Yellowstone

YELLOWSTONE S E E W H AT YO U F I N D

S E E W H AT YO U F I N D AT

TA B L E O F

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Overview of Yellowstone

Traveling in Spring

Traveling in Summer

Traveling in Fall

Traveling in Winter

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What will you find at Yellowstone?

Since its designation as a national park in 1872, Yellowstone National Park has been a cherished part of the Wyoming’s rich tapestry. It’s easy to see why. The very definition of “unspoiled,” Yellowstone has served for generations as a sort of living museum, its natural splendors giving visitors an up-close-and-personal glimpse of what the continent was like in the days before recorded history. With 2,219,789 acres of sprawling wilderness to explore, Yellowstone stands as one of North America’s greatest assets — and it’s open year-round for visitors to enjoy.

The park’s vast network of trails will take hikers to hundreds of secluded places where vehicles are prohibited. You’re bound to see wildlife wherever you go.

Yellowstone’s legendary wildlife includes grizzly and black bears, gray wolves, buffalo, elk, pronghorn antelope, trumpeter swans, eagles and much more.

The iconic spots — Old Faithful, Lower Falls, Yellowstone Lake — will be familiar from paintings and photographs, but seeing them in person is a humbling, enthralling experience. They’re not just as good as you’ve heard — they’re better.

What will you find?

North Entrance

Northeast Entrance

Mammoth Tower Falls

Canyon

Norris

Madison

Fishing Bridge Bridge Bay

Old Faithful

East Entrance West Thumb

Grant Village

South Entrance

THIS YELLOWSTONE MAP OFFERS VISITORS A PERSPECTIVE ON DISTANCES TO THE PARKS MAIN ATTRACTIONS. THE PARK IS SO LARGE THAT MAPS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR PLANNING YOUR VACATION OR JUST A WEEKEND TRIP. PARK VISITORS CAN AVOID FRUSTRATION BY PLANNING BEFORE YOU ARRIVE.

02 Travel in Spring

Since its designation as a national park in 1872, Yellowstone National Park has been a cherished part of the Wyoming’s rich tapestry. It’s easy to see why. The very definition of “unspoiled,” Yellowstone has served for generations as a sort of living museum, its natural splendors giving visitors an up-close-andpersonal glimpse of what the continent was like in the days before recorded history. With 2,219,789 acres of sprawling wilderness to explore, Yellowstone stands as one of North America’s greatest assets — and it’s open year-round for visitors to enjoy.

The park’s vast network of trails will take hikers to hundreds of secluded places where vehicles are prohibited. You’re bound to see wildlife wherever you go.

Yellowstone’s legendary wildlife includes grizzly and black bears, gray wolves, buffalo, elk, pronghorn antelope, trumpeter swans, eagles and much more.

The iconic spots — Old Faithful, Lower Falls, Yellowstone Lake — will be familiar from paintings and photographs, but seeing them in person is a humbling, enthralling experience. They’re not just as good as you’ve heard — they’re better.

Springtime in the Norris geyser basin often means snow is likey to be around.

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Travel in Summer This season is ideal for outdoor adventure. Hiking and camping are avaliable.

Summer is rutting and mating season for many of our animals including: •Bison •Wolves •Bears

The Summer season runs from approximately mid-April to the beginning of November but July and August are the peak summer months in Yellowstone. Refer to Opening & Closing Dates of Facilities to check opening dates by area for campgrounds, lodging, services, and more.

Also check Park Roads and Entrance Stations for more information.

Visitation in the park increases as the weather warms up. Summer months are great for hiking and camping, but bring some bug spray. Plan your visit in advance and make sure to consider all the Things to Do and Places to Go. If Wildlife Viewing is part of why you come to Yellowstone, get out in the park early and late in the day. Animals can be hard to find on hot days. July and August provide great opportunities to see bison; it is their rutting or mating season. Huge herds gather in both Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley; these areas can be good bear and wolf watching areas as well, if you go early.

04 Travel in Fall

Fall comes early to Yellowstone. In September the elk often have begun rutting and you can see them around Mammoth Hot Springs. Be careful and remember to stay at least 25 yards (22m) away. In the fall, during the rut, they can be especially dangerous. Bears and other animals become more visible as fall goes on. Early snow and the search for food drive wildlife out of the mountains as they prepare for the winter.

Fall weather is unpredictable; roads may be closed temporarily by snow or other weather conditions. Snow tires or chains may be required. Please Note: That the section of the Beartooth Highway (Highway 212), between the junction of Highway 296 and Red Lodge, MT, closes in winter on a schedule determined by amount of snowfall. Travel between Red Lodge and the Northeast Entrance is not possible on Highway 212 until it opens again in the spring.

Many services in the park begin to close in the fall so check our opening and closing dates to see what remains open.

Communities around Yellowstone remain open year-round. Most of the park entrances, except the north entrance have closed by early November in preparation for the winter season.

Early snow can drive wildlife out of the mountains as they search for food to survive the harsh winter season.

Mammoth Hot Springs is very active during this season, a sight to check out.

04 Travel in Winter Expert Tip: If you're driving through Yellowstone, a 4-wheel drive reliable vehicle is the best way to ensure you and your passengers safety.

Every year, beginning starting in early November through mid-April, park roads are closed to the interior of the park to prepare for the winter season which begins mid-December and ends midMarch. This means the only way to visit Old Faithful and other interior attractions in the winter is by snowmobile or guided snowcoach that follow the park roadways.

The road from the North Entrance to the Northeast Entrance is the only road open to private-wheeled vehicles during our winter season. Winter dates, activities, rules, etc. can change unexpectedly. Always check at the gate or visitor centers for the most current information.

A winter visit to Yellowstone National Park will give you lasting memories of snowy landscapes, steaming geyser basins, and incomparable wildlife viewing. Things to do include: cross country skiing trail and snowshoeing, ranger-led programs and concessioner-led programs. There are also opportunities to guide yourself via snowmobile into Yellowstone through a permitting process.

YELLOWSTONE S E E W H AT YO U F I N D

Nancy Donovan