Yellowstone, United States
Yellowstone is the original national park, where geysers erupt on schedule, hot springs glow in rainbow colours and bison and grizzlies roam open valleys.
Trips to Yellowstone from every city
No live trip to Yellowstone right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | avoid |
| February | avoid |
| March | avoid |
| April | avoid |
| May | fine |
| June | best |
| July | best |
| August | best |
| September | best |
| October | fine |
| November | avoid |
| December | avoid |
- July, August: Peak crowds; book lodging six to twelve months out
- December, January, February, March: Winter snowcoach tours and skiing at Big Sky
- May, October: Shoulder months with partial road openings and fewer people
November, December, January, February, March, April: Park roads are closed to cars from early November to late April; only snowcoach and snowmobile tours run
Where to stay in Yellowstone
- West Yellowstone: Largest gateway town, 14 miles from Old Faithful, with the most motels.
- Inside the park (Old Faithful, Canyon, Lake lodges): Historic park lodges that sell out a year ahead.
- Gardiner: North entrance, open year-round, beside the Lamar Valley wildlife.
- Big Sky: Resort town an hour north with condos and summer rates.
- Bozeman: College town by the airport with breweries and chain hotels.
What to do in Yellowstone
- Watch Old Faithful erupt and walk the Upper Geyser Basin
- See the Grand Prismatic Spring from the overlook trail
- Spot wolves and bison at dawn in the Lamar Valley
- Stand at Artist Point above the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Drive the Beartooth Highway from Cooke City
- Soak in the Boiling River or Chico Hot Springs
Good to know
| Airports | Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN), Jackson Hole (JAC), Yellowstone Regional (Cody) (COD) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | no |
| Price level | upscale |
| Time zone | America/Denver |
| Kind of trip | national-park, nature, adventure, family, road-trip |
Questions about Yellowstone
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone?
June, July, August and September. November, December, January, February, March, April: Park roads are closed to cars from early November to late April; only snowcoach and snowmobile tours run
Do US citizens need a passport for Yellowstone?
No. Yellowstone is a domestic trip; a government photo ID is enough.
How expensive is Yellowstone on the ground?
Yellowstone is upscale by US standards: plan about $130 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.