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Big Dipper Ursa Major over Old Faithful geyser Yellowstone National Park Wyoming Astrophotography📷 Astroval1, CC BY-SA 4.0
National park

Yellowstone National Park

The world's first national park, with more than half of the planet's active geysers.

Established
1872
States
WY, MT, ID
Grand Loop
142 mi
Best season
Jun–Sep

Before you go

  • The Grand Loop Road forms a figure eight, so plan one region per day.
  • Stay on boardwalks in thermal areas. The crust can be thin.
  • Keep at least 25 yards from bison and elk and 100 yards from bears and wolves.

Where to base yourself

West Yellowstone is closest to the geyser basins. Gardiner is open year-round and closest to Mammoth. Inside the park, lodges and campgrounds are booked months ahead.

FAQs

When do the roads open?

Most roads open in stages from mid-April to late May and close in early November. The north entrance road is open all year.

Places to see

Big Dipper Ursa Major over Old Faithful geyser Yellowstone National Park Wyoming Astrophotography© Astroval1 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Old Faithful

Erupts roughly every 60 to 110 minutes. Rangers post the predicted time in the visitor center.

Yellowstone, WY
Grand Prismatic Spring – green trees near lake under cloudy sky during daytimePhoto by Laminda Nickla on Unsplash
Editor's pick
Nature

Grand Prismatic Spring

A hot spring bigger than a football field, ringed with orange and yellow microbial mats. See it from the…

Yellowstone, WY
West Thumb Geyser Basin – Abyss Pool, Yellowstone National Park, South view 20110818 1© DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Hot springs and pools spilling into Yellowstone Lake, with a boardwalk loop that passes the Fishing Cone…

Yellowstone, WY
Yellowstone National Park (WY, USA), Norris Geyser Basin -- 2022 -- 2680© Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

Norris Geyser Basin

The hottest and most changeable geyser basin in Yellowstone, home to Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest…

Yellowstone, WY
Hayden Valley, Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park - panoramio© trukdotcom · CC BY-SA 3.0
Nature

Hayden Valley

Open valley of the Yellowstone River with bison herds, elk and waterfowl; bison jams are common. Pull out…

Yellowstone, WY
Artist Point, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from Artist Point© Arbitrarily0 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Editor's pick
Views

Artist Point, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The classic view of the 94 m Lower Falls framed by yellow and pink canyon walls, at the end of South Rim…

Yellowstone, WY

Campsites nearby

  • Yellowstone Grizzly RV ParkMotorhome stopover
    16 mi from · 240 pitches
    MotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Grant Village CampgroundCampsite
    16 mi from · 430 pitches
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Lewis Lake CampgroundCampsite
    20 mi from · 84 pitches
    TentsCaravansDrinking water
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Bridge Bay CampgroundCampsite
    20 mi from
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Canyon CampgroundCampsite
    23 mi from · 273 pitches
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Fishing Bridge RV ParkCampsite
    23 mi from · 310 pitches
    CaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposal
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Wyoming · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

Trip guides

Grand Teton, Yellowstone and the Beartooth Highway – gray mountain under white cloudy skyPhoto by Nate Foong on Unsplash
212
National park loops

Grand Teton, Yellowstone and the Beartooth Highway

210 mi8 stops5 days