Loading map...
faq.title
faq.subtitle Yellowstone National Park
North Entrance at Gardiner is open year-round. Other entrances open gradually from April to early June. Old Faithful Inn opens in early May
$35 per vehicle for 7 days. $80 for America the Beautiful annual pass covering all national parks. International visitors pay additional $100 starting 2026
Best times: late April-May and September-early October. Mild weather, fewer crowds. July is peak season with most visitors. September offers 25-35% lower accommodation rates
Yes, a car is essential. The park is huge (3,400+ square miles). New public shuttle in 2026 but limited to 4 days/week. Rent at Bozeman or Jackson airports
Yes! Book very early - lodging fills up a year in advance. Park lodges sell out quickly, especially in summer. Consider gateway towns like West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone (WYS) - 3 miles but seasonal. Bozeman (BZN) - 1.5 hours, best overall choice with year-round flights. Jackson Hole (JAC) - 1.5 hours, perfect for visiting Grand Teton too
Very limited. Download NPS app beforehand for offline use. Wi-Fi available at some lodges. Don't rely on cell service for navigation
Old Faithful geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring (largest US hot spring), Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Lamar Valley for wildlife (wolves, bison, bears)
Travel Tips
Useful tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park
Book lodging a year ahead - park lodges fill up fast, especially in summer. Old Faithful Inn is most popular
Download NPS app before arriving - no reliable cell service in park. Includes geyser eruption predictions for Old Faithful and 5 other geysers
Stay 100 yards from bears/wolves, 25 yards from bison/elk. Bison can run 3x faster than humans - never approach. Carry bear spray
Stay on boardwalks in thermal areas - thin crust over boiling water. People have died from falling through. Ground near hot springs is unstable
Expect sudden weather changes - elevation over 6,000 feet means unpredictable weather. Bring layers even in summer. Snow possible any month
No fast food or major grocery stores in park. Bring snacks and water. Only small general stores with high prices. Stock up in gateway towns
For the best Grand Prismatic photo, go to the overlook on Fairy Falls Trail hillside - not the boardwalk. About 0.5 mile hike
Lamar Valley is best for wolf sightings - go at dawn or dusk. Bring binoculars or spotting scope. Also great for bison herds and grizzly bears
Avoid crowded roads 10am-3pm. Start early at sunrise for best experience and photography light. Parking fills up fast at popular spots
Carry bear spray and know how to use it - available at park stores. Keep on belt, not in backpack. Works on all wildlife if charged
Reviews
Questions & Answers
Weather
Average temperature by month
Now
7°
7°48%31 м/с
Today
9°0°
9°0°Tomorrow11°1°
11°1°Fri12°1°
12°1°Sat13°2°
13°2°Sun8°-2°
8°-2°Mon
6°-1°
6°-1°Tue
11°3°
11°3°-4°
-15°Jan
-3°
-15°Feb
2°
-10°Mar
8°
-4°Apr
14°
1°May
19°
5°Jun
25°
8°Jul
24°
7°Aug
18°
2°Sep
11°
-3°Oct
2°
-9°Nov
-4°
-14°Dec
location.transport.title
location.transport.subtitle
Loading...
location.transport.bus
—NPS App
New public shuttle in 2026 runs June 1 - Oct 15 on Sun/Mon/Fri/Sat. Advance booking required
location.transport.taxi
50 $
Limited inside park. Available in gateway towns like Bozeman and Jackson. Car rental recommended
location.transport.bike
30 $
Allowed on some roads. Prohibited on boardwalks and backcountry trails. Rental available nearby
| location.transport.title | location.transport.price | location.transport.app | location.transport.note |
|---|---|---|---|
location.transport.bus | — | NPS App | New public shuttle in 2026 runs June 1 - Oct 15 on Sun/Mon/Fri/Sat. Advance booking required |
location.transport.taxi | 50 $ | Limited inside park. Available in gateway towns like Bozeman and Jackson. Car rental recommended | |
location.transport.bike | 30 $ | — | Allowed on some roads. Prohibited on boardwalks and backcountry trails. Rental available nearby |
Daily Budget
Prices
Cost of food, accommodation and services
Cafes & Restaurants
Lunch
18 - 25 $
Restaurant dinner
60 - 120 $
Breakfast
15 - 20 $
Street Food
Local dish
10 - 15 $
Drinks
Coffee
4 - 6 $
Beer in bar
7 - 10 $
Local beer
5 - 7 $
Imported beer
8 - 12 $
Wine bottle
15 - 40 $
Fast Food
Big Mac
6 - 8 $
Groceries
Water 1.5L
2 - 4 $
Cigarettes
10 - 14 $
Weekly groceries
150 - 200 $
Prices are approximate and may vary by season and area.
Accommodation
Hotels and rental prices
Hostel dorm
0 $ / night
Hostel private room
0 $ / night
Guesthouse
135 - 180 $ / night
Hotel 2★
0 $ / night
Hotel 3★
200 - 300 $ / night
Hotel 4★
330 - 450 $ / night
Hotel 5★
500 - 750 $ / night
Boutique hotel
350 - 500 $ / night
Prices are approximate. Book in advance during high season.
location.payment.title
location.payment.subtitle
location.payment.accepted_cards
VisaMastercardAmExDiscover
location.payment.contactless_available
location.payment.atms
limited
location.payment.mobile_payments
Apple PayGoogle Pay
location.payment.cash
Cards accepted at most park facilities. Bring cash for emergencies and tipping. ATMs limited inside park
location.payment.currency_exchange
US Dollar (USD). No currency exchange in park. Exchange at airports or banks in gateway towns like Bozeman or Jackson
location.payment.tipping
18%
15-20% in restaurants. 15-20% for tour guides. Standard US tipping applies throughout park facilities
What to see
Attractions and points of interest
