Planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park and need some help planning your trip?

Here is the National Park Obsessed guide for visiting Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming / Idaho / Montana.

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The Quick Guide to Visiting Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park Basics

Region: Intermountain / Rockies

Park Size: 2,219,791 acres (3,468.42 sq miles) (8,983.18 sq km)

Location: Park and Tetons counties, Wyoming / Gallatin and Park counties, Montana / Fremont County, Idaho

Closest Cities: West Yellowstone, Montana

Busy Season: June to September

Visitation: 4,020,288 (in 2019)

How much does Yellowstone National Park Cost?

Yellowstone National Park costs the following:

• 7-day Passenger Vehicle Pass – $30
• 7-day Motorcycle Pass – $30
• 7-day Individual Pass – $20

An annual Yellowstone National Park Pass costs $70 but it is not recommended you buy this pass. For an extra $10 you can get an American the Beautiful Pass. This $80 pass offers free admission to all 116 fee-charging National Park Units.

When is Yellowstone National Park Open?

Yellowstone National Park is open year-round.

Are dogs allowed in Yellowstone National Park?

Yes, pets are welcome in YellowstoneNational Park but are limited to developed areas such as roads, parking areas, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Pets are not allowed on the trails, boardwalks, or in thermal areas in the park. Please review the Yellowstone Pet Policy before bringing your dog to Yellowstone.

Where are Yellowstone National Park’s visitor centers?

Albright Visitor Center – Open Year Round

Canyon Visitor Educational Center – Open during the summer / Lobby and Bathrooms open during winter

Fishing Bridge Visitor Center – Open during the summer / Open as warming hut during winter

Grant Visitor Center – Open during summer

Madison Information Station – Open during the summer / Open as warming hut during winter

Museum of the National Park Ranger – Open during summer

Norris Geyser Basin Museum – Open during summer

Old Faithful Visitor Education Center Open Year Round

West Thumb Information Station – – Open during the summer / Open as warming hut during winter

West Yellowstone Visitor Info Center – Open Year Round

Land Acknowledgments for Yellowstone National Park

The National Park known as Yellowstone National Park sits on Shoshone-Bannock, Apsaalooké (Crow), Eastern Shoshone, and Cheyenne land.

Thank you to the Native Land Digital for making the Indigenous territories accessible to all. They have mapped the known territories to the best of the current knowledge and is a work in progress. If you have additional information on the Indigenous nations boundaries, please let them know.

Native Land Digital is a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization with the goal to creates spaces where non-Indigenous people can be invited and challenged to learn more about the lands they inhabit, the history of those lands, and how to actively be part of a better future going forward together.

When was Yellowstone National Park Created?

Yellowstone National Park was created on March 1, 1872, as the world’s first National Park. Yellowstone was declared a Natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.

Fun Facts about Yellowstone National Park

• The highest point in Yellowstone National Park is Eagle Peak Summit which is 11,358 feet (3,462 m) above sea level.

• The lowest point in Yellowstone National Park is Reese Creek which is 5,282 feet (1,610 m) above sea level.

• Yellowstone National Park is about the size of the island of Puerto Rico

When to Visit Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone National Park Weather

Where to stamp your National Parks Passport Book?

Looking for a cheap National Park souvenir? The National Park Passport Books is one of the best and cheapest souvenirs. If you have don’t have a National Park Passport Book click here to learn more about the program or click here to buy.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT stamp your government issued passport.

There are 15 official stamps in Yellowstone along with a handful of bonus stamps in the park.

Official Passport Stamps

1. Bechler Ranger Station
2. Canyon Visitor Center
3. Fishing Bridge Visitor Center
4. Grant Visitor Center
5. Lamar Valley
6. Madison
7. Mammoth Visitor Center
8. Norris Geyser Basin
9. North Entrance
10. Old Faithful Visitor Center
11. Ranger Museum
12. Snake River Ranger Station
13. Tower Falls District
14. West Thumb
15. West Yellowstone Visitor Center

Bechler Ranger Station

Bechler Ranger Station is located at Forest Rd 007, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA. This location is open year-round pending road conditions:

Canyon Visitor Education Center

Canyon Visitor Education Center is located at Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. This location is open from the summer:

Fishing Bridge Visitor Center / Warming Hut

Fishing Bridge Visitor Center / Warming Hunt is located at E Entrance Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. This location is open year-round either as a Visitor Center or Warming Hut:

Grant Village Visitor Center

Grant Visitor Center is located at 1 Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. This location is open during the summer:

Madison Junction Information Station

Madison Junction Information Station is located at U.S. 89, Yellowstone National Park, Moran, WY 83013. This location is only open during the summer

Mammoth Hot Springs – Albright Visitor Center

The Albright Visitor Center is located at N Entrance Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. This location is open year-round:

Museum of the National Park Ranger

Museum of the National Park Ranger is located at U.S. 89, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. This location is only open during the summer:

Norris Information Station

Norris Information Station is located at U.S. 89, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. This location is only open during the summer.

North Entrance

Yellowstone Forever Visitor Information Center North Entrance is located at 300-320 U.S. 89, Gardiner, Mt 59030. This location is open year-round:

Old Faithful Visitor Center

Old Faithful Visitor Center is located at U.S. 89, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. This location is only open year-round.

Snake River Ranger Station

Snake River Ranger Station is located at U.S. 89, Yellowstone National Park, Moran, WY 83013. This location is only open during the summer.

Tower Falls District

Tower Falls District is located at 244 Tower Ranger Station Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA. This location is only open when a ranger is present.

West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center

West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center is located at 30 Yellowstone Avenue, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. This location open year-round

West Thumb Visitor Center / Warming Hut

West Thumb Visitor Center / Warming Hut is located at Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. This location is open year-round either as a visitor center or warming hut:

Yellowstone Association Institutes Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Yellowstone Association Institutes Lamar Buffalo Ranch is located at 100-102 NE Entrance Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. This location is only open upon request or for visitors to the Ranch:

National Park Obsessed’s Detailed Guides to Yellowstone National Park

General Information on Visiting Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park Lodging

Itineraries for Yellowstone National Park

Other Articles featuring Yellowstone National Park

National Parks Near Yellowstone National Park

National Park Service units within a 4 hours drive

• Grand Teton National Park
• John D Rockefeller Jr Memorial Parkway
• Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
• Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
• Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
• Golden Spike National Historic Site
• Nez Perce National Historical Park
  • Big Hole National Battlefield
• City of Rocks National Reserve

National Park Service units within an 8 hours drive

• Glacier National Park
• Wind Cave National Park
• Devils Tower National Monument
• Fossil Butte National Monument
• Jewel Cave National Monument
• Dinosaur National Monument
• Timpanogos Cave National Monument
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Fort Laramie National Historic Site
• Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
• Nez Perce National Historical ParkVisitor Center
  • Bear Paw Battlefield
  • Heart of the Monster
  • Canoe Camp
  • White Bird Battlefield

Pin for Later: Visiting Yellowstone National Park: The Complete Guide