Geyser basins
Walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks around Old Faithful.
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Yellowstone National Park
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One of 35 Things to Do in United States
In short
Yellowstone, created in 1872 as the first US national park, covers about 8,983 square kilometres mostly in north-west Wyoming, famous for Old Faithful, hot springs and free-roaming bison and wolves. A private vehicle pays US$35 for seven days, and non-US residents aged 16 and over add $100 each unless they hold an annual pass. Allow at least two to three days, ideally late May to September.
Yellowstone National Park is the first national park in the United States, covering about 8,983 square kilometres mostly in north-west Wyoming, with smaller parts in Montana and Idaho. Famous for Old Faithful, hot springs and free-roaming bison and wolves, it suits travellers with at least two to three days between late May and September.
Why is Yellowstone famous?
President Ulysses S. Grant signed the act creating the park on 1 March 1872, and it is widely described as the first national park in the world. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1978. About 96 percent of its roughly 2.2 million acres lie in Wyoming. The park sits on top of a large volcanic system, and the heat below ground feeds more geysers and hot springs than anywhere else on Earth. The Yellowstone River gave the area its name.
Geysers, springs and the canyon
Old Faithful erupts roughly every 90 minutes, and the visitor centre posts predicted times each day. Boardwalks in the Upper Geyser Basin lead past dozens of other geysers and pools, and Norris Geyser Basin is another highlight. The Grand Prismatic Spring in the Midway Geyser Basin is known for its rings of blue, green and orange. In the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Lower Falls drop about 94 metres, the tallest of the park's waterfalls, best seen from Artist Point. Yellowstone Lake, at 2,357 metres, is the largest high-elevation lake in North America.
Wildlife
Bison and elk graze in the Hayden and Lamar valleys, and the park also has grizzly and black bears, wolves and pronghorn. Wolves are most often seen in the Lamar Valley at dawn and dusk through a spotting scope. Keep at least 23 metres from bison and elk and 91 metres from bears and wolves, and never leave boardwalks in thermal areas, where the crust can be thin over boiling water. Drones are banned.
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Key information
🏞️Established: 1 March 1872
🌐UNESCO: World Heritage Site since 1978
📐Area: About 8,983 km²
⛲Old Faithful: Erupts about every 90 minutes
🎟️Entry: 35 USD per vehicle, 7 days
🕕Time Zone: Mountain Time (UTC−7)
✦
Plan your visit to Yellowstone National Park
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
Geothermal
- Old Faithful
- Grand Prismatic Spring
- Norris Geyser Basin
Scenery
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Lower Falls
- Yellowstone Lake
Wildlife
- Bison and elk
- Wolves in Lamar Valley
- Bears
What They Offer
Entry pass
7-day vehicle or per-person pass
Ranger programmes
Talks and walks in summer
Visit duration
2–3 days
Timed entry required No
Canyon rim
See the Lower Falls from Artist Point.
Wildlife drive
Drive the Lamar Valley at dawn for bison and wolves.
Accessibility
Many boardwalks and visitor centres are wheelchair accessible; some trails are steep.
Age limits
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
What to pack
Layers, rain jacket, water, binoculars, bear spray for hikes; layers, rain gear, water, binoculars and bear spray for hikes
What to wear
Sturdy shoes and warm layers; weather changes quickly
Not allowed
Leaving boardwalks in thermal areas, feeding or approaching wildlife, drones
Amenities
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park
- Book lodging inside the park many months ahead for summer.
- Keep at least 23 m from bison and 91 m from bears and wolves.
- Arrive at Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic early to find parking.
- Check road status before travelling in spring and autumn.
Driving
Five entrances (North at Gardiner, Montana, through the 1903 Roosevelt Arch; West Yellowstone, Cody and Jackson gateways); the Grand Loop Road links the main sights. Distances are long and wildlife slows traffic.
Public transportation
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Address
North-west Wyoming, with parts in Montana and Idaho.
Opening Hours
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Special events
No special events on record for Yellowstone National Park.
Best times to visit
Early morning for wildlife and fewer crowds.
Best days to visit
Weekdays.
Best months to visit
Late May to September; September brings fewer crowds. About 4.76 million visits in 2025.
Admission tickets
Prices and how to get tickets.
Yellowstone: entrance pass
Valid 7 days from purchase.
Ticket prices
Private vehicle US$35 for 7 days (car and all passengers); motorcycle $30; on foot or bicycle $20 per person 16+; under 16 free; non-US residents 16+ pay an extra $100 each, waived with an annual or America the Beautiful pass; Yellowstone annual pass $70. Sold at entrance stations and on Recreation.gov (NPS, November 2026)
Opening hours
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Children and admission
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Groups
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Pets
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Photography
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Bags
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Smoking
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Accepted payment
Passes can be bought online at Recreation.gov or at entrance stations.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answers based on National Park Service information.
Prices & payment
A private vehicle pass costs 35 US dollars and is valid for 7 days. Visitors on foot or by bicycle pay 20 US dollars per person aged 16 and over, and a motorcycle pass is 30 US dollars (NPS, November 2026).
Yes. Each non-US resident aged 16 and over pays a 100 US dollar fee on top of the standard entrance fee, unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
No. Visitors under 16 do not need a pass, and the 100 dollar non-resident fee applies only from age 16.
General
Old Faithful erupts roughly every 90 minutes, though the interval varies. The visitor centre posts predicted eruption times each day.
About 96 percent of the park is in Wyoming. The rest lies in Montana and Idaho.
Bison are common in the Hayden and Lamar valleys. Wolves are most often seen in the Lamar Valley at dawn and dusk, usually through a spotting scope.
The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River drop about 94 metres (308 feet) into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the tallest waterfall in the park.
The park's own annual pass costs 70 US dollars and is valid for one year through the month of purchase.
Yellowstone National Park is in United States. The street address and directions are under How to get there on this page.
Explore the area on this page lists 1 place around Yellowstone National Park, with the distance to each.
Timing & weather
It was established on 1 March 1872, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
Late May to September, when all main roads and most facilities are open. September has fewer crowds and active wildlife, while winter access is limited to oversnow vehicles and a few roads.
Booking
Two to three days covers the main geyser basins, the canyon and a wildlife valley. Distances inside the park are long and traffic slows for wildlife, so plan extra time.
Health & safety
No. The ground in thermal areas can be thin crust over boiling water. Stay on boardwalks and trails, and keep at least 23 metres from bison and elk and 91 metres from bears and wolves.
Getting there
You can reach Yellowstone National Park by car. The route is described under How to get there on this page.