Yellowstone National Park: A 2025 Visitor’s Guide

 

Yellowstone National Park (est. 1872) is the world’s first national park, covering roughly 3,468 square miles in northwest Wyoming (winging into Montana and Idaho). It resides on top of one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world – the Yellowstone super volcano – providing the energy source for well over half of the planet’s geysers and hydrothermal attractions. The park’s terrain is varied, being characterized by high-elevation forests (about 8,000 ft average) and valleys; Lake Yellowstone, at 7,733 ft, is one of North America’s largest high-altitude lakes. These are home to hundreds of wildlife species (Bisons, elks, wolves, bears, etc). Among the iconic attractions here are Old Faithful Geyser (which shoots off roughly every 90 minutes), the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Lamar Valley (a magnet for wildlife).

 

Yellowstone National Park has entry fees for all visitors. A 7-day private vehicle pass costs $30. Motorcycles can enter for $25 for 7 days, while visitors on bicycle or foot pay $20 for a 7-day pass. An annual Yellowstone park pass costs $80. The park spans 2.2 million acres and has various restaurants at different price points.

 

Find in this article; all those details – Yellowstone as a place, Yellowstone as a landscape, the price of Yellowstone, the best time of year to visit Yellowstone, and what to expect as a Yellowstone traveler – are crucial when planning a trip as a beginner. The sections that follow answer some big questions about visiting Yellowstone in 2025, including, for example, about fees and sample itineraries, safety rules and major attractions.

 

 

What is Yellowstone National Park and what’s so great about it?

 

Yellowstone, a sprawling wilderness and UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its wildlife and geothermal features. It occupies mainly the northwest corner of Wyoming (with smidges in Montana and Idaho) and was reserved as the world’s original national park. The park’s main attraction is the Yellowstone Caldera, an enormous inactive super volcano. This magma chamber beneath the park provides heat to the park’s geothermal features; “the majority of the world’s geysers and hydrothermal features” can be viewed here. Yellowstone is home to hundreds of thermal features, like the hot, colorful waters of its hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles as well as roughly 300 geysers. The most well known is Old Faithful, a cone geyser which is predicted to erupt every 30–55 minutes.

 

The park’s geology is rugged. Elevation varies from 5,300’ to >11,000.’~80% of the park is forested (primarily subalpine fir and lodgepole pine) while alpine peaks (10,000’ +) exist on the peripheries. Yellowstone Lake overlies the caldera, and some of its water is heated underneath resulting in this springs, which is almost 400 ft. deep. Glacial and volcanic activity worked together to from Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (with 1000 ft. falls) and expose the limestone terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs. The park’s terrain is as varied, and it teems with wildlife – bison, elk, deer, moose, grizzly and black bears, wolves, coyotes, foxes, eagles and countless others – lending MVNP status as a prime wildlife-spotting park.

 

In a nutshell, Yellowstone has the geological marvels (huge caldera, geysers, boiling rivers) and the ecosystem diversity (tall forests, lakes, rivers, and meadows). Visitors should come prepared for altitude, changeable mountain weather and thin crowds during some seasons. The common approach is to drive into Yellowstone through one of its five entrances and use the Grand Loop Road (a 142-mile figure-eight route) to shuttle between major attractions on the “Upper” and “Lower” loops of the park road.

 

 

What is the price of vehicle entrance fees and passes in 2025?

 

All visitors are also required to buy an entrance pass. Standard Fares (valid for 7 days after purchase) are as follows:

 

What do entrance fees and passes cost in 2025?

 

All visitors must purchase an entrance pass. The standard fees (valid for 7 days from purchase) are as follows:

Pass Type	2025 Price	Coverage / Notes
Private Vehicle (non-commercial, ≤15 seats)	$35.00	Covers all passengers in the vehicle
Motorcycle (≤2 people)	$30.00	Covers driver + 1 passenger
Individual (on foot, bike, etc., age ≥16)	$20.00	Per person fee
Yellowstone Annual Pass (park-only)	$70.00	Unlimited entry 1 year for holder + vehicle passengers
America the Beautiful Annual Pass (all parks)	$80.00	Unlimited entry 1 year at all U.S. national parks

Children under 16 attend free and do not need a pass. (Note: If you already hold a multi-park or senior America the Beautiful pass, it will cover Yellowstone’s entrance fee.) You can purchase passes online in advance or when you arrive at any entrance station. Leave the pass out on your dashboard. If you’re going to more than one park, consider the America the Beautiful pass ($80 covers this and all federal recreation sites).

