Overview

Yellowstone is the granddaddy of national parks — and it earns that title every day. Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Lamar Valley's wolves — it's a greatest-hits album for nature lovers. The trade-off? Nearly 5 million annual visitors means summer parking lots fill by 10 AM. But visit in September or late May and you'll find a park that still feels wild.

Trail Tip

The Lamar Valley at dawn (5-7 AM) offers the best wildlife viewing in the park — wolves, bison, bears — with a fraction of the midday crowds. Bring binoculars and a thermos.

When to Go

The sweet spot is September — good weather meets manageable crowds. Peak season hits in July.

Crowds thin as elk bugling echoes through valleys. Comfortable weather and autumn colors make this the premium month to visit.

Monthly crowd levels — click a month for details

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Low Moderate High Peak

Seasonal Closures

South Rim Road and roads from South Entrance: Typically closed mid-November through late April due to heavy snow

Beartooth Highway (northeast approach): Often closed late October through May due to snow and weather

How Busy Is It?

How Yellowstone compares to all 62 national parks

Busier than 21% of national parks

QuietBusy
Below Average

More crowded trails than 21% of parks

QuietBusy
Below Average

Higher campsite pressure than 28% of parks

EasyTough
Moderate
3,954 Visitors / Trail Mile
462 Campsite Pressure

Notable Trails

Yellowstone has more trail mileage than 98% of national parks, with 1200 miles across 1000 maintained trails.

The difficulty split leans moderate to strenuous — only 18% of trails are rated easy.

Easy 18% Moderate 60% Strenuous 22%
Wildflowers bloom in an alpine meadow with mountains in the distance.

Chittenden Road - Mount Washburn Trail

Moderate
10.3 mi ·3-5 hours hrs
A creek flows through a meadow surrounded by trees.

DeLacy Creek Trail

Moderate
8.8 mi ·3-5 hours hrs
A rocky mountain peak emerges behind rolling, grassy hills.

Rescue Creek Trail

Moderate
8 mi ·4-6 hours hrs
Two people hike through a field of yellow flowers along the side of a slope.

Blacktail Deer Creek to Yellowstone River Trail

Moderate
7 mi ·4-5 hours hrs
View all 56 trails
Trail Tip

Start early — Yellowstone's most popular trailheads fill up by mid-morning in peak season.

Camping

12 campgrounds with 2147 total sites. About 17% are first-come, first-served.

Sign

Bridge Bay Campground Reservable

432 sites ·$33/night ·Seasonal
Campsite in the Canyon Campground

Canyon Campground Reservable

273 sites ·$39/night ·Seasonal
Park structure

Fishing Bridge RV Park Reservable

310 sites ·$89/night ·Seasonal
Tent at campsite

Grant Village Campground Reservable

430 sites ·$39/night ·Seasonal
View all 12 campgrounds

Top Activities

Yellowstone excels at 13 of 17 activity types — here are the standouts rated 7/10 or higher.

Scenic Driving

10/10

Grand Loop Road, Lamar Valley scenic drive, and multiple stunning viewpoints

Wildlife Viewing

10/10

World-class wildlife viewing; bison, elk, wolves, grizzly bears, and more

Photography

10/10

Exceptional landscapes, geothermal features, and wildlife photography opportunities

Hiking

9/10

Over 1,200 miles of trails ranging from easy boardwalks to challenging backcountry routes

Backpacking

8/10

Extensive backcountry with permit system; remote wilderness camping available

Fishing

8/10

Renowned for cutthroat trout; specific seasons and regulations apply

Bird Watching

8/10

Over 300 bird species including eagles, osprey, and trumpeter swans

Cross Country Skiing

8/10

Extensive winter trail system; Mammoth area accessible year-round

Snowshoeing

8/10

Many trails suitable for snowshoeing in winter months

Ranger Programs

8/10

Comprehensive programs including guided walks, campfire talks, and educational seminars

Horseback Riding

7/10

Permitted on many trails; outfitter services available in gateway towns

Kayaking Canoeing

7/10

Yellowstone Lake offers excellent paddling; rivers suitable for experienced paddlers

Stargazing

7/10

Limited light pollution in remote areas; excellent night sky viewing

Who It's For

Photographers 10/10 Families Teens 9/10 Couples 9/10 First Time Park Visitors 9/10 Casual Hikers 9/10 International Visitors 9/10 Families Young Kids 8/10 Solo Travelers 8/10 Experienced Hikers 8/10 Adventure Seekers 8/10 Rv Travelers 8/10

Planning Your Trip

Getting There

Nearest city: Bozeman, MT (90 mi). Fly into BZN.

In-Park Services

Gas available · Lodging available · Cell: limited

Gateway Town

Gardiner, MT / West Yellowstone, MT — full amenities

Location

Map showing location of Yellowstone National Park near Bozeman, MT
Bozeman, MT — 122.9 mi drive View directions →

Featured In ?Rankings based on data-driven scoring across all 62 national parks.

#1 Best National Parks for Hiking #4 Best National Parks for Camping #8 Best National Parks for Wildlife #10 Best National Parks for RV Travelers #8 Best National Parks for Casual Hikers

Stories

10 Short National Park Trails That Pack Serious Elevation Ten trails that deliver serious elevation in small packages, from Denali climbs to vertical shortcuts you'll pay for on the way back 8 National Parks With the Most Trails Eight parks where trail networks measure in hundreds of miles and you could hike every weekend for years without repeating routes Acadia vs Yellowstone: Which Park Should You Visit? Acadia packs ocean cliffs and granite peaks into a weekend trip. Yellowstone sprawls across geysers and bison country 7 National Parks Shaped by Fire Seven parks where volcanoes and geothermal systems still reshape the ground beneath your boots 8 National Parks With the Most to Do These eight parks pack more activities into one trip than most national parks offer in three seasons The 8 Biggest National Parks in America Alaska holds five of America's eight largest parks, where square mileage rivals entire states and visitors number in the thousands 8 National Parks With the Most Campgrounds These parks lead the country in campground volume, spreading hundreds of sites across varied terrain and seasons 10 Short National Park Trails That Pack a Punch Capitol Reef's best short trails pack slot canyons, arches, and real scrambling into distances that fit between breakfast and lunch The Rocky Mountain National Parks Road Trip Six mountain parks stay open all winter and welcome families without specialized gear or backcountry skills

Gateway Cities

Salt Lake City, UT 356 mi / 6.5h drive

Compare Yellowstone

See how Yellowstone stacks up against other national parks — crowds, trails, and more.

Compare Yellowstone

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?

The best month to visit Yellowstone is September, based on a balance of weather, crowds, and accessibility. Peak visitation is in July. The park has 6 comfortable months for visiting.

How crowded is Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone is relatively uncrowded, with a congestion index of 2.6/10. The park receives 4.7M visitors annually across 5,414 square miles.

How many trails does Yellowstone National Park have?

Yellowstone has 1200 miles of trails across 180 easy, 600 moderate, and 220 strenuous routes. Popular trails include Old Faithful to Morning Glory Pool, Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - South Rim Trail.

Can you camp at Yellowstone National Park?

Yes, Yellowstone has 12 campgrounds with 2147 total sites. Some sites are available first-come, first-served.

Is Yellowstone National Park open year-round?

Yes, Yellowstone is open year-round, though some roads and facilities may close seasonally. The park's climate is classified as alpine.

Nearby Parks

Grand Teton National Park 54 mi away
Glacier National Park 322 mi away
Wind Cave National Park 360 mi away