Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful Geyser and some 10,000 hot springs and geysers, the majority of the planet's total. These geothermal wonders are evidence of one of the world's largest active volcanoes: its last eruption created a crater, or caldera, that spans almost half of the Park.
Yellowstone is the world's oldest national park, and it is a true wilderness, one of the few large natural areas remaining in the lower 48 states. This park has something for everyone. The geysers, of course, plus incredible water falls, lakes, and streams, thermal pools and hot springs, thick forests, a wide range of wildlife, lots of camping facilities, and opportunities for day hikes and backpacking into some of the wildest country in the lower 48 states. It also has crowds of people around the more popular features. The park is mostly in Wyoming, but strips of the park are in Montana and Idaho.
Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 states where a population of wild bison has existed since prehistoric times. The population currently numbers approximately 3,600. Bison are the biggest animals in Yellowstone: a large bull can weigh 2,500 pounds. By comparison, a large grizzly bear weighs only about 800 pounds, and a large moose weighs 1,400 pounds.
See the Park's News and News Releases page for current information. |
| Elevation: |
From 5,282 meet at Reese Creek to 11,358
feet at Eagle Peak's summit. |
| Fees: |
$20.00 per vehicle, $15.00 per snowmobile or motorcycle, $10.00 per bicyclist, walk-in, or skier 16 and older. The fee is valid for Yellowstone and adjacent Grand Teton National Park. See the Park's Fees, Reservations, and Permits page for more details. |
| Hours: |
Open daily. Park roads and entrances, except the North Entrance to Cooke City, Montana, are ordinarily closed by snow to auto traffic between October 31 and May 1. See the Park's Operating Hours and Seasons page for more details. |
| Visitor Center: |
- Albright (Mammoth Hot Springs) Visitor Center:
Phone: 307-344-2263. Open daily.
- Canyon Visitor Center:
Phone: 307-242-2550. Open mid-May to September.
- Fishing Bridge Visitor Center:
Phone: 307-242-2450. Open mid-May to September.
- Grant Village Visitor Center:
Phone: 307-242-2650. Open mid-May to September.
- Old Faithful Visitor Center:
Phone: 307-545-2750. Open mid-April to late October and mid-December to mid-March.
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| Facilities: |
There are five visitor centers, scenic roads, overlooks, nature trails, hiking trails, bookstores, gasoline, gift shops, marina, religious services, campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, and drinking water. |
| Directions: |
- East Entrance: Take U.S. 16 from Cody, Wyoming.
- North Entrance:
Take U.S. 89 from I-90 at Livingston, Montana.
- Northeast Entrance: Take U.S. 212 from I-90 at Billings, Montana, or Highway 296 from Cody, Wyoming.
- South Entrance: Take U.S. 89 from Jackson, Wyoming.
- West Entrance:
Take U.S. 191 from Bozeman, Montana, or U.S. 20 from Idaho Falls, Idaho.
- Get directions from Google Maps.
- Get directions from MapQuest.
- NPS Directions.
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| Coordinates: |
- East Entrance: Map Coordinates (NAD83): 44 29.385N; 110 00.068W.
- North Entrance: Map Coordinates (NAD83): 45 01.540N; 110 42.082W.
- Northeast Entrance: Map Coordinates (NAD83): 45 00.200N; 110 00.079W.
- South Entrance: Map Coordinates (NAD83):44 07.968N; 110 39.895W.
- West Entrance: Map Coordinates (NAD83): 44 39.434N; 111 05.515W.
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| Weather: |
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| Regulations: |
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| Precautions: |
- Always check with a ranger before entering the backcountry.
- Following the recent forest fires in the Park, thousands of dead trees, known as snags, were left standing. These snags fall with very little warning. Be cautious and alert for falling snags along trails and roadways, and in campsites and picnic areas. Avoid areas with large numbers of dead trees. There is no guarantee of your safety.
- See Backcountry Considerations.
- See Backcountry Emergencies.
- NPS News Updates.
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