 

 

What can you do in Yellowstone in 3 days? (3‑Day Sample Itinerary)

 

For a 3-day visit, you will want to cover the two principal geothermal abasins and a bit of wildlife or canyons. A recommended schedule is:

 

Day 1: The South Loop (Geysers & Lake): Begin by visiting Yellowstone Lake. North America’s biggest high-elevation lakewater is at ~7,733 ft. (Image: Yellowstone Lake)

 

Boating on Yellowstone Lake. Hit lakeside trails, or book a kayak. Then visit West Thumb Geyser Basin on the west shore of the lake – a short boardwalk loop with hot springs and fumaroles at the water’s edge. In the afternoon, drive to the Old Faithful area. Hike the Upper Geyser Basin trails (home to Old Faithful and dozens of other geysers) and make sure to catch an evening eruption of Old Faithful. Spend the night near or at Old Faithful (Grant Village/Canyon).

 

Day 2 – Canyon & Wildlife: at first light hunt out animals is haydens or Lamar Valley (north section of the loop) These valleys are ideal for bison and elk, and Lamar is famous for its wolves. Visit the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (Artist Point, Lookout Point) to see the Upper Falls and Lower Fall after breakfast. Have lunch at Canyon Village, or pack a picnic. In the afternoon, head north to Norris Geyser Basin for Porcelain and Back Basins (hoodoos formed from silica and a profusion of small geysers). A perfect place to end the day in the north of the park for sunset is Mammoth Hot Springs (terraced limestone pools). (Tip: Nearby Fort Yellowstone and the Albright Visitor Center contain history about early park administration.) Overnight in Mammoth Hot Springs or Gardiner, MT.

 

Day 3 – Geyser Basins + Farewell: Head south on the Lower Loop once more. Quick stop 10:45 a.m. Lower Geyser Basin (Firehole Canyon Drive). This area is home to Fountain Paint Pots (mud pot boiling mud) and the vigorous Great Fountain Geyser. And then head to Midway Geyser Basin, where you can gaze upon the Grand Prismatic Spring — a massive blue-green hot spring surrounded by orange thermophilic bacteria. Complete with any remaining sites or a walk along the Firehole River. Leave in the late afternoon via West or South Entrance.

 

Each day is a combination of driving and hikes. (Always consult geyser eruption predictions at visitor centers.) This three-day loop provides a satisfying sampler of Yellowstone’s gems.

 

 

What can I do with 5 days in Yellowstone? (5‑Day Sample Itinerary)

 

With 5 days, you can visit other trails and sights at a slower pace. An example 5-day schedule supplements these with:

Day 1 – Old Faithful and Geysers: (Same as 3-day Day1) Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin; and Black Sand Basin or Biscuit Basin in the morning. Post-sandwich, drive to Midway Geyser Basin to see Grand Prismatic as above, then Fountain Paint Pots in Lower Geyser Basin (a brisk 0.6-mile loop).

 

Day 2 – Canyon & Lake: (Same as 3-day Day2 morning) AM wildlife drive (Hayden Valley). (Then Grand Canyon viewpoints (Artist/Lookout/Brink of Falls). Early afternoon: detour to Mud Volcano area or Storm Point trail around Yellowstone Lake. End of the afternoon: West Thumb Geyser Basin by the lake.

 

Day 3 – Tower & Lamar: In the a.m., hike Mount Washburn from Dunraven Pass (6.8 miles R.T.) for views all around. Drive back through the Tower-Roosevelt area: Look at Tower Fall and the Calcite Spring overlook in the Yellowstone River. Evening: Lamar Valley wildlife drive for wolves/bison.

 

Day 4 – Norris & Mammoth: In the morning, visit the Norris Geyser Basin (Porcelain & Back Basins). Next up was Mammoth Hot Springs (lower & upper terraces). In the late afternoon, head north: pause at Roosevelt Arch, the park entrance, and, conditions permitting, soak in the Boiling River, a hot spring swimming area, near Gardiner.

 

Day 5 — Beartooth Highway or Beaver Ponds Loop: For a last day, take one of these scenic options:

• Beartooth Highway drive: Exit via the NE Entrance and travel this stunning mountain road (if open – mid-May to mid-Oct).
• Beaver Ponds Loop hike: Get an early start on the 5-mile Beaver Ponds Trail close to Mammoth (good for elk and birds) then loop back to Lamar Valley for more wildlife viewing in the afternoon.

