On my June trip, I spent 3 nights in Mammoth, 3 nights in the backcountry and 3 nights at Norris. It was a bit of a last minute trip so we made due with what we could get. However… I always want to make sure I’m choosing the best option. So while we were touring around the park, I checked out most of the other campgrounds to see which campgrounds were awesome… and which were not.

I’ve put together a truly MASSIVE guide to camping in Yellowstone for you, updated for the 2025 season. It’s got literally everything you need to know including:

• How to make reservations for camping in Yelllowstone
• My recommendations for the best campgrounds in Yellowstone
• A detailed breakdown of what you’ll find at each of Yellowstone’s 12 campgrounds
• A complete list of all the campgrounds outside Yellowstone
• Rules and tips for camping in Yellowstone

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

WANT MORE YELLOWSTONE INFO?  Check out these posts:

• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor
• Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

How to Make Camping Reservations in Yellowstone

There are three main types of campgrounds in Yellowstone: National Park-run campgrounds, privately-run Yellowstone National Park Lodges campgrounds, and backcountry campgrounds. You can drive up to the first two types but you’ll need to walk, paddle or ride a horse into the backcountry.

The reservation process for each type is different.

Yellowstone National Park-Run Reservable Campgrounds

These campgrounds are rustic – they don’t have showers and some do not have flush toilets. Scroll down for details about each campground.

A few years ago, all of these campgrounds were first-come, first-served. However, since 2023, all campgrounds run by Yellowstone National Park have been reservable.

You can make reservations on Recreation.gov. You can make a reservation exactly six months in advance of the date you want to camp. So if you want to camp on July 15, the earliest you can make a reservation is January 15.

If your dates are sold out, keep checking back. They do get last minute cancellations and sites open up again.

As well, some campgrounds have a handful of first-come, first-served sites. Some campground also have sites that can be booked two weeks in advance.

If you don’t get a reservation, don’t worry – you can use an app like Campnab to automatically scan the booking site, then send you a text or email when a site becomes available to book. Learn more about how these apps work in my guide to camping cancellation apps.

Yellowstone National Park-run campgrounds are:

• Indian Creek Campground (closed in 2025)
• Lewis Lake Campground
• Mammoth Campground
• Norris Campground (closed in 2025)
• Pebble Creek Campground (closed in 2025)
• Slough Creek Campground
• Tower Fall Campground

Yellowstone National Park Lodges Privately-Run Campgrounds

The Yellowstone National Parks Lodges campgrounds are run by a park concessionaire. They are not run by the parks service. These campgrounds are huge, with hundreds of sites. They all have flush toilets and RV-friendly sites and some have showers. Scroll down for details about each campground.

You can make reservations on the Yellowstone National Park Lodges website. They get fully booked up for the summer months in advance, so make a reservation as early as you can. (The earliest you can book is 13 months before your trip, starting on the 5th of the month. So if you want to book July 20, 2024, you can book starting on July 5, 2023.)

If your dates are sold out, keep checking back. They do get last minute cancellations and sites open up again.

If you don’t get a reservation, don’t worry – you can use an app like Campnab to automatically scan the booking site, then send you a text or email when a site becomes available to book. Learn more about how these apps work in my guide to camping cancellation apps.

Yellowstone National Park Lodges-run campgrounds are:

• Bridge Bay Campground
• Canyon Campground
• Fishing Bridge RV Park
• Grant Village Campground
• Madison Campground

First-Come, First-Served Campgrounds in Yellowstone.

In previous years, many campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park did not accept reservations – they were available on a first-come, first-served basis. Starting in 2022, all camping is Yellowstone National Park is reserveable.

However starting, the Yellowstone National Park campgrounds have “secondary release” sites that are reserveable two weeks in advance. This makes last-minute camping possible.

• Indian Creek Campground – 20% of sites are available to reserve 2 weeks in advance – Note closed in 2025
• Lewis Lake Campground – 20% of sites are available to reserve 2 weeks in advance.

Another way to get last-minute camping is to hope some doesn’t show up or checks out early. If this happens, their site may become available. Check with the campground host at each campground to see if they have any sites available. Go early in the morning (before 8 a.m.) for the best chance of getting a spot.

Backcountry Campgrounds in Yellowstone

There are over 300 backcountry campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park that you can reach by foot, horseback or boat. Some of them are less than a mile from the road, while others are a LOT further.

I stayed at three of them along the Yellowstone River Trail during my trip to Yellowstone, and they were all pretty gorgeous.

However, info on backpacking in Yellowstone is outside the scope of this campground guide, so I won’t get into details. If you want more info, see the Backcountry Camping page on the Yellowstone National Park website.

Which Yellowstone Campground Should You Stay At?

That’s a tough question to answer. It really depends on what you are looking for in a campground. As well, Yellowstone is a REALLY big park so many attractions are hours apart. It might make sense to stay in one campground for a night or two, then move to another one to be close to other sights.

On my visit we stayed at Mammoth for three nights, then at Norris for three nights. I also visited most of the campgrounds just to see if we might want to consider trying to get a site there.

Here’s my campground-by-campground breakdown of each of the places to camp in Yellowstone National Park. I’ve got all the info on each campground so you can decide for yourself which Yellowstone campground is the best.

However, if you need some recommendations for the best campgrounds in Yellowstone, here are mine:

Most central campground: Norris (closed in 2025)

Best campground with showers: Canyon Village

Best Yellowstone campground for wildlife watching: Slough Creek

Best campground for RVs: Fishing Bridge

Details for Every Yellowstone Campground

Mammoth: $25/night, 85 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near Mammoth Hot Springs, reserve via Recreation.gov

Indian Creek: Closed in 2025 – $20/night, 70 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near Mammoth Hot Springs, reserve via Recreation.gov

Norris: Closed in 2025 – $25/night, 111 sites, flush toilets, no showers, near Norris Geyser basin, reserve via Recreation.gov

Madison: $33/night, 276 sites, flush toilets, no showers, near Old Faithful, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Grant Village: $39/night, 430 sites, flush toilets, showers, near West Thumb Geyser Basin, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Lewis Lake: $20/night, 85 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near West Thumb Geyser Basin, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Bridge Bay: $33/night, 432 sites, flush toilets, no showers, near Yellowstone Lake, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Fishing Bridge RV Park: $89/night, 310 sites (RVs only), flush toilets, showers, near Yellowstone Lake, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Canyon: $39/night, 273 sites, flush toilets, showers, near Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, reserve via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Tower Fall: $20/night, 31 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near Tower Fall, reserve via Recreation.gov

Slough Creek: $20/night, 16 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near Lamar Valley, reserve via Recreation.gov

Pebble Creek: Closed in 2025 – $20/night, 27 sites, pit toilets, no showers, near Lamar Valley, reserve via Recreation.gov

Yellowstone Campground Map

Want to know where to find every single campground in Yellowstone? I made this custom Google map for you. It shows all the campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park as well as key attractions and places to buy groceries.

Mammoth Campground

Open: Year-round (part of the campground is closed from mid-October to the end of March)

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $25/night

Sites: 85 total.

RVs: Some sites will fit a max combined length of 40′ and a few will fit max 75′ combined length. Max 30′ in winter. Sites are pull-through or back-in and there may be limited width for slid-outs. Sites may not be level. No hookups.

Elevation: 6200 ft (1890m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, cell phone reception, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale. No showers. (Closest pay showers are at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.)

Nearest Grocery Stores: Mammoth town, Gardiner, MT

Location: Mammoth Campground is in the northern part of Yellowstone National Park, just a few minutes from the north entrance at Gardiner, Montana. 

Pros: It’s a good place to base for a night or two to see the sights in the northern part of Yellowstone. It’s easy to drive to Gardiner for groceries or a dinner out.

The Mammoth area is very popular with elk, especially in the spring. You may even see elk in the campground. On my visit, there were protective elk mamas with calves hanging around. We had to give them a wide berth. 

This campground used to have a fair amount of road noise, but since the entrance road was rerouted away from the campground after the 2022 floods, it is now quite quiet.

Cons: The campground is in an open sagebrush environment with few trees. Some sites don’t have much shade and it’s pretty hard to string up a tarp in wet weather.

Indian Creek Campground

NOTE: Indian Creek Campground is closed for the 2025 season due to road repairs in the area.

Open: Mid-June to early September

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $20/night

Sites: 70 total.

RVs: 10 sites with 35′  combined length. 35 sites with 30′ combined length. Sites are pull-through or back-in and there may be limited width for slid-outs. Sites may not be level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7300 ft (2225m)

Amenities: Pit toilets. No generators allowed. no cell reception. No showers. (Closest pay showers are at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.)

Nearest Grocery Stores: Mammoth town, Gardiner, MT

Location: Indian Creek Campground is south of Mammoth, but higher up in the mountains. From Indian Creek, it’s a 20-minute drive to Mammoth Hot Springs. 

Pros: Indian Creek is a rustic campground so it’s great if you want a more natural experience. The no generator rule and the location away from the main road also makes it nice and quiet. It also is usually one of the last campgrounds to fill up.

