WY, US · Best: Jun–Sep
Yellowstone National Park
The world's first national park — geysers, hot springs, bison, wolves, and 900+ miles of trails across Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.
Trails in Yellowstone National Park
Itineraries
Plan a Yellowstone National Park trip
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Why Yellowstone is worth the planning
The draw isn't a single feature, it's the density. Geyser basins, the Yellowstone River canyon, the Lamar and Hayden valleys for wildlife, and a backcountry that runs into the Absarokas and the Tetons. You can watch Old Faithful in the morning, glass for wolves at dusk, and sleep under quiet skies the same day. Mia rates it as the best wildlife viewing in the lower 48 outside of maybe Katmai, particularly for predators in early spring and late fall.
When to go
Yellowstone sits at 6,000–8,000 feet on the plateau, with passes well above that. Seasons matter more than at most parks.
- Late May to mid-June: Bear cubs out, bison calves, waterfalls running hard. Some interior roads still opening. Snow possible.
- Late June through August: Everything open, every parking lot full. Expect 30–60 minute waits at Old Faithful and Norris on weekends. Wildflowers peak in July at higher elevations.
- September to early October: Rae's pick. Elk rut in Mammoth, fewer kids, cool nights, fall color in the aspen pockets. Snow can shut Beartooth Pass by late September.
- November to April: Most roads close to cars. Snowcoach and snowmobile access only between Mammoth and Old Faithful. Lamar Valley stays drivable from the north entrance and is the prime winter wolf-watching corridor.
Key zones
Upper, Midway, and Lower Geyser Basins
Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Castle, Riverside, Great Fountain. Walk the boardwalks early — sunrise light cuts the steam better and the lots are usable before 9 a.m.
Mammoth and the Northern Range
Travertine terraces, the historic Fort Yellowstone area, and the gateway to Lamar. Lower elevation, opens earliest, stays accessible latest.
Lamar and Hayden Valleys
Wildlife, not geology. Wolves, grizzlies, bison herds in the thousands. Bring a spotting scope or borrow a look from the regulars at the pullouts.
Canyon and Yellowstone Lake
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with Lower and Upper Falls, plus the largest high-elevation lake in North America. Fishing Bridge and Bridge Bay anchor the lake side.
Trails and activities to anchor on
- Mount Washburn: ~6 miles round trip, panoramic ridge, often the best summer day hike for views.
- Fairy Falls and Grand Prismatic Overlook: Short, the right way to see the spring from above.
- Uncle Tom's / South Rim of the canyon: Stair-heavy but the closest you'll get to Lower Falls.
- Lamar Valley pullouts at dawn: Not a hike — a wildlife shift. Be there by first light.
- Backcountry: Bechler region in the southwest for waterfalls, Thorofare for the most remote country in the lower 48. Permits required and bear protocol is enforced.
Getting there, permits, crowds
Five entrances. West Yellowstone (MT) is the busiest and closest to the geyser basins. Gardiner (MT) is the only year-round entrance for cars and the gateway to Mammoth and Lamar. Cody (WY) via the East Entrance and Jackson via the South are the scenic approaches; both close in winter. Bozeman (BZN) and Jackson (JAC) are the practical airports.
Day-use entry uses the standard NPS pass system. Backcountry camping requires a permit through a lottery-and-reservation process that opens months in advance — check the official site for current windows. Frontcountry campgrounds split between reservation (most) and first-come (a shrinking few). Book 6–12 months out for July and August stays. See nps.gov/yell for fees, current closures, and bear-management area dates.
Where to stay
Inside the park, lodges and cabins cluster at Old Faithful, Canyon Village, Lake, Grant, Roosevelt, and Mammoth, all run by the park concessioner and booked far ahead. Outside, West Yellowstone has the most rooms and the easiest access to geysers; Gardiner is smaller, quieter, and best for the northern range; Cody is a longer drive but pairs well with the East Entrance and Beartooth loop; Jackson works if you're combining with Grand Teton.
If Yellowstone is full
Grand Teton sits an hour south and rarely fills the same way for lodging — Jake usually pairs the two on a single trip. The Beartooth Plateau out the Northeast Entrance gives you alpine terrain Yellowstone itself doesn't have. For geothermal features without the crowds, the Island Park caldera in eastern Idaho and the Centennial Mountains offer quieter ground at the same elevation band.
Common questions about Yellowstone National Park
- What's the best month to visit Yellowstone if I want to avoid the worst crowds?
- September is our pick — elk rut is on in Mammoth, nights are cold but days are still hikeable, and the July-August parking lot circus has thinned out. Just watch the forecast: Beartooth Pass can close to snow by late September, and interior road closures begin in early November.
- Which entrance should I use for Yellowstone?
- West Yellowstone is closest to the geyser basins and the busiest. Gardiner is the only year-round vehicle entrance and the right choice for Lamar Valley and the northern range. Cody and Jackson (East and South) are scenic but close in winter, and the Northeast via Cooke City closes when Beartooth does.
- How far in advance should I book lodging inside the park?
- For July and August stays in the in-park lodges (Old Faithful, Canyon, Lake, Grant, Roosevelt, Mammoth), 6–12 months out is realistic — they sell through quickly when the concessioner's booking window opens. If you're flexible, West Yellowstone and Gardiner have far more inventory and last-minute options.
- Can you actually see wolves in Yellowstone, or is that mostly luck?
- Lamar Valley at first light, with a spotting scope, is as close to a sure thing as wildlife viewing gets in the lower 48 — especially late fall through early spring when the valley is snowed in and animals are visible against white. You'll usually find the regulars set up at pullouts; ask politely and most will let you take a look.
- Do I need a permit to hike in Yellowstone?
- Day hiking on established trails doesn't need its own permit — your park entry covers it. Backcountry overnights require a permit through the park's lottery-and-reservation system that opens months ahead, and certain bear management areas have seasonal closures. Check nps.gov/yell for current dates before you build an itinerary around a specific zone.
- Is Yellowstone worth visiting in winter?
- Yes, if you go in with the right expectations. Most park roads close to cars in November and don't reopen until April; interior access is by snowcoach or snowmobile between Mammoth and Old Faithful. The Gardiner-to-Cooke City road through Lamar stays plowed and is the prime winter wolf-watching corridor.
- What's the must-do hike if I only have one day?
- If the road is open, Mount Washburn (about 6 miles round trip) gives you the best ridge-top view in the park on a clear day. If you'd rather pair geology with a short walk, the Fairy Falls trail to the Grand Prismatic Overlook is the right way to see the spring — boardwalks show you the colors, the overlook shows you the shape.