yellowstone | ID | Find park

Brilliant blues and greens of a hot spring ringed by oranges, yellows, reds, and browns.

The bright colors found in Grand Prismatic Spring come from thermophiles—microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures

A crowd of people standing along a wooden boardwalk watches a geyser erupt.

Aurum Geyser erupting

A visitor stands on a boardwalk near a hot spring and a lake.

Black Pool at the West Thumb Geyser Basin

People on a wooden boardwalk watch a geyser erupt.

Visitors to the Upper Geyser Basin watch Beehive Geyser erupt.

A wolf howls while standing on a snowy field.

Alpha male of the Canyon wolf pack

Visitors walk into a rustic, log and stone building.

The stone-and-log architecture of Fishing Bridge Trailside Museum became a prototype for park buildings all around the country

A geyser erupting in the middle of a large pool.

Great Fountain Geyser erupts against a blue summer sky

A crowd in front of an erupting geyser during a snowy winter day.

Winter is a magical time to watch Old Faithful Geyser erupt

Visitors walk in front of a brightly colored, terraced landscape.

The vibrant colors of Palette Springs are formed by thermophiles—heat-loving organisms

Two bighorn rams rest and chew their cud

A river plunges into a steep, barren canyon.

Lower Falls from Artist Point

A herd of bison grazing through a barren and steaming thermal area.

Bison near Mud Volcano

A grizzly bear standing on a fallen tree.

Grizzly bear in the woods

A greenish river meanders through a hilly river valley.

The Yellowstone River near Tower Fall

Physical Address:

2 Officers Row

Yellowstone National Park Headquarters

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Mailing Address:

PO Box 168

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

contact-details

Phone Number: 307-344-7381 Voice
Phone Number: 307-344-2014 Fax
Phone Number: 307-344-2386 TTY

Email Address: YELL_Information@nps.gov
Description: Contact Yellowstone's park rangers for general park questions, lost and found, or for special use permits.

Fees

Entrance 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

Entry for one driver and one passenger for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.

Entrance - Snowmobile: $30.00

Entry for one driver and one passenger for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.

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.

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park: $70.00

Provides unlimited entry for one year (valid through the month of purchase) to the pass holder and passengers in the same vehicle, or pass holder and up to three persons where per person fees are charged. Purchase online or at any entrance station.

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal wonders. Today, millions of people come here each year to camp, hike, and enjoy the majesty of the park.

park designation:National Park

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

All Park Hours

Yellowstone is open daily, year-round, although activities and services are limited at night and certain times of year. The park has five entrance stations, but not all entrance stations are open year-round. Make sure to carefully read about access at each station at different times of year. And remember, all dates are weather-dependent. Please note that camping is possible only in designated campgrounds.

West Entrance

Adjacent to the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, the West Entrance is usually open (weather-dependent) to wheeled vehicles from the third Friday in April through early November, and to tracked-oversnow (snowmobiles and snowcoaches) vehicles from December 15 to March 15.

Exceptions:

Spring Shoulder Season (March 16, 2025 - April 20, 2025)

Fall Shoulder Season (November 1, 2024 - December 14, 2024)

North Entrance

Near the gateway community of Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance is the only park entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year. November through April, the North Entrance provides the only access to Cooke City, Montana. US Highway 212 east of Cooke City is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. The road from Mammoth to Norris opens to wheeled vehicles the third Friday in April through early November, and to tracked-oversnow vehicles, conditions permitting, from December 15 to early March.

East Entrance

Depending on the weather and conditions, this entrance usually opens to wheeled vehicles the first Friday in May and to tracked-oversnow vehicles December 22 through March 15.

Exceptions:

Spring Shoulder Season (March 16, 2025 - May 4, 2025)

Fall Shoulder Season (November 1, 2024 - December 14, 2024)

South Entrance

Open (weather-dependent) to wheeled vehicles from the second Friday in May through early November and to tracked-oversnow vehicles from December 15 to March 15. Limited services are available near the South Entrance.

Exceptions:

Spring Shoulder Season (March 16, 2025 - May 11, 2025)

Fall Shoulder Season (November 1, 2024 - December 14, 2024)

Northeast Entrance

Near the gateway communities of Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana, this entrance is open year around for wheeled vehicle access to Cooke City through Gardiner, Montana. US Highway 212 east of Cooke City is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. Opening dates for roads east of Cooke City vary from year to year, depending on the weather. The Beartooth Highway is open from late May/early June (weather dependent) to mid October.

Weather Information:

Yellowstone's weather can vary quite a bit, even in a single day. In the summer, daytime highs can exceed 70°F (21°C), 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 0°F (-18°C), especially at night. Bring a range of clothing options, including a warm jacket and rain gear, even in the summer.