There is lots of tree cover at this campground, which is good for shade or stringing up a tarp on wet days.

Cons: There isn’t anything to do nearby. There are a few backcountry hiking trails in the vicinity, but unless you’re a hardcore hiker, you’ll need to drive a good distance to get to any of the sights from Indian Creek. 

Norris Campground

NOTE: Norris Campground is closed in 2025 and for the foreseeable future due to washed out roads. Yellowstone National Park has actually removed Norris from its website for this reason.

Open: Mid-May to late September

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $25/night

Sites: 111 total, including some walk-in sites.

RVs: 2 sites with 50′ combined length and 5 sites with 30′ combined length. Sites are pull-through or back-in and there may be limited width for slid-outs. Sites may not be level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7,500 feet (2286 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale. No cell reception. No showers. (Closest pay showers are at Canyon Village)

Nearest Grocery Store: Canyon Village General Store

Location: Norris Campground has a good central location on the western side of the park. It’s about 35 minutes to Mammoth, 25 minutes to Canyon Village, 55 minutes to Old Faithful and 55 minutes to Yellowstone Lake.

Pros: Norris is really central. It’s easy to see the whole park from here since most attractions are less than an hour drive. The only thing that is further is the Lamar Valley. The campground is located along the banks of a creek, which is really pretty. If possible, get a site in loop A or a walk-in for the best views. Bison often hang out in the area, so you might be able to spot them grazing without leaving your campsite. There is also a 1-mile trail directly from the campground to Norris Geyser Basin so you don’t have to deal with finding a parking spot there.

Cons: Norris is really popular and can fill early. As well, some of the sites are really close together (especially the walk-in sites), so they don’t feel that private.

READ NEXT: Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

Madison Campground

Open: Early May to mid-October

Reservations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Price: $33/night + tax.

Sites: 276 total.

RVs: Some sites will fit rigs up to 40′ long. Sites are pull-through or back-in. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 6,800 feet (2073 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale, dump station. No cell reception, no showers. (Closest pay showers are at the Old Faithful Lodge.)

Nearest Grocery Store: West Yellowstone, MT

Location: Madison Campground is just 25 minutes from the west entrance of the park. It’s also only about 30 minutes to Old Faithful. It’s about an hour to Mammoth, an hour to Yellowstone Lake and 45 minutes to Canyon Village.

Pros: Camping at Madison puts you within an easy drive of all the major geyser basins on the west side of the park. It’s also not that far from Mammoth, Canyon Village or Yellowstone Lake. And if you need a bit of civilization, its easy to drive out of the park to West Yellowstone to get dinner at a restaurant. The campsites are also near the Madison River, which is good for fishing.

Cons: There’s not too much to do nearby. There are a few hiking trails (Harlequin Lake and Purple Mountain), but otherwise, you’ll have to drive everywhere from your site. Loops G and H (for tents only) are the quietest. The rest can get a lot of road noise from the highway to West Yellowstone. As well, since the campground has hundreds of sites, it can feel crowded as the sites are close together. 

Grant Village Campground

Open: Early June to mid-September

Reservations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Price: $39/night + tax

Sites: 430 total.

RVs: Some sites will fit rigs up to 40′ long. Sites are pull-through or back-in. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7,800 feet (2377 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, cell reception, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale, two free showers a night, dump station.

Nearest Grocery Store: Grant Village

Location: Grant Village Campground is situated on the west shore of Yellowstone Lake. It’s part of the large Grant Village community that includes a visitor centre, hotel, grocery store, marina, restaurant, and gas station. West Thumb Geyer Basin is a 5-minute drive. It’s also about 40 minutes to Old Faithful.

Pros: You can walk over to Grant Village from your campsite to check out the visitor centre, buy groceries or go to the restaurant. If you are into boating, the location on Yellowstone Lake is great. Grant Village is also an easy drive to Old Faithful. If you get a spot towards the end of loops E, G, H, or on the north side of I, you’ll be really close to Yellowstone Lake

Cons: Loops J, K, L and get road noise from the highway south to Grand Teton National Park. The sites are small and close together, without too much privacy. Being located in the south of the park means this campground is a far drive from many attractions.

Lewis Lake Campground

Open: Late June to late October

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $20/night

Sites: 85 total including some walk-in sites.

RVs: Some sites fit RVs 25′ combined length or less. Sites are pull-through or back-in. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7,800 ft (2377 m)

Amenities: Pit toilets. No cell reception. No generators allowed. No showers. (Closest pay showers are at Grant Village.)

Nearest Grocery Store: Grant Village

Location: Lewis Lake Campground is on the shores of Lewis Lake in the southern part of Yellowstone. It’s a quiet part of the park, but Grant Village is only 20 minutes away. It’s a longer drive to the rest of the park.

Pros: Lewis Lake is popular with boaters. It’s also the gateway to the backcountry of Shoshone Lake, which is only open to canoes and kayaks. The campground is rustic with no generators and pit toilets, so it’s great if you want a more natural experience. It also tends to fill up later than other campgrounds.

Cons: This is the southern-most campground in the park. That makes it the farthest away from most attractions. 

READ NEXT: 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park

Bridge Bay Campground

Open: Mid-May to early-September

Reservations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Price: $33/night + tax.

Sites: 432 total.

RVs: Some sites will fit rigs up to 40′ long. Sites are pull-through or back-in. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7,800 ft (2377 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, cell reception, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale, dump station. No showers. (Closest pay showers at Grant Village and Fishing Bridge RV Park.) 

Nearest Grocery Store: Lake Village, Fishing Bridge

Location: Bridge Bay campground is located on the northern part of Yellowstone Lake in the southern part of the park. The Bridge Bay Marina is right next door. It’s a short drive to Canyon Village and West Thumb Geyser Basin, but other sights are much further away.

Pros: This is a good campsite to choose if you brought a boat since the marina is nearby. It’s a short drive to Lake Village and Grant Village if you need groceries or want to eat at a restaurant. And you can hike the popular Natural Bridge Trail right from your campsite.

Cons: Many of the campsites are very close together with no privacy since there aren’t many trees. As well, some people have complained that the tent sites are not very level.  Being located in the south of the park means this campground is a far drive from many attractions.

Fishing Bridge RV Park

Reservations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Price: $89/night + tax and utility fees

Sites: 310 total for hard-sided RVs only. No tents. No tent-trailers.

RVs: Sites are 30-95′ long. Most sites are pull-through. 30′, 35′ and 40′ sites are back-in and some allow for side-by-side parking of truck and unhooked trainer. Full hookups for electricity, water, and sewer (50 or 30 amp).

Elevation: 7,800 ft (2377 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, cell reception, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, pay showers, full hookups, dump station. No campfires allowed.

Nearest Grocery Store: Lake Village, Fishing Bridge

Location: Fishing Bridge RV Park is at the north end of Yellowstone Lake. It’s close to the Fishing Bridge over the Yellowstone River and a general store. Lake Village is a short drive away. It’s a short drive to Canyon Village and West Thumb Geyser Basin, but other sights are much further away.

Pros: If you camp in an RV and want full hook-ups, this is your only option for that in Yellowstone National Park. The campground got a complete renovation (finished in 2022) with larger sites, bigger parking lot, new dump station, more showers and laundry, and updated comfort stations.

Cons: The campground is set up like a traditional RV Park with rigs parked very close together. The hard-sided RV requirement is because grizzly bears frequent the campground. You aren’t allowed to have a campfire at these sites, which is a bummer on cold nights.

Canyon Campground

Open: Late-May to mid-September

Reservations: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Price: $39/night + tax

Sites: 273 total.

RVs: Some sites will fit rigs up to 40′ long in pull-through and back-in sites. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 7,900 feet (2408 m)

Amenities: Flush toilets, cell reception, generators allowed, amphitheater with ranger programs, firewood for sale, two free showers a night dump station.

Nearest Grocery Store: Canyon Village.

Location: Canyon campground is located in Canyon Village near the north rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It’s a pretty central location on the east side of the park.

Pros: Canyon Village is within walking distance of the campground and it has a grocery store and restaurants. The campground is away from the village and the main road so it is quiet. If you don’t want to worry about parking on the canyon rim, you can follow a trail one mile from the campground through the cabins to the North Rim.

Cons: The sites are small and close together. As well, people complain that some of the sites aren’t very flat.

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor

Tower Fall Campground

Open: Late May to late September

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $20/night

Sites: 31 total.

RVs: Best for rigs 30′ combined length or less due to a hairpin curve. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 6,600 feet (2012 m)

Amenities: Pit toilets, amphitheater with ranger programs. No cell reception, no showers, no generators allowed. (Closest pay showers are at Roosevelt Lodge.)

Nearest Grocery Store: Tower Fall

Location: Tower Fall campground is located across the road from Tower Fall in the northern part of Yellowstone. It’s a 10-minute drive away from Tower Junction and the Roosevelt Lodge.

