Yellowstone National Park & Big Sky Montana

Encompassing portions of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone National Park is a vast playground for outdoor enthusiasts, teeming with a variety of wildlife and a number of extraordinary natural features.

Overview

Thousands of travelers flock to Yellowstone every year, to take in the amazing scenery and diverse wildlife of America's first national park. Opened in 1872, Yellowstone's landscape includes alpine peaks, arid valleys, hot springs, geysers, mountain lakes, pine forests, canyons and so much more. A vast assortment of wildlife roam the park's interior, providing ample photo opportunities for visitors along the roads and trails. Grizzly and black bears, wolves, moose, elk, deer, eagles, antelope, and big horn sheep are just some of many species “at home” in Yellowstone.

Location/Directions

Situated mainly in southwest Montana and northwest Wyoming, Yellowstone has 5 entrance – North, West, South, East and Northeast. Visitors from Montana's Big Sky area generally enter the park via the North, Northeast and West Entrances. The North Entrance, near Gardiner, Mt, is open year-round, as well as the Northeast Entrance (Cooke City). The West Entrance (West Yellowstone) is generally open from late April through early November.

For information, write or call:
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY
82190-0168
PH: (307) 344 – 7381
Fax: (307) 344 - 2014

Season

Yellowstone is open every day of the year, however access is best during late spring through mid-autumn.

Highlights

Geysers and Hotpots
Visit Old Faithful and take a boardwalk tour of the hotpots and Mammoth Hot Springs. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the rising geysers and the mesmerizing colors of the natural springs and pools.

Lakes and Rivers
Anglers and boaters will enjoy their choice of locations including the Yellowstone, Firehole, Gibbon and Madison Rivers, Yellowstone Lake and more. Fishing and boating permits apply. Be sure to check regulations.

Guided Tours
Make your Yellowstone vacation planning easier and book a tour with a park ranger or local outfitter. Try a guided horseback ride, day hike, boat or bus tour, or sign up for regularly scheduled ranger-led presentations.

Wildlife
Yellowstone's diverse range of wildlife species is a primary draw for most travelers. Though an assortment of animals can be found throughout the park, the Lamar Valley is the ideal location to view such elusive creatures as wolves and bears.

Campgrounds
A dozen designated campgrounds are located in the park, providing hundreds of sites and certain amenities depending upon location. Be sure to make reservations early when available; campgrounds fill quickly during July and August. Average rates range between $12 - $35/night.

Additional Information

7-day entrance fees for Yellowstone are as follows:

• $25/private commercial vehicle
• $20/snowmobile or motorcycle
• $12/for visitors 16 and older entering on by foot, bicycle, etc.
• $50/annual park pass (good for Yellowstone and Grant Teton National Parks).