Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a handful of frequently asked questions. If you don't find an answer to your question below please contact us.

Contact Numbers:
What are some useful telephone numbers in Yellowstone?

Travel Tips:
Where is Yellowstone National Park
When does the park open?
Where are the closest airports and distances?
How much does it cost to enter Yellowstone National Park?
Can I bring my pet into the park?
What lodging and campgrounds are available in the park?
When is Yellowstone National Park open?
How long does it take to visit Yellowstone National Park?
How many miles are the lower and upper loops of Yellowstone?
Is the Lamar Valley road open during the winter months for vehicle use and wildlife watching?
What are roads in Yellowstone like for pulling an RV or trailer?
What are road conditions like in Yellowstone in the fall?
How long does it take to get from the North Entrance to the South?

Facts & Tidbits:
When did Yellowstone become a park?

Activities & Attractions:
What are the most popular winter and summer activities?
What wildlife will I see?
How often does Old Faithful erupt?
Are there any hot springs that you can actually soak in within the park?
What kind of tours are available in Yellowstone?
What kind of winter tours are available in Yellowstone?

Contact Numbers:

What are some useful telephone numbers in Grand Teton National Park?
Yellowstone National Park: (307) 344-7381
Reservations: (888) 733-1093
Road Info: 1-888-WYO-ROAD or http://map.wyoroad.info/

Travel Tips:

Where is Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming and actually encompasses small areas of Idaho and Montana as well.

When does the park open?
Yellowstone National Park is open year-round. During the winter months from October to mid-April, however, the only road open to vehicle traffic is between Gardiner (the north entrance near Mammoth Hot Springs) through the northeast entrance at Cooke City. Roads are open during the heart of the winter to over-the-snow vehicles like snowmobiles and snowcoaches (individuals must be with a tour or guide). Roads open in the spring between April 15th and May 31st. For more information check our Hours & Seasons page.

Where are the closest airports and distances?
There are a number of airports providing access to Yellowstone National Park. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is located 1.5 hours south of the south entrance. The Bozeman, Montana airport is located about 1.75 hours north of the Gardiner entrance. Idaho Falls airport is located 2.75 hours west of West Yellowstone, Montana. All airports offer car rental services. More info on Local Airports.

How much does it cost to enter Yellowstone National Park?
Entrance fees cost $25 per vehicle, which is good for 7 days for access to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. Bikers and hikers can enter for $12 per person. Motorcyclists can enter for $20. You can also puchase an Annual Pass for $80 which allows access to almost all national parks. Check the latest info on fees and permits.

Can I bring my pet into the park?
Pets must be on leash at all times and are only allowed in certain areas. More info on Pet Regulations.

What lodging and campgrounds are available in the park?
There are a number of places to rest your head at night in Yellowstone. Most lodges require advance reservations and they fill up quickly in the heart of the summer. Some campgrounds allow reservations but most are first come first serve. Check out Yellowstone lodges like Old Faithful Lodge and Mammoth Hotel. See more information on Yellowstone Campgrounds.

When is Yellowstone National Park open?
The park is open year-round but many roads and services close during the winter months. Please see Yellowstone Hours & Seasons for more information.

How long does it take to visit Yellowstone National Park?
There are so many sights, trails and attractions to see and explore in Yellowstone National Park that you could easily spend a week here and still want to see more. Most people try to cover the most obvious attractions along the figure 8 loop road. Keep in mind that traffic can build up, especially when the bison sometimes take over the highway. The loop roads are 96 miles and 70 miles, respectively.

Is the Lamar Valley road open during the winter months for vehicle use and wildlife watching?
The north entrance from Gardiner to Cooke City is open and maintained in the winter months for vehicle traffic. You can definitely do all the wildlife viewing you would like from this area. For reference you can check out the NPS road openings and closures or find out more about Lamar Valley.

What are roads in Yellowstone like for pulling an RV or trailer?
The roads take on a moderate to mountainous landscape throughout the park from all entrances. The northern sections will be a bit steeper grade than the lower areas of the south and the east. You will encounter gradual curves and moderate inclines but the roads are wide and forgiving. Curves will be winding with few sharp turns if any. Thousands of RVs and large vehicles travel through the park each year so make sure you are comfortable driving your large haul.

What are road conditions like in Yellowstone in the fall?
Annually the Yellowstone National Park roads begin to close the last week of October, officially closing for the season the first week in November. Be sure to check the road conditions and closure dates before planning your late fall trip in Yellowstone. Operating Seasons/Dates | Road Closures/Construction Reports

How long does it take to get from the North Entrance to the South?
As for an average time from the North Entrance to the South entrance it varies according to the season, time of day and amount of traffic on the road. It also varies depending on your stops. There are so many things to see and do that it is completely up to you how long you want to spend in Yellowstone.

Facts & Tidbits:

When did Yellowstone become a park?
The first park in the nation (and in the world) came to be in 1872, eighteen years before Wyoming became a state.

Activities & Attractions:

What kind of activities are available in the park?
Hiking and Fishing are probably the two most popular summer activities in Yellowstone. Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing or snow coach tours are a great way to explore the park in the winter months.

What wildlife will I see?
Yellowstone is wildlife. Keep watch for moose, black and grizzly bears, pronghorn, elk, bald eagles, gray wolves, coyotes and bison. Always stay at a safe distance from large animals.

How often does Old Faithful erupt?
It's anybody's guess. Just kidding. Old Faithful erupts about every 67 minutes. Other geysers in the area erupt more dramatically, but not as consistently.

Are there any hot springs that you can actually soak in within the park?
You are in luck! There are a few areas that are designated for soaking inside the park. Most will be located around Mammoth Hot Springs. Find more info about these geothermal features. There are also a number of hot springs that you can enjoy in the Jackson Hole area. See more on Jackson Area Hot Springs.

What kind of tours are available in Yellowstone?
The following pages list a handful of sightseeing, wildlife, and winter specific tours in the Yellowstone area:

What kind of WINTER tours are available in Yellowstone?
There are several different guide companies that offer winter hiking and snowshoeing tours in Yellowstone National Park. Trips vary depending on your base location. If you are starting out from Jackson Hole, WY vs West Yellowstone, MT for example, you will see different guides offering different packages.

View the local providers:

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