Pros: It’s a small campground so it won’t feel crowded. You can walk to Tower Fall from your campsite. If you want a restaurant meal, the Roosevelt Lodge is a short drive away.

Cons: The sites are smaller so they are better for tents, not RVs (although shorter RVs are permitted.)

Slough Creek Campground

Open: Mid-June to mid-October

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $20/night

Sites: 16 total.

RVs: 14 sites fit rigs up to 30′. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 6,250 feet (1905 m)

Amenities: Pit toilets. No cell reception, no showers. (Closest pay showers are at Roosevelt Lodge.)

Nearest Grocery Store: Tower Fall

Location: Slough Creek is located on a gravel road in the northeast part of Yellowstone. It is in the Lamar Valley, one of the park’s best wildlife watching destinations. Since it’s the remote northeast of the park, it’s not near any of the other attractions.

Pros: There is a wolf den nearby so this is the best place in the park to try to spot a wolf. Bison, bears, pronghorn, and elk are also common. It’s a small and quiet campground with a wilderness feel. 

Cons: RVs won’t really fit in this campground. (Although very small rigs may fit.) This campground is a long drive from the rest of the park and frequent bison jams can make the drive even longer.

Pebble Creek Campground

NOTE: Pebble Creek Campground is closed in 2025 due to flood recovery work.

Open: Mid-June to late September

Reservations: Recreation.gov

Price: $20/night

Sites: 27

RVs: Some sites have long pull-throughs that will accommodate RVs. There may be limited clearance for slide-outs and not all sites are level. No hookups.

Elevation: 6,900 feet (2103 m)

Amenities: Pit toilets. No cell reception, no showers. (Closest pay showers are at Roosevelt Lodge.)

Nearest Grocery Store: Tower Fall, Cooke City

Location: Pebble Creek Campground is in the northeast corner of Yellowstone at the foot of the Absaroka Mountains. It’s a 20-minute drive to Cooke City, MT on the eastern edge of the park. Otherwise, it’s not near anything else in the park.

Pros: Pebble Creek is a small and quiet campground with a wilderness feel. There’s a pretty little creek right in the middle of the campground. Nearby Soda Butte Creek is popular with anglers. It’s also close to the wildlife mecca of the Lamar Valley.

Cons: It’s a LONG drive to the rest of the park.

Campgrounds Outside Yellowstone National Park

If you can’t get a campsite inside the park, you aren’t out of camping options. There are first-come, first-served campgrounds in the National Forests outside Yellowstone. There are also RV parks in some of the nearby towns. I haven’t visited any of these, so I can’t give you any recommendations.

But here’s the list of all the campgrounds near Yellowstone I know of, sorted by which park entrance they are closest to:

North Entrance:

• Eagle Creek Campground, Custer Gallatin National Forest (reserveable)
• Sun Outdoors Yellowstone North (reserveable)
• Yellowstone RV Park (reserveable)

Northeast Entrance

• Soda Butte Campground, Custer Gallatin National Forest (first-come, first-served)
• Colter Campground, Custer Gallatin National Forest (first-come, first-served)
• Chief Joseph Campground, Custer Gallatin National Forest (first-come, first-served)

East Entrance:

• Threemile Campground, Shoshone National Forest (reserveable)
• Eagle Creek Campground, Shoshone National Forest (first-come, first-served)

West Entrance:

• Yellowstone Cabins and RV Park (reserveable)
• Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Cabins (reserveable)
• Wagon Wheel RV Cabin Campground (reserveable)
• Yellowstone Park West Gate KOA (reserveable)
• Buffalo Crossing RV Park (reserveable)
• Baker’s Hole Campground, Custer Gallatin National Forest (first-come, first-served)

South Entrance:

• Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch (reserveable)
• Lizard Creek Campground, Grand Teton National Park (reserveable)

Yellowstone Campground Rules and Tips

In most ways, camping in Yellowstone is a lot like camping in any other National Park. Except for the bears… and a few other things. Here are some tips and rules you need to know about camping in Yellowstone.

And to get you in the camping mood (and help give you a better idea about what campsites look like in Yellowstone) here’s a somewhat cheesy National Parks video about camping in Yellowstone.

Campfires in Yellowstone

Each campsite at all campgrounds except Fishing Bridge RV Park has a fire ring. However, there may be seasonal fire-bans during dry summers when the fire danger is high.

You can buy firewood at some campgrounds. Keep in mind that the firewood kiosk may only be only open in the evening from 6 to 8 pm. You can also buy firewood at most stores and gas stations in the park.

Drinking Water at Yellowstone Campgrounds

There are water taps in all campgrounds in the park. It’s fresh mountain water and is safe to drink. You can fill up there or water bottle refill stations at visitor centres. There’s no need to bring wasteful and expensive bottled water!

Group Size at Yellowstone Campgrounds

You are only allowed to have six people per campsite. If you have more than that, you’ll need more campsites.

RVs in Yellowstone

Most campgrounds in Yellowstone accept RVs. RVs are welcome at all of the campgrounds. Just make sure you book a spot that is big enough to accommodate your rig – many won’t fit longer RVs and have maximum length restrictions. Check site details when making a reservation.

Bear Safety in Yellowstone

All of Yellowstone’s campgrounds have strict bear safety rules. You’ll get an info sheet about it when you check in to your campsite, and maybe a mini-lecture too! The reality is that bears walk through all the campgrounds.

To ensure the safety of campers and bears, you have to protect all your food and smelly stuff. Of course, bears (and other critters) are interested in your food, but they might also like your dishes, pots, stove, drinks, cooler, pet food, garbage, and toiletries. 

Unless you are actively using them, you need to put those items away. You can’t leave them sitting out in your campsite or store them in your tent. You can put them in your car or you can store them in the bear-proof storage box.

The bear-proof storage boxes are large metal lockers big enough to store a few large coolers. In most campgrounds, you’ll get your own, but in some of the reservable campgrounds, you will need to share them between 2 or 3 campsites.

If a ranger or campground host finds unattended food or smelly items in your campground, you could get a fine or a ticket. They will also put your gear away for you. We saw that happen to three different groups during our trip! For more tips, read my post about bear safety for campers and hikers.

READ NEXT: Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers

Camping With Dogs in Yellowstone National Park

Dogs are allowed in Yellowstone National Park and at campgrounds, but there are quite a few restrictions. They must be in a car, in a crate, or on a leash that is less than six feet long.

Dogs are allowed on leash within 100 feet of roads, parking lots, and campgrounds. Dogs are not allowed on hiking trails or boardwalks. You are not allowed to leave your dog unattended in a car or tied to an object.

What to Pack for Camping in Yellowstone National Park

All of Yellowstone’s campgrounds are above 6000 feet so it can get cold at night. As well, it can rain at any time in the mountains. Make sure you’re prepared. For my recommendations on what to bring camping, see my Yellowstone Packing Lists. 

READ NEXT: How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips

Final Thoughts

So that’s everything you need to know about camping in Yellowstone. I know you’re going to have an AWESOME trip! If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section. I’ll be happy to answer!

READ NEXT:

• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor
• Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
• The Best Camping Cancellation Apps
• 25 Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
• How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips

The post Camping in Yellowstone in 2025: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Yellowstone presents some unique challenges for visitors. It is located in the Rocky Mountains and the park is at a high elevation. Most of it is over 7000 feet (2100m) above sea level and subject to unpredictable mountain weather.

I saw lots of unprepared people shivering in the cold, soaking wet in rainstorms or with lobster-like sunburned skin. (And to be honest, sometimes I was one of them.) Even though June, July, and August are summer in Yellowstone, it’s not like summer everywhere else in America!

To have an awesome time on your summer trip to Yellowstone, you should pack a few key items along with your regular travel gear. Below you’ll find a complete Yellowstone packing list for all visitors.

I also have a bonus list of what hikers should bring to Yellowstone and one for campers too. AND, I’ve got a Yellowstone packing list for picnickers. (Since I think picnicking in Yellowstone National Park is way better than eating at restaurants every day, and cheaper too.) [Insert your own Yogi Bear picnic basket joke here ;)]

In this post you’ll find:

• Things everyone needs to pack for Yellowstone
• Yellowstone packing list for hikers
• Yellowstone packing list for picnickers
• Yellowstone packing list for campers
• Things you don’t need to pack for Yellowstone
• How cold does it get in Yellowstone? (Weather and temperature info)

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

WANT MORE YELLOWSTONE INFO?  Check out these posts:

• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• Everything You Need to Know About Camping in Yellowstone
• Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

The Basics: Things Everyone Needs to Bring to Yellowstone

Yellowstone is a unique place. It can be brutally sunny, cold and wet… all in the same afternoon. The wildlife watching is  spectacular… and they are also not to be messed with. It’s also pretty remote.

While there are a few small stores in the park, they don’t have everything. I found it helped to be self-sufficient. Here’s my list of the things I think every single visitor to Yellowstone should pack.

Sun Protection

The sun can be really harsh in Yellowstone since it’s at such a high elevation. Bring a wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap for protection. You’ll also want lots of high SPF sunscreen and some SPF lip balm to avoid burned lips.