Each day’s route finishes near accommodations (Canyon Village, Mammoth Springs area or gateway towns). This 5-day itinerary has extra hikes and scenic drives to provide the ultimate Yellowstone trip.

 

 

What is the best time to visit Yellowstone?

 

Summer (June–Aug) Peak season: warm days (70- 80°F highs), all roads open, all park facilities and campgrounds in operation. The crowds are thick (more than half of Yellowstone’s yearly visitors come then). Shoulder seasons can be ideal: April-early June and September-October have cooler temps, pared-down crowds and wildlife on the move. It is in April that bears come out of hibernation and spring migrants arrive. September–October provides mild days and the elk rut (elk-bugling) starts by mid-September. Roads remain mostly open until early Oct (Grand Loop closes Nov 1 each fall). Autumn foliage brings color to the scenery.

 

Winter (Dec–Mar) turns Yellowstone into a serene snowbound park. After November, many roads are closed to cars (the Mammoth–Northeast Entrance remains open year-round). Visitation during winter is by snowmobile or snow coach. This season is the least frequented. It’s great for watching wolves, seeing elk in snow-bound valleys, gazing at steamy waters emerging against ice, and enjoying undisturbed wildlife. But it takes planning in advance (reservations for winter tours, lodges) and equipment for below-freezing temperatures.

 

In short, the most packed time of year is June-August. For most travelers, from mid-June until September, is the most suretime which most facilities are open. But for even better wildlife viewing and fewer people, aim for May/early June or September/early October (just be prepared for cooler nights). Make sure to check weather and road conditions before you travel.

 

What new visitor rules and guidelines are there in 2025?

 

Yellowstone imposes strict regulations to ensure the safety of visitors, as well as the wildlife:

 

• Wildlife Safety: Do not feed or attempt to approach wildlife. Avoid any physical confrontation with wildlife, and stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other wilderness creatures (bison, elk, etc.). Watch the animals from the comfort of your car or a pair of binoculars. Never feed or bait wildlife — it’s illegal and dangerous. (Much like humans, they will create environmental associations to any good thing, and it tends to be difficult to disregard the fact you keep putting food down there.) (Feeding is habituating, and sometimes leads to euthanize the animal.)
• Bear Management: All food and odorous items must be kept in a bear-proof locker or car. The park is installing bear-resistant food boxes in campgrounds — Yellowstone is growing toward a bear box at every campsite by 2026. Never leave food unattended. If you encounter a bear, remain calm and back away; carry bear spray.
• Thermal Area Rules: Always walk on boardwalks and designated trails in geyser basins – the ground is thin crust and you may break through to hot springs. Please do not touch the hot spring, and do not get in! These rules have saved lives (more than 20 visitors have died of thermal water immersion).
• Parking and Traffic: Never abandon your car in the travel lane or importune traffic. Make a full stop well off the roadway in a designated turnout when viewing wildlife or scenery in the park. One common rule break is stopping the cars on the road to take pictures – this is illegal and unsafe. If wildlife and wildlife spotters have “jammed the park,” stay in your vehicle.
• Camping Rules: Car camping is restricted only to designated campsites. No overnight parking in pullouts, picnic areas, or undesignated sites. Campsites are all by reservation only (online at recreation. gov), except Mammoth Campground, which is first-come-first-served in winter. Campfires are permitted only within park-provided fire rings and must be attended until extinguished. (Fires may be restricted or prohibited during high fire danger.) Pack out everything; no food or trash should be left.
• Pets: In developed areas (roads, campgrounds, and parking areas) only and must be leashed at all times (≤6 feet). Pets are not allowed on trails, boardwalks, in thermal areas, or the backcountry. This ensures the safety of pets and wildlife.
• Winter Travel: In cold weather, a permit is required for travel with a snowmobile; otherwise only guided snow coach and/or ski travel is permitted. Check road closures closely (most roads are closed by Nov and don’t re-open until late April).
• Other rules: Drones (unmanned aircraft) are prohibited in Yellowstone (as in all national parks). No smoking on trails and boardwalks. Obey all posted rules.

“Maintain a visible distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards from all other wildlife”. These and other regulations (see the NPS “Safety” page) are to protect both visitors and the animals of Yellowstone.

