundings of Yellowstone, televisions, radios, air conditioning, and Internet hook-ups are not available. During the winter the only lodging within the park is the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and the Mammoth Hotel. Getting to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge requires traveling over snow-covered roads, which usually means reserving a seat on the snowcoach at a cost of about $150 per person.



Camping


Campgrounds may fill by early morning, especially during peak season (early July - late August). Recreational vehicles over should make reservations since there is a limited number of RV sites available in Yellowstone. Large RV sites are at Flag Ranch, Fishing Bridge RV Park and West Yellowstone. Reservations should be made well in advance and/or campsites should be secured as early in the day as possible.



Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and Tower Fall are operated by the National Park Service and do not accept reservations; all sites are first-come, first-served.



Backcountry
Permits are required for all backcountry camping, and quotas are placed on the number of people that may use an area at a given time. The maximum stay per backcountry campsite varies from 1 to 3 nights per trip. Campfires are permitted only in established fire pits, and wood fires are not allowed in some backcountry campsites. A food storage pole is provided at most designated campsites so that food and attractants may be secured from bears. Neither hunting nor firearms are allowed in Yellowstone's backcountry.

Permits may be obtained only in person and no more than 48 hours in advance of your trip, although backcountry sites may be reserved through the mail well in advance for a non-refundable $20 reservation fee. To reserve a site, download the reservation form from the Backcountry Trip Planner, call +1 307 344-2160, or by writing: Backcountry Office, PO Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.

During the summer season (Jun-Aug), permits are available 7 days a week between 8AM and 4:30PM at the following locations:


 * Bechler Ranger Station
 * Canyon Ranger Station/Visitor Center
 * Grant Village Visitor Center
 * Lake Ranger Station
 * Mammoth Ranger Station/Visitor Center
 * Old Faithful Ranger Station
 * South Entrance Ranger Station
 * Tower Ranger Station
 * West Entrance Ranger Station

In addition, permits may sometimes be obtained from rangers on duty at the East Entrance and Bridge Bay Ranger Station. However, these rangers have other duties and may not be available to provide assistance at all times.

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.

Stay safe
Yellowstone has some hazards related to volcanic activity. There are also hazards from dangerous animals.

Wildlife
Though many of the animals in the park are used to seeing humans, the wildlife is nonetheless wild and should not be fed or disturbed. According to park authorities, stay at least 100 yards/meters away from bears and wolves and 25 yards/meters from all other wild animals! No matter how docile they may look, bison, elk, moose, bears, and nearly all large animals can attack. Each year, dozens of visitors are injured because they didn't keep a proper distance. These animals are large, wild, and potentially dangerous, so give them their space.

In addition, be aware that odors attract bears and other wildlife, so avoid carrying or cooking odorous foods and keep a clean camp; do not cook or store food in your tent. All food, garbage, or other odorous items used for preparing or cooking food must be secured from bears. Treat all odorous products such as soap, deodorant, or other toiletries in the same manner as food. Do not leave packs containing food unattended, even for a few minutes. Animals which obtain human food often become aggressive and dependent on human foods, and many can suffer ill health or death from eating a non-native diet. A short film about food safety is now mandatory before a back country permit will be issued.

Thermal areas


It is illegal to swim or bathe in thermal pools. There is a designated swimming area along the Firehole River near Madison Junction. Always stay on boardwalks in thermal areas. Scalding water lies under thin, breakable crusts; pools are near or above boiling temperatures. Every year visitors traveling off trail are seriously burned, and people have died from the scalding water. Park rangers can also issue $130 fines for being out of bounds, or much more if there is any geological damage. Serious violations can result in the visitor being banned from the park, or even facing criminal charges.

It's common to get sprayed with fine mist from the geysers, though. You don't need to worry about being burned, as the water has traveled a sufficient distance to cool down, provided you're within the designated areas. (Mist can't retain heat for more than half a second.)