I used my Outdoor Research Oasis Sun Hat in Yellowstone since it has a wide brim and I can fold it up into my pack when I’m not wearing it.

READ NEXT: Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather

Polarized Sunglasses

I like to wear polarized sunglasses as they let you see colours that are truer to reality than what you get with regular sunglasses. They also help you see into the water.

In Yellowstone, that lets you see deeper into the hot pools and lakes, which is really cool. I like Goodr sunglasses since they have fun frame options and they aren’t too expensive for polarized glasses. 

Camera with a Long Lens

The main reasons people come to Yellowstone are the amazing scenery and abundant wildlife. And of course, you’ll want photos of both. Your phone is fine for shots of scenery, but for wildlife, you’ll want an SLR camera with a long lens.

I’m the biggest idiot and forgot mine at home! I was cursing myself the whole time I was in Yellowstone as I missed out on some amazing wildlife shots. And if you are shooting with a long lens, you’ll want a tripod for stability. (I forgot that at home too! Oops.)

I did remember to bring my Sony A6400 camera. It’s a mirrorless camera which is more compact than a full DSLR but still produces high-quality images. I find it easy to use, plus it’s not that expensive.

When I remember to bring it, I use a budget Sony 55-200m lens to shoot wildlife. I also have a lightweight Sirui T-025SK carbon fiber tripod.

Binoculars or Spotting Scope

I’ve never seen more people carrying binoculars than I did in Yosemite. Binoculars are essential for watching wildlife since you need to stay so far away from them for safety. My advice would be to get the most powerful binoculars or spotting scope you can afford. It really makes a difference.

If you’re like me and know nothing about shopping for binoculars, check out this post on the best travel binoculars for wildlife watching.

We brought a compact GoSky Titan monocular that my husband found on Amazon. It’s pretty compact and not too expensive, but it still has great magnification. Our favourite part is that it comes with an adapter to attach your phone. That way you can turn it into a giant zoom lens for your cell phone. Pretty cool!

Bear Spray

Yellowstone has a very high population of both grizzly bears and black bears. While both species usually stay away from people, they have been known to prowl through campgrounds, defend their cubs, or surprise people on trails. I saw both grizzlies and black bears on my trip – a grizzly bear walked right past our backcountry campsite one night after dinner!

Carry bear spray and make lots of noise when hiking. You can buy bear spray at most stores inside Yellowstone National Park, but it’s MUCH more expensive compared to buying it beforehand.

Buy bear spray and make sure you get a a holster so you can attach it to your backpack or belt.

READ NEXT: Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers

Fleece or Puffy Jacket

Even if you visit in the middle of summer, Yellowstone can be chilly since it’s over 6000 feet (1800 meters) above sea level. Pack a cozy fleece or puffy jacket to wear for cold mornings and evenings. On my visit in mid-June, I ended up wearing mine at some point every day.

My husband brought his Patagonia Nano Puff insulated jacket. It packs down super-small but still has plenty of warmth.

I packed my favourite MEC Rockwall fleece, which I love since it is soft and has a bit of stretch. But any fleece jacket will do. You also can’t go wrong with the budget-friendly REI Trailmade Fleece.

Reusable Water Bottle and Travel Mug

You need to stay hydrated at high elevations. But adding plastic waste to our world sucks. Bring your own reusable water bottle and fill up at visitor centres, hotels, and campgrounds.

I don’t go anywhere without my Hydroflask. (My husband jokes that it’s my emotional support water bottle!) It keeps my water cold all day, which makes it worth the price.

If you’re a coffee drinker, it also makes sense to bring your own mug to avoid a throw-away paper cup. Plus that way your coffee stays warm longer. I love my YETI Rambler Tumbler. It keeps coffee hot for hours and the magnetic slider lid keeps it closed. It’s also easy to disable the lid to clean it.

Phone and Power Bank

These days, we all take our phones everywhere. So, of course, you’ll want yours in Yellowstone. Keep in mind that there is no cell service in most of the park, and in the areas where there is coverage, it can get spotty.

This means that your phone battery will die quickly while it keeps looking for a signal. (And also because of all those geyser videos you’ll be taking!) Make sure you bring a portable power bank so you can charge your phone on the go.

I use a tiny Anker power bank that charges my phone a couple of times. Unlike some of the crappy power banks you can buy on Amazon (or at gas stations) these are high quality – I’ve had mine for years and it’s still going strong.

Toilet Paper and Hand Sanitizer

There are lots of toilets around Yellowstone National Park. Most parking lots and trailheads have one. However, the toilets don’t always have a good supply of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Keep some with you just in case.

And if you really need to go and can’t make it to a toilet, go to the bathroom the Leave No Trace way: Dig a small hole 70 big steps away from trails, roads, campsites, and water. Then bury your waste, and pack out your toilet paper in a plastic bag. I carry a super lightweight titanium trowel for backcountry poo-mergencies. Hilariously, it’s called the Deuce of Spades.

Bug Spray

The mosquitos in Yellowstone can be bad, especially in early summer. If you’re sensitive to bites, bring some insect repellent. I use bug spray made with picaridin since it is scientifically proven to be the most effective and isn’t as harsh as DEET. Skip the herbal and citronella insect repellents – they don’t work.

Rain Jacket

Yellowstone still gets rain in the summertime. It’s very common for thunderstorms to spring up in the afternoon, leading to a quick (and intense) rain showers.

Bring a lightweight rain jacket just in case you get caught in the rain. I love my Mountain Hardwear Minimizer Gore-Tex Paclite Plus Jacket since it is insanely light, packs down super-small and breathes well. The only downside is that it’s not cheap.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly packable rain jacket I recommend the Outdoor Research Helium or the REI Rainier.

READ NEXT: 5 Tips for Hiking in the Rain

First Aid Kit

You can buy basic first aid supplies at stores in the park. But that won’t seem like a good option when the nearest one is 30 minutes away and someone needs a bandaid or a Tylenol. Pack a basic first aid kit. Make sure it includes bandages, gauze, and medical tape. 

You’ll also want to have lots of foot care supplies such as Moleskin or Second Skin for blisters. (Check out my full list of blister care and prevention tips and tricks.)

Bring anti-inflammatory painkillers like Advil, and anti-diarrhea pills like Immodium just in case. And don’t forget your usual prescription medications.

I like the Adventure Medical Ultralight first aid kits since they come in a water-resistant pouch. I always add more stuff to them, like more blister care and bandaids.

Bathing Suit and Quick-Dry Towel (Optional)

If you’re visiting during the warm summer months, bring a bathing suit so you can cool off in one of Yellowstone’s two swimming areas: Boiling River and Firehole River. Due to high water levels and strong currents, both of these spots are usually closed until early July, so I wasn’t able to swim on my mid-June visit. Some of the hotels in the area also have pools or hot tubs.

Don’t bring a traditional cotton beach towel – they take up tons of space and take forever to dry. I use a quick-drying microfibre travel towel from PackTowl. It absorbs lots of water and dries really fast.

Moisturizer (Optional)

If you come from a humid, coastal climate like me, you will find the high mountain air really drying. My skin complained for our entire visit! I wish I had brought some good moisturizer.

Fishing Gear (Optional)

Fishing is REALLY popular in Yellowstone. If you want to fish, you need to get a special Yellowstone fishing permit and comply with tackle restrictions. My husband didn’t bring his fishing gear since we didn’t think we’d have time to fish. He was definitely jealous of all the fly fishers we saw!

Dog Leash (If Applicable)

You can bring your dog to Yellowstone, but it has to be on a short leash (less than 6 feet) at all times. Dogs must also stay within 100 feet of roads, parking lots and campgrounds. That means your dog can’t hike with you or visit any of the thermal features.

You can find more info about visiting Yellowstone with dogs on the National Park website.

Hiking Gear to Pack for Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone has TONS of hiking trails. Most visitors stick to the roadside pullouts and never venture on to a trail. That means the hiking trails are MUCH less crowded than the rest of the park.

If you’re planning to go hiking in Yellowstone, you’ll need to pack the 10 essentials, just as you would on any hike. But here are a few other things you should bring for your Yellowstone hike.

READ NEXT: The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike

Day Pack

If you’re going hiking, you’ll need a backpack to carry your gear. You can use any old backpack you have lying around the house. But I find it much more comfortable to hike with a dedicated hiking backpack.

For day hikes, I like ones that have about 20 litres of capacity and have a spot to hold my hydration reservoir. I also love ones with hip belt pockets so I can easily grab snacks, lip balm or my phone without taking the pack off.

I’ve been using a Gregory Maya for years and absolutely love it! It’s a women’s pack but it comes in a men’s version too called the Miko.

Hiking Boots

The trails in Yellowstone are pretty well maintained, but they can be steep or muddy. Wearing hiking boots gives you ankle support and keeps your feet dry in wet conditions. The tread on hiking boots also gives you better traction on steep slopes so you won’t skid out the way you might in running shoes.

