48 Hours in Yellowstone
Only have 48 hours? Make the most of your time by visiting some of our favorite spots in the park including wildlife watching, dining at historic lodges and see geysers erupt.
Free Trip Planner
Get your vacation packet stuffed full of information about the park and from our vacation partners. Includes fun road trips and maps.
10 Top Things to Do in the Yellowstone Area
On your Yellowstone vacation, see geysers, wild animals, and a grand canyon with giant waterfalls. Go rafting, horseback riding, and hiking.
About Old Faithful | Explore Yellowstone's Famous Geyser
Watch Old Faithful erupt on video and and explore exciting FAQs about Yellowstone's most famous geyser.
Watch Wildlife in Yellowstone
Observe wildlife in their natural habitat, roaming Yellowstone National Park. Favorite animals for wildlife watching are grizzly bear, wolves, and bison.
What to Pack for Your Yellowstone Vacation
How do you pack for Yellowstone with half the world's geysers, tons of wildlife, and hundreds of places to explore? Here are the top 16 essentials.
Yellowstone Volcano
Did you know that Yellowstone National Park is actually an active supervolcano? The bubbling geysers and hot springs are an indication of the churning activity below the surface.
2019 National Park Photography Workshops
National Park Trips Media and Tamron have teamed up to offer Photo Workshops inside your favorite national parks.
Win a Yellowstone Vacation Plus a Road Trip to the Park
Enter Dec 20, 2018 through Feb 26, 2019 to win an adventure from one of four launching points ending with a 3-day guided tour and lodging in Yellowstone.
National Park Photo Contest Winners - 2018
We received 3,000 spectacular photo entries to our 8th Annual National Park Photo Contest and the winners have been selected.
Where is Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone is mostly in the state of Wyoming with small sections in Montana and Idaho.
Which entrance to Yellowstone National Park should I take?
Yellowstone’s five entrance gates make it accessible from all directions. The popular Yellowstone gateway towns of Jackson Hole and Cody in Wyoming, plus West Yellowstone, Silver Gate/Cooke City and Gardiner in Montana, are the closest towns to Yellowstone and have many hotels, resorts, and camping areas.
Which Entrance to Yellowstone National Park Should I Take?
There are five Yellowstone park entrances in three states, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, allowing easy access to this vast park.
Official Yellowstone National Park Map PDF
This map is an essential tool to planning a vacation. Note the route of the Grand Loop Road and the attractions of the park before you decide where to stay.
Lodging Near Entrances
Hotels, cabins, guest ranches, and lodges inside the park and nearby at gateway towns such as Cody, Jackson Hole, W Yellowstone, Cooke City, and Gardiner.
How should I get to Yellowstone?
Most people drive to the park. Check out our road trip ideas. There are also several airports near the park including in Cody, Jackson Hole, West Yellowstone, and Bozeman. Once you get to the park, you will need a car or tour transportation to get around because there are no shuttles.
6 Best Road Trips
A road trip to Yellowstone isn't just about the destination. Along the way, we've included fun attractions, great places to eat and other national park sites.
Closest Airports
Whichever Yellowstone entrance or its neighbor park, Grand Teton, you are headed to, you can get there fast by flying into one of these nearby airports.
Do I need a car to tour Yellowstone? How long does it take to drive the Grand Loop?
During the summer season, cars are the best option for taking a trip around Yellowstone unless you are riding with a bus tour or concessionaire that provides transportation. The Grand Loop takes between 4 to 7 hours to drive in full.
Where should I stay on my Yellowstone vacation?
There are several campgrounds, cabins, and lodges inside the park. There are also many lodging options near Yellowstone’s entrances. Depending on the season, you will need to reserve hotels and campgrounds well in advance.
Camping and RV Parks
There are 12 campgrounds in Yellowstone. All campgrounds welcome RVs. You can also camp in the backcountry with a permit. Also see camping on the way.
Which Yellowstone Hotel or Cabin Should I Choose in the Summer?
Should you stay in a historic hotel near Old Faithful, or a cabin closer to wildlife and the Lamar Valley? Follow this chart to find out.
Hotels and Cabins
Hotels, cabins, guest ranches, and lodges inside the park and nearby at gateway towns such as Cody, Jackson Hole, W Yellowstone, Cooke City, and Gardiner.
Do cell phones work in Yellowstone? Is there WiFi?
There is cell phone service in the most developed parts of the park. Wifi is available at some hotels and restaurants.
What animals will I see in Yellowstone?
Grizzly and black bears are the most popular to watch for in the park. Gray wolves and bison round out the top three. Be sure to stay a safe distance from wild animals.
Bears in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is one of the few places in the lower U.S. where you can see grizzly bears. Bears typically roam Yellowstone between March and November.
Wolves in Yellowstone National Park
After facing extinction in the park, the gray wolf was successfully reintroduced in 1995. Wolves are often found in Lamar Valley in early morning or late evening.
Bison in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone may be the only place in the United States where never-domesticated, free-range wild bison still exist.
What’s New
Top 6 in South Dakota's Hot Springs Mammoth Country
Hot Springs is home to the world-famous Mammoth Site, a Wild Horse Sanctuary, Evans Plunge, Wind Cave National Park, and a watery oases.
Free Yellowstone Trip Planner
Get your vacation packet stuffed full of information about the park and from our vacation partners. Includes fun road trips and maps.
Yellowstone in February Photo Gallery by Dave Shumway
February is a cold month in Yellowstone, filled with snow and ice, but it is a beautiful time. It is also mating season for wolves so they are out and about.
7 Best Places to Eat, Sleep and Play in Grand Teton National Park
It’s easy to get distracted by the park's world-class views, but don't miss these places to eat, sleep and play hosted by Grand Teton Lodge Company.
Lewistown, The Heart of Montana
From big game hunting to fishing, camping, biking, hiking and skiing, take advantage of the outdoor recreation opportunities in the beautiful Judith Basin.
Big Sky Luxury Rentals Northwest of Yellowstone
2-6 bedroom vacation rentals close to Yellowstone National Park's west entrance near Big Sky Montana. Affordable luxury.
Get a Free Badlands and Black Hills Trip Planner
Start planning your South Dakota vacation today with our 10-page trip planner with a general area map and info about parks, where to stay and what to do..