You’re safe and helping preserve the park by remaining cautious, following the latest guidelines. Before you go, as always, check out Yellowstone’s official rules & regulations, and any alerts for road or trail restrictions (especially in spring and fall).

What are the highlights?

 

There are dozens of sight in Yellowstone. Some key highlights are:

 

• Old Faithful Geyser: The park emblem. This cone geyser erupts predictably (~20 times/day), reaching a height of 90+ feet. Catch an eruption from the Old Faithful viewing area (you may need to stake out a seat well before its scheduled time). Just up the road is the historic Old Faithful Inn.
• Grand Prismatic Spring: Largest hot spring in the U.S. and third-largest in the world. The vibrant rainbow reds and oranges (from heat-loving bacteria) are stunning. Best seen from the Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk or from the lookout on a short spur trail.
• Lamar Valley: Often referred to as America’s Serengeti, this wide valley in the NE section of the park is renowned for its wildlife. Dawn or dusk brings herds of bison, elk, maybe wolves or bears. (The photograph below is one of a bison crossing Lamar Valley Road.)

A bison on the road in Lamar Valley around sunset. Lamar is some of the best bison, elk, wolves and other wildlife habitat.

 

• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: A dramatic canyon (as deep as 1,000 ft) cut by the Yellowstone River. Artist Point (on the south rim): An iconic view of Lower Falls. The nearby Tower Fall is also a beautiful waterfall.
• Yellowstone Lake: A beautiful alpine lake that extends over ~135 square miles. On the lake’s edge is the West Thumb Geyser Basin with its steaming springs and pools. Boat tours and fishing are popular in the summer.
• Mammoth Hot Springs: Curved layers of travertine formed by hot water. Stroll along the boardwalks that wind through the Upper and Lower Terraces to catch the colors of sunrise. Located here are the historic Fort Yellowstone and Roosevelt Arch (park entrance).

Other features not to miss are Norris Geyser Basin (the hottest of the park’s springs, as well as cone-shaped Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser), and beautiful drives like the Beartooth Highway (at Yellowstone’s northeast entrance). Everyone has a different favorite but these are typically on the “must-see” list for first-time visitors (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Lamar, Canyon, Lake, Mammoth).

 

What is the Yellowstone super volcano?

 

That would be the giant volcano underneath the park. The heat for Yellowstone comes from this magma chamber (a super volcano) beneath the Yellowstone Lake portion of the park. Previous eruptions (millions of years ago) erupted away huge quantities of rock, leaving the caldera basin you now see.

What wildlife might I see?

 

There are many species that wander Yellowstone. Wildlife include bison, elk, pronghorn, moose, deer, bighorn sheep, and coyotes. With good fortune you might catch sight of grizzly and black bears, wolves (especially in Lamar Valley during winter/spring), foxes, eagles and hawks. Birdlife consists of trumpeter swans and pelicans. When you’re watching wildlife, Always stay away.

What is the Grand Loop Road?

 

The 142-mile figure-eight layout (on a plateau, roughly two overlapping circles) of the main park road connects all major destinations. There’s one loop via Canyon Village and Yellowstone Lake; and another that goes through Mammoth and Roosevelt. You can drive most of it in day (the “Yellowstone in a Day” tours cover that), but it’s better if you break it up. Roads switch conditions seasonally (verify for closures on the NPS site).

What is an America the Beautiful Pass?

 

It’s the interagency National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Pass. At $80/year (free for both seniors and those with valid permanent disabilities), it waives entrance fees to all U.S. national parks (and federal lands). At Yellowstone, it allows one private vehicle or up to 4 adults on foot. If you’re planning on heading to several parks, it’s less expensive than an à la carte pass.

What is the weather like?

 

With Yellowstone sitting at high altitude, there is one thing that you can always count on. Summer months are usually comfortable (70–80° F), but the evenings can be cool. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent June through August. Snow is possible in spring or fall, even though it may fall in late May or early October. Very cold (record lows approximately –66° F/–48° C) with heavy snow. As always, bring layers and check the forecast.

 

What is a geyser basin?

 

These are thermal areas with hot springs, geysers, mud pots and the like- often on a boardwalk trail you walk to see. Read More A few of note in the 2.1-million-acre park: Upper Geyser Basin has Old Faithful; Black Sand Basin is home to colorful pools, and Grand Prismatic is found at Midway. When on the wood boardwalks please keep off to for safety.