I brought my trusty Salomon X Ultra Mid hiking boots to Yellowstone and wore them a LOT. They’re pretty lightweight and breathable, so they don’t get too hot.

Hiking Socks

One of the biggest mistakes new hikers make is wearing their regular cotton socks on a hike. Cotton socks hold in your sweat. That’s a surefire way to get blisters!

Wearing proper hiking socks made of wool or synthetics will help keep your feet dry. I love Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew socks. They’re comfortable and they have a lifetime warranty. They’re made in America too!

READ NEXT: How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking

Quick-drying Hiking Clothing

You can definitely hike in your regular clothes, but they won’t be as comfortable. Bring some hiking pants or shorts and a hiking shirt made of quick-drying synthetic material. They’ll keep you cool and dry when you get sweaty!

My current hiking favorites are the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoodie (it’s one of my favourite sun hoodies) and Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Shorts. In hot weather, quick-drying hiking underwear are a must have to avoid discomfort “down there”. Read my guide to hiking underwear to see my top picks.

Guidebook and Maps (Optional)

You can get ideas about where to hike from the visitor centres or the park brochure, but I found having a guidebook really helpful. It was great to see all the hike options, then choose one that sounded best to us.

We bought the Yellowstone Trails guide from Yellowstone Forever. (It’s a non-profit organization that supports the park.) Other great options are A Ranger’s Guide to Yellowstone Day Hikes and Hiking Yellowstone National Park.

National Geographic makes the best topographic maps of Yellowstone National Park. They show all the trails. We just brought the general Yellowstone National Park map, but there are smaller, more detailed maps for various park regions too. 

Trekking Poles (Optional)

Some trails in Yellowstone have a lot of steep ascents and descents as well as some uneven terrain. Trekking poles can be really helpful for saving your joints on the downhills or keeping your balance in the mud.

I’ve been hiking with poles for the last 15 years and can’t imagine going without them. So of course, I brought my Black Diamond Trail trekking poles to Yellowstone. If you want a budget pair, the Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles get great reviews.

Yellowstone National Park Picnic Gear

Yes, Yellowstone has restaurants. But they are expensive and many of the attractions far from the nearest restaurant.

We packed a picnic lunch for most of our days in the park. It was a fun way to slow down in the middle of the day and just chill out at a beautiful spot. It was also MUCH less expensive than eating out every day.

Yellowstone National Park has lots of picnic areas with tables and restrooms. Many of them are a little bit off-the-beaten-path so you get to explore some of the quieter parts of the park. Here’s my picnic packing list for Yellowstone:

Groceries and Snacks

There are a few small stores in Yellowstone, but they have very limited groceries. And the prices are expensive! If possible, stock up before you get to the park.

During our trip, we shopped at grocery stores in Gardiner, MT, West Yellowstone, MT and Jackson, WY. They all had a pretty good selection of things at reasonable prices. 

Cooler

It can get really warm in the afternoon in Yellowstone, so a cooler is a must. You don’t need anything super fancy. We have a small 18 quart Coleman cooler. It held ice for a day or so, then we just bought more at the park store.

Since our trip to Yellowstone we splurged and got a YETI Roadie 24 cooler. It’s definitely expensive, but the increase in performance is huge! We’ve used it on tons of trips (including to Moab, Utah) and it holds ice for days and days.

Pro tip: To make your ice last longer, cover your cooler with a warm jacket, blanket, or sleeping bag to provide more insulation and shade when you leave it in a hot car.

Plates, Forks, Cutting Board, and Knife

We brought a couple of camping plates and our trusty camping sporks to eat off of. Having a cutting board and knife to cut up veggies, sausage and cheese was also helpful. We have this cutting board and knife set. It folds in half and the knife stows inside!

Reusable Food Containers and Ziploc Bags

We brought a couple of plastic food containers and a handful of Ziploc bags and they were so helpful. We stored leftovers in them and used them to protect groceries from getting soggy in the cooler.

Table Cloth (Optional)

The one piece of picnic gear that I forgot to bring was a plastic table cloth. I was definitely jealous when I saw other groups using one. They are handy to have to cover less-than-clean picnic tables. And they are easy to wipe down when you’re done. Plus they make you feel a bit fancy!

Yellowstone National Park Camping Gear

One of the best ways to experience Yellowstone National Park is to camp. (I liked it so much I wrote a whole guide with everything you need to know about camping in Yellowstone.)

Most of the crowds go back to their hotels in the evenings and the park really quiets down. You may also get to see more wildlife as some animals like to hang around the campgrounds.

When planning to camp in Yellowstone, keep in mind that all the campsites are above 6000 feet (1800 meters), which means they can be chilly at night, even in the summer. The average low temperature in June, July, and August is between 34 and 39F (1-4C). Brrrr!

As well, afternoon and evening thunderstorms are common, so you’ll want to make sure you are prepared for rain. Use these tips for camping in the rain to make sure you stay dry.

For camping in Yellowstone, bring all the things on my picnic gear list above, plus these items:

Tent

Bring a waterproof tent that can stand up to rain and wind. Choose one with a full-length rain fly that reaches all the way to the ground and covers the door. That offers MUCH more protection than the ones with a little fly on the top.

We brought our MEC Volt 4 tent to Yellowstone and it held up well. Another good option is the REI Base Camp.

Warm Sleeping Bag and Insulated Sleeping Pad

The campsites in Yellowstone are all over 6000 feet (1800m) elevation. Many of them are over 7000 feet (2100m). It can be cold at night up there.

Pack a sleeping bag rated at least 32F (0C). Choose one with a hood for extra warmth. The REI Siesta 20 sleeping bag is a great budget pick that will still keep you warm.

Even the warmest sleeping bag can’t protect you from the cold ground. Sleeping pads don’t just provide comfort – they also provide insulation since you lose heat to the ground.

Choose a sleeping pad that has an R-value of at least 2.5. (R-value measures insulation and warmth). The Sea to Summit Comfort Light sleeping pad is a good budget pick that gives you comfort and warmth.

If you expect really cold weather or know you feel the cold at night, pick a pad with an even higher R-value. I use a Therm-a-rest NeoAir Xtherm since I sleep really cold. A cheaper option is the Big Agnes Rapide SL.

READ NEXT: How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips

Thermal Base Layer Top and Bottoms

When it’s chilly, I sleep in thermal base layers while camping. They keep me way warmer than regular PJs. They are also nice to wear around the campsite under my clothes on cold evenings and mornings.

Choose mid-weight thermals made of polyester or merino wool and be sure to pack both bottoms and a long sleeved top.

I sleep cold so I wear the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew top and Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer bottoms. If you’re looking for a budget option, the REI Midweight base layer top and REI Midweight base layer bottoms are good.

Warm Hat and Gloves

You lose a lot of heat through your head and hands. Pack a cozy beanie and some lightweight fleece or wool gloves to wear in the evenings.

Headlamp or Flashlight

Pack a headlamp or flashlight to find your way around at night. I like using a headlamp since it keeps my hands free. I use a Fenix HM50R headlamp. It’s super bright and easy to use. Plus the battery is rechargeable and lasts a long time.

Stove, Fuel, Pots and Cooking Utensils

Most campsites in Yellowstone have fire pits, but there can be campfire bans in dry weather. Cooking on a campfire can be fun, but using a stove is much easier and more reliable.

We use a basic Coleman 2 burner stove. The design has been around for decades for good reason – they are simple to use and super-durable.

Dishwashing Basin, Soap and Scrubber

Most of the Yellowstone campgrounds don’t have dishwashing sinks and you aren’t allowed to wash dishes in the restrooms or at the water taps. Instead, they ask you to wash dishes at a basin in your campsite, then dump the soapy water in the restroom toilet.

We didn’t bring a basin so we had to wash our dishes in our largest pot. Next time I’ll definitely bring a wash basin. We saw some campers with this nifty collapsible dish basin. It stows flat when you aren’t using it and has handles for carrying it to a place where you can dump it out. I think I’ll definitely be picking one up for our next trip.

Camping Chairs

Sure, you could sit around your picnic table. But that means you can’t get close your to campfire! You need chairs. We brought our Helinox camping chairs since they pack up super small and are pretty comfortable.

Kitchen Tarp

Most of the campers we saw in Yellowstone didn’t have a kitchen tarp. That meant that on the stormy evenings, they were cooking dinner in the rain.

We brought our lightweight backpacking tarp and strung it up on ropes over our picnic table. It gave us a dry place to eat and cook, which was so nice during the storms. You could also just get a cheap blue poly tarp.

A few groups had fancy free standing kitchen shelters with bug screens. One of those is definitely going on my wish list.

READ NEXT: Camping in Yellowstone: Everything You Need to Know

Things You Shouldn’t Bring to Yellowstone

• Drones: They aren’t allowed in any national park.
• Fancy clothes: You won’t need them. All the restaurants in the park are pretty casual and everyone else will be wearing hiking clothes.
• Elk buglers: It’s against the rules to imitate elk calls or use buglers. You also aren’t allowed to imitate wolf calls. 

How Cold Does it Get in Yellowstone? What is the Weather Like?

