Yellowstone Snapshot

Yellowstone National Park is located primarily in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with portions extending into southwestern Montana and southeastern Idaho.

By Act of US Congress on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park was "dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and "for the preservation, from injury or spoliation, of all timber, mineral deposits, natural curiosities, or wonders. . . and their retention in their natural condition." Yellowstone is the first and oldest national park in the world.

The commanding features that initially attracted interest, and led to the preservation of Yellowstone as a national park, were geological: the geothermal phenomena (there are more geysers and hot springs here than in the rest of the world combined), the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, fossil forests, and the size and elevation of Yellowstone Lake.

The human history of the park is evidenced by cultural sites dating back 12,000 years. More recent history can be seen in the historic structures and sites that represent the various periods of park administration and visitor facilities development.

Ninety-nine percent of the park's 3,400 square miles (2.2 million acres) remains undeveloped, providing a wide range of habitat types that support one of the continent's largest and most varied large mammal populations. Yellowstone is a true wilderness, one of the few large, natural areas remaining in the lower 48 states of the United States. Here, you meet nature on its terms, not yours. Park regulations exist for your safety and for the protection of natural and cultural resources.

VISITATION:

Visitation is highest in June, July, and August.

ADDRESS:

Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park,
WY 82190-0168

TELEPHONE:

(307)344-7381

TDD (307)344-2386

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Summer: The season runs from mid-April to late-October.  Once an entrance/road opens it is open 24 hours.  The only exceptions are caused by road construction and weather-caused restrictions.

Winter:  The season runs from mid-December to mid-March.  The road for the North Entrance at Gardiner, MT to the Northeast Entrance at Cooke City, MT is open to wheeled-vehicle use year around.  Only over-snow vehicles are allowed on other park roads.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Summer: Daytime temperatures are often in the 70s (25C) and occasionally in the 80s (30C) 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 20F(-20 to –5C) throughout the day. Sub-zero temperatures over-night are common. The record low temperature is –66F (-54C). Snowfall is highly variable. While the average is 150 inches 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 20C) with overnight lows in the teens to single digits (-5 to –20C). 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.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: Automobile access is available by many state and federal highways. Commercial airlines serve the following airports year-around: Cody and Jackson, WY; Bozeman and Billings, MT, and Idaho Falls, ID. The West Yellowstone, MT airport is open from June to early September. Other commercial transportation is available seasonally from Cody and Jackson, WY and from Bozeman, MT.

In Park: There is no public transportation provided within the park. Most visitors travel the 370 miles of paved roads in their personal vehicles. Concessionaires provide bus tours in the summer and snow-coach tours in the winter. Please phone (307) 344-7311 for details and reservations.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

The entrance fee is $20 for a private, non-commercial vehicle; $15 for each snowmobile or motorcycle; or $10 for each visitor entering by foot, bike, ski, etc. This fee provides the visitor with a 7-day entrance permit for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Commercial tours are subject to a separate fee schedule. Golden Age, Eagle, and Access passports are honored and provide free admission to the park.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Lodging:

Lodging in Yellowstone National Park is operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Please call 307-344-7311 for reservation information. Accommodations range from rustic cabins to luxury suites.

Camping:

Several Yellowstone's campgrounds are accepted for reservations. Seven of Yellowstone's campgrounds are operated by the National Park Service and are on a first-come, first-served basis. During the height of the tourist season (late June through mid-August), these seven campgrounds are full by late morning so it is best to obtain a site early in the day.