📍 Destination Overview
Established in 1872, Yellowstone is the world's first national park. It lies mostly in northwestern Wyoming and spills into Montana and Idaho. Sitting atop the Yellowstone supervolcano, the park holds roughly half of the planet's geysers, with Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and Norris Geyser Basin as its signature sights. The falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake and the dense wildlife of Lamar Valley — bison, elk, gray wolves and grizzly bears — make this one of the most intact natural ecosystems in North America. The park roads form a figure-eight; allow at least three to four days.
🏙️ Region
USA · Wyoming / Montana / Idaho
🗓️ Best Season
Jun-Sep; winter snowcoach tours Dec-Mar
🕐 Time Difference
14-15 hrs behind Beijing
💰 Currency / Language
US Dollar (USD) / English
🕐 Recommended Duration
3-4 days
figure-eight loop + in-park lodging
🔌 Outlets / Voltage
Type A/B · 120V
bring an adapter
☀️ Best Time to Visit & Climate
🌸 Spring: May-Jun
Snowmelt season — wildlife is active but some roads remain closed.
☀️ Summer: Jul-Aug
All roads open; peak crowds, so book lodging early.
Jan
❄️
-1°/-13°
Feb
❄️
2°/-11°
Mar
🌥️
6°/-7°
Apr
🌤️
11°/-3°
May
🌸
16°/1°
Thaw
Jun
☀️
21°/4°
Best
Jul
☀️
27°/7°
Best
Aug
☀️
26°/6°
Best
Sep
🍂
21°/2°
Best
Oct
🍁
13°/-2°
Nov
🌥️
4°/-8°
Dec
❄️
-1°/-13°
Snow
📷 Top Attractions
🎯 Yellowstone National Park Experiences
Wait for Old Faithful
Roughly every 90 minutes — the most predictable geyser spectacle in the park.
See Grand Prismatic from above
Hike the Fairy Falls trail to look down on the rainbow-colored spring.
Wolf-watching in Lamar Valley
Bring binoculars and a long lens at dawn — your best chance of seeing gray wolves.
Hike the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Follow the South Rim Trail out to Artist Point for the Lower Falls.
Tour the geyser basins
Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris and Grand Prismatic in one loop.
Boat on Yellowstone Lake
Rowing and fishing (permit required) are possible in summer.
The best time to visit Yellowstone is late June through September, when every road is open and both the thermal features and the wildlife are at their most accessible. Mid-September to early October brings smaller crowds, beautiful light and the sound of bugling elk. In winter (December-March) most roads close: only the North Entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs stays open to cars, and the rest of the park is reached by snowcoach or snowmobile tour. Summer days swing widely in temperature, and nights in July can still approach 0°C, so pack warm layers.
🚌 Transport & Stays
City Transport
🚗Private vehicle, 7-day entry pass (reference — check official rates)
Self-drive (recommended)
No public transport inside the park; five entrances connect via the figure-eight road
Private vehicle, 7-day entry pass (reference — check official rates)
✈️—
Nearest airports
Jackson Hole (JAC) about 1 hr; Bozeman (BZN) about 1.5 hrs; West Yellowstone (WYS) about 10 min
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🚐—
Guided in-park tours
In winter and on some routes you must join a snowcoach or official tour
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⛽—
Fuel
Only a handful of gas stations in the park, with queues in peak season — fill up early
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Recommended Stay Areas
🏨 In-park lodging (first choice)
Mammoth, Old Faithful, Lake and other in-park options — book months ahead
🏘️ West Yellowstone
Right by the West Entrance, with the densest choice of lodging and dining
🏔️ Gardiner / Mammoth
The North Entrance — the only direction open to cars in winter
🏕️ Jackson / Grand Teton
The southern side, convenient for combining with Grand Teton National Park
Free Consultation
Free Consultation
1-on-1 travel consultant customizes your Yellowstone National Park trip for free based on your schedule and preferences.