Yellowstone is in the Rocky Mountains and on average, the park is at an elevation of 8,000 feet (2,400 m). That means that it can be cold, even in the summer. The weather is also very unpredictable and it changes often.

Here is a chart that show’s Yellowstone’s average high and low temperatures for each month as well as the number of days with rain. If you’re camping, keep in mind that the lows are overnight temps.

Summer in Yellowstone is generally warm but not hot. Daytime temperatures are around 70°F. Nights are much cooler, especially at high elevations. Expect thunderstorms in the afternoons.

The best general weather forecast is the Yellowstone National Park forecast from NOAA. Don’t use forecasts for nearby towns since they are too far away and at lower elevations.

Since the park is so big, look for a weather forecast for the area you want to visit. I like to use Spotwx to get a forecast for the exact place I’m visiting.

READ NEXT: The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

Final Thoughts

With these Yellowstone packing lists, you should have everything you need to have an awesome trip, whether you are hiking, camping, picnicking or just touring around. If you’ve already been to Yellowstone, what was your one “must-have” item you brought? Tell me in the comments.

MORE YELLOWSTONE POSTS:

• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• Everything You Need to Know About Camping in Yellowstone
• Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
• 25 Things to do in Grand Teton National Park

MORE ADVICE FOR CAMPERS AND HIKERS:

• Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers
• The 10 Essentials: Things You Should Bring on Every Hike
• 16 Things to do Before a Hike
• How to Stay Warm in a Tent: Over 40 Tips
• 17 Ways to Save Money on Hiking Gear

The post The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Grand Teton National Park Basics

Location: Grand Teton National Park is located in Wyoming just south of Yellowstone National Park. The closest town is Jackson, Wyoming.

Getting Around: There is no public transit inside the park so if you want to travel independently, you’ll need a car. Rent one in Jackson and use Discover Cars to compare prices and get the best deal. If you prefer to let someone else do the driving, there are lots of great tours to Grand Teton National Park from Jackson.

Fees: Admission to the park is $35 per vehicle, per week. If you plan to visit any other National Parks (like nearby Yellowstone) the America the Beautiful annual pass is a great deal since it gives you entry at all national parks and federal recreation sites for an entire year for just $80.

When to Visit: Since the park is at a high elevation, the summer months are the only snow-free time to visit. High season is June, July, and August. You can also visit in May, September, and October, but expect colder temperatures. Many of the park’s facilities close from November to April.

Weather and Climate: Grand Teton has a mountain climate with generally cool temperatures. Highs of 68-77F and lows of 36-41F are common in the summer. July, August, and September have the least rain, but afternoon thunderstorms are common.

READ NEXT: The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

Where to Stay in Grand Teton National Park: There are six campgrounds in the park. You can also book a stay at one of the beautiful lodges in the park including the Jenny Lake Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge and the cabins at Colter Bay Village. The town of Jackson, Wyoming is a short drive outside the park and has tons of hotel options and some gorgeous log cabin-style homes.

Guide Books and Maps: If you’re looking for a guide book, you can’t go wrong with the Lonely Planet Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I also used this excellent National Geographic Illustrated Trails map on my trip.

Things to do in Grand Teton National Park

Drive the 42-Mile Scenic Loop

If you combine Teton Park Road and Jackson Hole Highway, you end up with a gorgeously scenic 42-mile loop road trip. You can visit most of the park’s major sights on this loop. But be sure to stop at the turnouts along the way for the best photo ops.

The loop starts at the Craig Thomas Visitor Center in Moose and heads north to Jackson Lake on the Jackson Hole Highway (also known as Highway  191). Then it veers south on Teton Park Road back to Moose. Here are my picks for the best places to stop along the way. I’ve listed them in the order you’ll pass them.

The first two turnouts after leaving Moose have spectacular views. Be sure to stop at both Glacier View and Teton Point turnouts.

You can also take a short detour to Schwabacher Landing. It’s a calm side channel of the Snake River with incredible views of the mountains. If you time it right, they will reflect in the still waters.

Ansel Adams took his famous photo of the Teton Range from the Snake River Overlook in the 1940s. It’s still a great photo op today, but the trees have grown considerably so you can’t get the exact same shot.

If you want to spot some bison, pull over at the Elk Ranch Flats turnout. Even though I had seen tons of bison on my trip to Yellowstone National Park, it was still so beautiful to see the herds of bison here with the Tetons in the background.

Don’t miss the Oxbow Bend Turnout near Jackson Lake Junction. It’s one of the best places for photos in the entire park. If the water is calm, you can see Mount Moran reflected in the bend of the Snake River.

Once you turn on to Teton Park Drive, be sure to stop at the Mount Moran, Mountain View, Cascade Canyon, and Teton Glacier turnouts. They all have great views of the Teton Range.

Take a Hike

There are dozens of hiking trails in Grand Teton National Park ranging from flat and easy strolls to multi-day treks through the mountains. If you have time, try to squeeze in at least one hike. One of the most popular hikes is Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls in the Jenny Lake area. If you need hiking trail ideas, pick up a copy of Hiking Grand Teton National Park.

Go on a Boat Cruise

Although it’s known for its mountains, Grand Teton National Park also has lots of lakes. One of the best ways to experience the lakes is to go on a cruise. You can take a boat tour on Jenny Lake to get great photo ops while learning about the local geology and history. If you want to DIY the experience, you can rent a motorboat at Colter Bay on Jackson Lake.

Learn About the Park at a Visitor Center

Grand Teton National Park has several visitor centers. If you’re in the area, they are all worth visiting.

The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose is housed in a brand new building. It has lots of exhibits about the park’s history, but my favourite part was the wildlife section. It includes fur swatches you can touch.

The Jenny Lake visitor center is inside a historic cabin that belonged to the artist Henry Crandall. At Colter Bay, the visitor center has an interesting collection of Native American art.

Explore Mormon Row Historic District

Starting in the 1890s, several Mormon families settled in the Jackson Hole area and began farming. Today, the families and their farms are long gone, but several historic barns remain. They are a favourite subject for photographers who love to shoot the barns with the Teton range in the background.

To reach Mormon Row, head north on Highway 191, then turn right onto Antelope Flats Road. Follow the road to the intersection with Mormon Row. There are historic structures along Mormon Row on both sides of the intersection.

Enjoy the Views on the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive

This one-way road is only about 3 miles long. However, it’s the best way to get views of Jenny Lake and the nearby peaks without hiking. The speed limit is 25 mph, but you may want to go much slower to enjoy the views. Be sure to pull over at the Cathedral Group turnout and the Jenny Lake Overlook for the best photos.

You’ll find the entrance to the Jenny Lake Loop on Teton Park Road 10 miles north of the Craig Thomas Visitor Centre.

Watch Wildlife

Grand Teton National Park and the greater Yellowstone area are some of the best places to see wildlife in America. You can spot grizzly bears, black bears, elk, pronghorn, buffalo, wolves, coyotes, moose and more. The best wildlife watching is usually near dusk and dawn. I recommend binoculars or a spotting scope to get a better look.

You can spot wildlife pretty much anywhere in the park, so keep your eyes peeled. We saw marmots on the hiking trails, black bears in the campground and buffalo from a highway turnout. If you’re looking for wildlife, here are the best places to find them in Grand Teton: Moose-Wilson Road, Oxbow Bend Turnout, Elk Ranch Flats Turnout, and Willow Flats Turnout.

Another great way to see wildlife is to take a tour. There are lots of safari-style tours of Grand Teton National Park that focus on seeing animals in the wild.

Catch a Fish

Fishing in Wyoming is world-famous and apparently, some of the best fishing is in Grand Teton National Park. You need a Wyoming fishing license to fish in the park and there are restrictions on what kind of tackle, hooks, and lures you may use. If you’d prefer to have someone else set you up for success, sign up for a guided fishing trip with all the gear included.

Drive up the Signal Mountain Summit Road

This narrow road winds up several switchbacks to the top of Signal Mountain. At the top, there are views in multiple directions. You can look east towards the Snake River or west towards Jackson Lake and the Teton Range. Allow lots of time for photos. Bring your binoculars or spotting scope as its also a great place to watch herds of pronghorn and elk in the valley far below.

The road is 5 miles long and gains 800ft. Trailers and RVs are not allowed. The entrance to the road is on Teton Park Road just south of the Jackson Lake Dam.

Enjoy the Views at Jackson Lake Lodge

Built in the 1950s, the Jackson Lake Lodge was one of the first modern-style buildings to be built in a National Park. It’s definitely an interesting looking building, but by far the best feature is the windows. It has HUUUUGE floor to ceiling windows that look out over Jackson Lake. If you look carefully, you’ll see elk browsing in the willows by the lakeshore.

To get this view you can book a room at the lodge or eat at one of the restaurants. But if you’re on a budget like me, you can order a drink from the coffee shop in the lobby, then settle into one of the comfy couches to soak up the scenery.

The Jackson Lake Lodge is located on Jackson Lake (surprise) just north of Jackson Lake Junction on Highway 191.

