Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, WY Hours and Location

Learn and Explore

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.

We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.

Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.

Our Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a park entrance pass?

Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

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About this location:

National Park

Every season in Yellowstone sees big changes to what’s happening in the park and what services are available for people to enjoy. July and August are the only months when all facilities, roads, and services are open. Every other month brings a mix of options as the park prepares for, settles into, and then digs out of winter.

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $30.00 – Yellowstone (private, non-commercial vehicle)
  7-day pass for Yellowstone National Park
• $25.00 – Yellowstone (motorcycle or snowmobile)
  7-day pass for Yellowstone National Park. Snowmobile entry limited to guided tours or permit holders.
• $15.00 – Yellowstone (individual)
  7-day pass for Yellowstone National Park (per-person, 16 and older)
• $15.00 – Yellowstone (non-commercial vehicle with capacity of 16+ people)
  7-day pass for Yellowstone National Park (per-person, 16 and older). Examples of non-commercial groups include church groups and scouts.
• $50.00 – Yellowstone & Grand Teton (private, non-commercial vehicle)
  7-day pass for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks
• $40.00 – Yellowstone & Grand Teton (motorcycle)
  7-day pass for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks
• $20.00 – Yellowstone & Grand Teton (individual)
  7-day pass for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks (per-person, 16 and older)
• $20.00 – Yellowstone & Grand Teton (non-commercial vehicle with capacity of 16+ people)
  7-day pass for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks (per-person, 16 and older). Examples of non-commercial groups include church groups and scouts.

Entrance Passes:

• $60.00 – Yellowstone National Park Annual Pass
  Annual pass providing free entrance to Yellowstone National Park for one year; valid through the month of purchase. Winter use: On a snowmobile, admits the signers and children (residing in the same household under the age of 21). In a snowcoach or shuttle, it admits the signers and up to three additional persons (16 and older) for a total of four people.

About

Marvel. Explore. Discover.

Visit Yellowstone and experience the world’s first national park. Marvel at a volcano’s hidden power rising up in colorful hot springs, mudpots, and geysers. Explore mountains, forests, and lakes to watch wildlife and witness the drama of the natural world unfold. Discover the history that led to the conservation of our national treasures “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.”

Directions

Yellowstone National Park covers nearly 3,500 square miles in the northwest corner of Wyoming (3% of the park is in Montana and 1% is in Idaho). Yellowstone has five entrance stations, and several are closed to regular vehicles during winter. It takes many hours to drive between these entrances, so be sure to check the status of roads at the entrance you intend to use while planning your trip and before you arrive.

Visitor Centers

Albright Visitor Center

Services: Park information and trip planning, a bookstore, exhibits, ranger programs, and a backcountry office. Restrooms inside. Free Wi-Fi. Exhibits: Yellowstone National Park history, wildlife of the northern range, park orientation and trip planning. Canyon Visitor Education Center

Services: Information and vending is available during open hours, restrooms are available 24 hours a day. Fishing Bridge Visitor Center & Trailside Museum

Exhibits about the park’s birds and other wildlife, and Yellowstone Lake’s geology, including a relief map of the lake bottom. Grant Visitor Center

Exhibits describe the park’s historic fires of 1988. Madison Information Station & Trailside Museum

Information and bookstore Museum of the National Park Ranger

History of the park ranger profession through exhibits and videos. Staffed by volunteer retired rangers. Norris Geyser Basin Museum & Information Station

Information and bookstore. Exhibits on the hydrothermal features of Yellowstone. Old Faithful Visitor Education Center

Exhibits: Yellowstone’s newest visitor center offers dynamic exhibits about hydrothermal features. Geyser eruption predictions are calculated during visitor center hours and shared on signs, by telephone recordings at 307-344-2751, or via @Twitter.com/GeyserNPS West Thumb Information Station

Offers information about the adjacent geyser basin on the shore of Yellowstone Lake West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center

Information and publications West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (NPS Desk)

Located inside the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce

Weather

Yellowstone’s weather can vary quite a bit, even in a single day. In the summer, daytime highs can exceed 70F (25C), 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 zero, especially at night. Bring a range of clothing options, including a warm jacket and rain gear, even in the summer. More about Yellowstone’s Weather

Permits and Reservations Information