Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is the most distinguished and popular National Park in the United States. At 2.2 million acres, equaling 3,472 square miles, it is immense in size. I know you are thinking, "How am I going to see all of this during my visit?" Well we have a solution to your problem. We have designed these pages to let you in on all the hot spots to visit and see.
Featured Listings: (add your listing)
The Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, WY
Discover Where the West Begins. Located in historic Cody, WY, just an hour from the east entrance of Yellowstone. Art and History of the American West. Bring the kids.
(307) 587-4771
Custom Park Tours in Grand Teton & Yellowstone
Private, custom park tours focusing on the interpretive aspects or Native American influence and history of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park. 18 years of experience!
(307) 734-8387
Yellowstone Safari Co. Wildlife Tours in the Park
First-class, private tours in Greater Yellowstone. Experienced biologist-guides provide year-round once in a lifetime experiences for all ages. Exceptional sights to behold.
(866) 586-1155
Yellowstone Park Listings: (add your listing)
BrushBuck Photo Tours - Grand Teton / Yellowstone
Providing quality private wildlife / scenic tours in Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks. Ideal for families, small tour & RV groups, and couples seeking an adventure.
(888) 282-5868
Dry Ridge Outfitters: Bechler Canyon 1 Day - 5 Day
Full Day Horseback Ride or overnight Pack Trip through the Southwest corner of Yellowstone Park. River Crossings, Geothermal Features, Hot Spring Soaks. Aug. to Sept.
(208) 558-8558
Grayline Park Tours - Grand Teton & Yellowstone
Offering enjoyable motorcoach tours of Jackson Hole and both National Parks. We are the regions largest, and most reliable. Group discounts available.
(800) 443-6133
Snake River Kayak and Canoe: Boat Rentals
Canoes, sea kayaks, fishing drift boats, whitewater kayaks, 2 person inflatable duckie rafts, 8 person whitewater rafts & sit on top kayaks! Classes and guided trips, too!
(800) 529-2501
Thrifty Car Rentals - Save Additional 5% Right Now
Need a car for touring Grand Teton & Yellowstone Parks? We offer great rates & vehicle styles. Click this link, get 5% off the best published rate on all cars, SUVs & vans.
(800) 847-4389
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Cabin & Home Rentals 40% off near Yellowstone
Select from amazing homes and cabins along the Yellowstone River, a stone's throw from Yellowstone's north entrance in Gardiner. Coming at the last minute? Book now and save!
(866) 807-0744
Yellowstone is filled with geothermal geysers, hot springs, steam vents, and mud-pots. Elevations in the park range from 5,000 to 11,000 feet. The temperature in the Park can range from 90 degrees F, in the summer to -45 degrees below zero in the winter. All kinds of wildlife live in this vast forested area so keep your eyes open for that buffalo looking at you from behind a tree. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is famous for its colors, shapes, and waterfalls. Rivers, streams, waterfalls and Yellowstone Lake are the major water resources.
Entrances to Yellowstone
There are five entrances into Yellowstone National Park. All are accessible during the summer months and only one is open to vehicles during the winter months.
- North Entrance (Only entrance open in the winter)
- South Entrance
- East Entrance
- West Entrance
- Northeast Entrance
Points of Interest
The major scenic attractions are located on the Grand Loop Road (a figure eight shaped road in the center of the park). The entire Loop is 142 miles but due to the maximum speed limit of 45 mph, traffic maybe be slow and heavy, therefore keep this in mind when traveling to a destination.
Geysers and Hot Springs
Yellowstone has an estimated 10,000 thermal features including geysers, hot springs and fumaroles. Only three percent are geysers. Most of the geysers are small bubbling pools that may occasionally splash and make some noise. There are only 100 geysers that erupt 100 feet or higher on a daily basis. The most famous geyser is Old Faithful which erupts approximately every 65 minutes. Geysers are made up of water and steam. This combination can be disrupted very easily. The throwing of sticks, coins, stones or any other foreign material can cause a geyser to disrupt its eruption time or even cause one to die after a period of time. Natural causes such as earthquakes can produce the same effect.
The Upper Geyser Basin is where Old Faithful is located. There are many geysers on this loop including Castle, Grand, Riverside, Beehive, Grotto, Beauty Pool and the famous Morning Glory pool. Morning Glory Pool is famous for its elaborate colors and resemblance of the Morning Glory flower. The Lower Geyser Basin includes the Fountain Paint Pots. The paint pots are an elaborate display of colored mud that erupt and bubble just like geysers. If your children made mud pies at some time, this is an excellent opportunity to see mud at its best.
Many of the hot springs have some sort of color. The color is determined by the types of algae that may grow in the springs. Temperature may also have an effect on the color. For example water that is 167 degrees F makes the water look green or blue. This is what makes the hot springs so unique.
Maps are located at Visitors Centers and at the beginning of most trails. A small donation is asked to help cover costs of printing the maps. Everything is on the honesty system so please contribute the small amount. It is greatly appreciated. Littering in the Park is illegal and also in many areas of Wyoming. Please pick up your trash and throw it in the proper containers provided.
Wildlife
A wide variety of wildlife live in the Park including bison, elk, mule deer, black bear, grizzly bears, moose, coyotes, pelicans, eagles and many other types of animals. The buffalo is a famous symbol for Yellowstone Park. In the early 1900's the buffalo became nearly extinct due to the hunters of the Plains. Yellowstone was the only place the buffalo could roam and be protected from the hunters. Elk can often be seen off the side of the road grazing in the grassy areas during the summer months. During the winter, many elk find a home on the vast plains of the National Elk Refuge. If the snow becomes too deep or crusty, pelletized alfalfa is provided to help them survive the winter months. When is the best time to see these animals? The early morning and evening hours is the best time to see a moose at a watering hole or an elk peeking through the tall grasses.
Plants
As you enter Yellowstone you will notice the very large lodgepole pine trees that encompass two thirds of the Park. On the Grand Loop Road these trees are the most common species of pine tree. The elk can be easily seen living here in the summer months. The lodgepole pine provides shelter, food, and sunshine for much of the wildlife that lives here, including an abundance of wildflowers in the summer months.
Other pages you might find helpful:
Glacier National Park Guide
Glacier National Park is a popular destination for travelers also visiting Yellowstone.
Visit the Grand Tetons
The Grand Tetons are a highlight of Yellowstone area vacations.
West Yellowstone
The western gateway to Yellowstone National Park.
Winter Destinations
Plan a winter vacation to Yellowstone area travel destinations!
Yellowstone Hotel Info
Hotels & Lodging around Yellowstone.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is just a short drive from the town of Jackson.
Yellowstone NPS
Official Park Service site.
network of Travel Guides