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.

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
How this park ranks

Annual visitors per trail mile

LowestHighest

Annual visitors per campsite

LowestHighest

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

Camping

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

Sign

Bridge Bay CampgroundReservable

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

Canyon CampgroundReservable

273 sites·$39/night·Seasonal
Park structure

Fishing Bridge RV ParkReservable

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

Grant Village CampgroundReservable

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

Photographers10/10Families Teens9/10Couples9/10First Time Park Visitors9/10Casual Hikers9/10International Visitors9/10Families Young Kids8/10Solo Travelers8/10Experienced Hikers8/10Adventure Seekers8/10Rv Travelers8/10

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 driveView directions →

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

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

Stories

10 Short National Park Trails That Pack Serious ElevationTen trails that deliver serious elevation in small packages, from Denali climbs to vertical shortcuts you'll pay for on the way back8 National Parks With the Most TrailsEight parks where trail networks measure in hundreds of miles and you could hike every weekend for years without repeating routesAcadia vs Yellowstone: Which Park Should You Visit?Acadia packs ocean cliffs and granite peaks into a weekend trip. Yellowstone sprawls across geysers and bison country8 Family Parks This Summer That Won't Be PackedEight national parks where families can hike, explore, and breathe without fighting crowds in June7 National Parks Shaped by FireSeven parks where volcanoes and geothermal systems still reshape the ground beneath your boots8 National Parks With the Most to DoThese eight parks pack more activities into one trip than most national parks offer in three seasonsThe 8 Biggest National Parks in AmericaAlaska holds five of America's eight largest parks, where square mileage rivals entire states and visitors number in the thousands8 National Parks With the Most CampgroundsThese parks lead the country in campground volume, spreading hundreds of sites across varied terrain and seasons10 Short National Park Trails That Pack a PunchCapitol Reef's best short trails pack slot canyons, arches, and real scrambling into distances that fit between breakfast and lunchThe Rocky Mountain National Parks Road TripSix mountain parks stay open all winter and welcome families without specialized gear or backcountry skillsThe 8 Oldest National Parks in AmericaThe eight oldest national parks, ranked by establishment date, from Yellowstone's 1872 debut to Petrified Forest's stone trees8 national parks with the most paved trailsFrom Acadia's carriage roads to Yellowstone's geothermal boardwalks, these parks prove accessibility doesn't mean sacrificing sceneryYellowstone bear attack: what's closed near Old Faithful right nowFairy Falls and Mystic Falls are closed after a grizzly attack near Old Faithful. Here's what's still open and where to hike instead8 historic lodges in national parks worth the splurgeEight historic lodges where the architecture rivals the landscape and reservations open months in advance8 parks for photographers this summerEight mountain parks where wildflowers peak, snowpack lingers, and summer crowds haven't arrived yet8 parks where wildlife viewing peaks in summerEight parks where alpine terrain and open landscapes turn summer into peak season for watching bears, wolves, and herdsYellowstone vs Grand Teton: which park should you visit?Ten miles apart, but Yellowstone sprawls across geothermal plateaus while the Tetons punch straight into the alpine8 national parks with the most dramatic summer thunderstormsWhere August thunderstorms turn national parks into electric theaters, from alpine peaks to desert canyons

Gateway Cities

Salt Lake City, UT356 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 Park54 mi away
Glacier National Park322 mi away
Wind Cave National Park360 mi away