When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?

If you want fewer people, go in October, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and November the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.

How much does it cost to visit Yellowstone National Park?

$35 / vehicle. Also: $100 nonresident fee (16+). An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park, and waives the nonresident fee.

What are some things to do in Yellowstone National Park?

The National Park Service lists 88 things to do in Yellowstone National Park, including Watch and Listen to a Geyser, Forces of the Northern Range Self-guided Trail, Fountain Paint Pot Trail, Harlequin Lake Trail, Mammoth Hot Springs Trails. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.

When did Yellowstone National Park become a national park?

Yellowstone National Park was established as a national park on March 1, 1872.

What is the closest national park to Yellowstone?

Grand Teton National Park, about 54 miles away in a straight line (roughly 1 hours' drive, estimated).

Idaho · Montana · Wyoming · Est. 1872

Yellowstone National Park

Last verified October 1, 2026$35 / vehicle

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal wonders. Today, millions of people come here each year to camp, hike, and enjoy the majesty of the park. — nps.gov

The sun sets behind the sharp point of a snow-covered mountain; pink clouds are reflected in a pond — Photo: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

States: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
Established: March 1, 1872
Size: 2,219,791 acres
2025 visits: 4,762,988
Busiest-park rank: #3 of 63
Entrance: $35 / vehicle

Best time to visit

When is Yellowstone quiet?

Yellowstone is busiest in July and quietest in November. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, October is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.

In 2025 the park logged 4,762,988 recreation visits, the #3 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.

Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Yellowstone open right now? →

Average visits by month

2021–2025 · NPS IRMA

JFMAMJJASOND

Quietest: NovemberBusiest: July

Fees & passes

What it costs to visit Yellowstone

Private vehicle$35

Motorcycle$30

Per person (on foot / bike)$20

Nonresident fee, per person 16+$100

Yellowstone annual pass$70

From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026. Fees on nps.gov

Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.

Reservations · 2026

No park-wide reservation

The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Yellowstone National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.

Every park that needs a reservation in 2026 →

Things to do

Things to do in Yellowstone

The National Park Service lists 88 things to do in Yellowstone National Park, from quick stops to full-day outings. The shortest come first.

All activities →

Watch and Listen to a Geyser5-120 Minutes · All year
Experiencing the sights and sounds of geysers is a feast for the senses, whether they erupt or are between eruptions.
Forces of the Northern Range Self-guided Trail30-60 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall
Follow this self-guided trail along a boardwalk that winds through the grassland of Yellowstone's northern range.
Fountain Paint Pot Trail30-45 Minutes · Winter, Summer, Fall
Explore the four major types of hydrothermal features along this short, popular, boardwalk trail.
Harlequin Lake Trail30-60 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall
Follow the gentle, uphill trail to a small lake.
Mammoth Hot Springs Trails30-90 Minutes · All year
Wander around large travertine terraces, built by ever-shifting hot springs.
Norris Geyser Basin Trails30-90 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall
Norris Geyser Basin is one of the hottest and most acidic of Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas. It is part of one of the world’s largest active volcanoes. Many hot springs and fumaroles here have temperatures above the…
Pelican Creek Nature Trail30-60 Minutes · Summer, Fall
Introduce yourself to a diverse assortment of Yellowstone habitats and look for birds while hike this loop trail through a forest to the shore of Yellowstone Lake.
Watch Old Faithful Geyser Erupt30-90 Minutes · All year
Old Faithful Geyser is the world's best known geyser. Its eruption intervals have varied from 40 to 126 minutes. Find out the eruption times of Old Faithful and other large geysers at the Old Faithful Visitor Education…

