Yellowstone sits on top of an active volcano, and it shows: half the world’s geysers, rainbow-colored hot springs, bubbling mud pots and a canyon of yellow rock. It is also the best place in the lower 48 states to see large wild animals — bison, elk, bears, wolves. The park is huge, 3,472 square miles, and the 142-mile Grand Loop road ties its highlights together.
Best things to do in Yellowstone
Old Faithful & the Upper Geyser Basin
Old Faithful erupts roughly every 60 to 110 minutes; the visitor center posts predictions. Between eruptions, walk the boardwalks of the Upper Geyser Basin to Morning Glory Pool, past Castle, Grand and Riverside geysers — the densest concentration of geysers on Earth.
Watch an eruption from Observation Point, a short climb above the crowds.
Grand Prismatic Spring
The largest hot spring in the US, 370 feet across, with rings of blue, green, yellow and orange bacteria. From the boardwalk in Midway Geyser Basin you see the steam; for the famous colors, hike the Fairy Falls trail to the overlook (1.2 miles return).
Go late morning on a sunny day, when the steam has lifted.
3Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
A 20-mile canyon of yellow and pink rock with two waterfalls. Artist Point frames the 308-foot Lower Falls; the Brink of the Lower Falls trail takes you to the edge of the drop.
Lamar Valley at dawn
Yellowstone’s Serengeti, in the north-east corner: herds of bison, pronghorn, elk and, with luck and a spotting scope, wolves. Be there at first light; watch for the parked cars of wildlife watchers.
5Hayden Valley
Bison roam (and block the road) between Canyon and Yellowstone Lake; grizzlies are sometimes seen at dawn and dusk.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Travertine terraces like a frozen cascade near the north entrance, with elk wandering the lawns of the old Fort Yellowstone.
7Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb
The largest high-altitude lake in North America, with hot springs bubbling on its shore at West Thumb Geyser Basin.
Yellowstone entrance fees and reservations
Since 1 January 2026, foreign visitors pay a $100 surcharge here. Do the maths before you go.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle, 7 days | $35 |
| On foot or by bike, per person | $20 |
| Non-US residents aged 16+ | +$100 per person, on top of the entrance fee |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US residents $80 · non-residents $250 — covers the whole car and the $100 fee |
- No entry reservation. In-park lodges and campgrounds book out months ahead.
Yellowstone in three days
- 1
Day 1 · Geysers
Enter from West Yellowstone. Grand Prismatic overlook, Midway Geyser Basin, then the Upper Geyser Basin around Old Faithful until evening.
Sleep: Old Faithful or West Yellowstone
- 2
Day 2 · Canyon & Hayden Valley
West Thumb, Yellowstone Lake, Hayden Valley for bison, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from both rims.
~70 miSleep: Canyon Village
- 3
Day 3 · Lamar Valley & Mammoth
Leave before sunrise for Lamar Valley, then Tower Fall and Mammoth Hot Springs; exit north to Gardiner or south to Grand Teton.
~90 miSleep: Gardiner or Jackson
Wildlife and thermal safety
- Never approach bison: they injure more visitors than bears do. Stay 25 yards (23 m) from bison and elk, 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves.
- Never leave the boardwalks in thermal areas: the crust is thin and the water is boiling and acidic.
Carry bear spray on any trail and know how to use it; you can rent it in the gateway towns.
When to go
Most roads open in late April to May and close from early November. June has baby animals and full waterfalls; July and August are crowded; September is excellent, with elk bugling and fewer people. In winter, only the road from Gardiner to Cooke City is open to cars; the rest is reached by snowcoach or snowmobile tour.
Where to stay in Yellowstone
Lodging inside the park is limited and books out a year ahead; the gateway towns fill the gap. Sleep in two places to cut driving.
Our 2 hotel picks in Yellowstone
Photos, facilities and tips →
Boutique$$$$Old Faithful Inn
Old Faithful, Upper Geyser Basin
The 1904 log inn beside Old Faithful, with a towering log lobby and the geyser basin at the door.
Family$$$$Three Bear Lodge
West Yellowstone, a few blocks from the park’s west entrance
A family-run West Yellowstone lodge with free breakfast, a pool and hot tubs, a few blocks from the west entrance.
Old Faithful
$$$$Best for: geysers at night
The 1904 Old Faithful Inn, a log cathedral, plus two other lodges by the geyser basin.
Hotels in Old Faithful partner linkWest Yellowstone
$$$$Best for: availability, value
A busy town at the west entrance, 30 minutes from Old Faithful.
Hotels in West Yellowstone partner linkCanyon Village
$$$$Best for: a central base
Modern lodges in the middle of the loop, near Hayden Valley and the canyon.
Hotels in Canyon Village partner linkGardiner
$$$$Best for: Lamar Valley, year-round
At the north entrance, near Mammoth and Lamar Valley, open all year.
Hotels in Gardiner partner linkCody
$$$$Best for: western culture
Buffalo Bill’s town, an hour east, with nightly rodeos in summer.
Hotels in Cody partner linkWeather in Yellowstone by month
Best time to visit Yellowstone, month by month →
Compare every destination month by month in the when-to-go explorer.
Yellowstone: your questions
How many days do you need in Yellowstone?
Three days to see the geysers, the canyon and the wildlife without rushing. Two is possible if you choose one side of the park.
Which entrance is best for Yellowstone?
West Yellowstone for the geysers; the south entrance if you come from Grand Teton; the north entrance at Gardiner for Mammoth and Lamar Valley.
When is Yellowstone open?
The park is open all year, but most roads are open only from late April or May to early November. Check the road opening dates on nps.gov.
Where can you see wolves in Yellowstone?
In Lamar Valley, at dawn and dusk, usually at a distance with a spotting scope or binoculars.
How much does Yellowstone cost in 2026?
$35 per vehicle for 7 days, plus $100 per non-US resident aged 16 and over, unless they have an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026. Prices are in US dollars, before sales tax.