Yellowstone National Park

Current alerts

• CautionStay Away From Bull Elk

  Bull elk are fast and unpredictable this time of year and can seriously injure people. If an elk charges, run. In addition to staying at least 25 yards (23 m) away from elk and bison, always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.

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• Park ClosureBiscuit Basin Closed Due to Hydrothermal Explosion

  The parking lot, boardwalk, and Firehole River at Biscuit Basin, located north of Old Faithful, is closed to all travel until further notice due to the possibility of another event at the site of a hydrothermal explosion that occurred July 23, 2024.

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• InformationTraffic Delays - Gardner River High Bridge

  Expect a single lane of traffic with up to 15-minute delays, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 through late October 2026. Oversized/overweight vehicles (8'6"+ wide, 75'+ long, 80,000 lbs+ gross vehicle weight) will not be able to cross the bridge during this time.

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• InformationVehicle Entrance Reservation Not Needed

  Although an entrance pass is required to enter Yellowstone National Park, vehicle reservations are not needed. You are encouraged to purchase an entrance pass before arriving, but you may also purchase passes at any entrance station upon arrival.

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Location

44.5982, -110.5472

Key trails & viewpoints

• Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail

  This is a 3.7-mile (5.9-kilometer) there-and-back trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.

  Follow the rim of the Yellowstone River valley, enjoying views of bighorn sheep, the Narrows of the Yellowstone, Overhanging Cliff, and the towers of Tower Falls.

• Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail

  This is a 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) lollipop loop trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.

  Hike to a high mountain meadow for a commanding view of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake and the distant Absaroka Mountains.

• West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail

  This is a 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) loop trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.

  Stroll through a geyser basin of colorful hot springs and dormant lakeshore geysers situated on the scenic shores of Yellowstone Lake.

• Trout Lake Trail

  This is a 1.2-mile (1.9-kilometer) lollipop loop trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.

  Enjoy a short hill climb through Douglas-fir forest to Trout Lake.

• Storm Point Trail

  This is a 2.3-mile (3.7-kilometer) loop trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.

  Pass by Indian Pond and through a forest to the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Along the way, look for marmots in the rocky area near Storm Point.

• Sepulcher Mountain Trail

  This is an 11-mile (17.6-kilometer) loop trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.

  Climb to the summit of Sepulcher Mountain while keeping an eye out for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and moose along the way.

• Sentinel Meadows & Queen’s Laundry Trail

  This is a 3.8-mile (6.1-kilometer) there-and-back trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.

  Follow the Firehole River and cross meadows until reaching a hydrothermal area. Look for the large sinter mounds of hot springs and the remains of the old, incomplete bathhouse.

• Riddle Lake Trail

  This is a 4.8-mile (7.7-kilometer) there-and-back trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.

  Hike through small mountain meadows and forests to the shores of a picturesque little lake. Look for elk in the meadows and for birds near the lake.

Hours & fees

• Entrance - Private Vehicle — $35.00

  Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Vehicles must be private, non-commercial, and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.

• Entrance - Non-commercial Groups — $20.00

  Non-commercial group (e.g. church groups, scouts) traveling in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 or more people. Cost is per person. Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.

• Entrance - Motorcycle — $30.00

  Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.

• Entrance - Snowmobile — $30.00

  Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 snowmobiles with up to 4 total passengers.

• Entrance - Per Person — $20.00

  Entry for visitors on foot, bicycle, ski, etc., when 16 years of age or older.

• Commercial Entrance - Sedan — $20.00

  A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. The cost is $25 + $20 per person. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.

• Commercial Entrance - Van — $125.00

  Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 7-15 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.

• Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $200.00

  Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 16-25 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.

• Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $300.00

  Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 26 or more passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. Pass is good for seven days as long as it's the same passenger group.

• Nonresident — $100.00

  Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Yellowstone National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.

Best time to visit

Accessible primarily in: Spring, Summer, Fall.

Near the gateway community of Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance is the only park entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year.

Activities

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