Go Horseback Riding

The Jackson Hole area is cowboy country. If you really want to experience cowboy culture first hand, go horseback riding. There are lots of dude ranches just outside the park, or you can book a guided horseback riding trip with a licensed outfitter inside the park.

Sightsee on the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway

Also known as Highway 89 and Highway 191, this road connects Yellowstone National Park with the northern part of Grand Teton National Park. The parkway travels through the forest, then along the shores of Jackson Lake. Be sure to stop at the Jackson Lake Overlook for the best views. Willow Flats Turnout just north of Jackson Lake Junction is also a great place to stop. Bring your binoculars and try to spot elk on the flats below.

Attend a Ranger Program

Park Rangers offer guided hikes and talks throughout the season. It’s a great way to learn more about the park on a wide range of subjects from animals to geology. There are campfire programs in the evenings too. Check the schedule to see what’s happening during your trip.

Paddle a Canoe or Kayak

Rent a canoe or kayak and explore one of Grand Teton’s Lakes. You can rent boats at Jenny Lake or Colter Bay on Jackson Lake. Unless you are experienced, plan to stick close to shore. The water is very cold and the lakes can get really windy.

Go White Water Rafting

The Snake River runs through Grand Teton National Park. It has some sections of gnarly white water for adrenaline junkies and some more mellow flat water sections for those who want a more tame experience. Either way, you’ll be surrounded by some beautiful scenery. Local outfitters offer both white water trips and family-friendly scenic float trips all summer long.

Explore the Jenny Lake Discovery Trail

You don’t need to be a hardcore hiker to walk this trail. It’s paved, accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, and less than half a mile long. The path leads from the Jenny Lake visitor center to the shores of Jenny Lake. Along the way, there are lots of newly-installed interpretive signs about wildlife, history, and geology.

Step Back in Time Menors Ferry Historic District

Bill Menor settled here in 1892 since it was a good place to operate a ferry across the Snake River. Some of the original buildings remain today. Stop into Bill Menor’s General Store to see a mix of historical artifacts and perhaps buy some jam. In the summertime when the water is low enough, you can even ride a replica ferry across the Snake River.

Nearby you’ll find Maud Noble’s cabin. Maud was a tourist who arrived in the area in 1916 and never really left. She took over the ferry operation from the Menor family in 1918. In 1923 she hosted an important meeting in her cabin: local businessmen and ranchers met to begin planning the formation of Grand Teton National Park.

Menor’s Ferry is located on Teton Park Road just north of Moose.

Visit the Chapel of the Transfiguration

I’m not a religious person, but I loved visiting the Chapel of the Transfiguration. It’s a tiny log cabin-style church that was specifically built to frame the peaks of the Tetons in the window behind the altar. The beauty of nature takes center stage in worship. It dates back to 1925 and you can still attend services here every Sunday. If it’s nice out, they even have additional pews outside!

The chapel is located near Menors Ferry and shares the same parking lot.

Learn About Homesteading at the Cunningham Cabin Historic Site

This historic log cabin was built in the 1880s by J.P. Cunningham, one of the original homesteaders in the Jackson Hole Valley. You can take a self-guided walk around the property using interpretive brochures available on site. To get to Cunningham Cabin go north on Highway 191 from Moose and turn left into the parking lot.

Go for a Swim

Most of the lakes in Grand Teton National Park are icy cold. But String Lake is small and shallow enough to have warm(ish) water. The bottom of the lake is sandy too! There’s a picnic area here if you want to make a day of it. String Lake is located at the north end of Jenny Lake Loop Road.

Bike the Multi-Use Pathway

I didn’t have my bike with me on my trip to Grand Teton National Park, but I wish I did. There’s a fabulous paved multi-use pathway in the park that is perfect for bikes. It stretches from the town of Jackson in the south, all the way to Jenny Lake. If you didn’t bring a bike, you can rent one in Jackson.

Climb a Mountain

You need ropes and climbing gear to get to the top of most of Grand Teton’s mountains. If you’ve got your own gear, check out the Climber’s Guide to the Teton Range. It has lots of ideas for routes. If you’d rather have someone else show you the ropes (literally), there are lots of local guiding companies who can help.

Camp in the Park

On my trip to Grand Teton, I spent 3 nights camping in the park. It made getting out to see the sights or going for a hike MUCH easier since we didn’t have to commute and could experience the park early in the morning or in the evening. It’s also a great way to connect with nature. Grand Teton National Park has six campgrounds to choose from.

Drive the Moose-Wilson Road

This partially-paved road connects the town of Moose inside the park with the town of Wilson, southwest of the park. It travels through forests and marshes and is one of the best places to spot wildlife in the area. Keep an eye out for beavers, moose, and bears.

The road is 15 miles long and is closed to RVs and trailers. The road also has periodic closures if there is too much bear activity.

See the Park from the Air

It’s a bit of a splurge, but flight-seeing in Grand Teton National Park looks amazing. The Tetons are a gorgeous mountain range, and the best way to see them is from the air. Scenic flight tours leave from the Jackson Hole airport, located in between Grand Teton National Park and the town of Jackson.

I’m sure with this big list of things to do in Grand Teton National Park, you won’t have trouble spending a few days there. As I discovered, it’s definitely worthwhile. What’s on your Grand Teton National Park must-see list? Tell me in the comments.

MORE NATIONAL PARKS POSTS: 

• 10 Under-the-Radar US National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List
• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
• Everything You Need to Know About Camping in Yellowstone
• The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor
• How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip
• Things to Do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• 15 Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park

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Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

WANT MORE YELLOWSTONE INFO?  Check out these posts:

• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor
• Everything You Need to Know About Camping in Yellowstone

Yellowstone Hiking Basics

Hiking season in Yellowstone: Since it’s high in the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone National Park has a short summer hiking season from June to September. Generally, the trails start to be snow-free in June with higher elevation trails staying snowy into July. By late September, it has started to snow again in the mountains. No matter what time of year you hike, check the weather forecast before you head out. Checking the weather is just one of the things you should do before every hike.

READ NEXT: The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

What to bring hiking in Yellowstone: Even if you are just going for a short hike, you need to be prepared for the weather and conditions. Don’t forget the 10 essentials. (Rain gear is especially important.) I’ve got a whole Yellowstone hiking gear packing list to make sure you’ve got everything you need.

Bear Safety: Yellowstone is home to both black bears and grizzly bears. Carry bear spray and make noise while you hike to reduce your risk of a negative bear encounter. For more info about hiking in bear country, read my post about bear safety for hikers.

Leave No Trace: Yellowstone National Park is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn about Leave No Trace principles to help keep the wilderness wild.

More Resources: You can find more info about hiking in Yellowstone on the National Park’s website. I definitely recommend bringing a map on your Yellowstone hikes. We used the National Geographic Yellowstone Trail map on our trip. It’s really easy to read and has ALL the trails. You may also want to pick up a hiking guidebook for more hike ideas. 

Storm Point

Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 2.3 miles (3.7 km) roundtrip | Estimated Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour

The Storm Point hike is located in the Yellowstone Lake area, just east of the Fishing Bridge Visitor’s Center.  The hike is perfect for those that want expansive views of the lake and surrounding areas. It’s easy to fit in as part of a 4-day Yellowstone itinerary.

You’ll start by walking through a meadow then into the forest.  The trail then winds through the pine trees while hugging the coast, with glimpses out over the water.  Eventually, it opens up with gorgeous views over small beaches where you may see a marmot or two playing. 

The trail winds back through the forest and meets back up with the loop again in the meadow.  If you don’t want to do the entire loop, you can always do an out and back from the beach area.

The trail is great for those who want a moderate length trail without a strenuous workout, as it is all completely flat.  You’ll have the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife.  While doing this hike we saw chipmunks, a bison, a variety of birds, a marmot, and we even heard an elk nearby. 

Make sure to bundle up if doing this trail, especially in the cooler seasons.  The wind on Storm Point and the rest of the trail can be tough and extremely cold coming off of the lake.

Recommended by Heather of Evado Travel

Point Sublime

Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 3 miles (4.8km) round trip | Estimated Time: 1.5 -2 hours

One of the top tourist attractions in Yellowstone is the so-called Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. There are many different places to see it including the South Rim and the North Rim. My recommendation is a viewpoint called Artist Point. Artist Point is not only one of the best viewpoints there is to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, but it also contains a scenic trail called the Point Sublime trail.  The Point Sublime trail offers views beyond what can be seen at Artist Point. Jaw-dropping views of the canyon and dramatic cliffs will take your breath away if the trail isn’t doing so already.

The trail itself isn’t quite technical. However, the cliffs are unguarded and even Tom Cruise can’t save you if you fall off one of them.  If you have vertigo, this is the worst trail you can ever do. There are parts of the trail that can get quite narrow so take your time and resist the urge to push someone off the cliff. When hiking in Yellowstone, make sure you also have bear spray with you, you are in bear country after all. 

You’ll be hungry after your hike, so head to one of my picks for the best restaurants in West Yellowstone.