Beware, glass lenses (such as eyeglasses and camera lenses) may be permanently damaged by the high mineral content of the water in the mist. For cameras, clear glass filters can provide inexpensive protection for high-priced lenses (be sure to have some replacements). If water from a thermal feature gets on a vulnerable lens, it must be washed off immediately. If no clean water is available, you can try – no, this is not a joke – licking the lens. If you try to wipe off the geyser water with a cleaning cloth (without rinsing the lens first), you risk grinding the suspended minerals into the glass of the lens, and scratching it. For eyeglasses, use safety goggles over glasses. These are quite cheap, and available at hardware stores.

Yellowstone Lake
This is one of the largest, high-altitude bodies of fresh water on the planet. The Lake is large enough to have its own weather effects, and conditions can change rapidly. More than a few fatalities have occurred on the lake, when boaters fell victim to weather conditions that went from calm and sunny to violent storm in a matter of minutes. East of West Thumb Geyser Basin, near Lake Village, there is a marina where boats are available for rental from a Park concessionaire.

Hiking
Know your 10 essentials when going on a hike, cell phones (mobile phones) won't work in most areas of the park, and may not be depended on in an emergency situation.
 * 1) Navigation
 * 2) Hydration & Nutrition
 * 3) Pocket Knife
 * 4) Sun Protection
 * 5) Insulation
 * 6) Ability to make fire
 * 7) Lighting
 * 8) First Aid
 * 9) Shelter
 * 10) Whistle

Weather
The weather can change rapidly and with little warning. A sunny, warm day can quickly become a cold, rainy or even snowy experience even in summer. Hypothermia can be a concern. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions by bringing along appropriate clothing. Lightning can and does injure and kill people in the park, so watch the sky and take shelter in a building if you hear thunder. If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes; it'll probably change.

Other concerns
When camping, either filter, boil, or otherwise purify drinking water. Assume that even crystal clear waters may be polluted by animal and/or human wastes, and intestinal infections from drinking untreated water are increasingly common. Iodine tablets are not as effective as other methods but are readily available at local stores and easy to bring on a hike.

Finally, with so many people visiting the park each year petty crimes are something to be vigilant against. Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables, especially when leaving cars near trail heads or other areas where you might be away from your car for any length of time.

Law Enforcement
As a US National Park, Yellowstone is subject to US Federal Law. Generally, permits (such as for fishing) issued by surrounding States are not valid in the Park. If a visitor is cited for an offense while in the Park (such as speeding, feeding wildlife, failing to secure food in a campsite, etc), the fine must be paid immediately. The visitor is then free to make their case to the court at the Park Headquarters in Mammoth Hot Springs.

Go next

 * Grand Teton National Park (WY). Yellowstone's southern neighbor is famous for its dramatic mountain vistas and its alpine lakes. The road connecting the two parks is closed during winter (early November to mid-May).
 * West Yellowstone (MT). This town is most notable as a gateway to the park, with all the motels, services, and kitsch that park visitors require.  West Yellowstone is the most convenient non-park lodging option for those planning to visit the Old Faithful area.
 * Gardiner (MT). Just north of the park, Gardiner is another border town that provides lodging and service options.  It is the most convenient non-park option for those wanting to be near the Mammoth area of Yellowstone.
 * Cody (WY). About from the park's east entrance, this town offers a Wild West atmosphere in addition to lodging and service options.  The Cody rodeo runs during the summer and the Buffalo Bill museum provides an excellent collection of old West artifacts and western art.
 * Virginia City (MT). Historical gold mining town of the old west. About 90 min from West Yellowstone, and halfway to either Butte or Bozeman, Montana. In the town of Ennis, be sure to turn right at Main St. onto Montana Hwy 287, and stop following the US highway of the same number.
 * Idaho. There are no roads in the small Idaho portion of the park, and very few visitors ever venture in. However, if you want to visit southern Idaho next, exit through West Yellowstone, and follow US Hwy 20. The first major city is Idaho Falls (just over 100 mi).