🌲 Yellowstone National Park: Quick Guide for Visitors

Welcome to the world’s first National Park! Whether you are here for the erupting geysers or the roaming grizzly bears, this guide will help you navigate the 2.2 million acres of the Yellowstone wilderness.

Visitors Center Website

📍 Current Park Status (February 2026)

Access: The park is currently OPEN.
Important Note: Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, official visitor centers and ranger stations may be closed or unstaffed.
Winter Travel: Most interior roads are closed to regular cars. Access is currently limited to snowmobiles and snowcoaches, except for the road between the North Entrance (Gardiner) and the Northeast Entrance (Cooke City), which remains open to wheeled vehicles year-round.

🌋 The "Must-See" Big Five

Old Faithful: The world’s most famous geyser. It erupts roughly every 90 minutes.
Grand Prismatic Spring: A massive, rainbow-colored hot spring. For the best view, hike the Fairy Falls Trail to the overlook.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Home to the thunderous Lower Falls. Don't miss Artist Point for the most iconic photo op.
Lamar Valley: Known as the "Serengeti of North America." This is the best spot to see wolves, grizzly bears, and massive bison herds.
Mammoth Hot Springs: Walk the boardwalks to see the "frozen" travertine waterfalls created by limestone deposits.

🐻 Wildlife Safety & Rules

Yellowstone is a wild ecosystem. To stay safe and avoid heavy fines:

The 100/25 Rule: You must stay 100 yards (300 ft) away from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (75 ft) away from bison, elk, and deer.
Bear Spray: Always carry bear spray and know how to use it. You can rent or buy it in nearby towns like Gardiner or West Yellowstone.
Boardwalks: Never step off the wooden boardwalks in thermal areas. The ground is a thin crust over boiling acidic water.

🚗 Pro-Tips for Your Visit

Download Offline Maps: There is NO cell service in most of the park. Download Google Maps for offline use or use the National Park Service App (save content for offline).
Pack a Cooler: Food options are far apart and can be expensive. Pack lunch, snacks, and plenty of water.
Beat the Crowds: If visiting in summer, enter the park before 7:00 AM or after 4:00 PM to avoid the "bison jams" and full parking lots.
Gas Up: Fill your tank before entering the park. While there are a few stations inside, they are significantly more expensive.

📜 A Quick History

Established: March 1, 1872, by President Ulysses S. Grant.
Indigenous Land: At least 27 Tribes have historic and modern connections to this land, using it for hunting and ceremonies for over 11,000 years.
The Supervolcano: Most of the park sits inside a giant volcanic caldera. The heat from this "supervolcano" is what powers the 10,000+ thermal features you see today.