must-visit in Yellowstone National ParkNational Park & Nature

Yellowstone National Park

📍 Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA

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Quick Facts

Location: USA, Yellowstone National Park
Category: National Park & Nature
Duration: 2–4 days (full loop drive ~7–8 hrs)
Opening Hours: Open all year, but the Grand Loop Road closes for snow Nov–Apr (North Entrance–Cooke City stays open). Visitor centers run seasonally, mostly May–Oct.
Ticket Price: Adult: USD 35/vehicle (7 days) · motorcycle: USD 30 (7 days) · Non-US residents 16+: +USD 100 each; waived with annual/ATB pass
Address: Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
Coordinates: 44.6201, -110.5607

Introduction

Established in 1872, Yellowstone was the world’s first national park, spanning Wyoming, Montana and Idaho across about 8,983 km². Sitting atop a supervolcano, it holds one of Earth’s most active geothermal systems — Old Faithful geyser, the rainbow-hued Grand Prismatic Spring, bubbling mud pots and steam vents. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake and countless waterfalls shape a dramatic plateau, while bison, grizzly bears, wolves and elk roam free, making it a living showcase of North American wilderness.

✨ Highlights

Old Faithful Geyser

The park's best-known landmark erupts roughly every 90 minutes, throwing water 30-55 m high. The visitor centre posts a prediction board accurate to the minute, and several other geysers cluster nearby in the Upper Geyser Basin.

Grand Prismatic Spring

The largest thermal spring in the US and the third largest in the world, roughly 100 m across. Heat-loving bacteria produce its bands of red, orange, yellow and green, making it Yellowstone's most recognisable "eye of the Earth".

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Yellowstone River has carved a golden canyon about 300 m deep. The Upper and Lower Falls are the showpiece, with Artist Point the classic viewpoint.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Terraced white travertine terraces built up over decades of hot-spring deposit. The formations keep "growing" as the water shifts, and the site sits near the north entrance.

Yellowstone Lake

One of the highest lakes in North America, its surface around 2,357 m. At the West Thumb hot springs the thermal water runs straight into the lake.

Wildlife watching

Few places let you see bison, grizzly bears, wolves and elk in the wild together. Lamar Valley is nicknamed the "Serengeti of America" and is prime viewing country.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

A lakeside cluster of hot springs on the west shore of Yellowstone Lake, where steam drifts across the water - an easy walk and a good photo stop.

Heart of a Supervolcano

The park sits atop one of North America’s largest active volcanic systems—the magma chamber powering ten thousand geothermal features.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best season：May to September, when all roads are open and wildlife is active; winter brings snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

→Suggested stay：2-4 days

→Five entrances：South (Yellowstone Lake), North (Gardiner), West (West Yellowstone), East and North-East (Cooke City).

→Getting around：The park loop is driven by car; in summer free shuttles link the major attractions.

→Accommodation：Nine lodges and campgrounds inside the park (book months ahead); hotels also available in West Yellowstone and Gardiner.

→Connectivity：Mobile and data coverage is absent across most of the park - download offline maps before you go.

→Fees and passes：Standard entrance: 7-day pass $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, $20 per person on foot or bike. America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 for US residents, $250 for nonresidents - the nonresident pass covers both entrance and the surcharge, for a vehicle or two motorcycles, or the pass holder plus three additional adults at per-person sites. Nonresident surcharge: from 2026, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay $100 each on top of the entrance fee. Fee-free days from 2026 apply to US residents only; passes bought before 1 January 2026 stay valid on original terms. Proof of US residency (US passport, state licence/ID or green card) is checked on entry. Source: nps.gov (as of October 2026).

→Nonresident fee：From 2026 non-US visitors aged 16+ pay $100 each, covered by the $250 nonresident annual pass. Proof of US residency is checked on entry.

→Opening Hours：Open all year, but the Grand Loop Road closes for snow Nov–Apr (North Entrance–Cooke City stays open). Visitor centers run seasonally, mostly May–Oct.

→Transportation：Fly to Salt Lake City (SLC, ~5.5h) or Bozeman (BZN, ~1.5h), then drive; free summer shuttles.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Adult	USD 35/vehicle (7 days)
Motorcycle	USD 30 (7 days)
Per Person (Foot/Bike/Ski)	USD 20/person (16+)

Non-US residents 16+: +USD 100 each; waived with annual/ATB pass

💡 Tips

• The Old Faithful visitor centre posts a same-day eruption timetable - plan the day around it.

• Keep your distance from wildlife: at least 100 m from bison and bears, 25 m from everything else. Never leave the vehicle or feed animals.

• Stay on the boardwalks in thermal areas - the ground is fragile and scalding water has killed visitors.

• Highland weather turns fast and the day-night gap is wide - pack warm and waterproof layers even in summer.

• Fuel stations are few and pricey, so fill up before entering and carry water and snacks.

• Yellowstone is one of the 11 parks subject to the 2026 nonresident surcharge - factor $100 per person into your budget. A single-day visit cannot amortise it, so an annual pass only pays off on multi-day or multi-park trips.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Yellowstone National Park?

Open all year, but the Grand Loop Road closes for snow Nov–Apr (North Entrance–Cooke City stays open). Visitor centers run seasonally, mostly May–Oct.

How much is the admission for Yellowstone National Park?

Adult: USD 35/vehicle (7 days); Motorcycle: USD 30 (7 days); Per Person (Foot/Bike/Ski): USD 20/person (16+); Non-US residents 16+: +USD 100 each; waived with annual/ATB pass

Any practical tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park?

The Old Faithful visitor centre posts a same-day eruption timetable - plan the day around it. Keep your distance from wildlife: at least 100 m from bison and bears, 25 m from everything else. Never leave the vehicle or feed animals.