Show all 88 things to do

West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail30-60 Minutes · Summer, Fall
Wraith Falls Trail30-60 Minutes · All year
Explore the Fort Yellowstone Historic District45-60 Minutes · All year
Pets OK
Bannock Ski Trail1-2 Hours · Winter
Barronette Ski Trail1-2 Hours · Winter
Duck Lake Trail1-2 Hours · Summer, Fall
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone1-2 Hours · All year
Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail1-2 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall
Lost Lake Trail1-2 Hours · All year
Mud Volcano Trail1-2 Hours · All year
Natural Bridge Trail1-2 Hours · Summer, Fall
Observation Point Loop Snowshoe Trail1-2 Hours · Winter
Observation Point Trail1-3 Hours · All year
Old Canyon Bridge Ski Trail1-2 Hours · Winter
Reservation/permit
Old Faithful Lower General Store to Morning Glory Pool Bike Trail1-2 Hours · Summer, Fall
Old Lake Road Bike Trail1-2 Hours · Summer, Fall
Pets OK
Riverside Bike Trail1-2 Hours · Summer, Fall
Riverside Ski Trail1-3 Hours · Winter
Roller Coaster Ski Trail1-2 Hours · Winter
Storm Point Trail1-2 Hours · Summer, Fall
Trout Lake Trail1-2 Hours · All year
Yancey's Hole Ski Trail1-2 Hours · Winter
Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail1-3 Hours · Summer, Fall
Abandoned Railroad Bed Bike Trail2-4 Hours · Summer, Fall
Pets OK
Beaver Ponds Trail2-5 Hours · All year
Bighorn Loop Ski Trail2-3 Hours · Winter
Blacktail Plateau Ski Trail2-3 Hours · Winter
Bunsen Peak Trail2-3 Hours · Summer, Fall
Canyon Rim Ski Trail2-3 Hours · Winter
Cascade Lake Trail2-3 Hours · Summer, Fall
Elephant Back Mountain Trail2-3 Hours · Summer, Fall
Fountain Freight Road Bike Trail2-4 Hours · Summer, Fall
Lava Creek Trail2-3 Hours · All year
Lone Star Geyser Bike Trail2-4 Hours · Summer, Fall
Lone Star Geyser Trail2-3 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall
Mount Washburn Bike Trail2-5 Hours · Summer
Mystic Falls Trail2-4 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall
Natural Bridge Bike Trail2-3 Hours · Summer, Fall
North Rim Ski Trail2-3 Hours · Winter
Riddle Lake Trail2-4 Hours · Summer, Fall
Sentinel Meadows & Queen’s Laundry Trail2-4 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall
Sheepeater Ski Trail2-3 Hours · Winter
Slough Creek Trail2-5 Hours · Summer, Fall
Snow Pass Ski Trail2-3 Hours · Winter
Specimen Ridge Day Hike Trail2-4 Hours · Summer, Fall
Tower Fall Ski Trail2-3 Hours · Winter
Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail2-3 Hours · Summer, Fall
Avalanche Peak Trail3-4 Hours · Summer, Fall
Chittenden Road - Mount Washburn Trail3-5 Hours · Summer, Fall
DeLacy Creek Trail3-5 Hours · Summer, Fall
Dunraven Pass - Mount Washburn Trail3-6 Hours · Summer, Fall
Fairy Falls Trail3-5 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall
Grebe Lake Trail3-4 Hours · Summer, Fall
Hellroaring Trail3-5 Hours · Summer, Fall
Howard Eaton Trail (Old Faithful Area)3-5 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall
Lost Lake Ski Trail3-4 Hours · Winter
Mallard Lake Trail3-6 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall
Pelican Valley Trail3-4 Hours · Summer, Fall
Purple Mountain Trail3-5 Hours · Summer, Fall
Ribbon Lake Trail3-4 Hours · Summer, Fall
Blacktail Deer Creek to Yellowstone River Trail4-5 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
Bunsen Peak Loop Bike Trail4-6 Hours · Summer, Fall
Chittenden Loop Ski Trail4-5 Hours · Winter
Garnet Hill Trail4-5 Hours · All year
Osprey Falls Trail4-6 Hours · Summer, Fall
Rescue Creek Trail4-6 Hours · All year
Howard Eaton Trail (Canyon Area)5-6 Hours · Summer, Fall
Lewis River Channel/Dogshead Trail5-8 Hours · Summer, Fall
Mallard Lake Ski Trail5-6 Hours · Winter
Observation Peak Trail5-6 Hours · Summer, Fall
Seven Mile Hole Trail5-8 Hours · Summer, Fall
Fairy Falls Ski Trail6-8 Hours · Winter
Reservation/permit
Fawn Pass Ski Trail6-8 Hours · Winter
Sepulcher Mountain Trail6-8 Hours · Summer, Fall
Bighorn Pass Ski Trail8-10 Hours · Winter
Mount Washburn Spur Trail8-10 Hours · Summer, Fall
Pebble Creek Ski Trail8-10 Hours · Winter
Black Butte Ski Trail10-14 Hours · Winter
Brink of the Lower Falls TrailSummer, Fall
Ride a snowmobile or snowcoach in YellowstoneWinter
Reservation/permitFee

From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.

By activity

The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.

Weather

Weather at Yellowstone

Yellowstone's weather can vary quite a bit, even in a single day. In the summer, daytime highs can exceed 70°F (21°C), only to drop 20 or more degrees when a thunderstorm rolls through. It can snow during any month of the year, and winter lows frequently drop below 0°F (-18°C), especially at night.

Bring a range of clothing options, including a warm jacket and rain gear, even in the summer.

From the National Park Service.

Getting there

Getting to Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park covers nearly 3,500 square miles in the northwest corner of Wyoming (3% of the park is in Montana and 1% is in Idaho). Yellowstone has five entrance stations, and several are closed to regular vehicles during winter. It takes many hours to drive between these entrances, so be sure to check the status of roads at the entrance you intend to use while planning your trip and before you arrive.

2 Officers Row, Yellowstone National Park, WY, 82190 · Directions on nps.gov

Nearby

National parks near Yellowstone

Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.

Road trip

Grand Teton & Yellowstone

2 parks, about 54 miles between them (~1 h of driving, estimated).

Yellowstone is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.

A geyser erupts steam in front of the bright sun. — Photo: NPS / Jacob W. Frank

Bison graze in sage brush — Photo: NPS / Brett Raeburn

FAQ

Yellowstone, quickly

When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?: If you want fewer people, go in October, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and November the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
How much does it cost to visit Yellowstone National Park?: $35 / vehicle. Also: $100 nonresident fee (16+). An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park, and waives the nonresident fee.
Do you need a reservation for Yellowstone National Park in 2026?: The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Yellowstone National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
What are some things to do in Yellowstone National Park?: The National Park Service lists 88 things to do in Yellowstone National Park, including Watch and Listen to a Geyser, Forces of the Northern Range Self-guided Trail, Fountain Paint Pot Trail, Harlequin Lake Trail, Mammoth Hot Springs Trails. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
When did Yellowstone National Park become a national park?: Yellowstone National Park was established as a national park on March 1, 1872.
What is the closest national park to Yellowstone?: Grand Teton National Park, about 54 miles away in a straight line (roughly 1 hours' drive, estimated).

Sources · 3

1.Yellowstone National Park — official site · National Park Service
2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
3.Yellowstone National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)

About this page

Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/yell.

Park'd · free on iPhone & Android

Been to Yellowstone? Log it.

Park'd keeps your national parks map, trips, photos and stats in one place on iPhone and Android. Check off Yellowstone, add the trip, and see how many of the 63 you've got left.

Yellowstone National Park