Recommended by Sean of Living Out Lau

Fairy Falls

Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 5 miles (8 km) round trip | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

The Fairy Falls trail is quite flat, so it’s an easy walk. It’s one of the more popular trails in Yellowstone, but it still won’t be nearly as crowded as some of the roadside attractions. The trail starts at a parking lot 1 mile south of Midway Geyser Basin. It’s not a big parking lot, so get there early. The first mile of the trail is on an old gravel road called the Firehole Flats Road. Right after the parking lot, the trail crosses a wide bridge over the Firehole River.

About 0.6 miles from the start you’ll see a trail branching uphill to the left. This short trail climbs up to a viewpoint where you can see Grand Prismatic Spring from above. I highly recommend taking this detour. It adds only a few hundred yards to your hike and includes one of the best views in the whole park. 

After the turnoff to the Grand Prismatic Spring viewpoint, the trail continues on the old road for a few more minutes. Look for a junction with a trail turning left into the trees. This is the Fairy Falls Trail. The next 1.5 miles of trail are through young lodgepole pine trees. A forest fire burned this entire area in 1988 so all the trees are the same age.

When you reach a more open area alongside a steep slope, you’re almost there. Fairy Falls tumbles 200ft down a cleft in a steep rock face. You can scramble over rocks and logs to get close to the base of the falls, but wear rain gear as the spray from the falls will drench you!

Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail

Difficulty: Easy | Distance: 3.7 miles (6 km) | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

This lightly trafficked trail was one of my favourite hikes in Yellowstone. It starts at a small picnic area on the Northeast Entrance Road just east of Tower Junction. 

The first quarter-mile of trail climbs steeply up the side of a ridge. Once you reach the top, the remainder of the hike is gently rolling. The trail follows the ridge top for its entire length. To your right is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You get views of the canyon the entire way. The walls on the opposite side have unique and intricate hoodoo formations. You can look across the canyon to a few different roadside pullouts, but in my opinion, the views are much better from the trail!

As you wander along the ridge, keep an eye out for wildlife. On my hike, we spotted numerous marmots, some of whom were not shy and stayed right near the trail as we walked by. We also spotted a big horned sheep! They live along the rim of the canyon so this is one of the best places in the park to see them.

The trail ends at the junction with the Specimen Ridge trail. There is a great viewpoint south into the Yellowstone River valley and east to the rolling hills of Specimen Ridge. If you want a longer hike, you can continue on to the top of Specimen Ridge for views back into the Lamar Valley. 

Mount Washburn (from Dunraven Pass)

Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: 6 miles (9.7km) with roughly 1400ft (455m) elevation gain | Estimated Time:  3-5 hours

If you’re hiking in Yellowstone from May through August, the Mount Washburn Trail offers bighorn sheep sightings, gorgeous wildflowers, and panoramic vistas. The trail follows an old vehicle route to the fire lookout at Mount Washburn’s summit. You know that if they’re spotting fires up there, it’s going to have some fantastic, unhindered views of the surrounding landscape.

The trail begins at the Dunraven Pass Trailhead. The former road is wide and not overly steep. It climbs steadily over a number of long switchbacks. Though Mount Washburn is a very popular hike, the wide track offers plenty of room for everyone.

Start out first thing in the morning to avoid regular storms that pass over the peak. There is shelter inside the lookout tower at the top, however, be wary of lightening if you’re on the trail during a storm. Mount Washburn is generally windy when you reach the summit, so make sure you have warm layers and wet weather gear.

Grizzly bears like the area during autumn, for foraging Whitebark pine nuts. The National Parks Service recommends steering clear of the trail during September and October for this reason. 

Recommended by Zoë of Duende by Madam ZoZo

Avalanche Peak

Difficulty: moderate | Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4km) round-trip with 2,017 feet (615m) elevation gain | Estimated Time: 3-5 hours

Avalanche Peak is a very nice hike in the south-east part of Yellowstone National Park. I would say that this hike has one of the best difficulty to reward ratios because it’s quite short and the views from the top are spectacular. It’s also not that crowded because it’s located outside of the main Yellowstone loop.

The first half of the trail leads through the forest, where you could see some wildlife (elk or even bears). Therefore, it’s a good idea to follow the bear safety rules and carry bear spray. The second half leads through open terrain, where the views start to show up. Because of the high elevation, there is usually at least some snow. If you hike anytime between October and April, expect a lot of snow.

The views from the top are spectacular and it’s definitely one of the best things to see in Yellowstone. You can see the huge Yellowstone Lake on one side and snow-covered mountain ranges on the other side.

The best time to visit is from May to October, however, there is a frequent occurrence of grizzly bears in September and October.

If you plan to hike Avalanche Peak, you should be prepared for quick weather changes. Definitely bring rain gear, a wind jacket (it’s very windy at the top), and good hiking shoes (the terrain is pretty rough and I don’t recommend hiking in sandals or flip-flops).

Recommended by Matěj of Czech the World. Yellowstone National Park is one of the stops he recommends on a USA Road Trip.

Sepulcher Mountain

Difficulty: Difficult| Distance: 11.2 mile (18km) loop | Estimated Time: 7-9 hours

The Sepulcher Mountain hike is a tough one; in the first five miles, it rises almost 3,000 feet. This makes it ideal for hikers who like to climb mountains, but don’t want to do climbs that require ropes or climbing gear. To me, it’s the perfect introduction to Yellowstone’s backcountry. Unlike some hikes in Yellowstone, this trailhead (located near Mammoth Hot Springs) is easy to access and parking is ample. Over the course of the hike, incredible views await at every turn … as well as the varying flora and fauna (alpine wildflowers, forests, and open meadows).

Another great feature of this trail is that it is very lightly trafficked, so there’s a good chance that you’ll have it all to yourself … except for a mountain goat, elk, or maybe even a bear. In fact, when I hiked Sepulcher Mountain with my husband and 72-year-old dad, we saw just one other person (who was doing the hike shoeless…) and a fleeting glimpse of a grey wolf. The last few miles of the hike intersect several other trails. Keep your map or GPS nearby to make sure that you stay on the right path. (It’s easy to get off on the wrong trail like we did!)

As with all hikes in Yellowstone, bring plenty of water because that mountain air sure is dry and pack a few layers. Hitting Sepulcher Mountain in the warmer months (July-September) is ideal for access and wildflower viewing.

Recommended by Sarah of YouFoundSarah.com 

Yellowstone River Trail via Hellroaring Creek and Blacktail Deer Creek Trails

Difficulty: Difficult| Distance: 16.4 mile (26.4km) point to point hike | Estimated Time: 9-11 hours or two days

This backcountry route travels along the Yellowstone River. It’s at a slightly lower elevation than many other parts of the park, making it a great hike for early in the summer season. The rolling terrain and rushing river provide great scenery, especially when the wildflowers bloom in June. It’s also a great place to spot wildlife. I saw pronghorn, marmots, osprey, waterfowl, bison and a grizzly bear!

This hike doesn’t tackle too much challenging terrain: it earns its difficulty rating through distance alone. You can hike this trail in one long day, but an easier and more pleasant alternative is to split it up into two days by camping at one of the many backcountry sites along this trail. I actually did this hike over 4 days and 3 nights as part of my Leave No Trace Master Educator course. Since we stopped for learning sessions each day, we didn’t cover too many miles. If you plan to camp in the backcountry, you’ll need to make a reservation and get a permit.

The trail starts at the Hellroaring Creek trailhead on the Grand Loop Road. It begins by descending about 560 feet (170m) to a bridge over the Yellowstone River. Then it climbs over a rolling plateau before taking a detour for a few miles up Hellroaring Creek to a bridge, then back down the other side. 

The middle section of the hike roughly follows the north bank of the Yellowstone River. Sometimes the trail is high above the river, but eventually, it descends to river level and crosses another large bridge. 

The last section is a steady uphill climb on the Blacktail Deer Creek trail. The trail finishes at the Blacktail Creek trailhead on Grand Loop road. This trailhead is 8 miles west of the Hellroaring Creek trailhead, so you’ll need to leave a second car here or try hitchhiking.

So there you have it: our picks for the best hikes in Yellowstone. Do you have another Yellowstone hiking trail to recommend? Tell me in the comments.

More Yellowstone Info:

• 70 Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
• Everything You Need to Know About Camping in Yellowstone
• The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor

More National Parks Posts

• 25 Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
• Things to Do in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• 15 Awesome Things to Do in Joshua Tree National Park
• 10 Under-the-Radar US National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List
• How to Take an Epic Canadian National Parks Road Trip
• Hike the Bear Gulch Cave Trail in Pinnacles National Park

The post Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

WANT MORE YELLOWSTONE INFO?  Check out these posts:

• The Ultimate Yellowstone Packing List for Every Summer Visitor
• Everything You Need to Know About Camping in Yellowstone
• Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

Top 5 Things to do in Yellowstone You Shouldn’t Miss

It’s not really a trip to Yellowstone unless you see these five things! No matter what you do on your trip, or how long you spend in the park, make sure you see these. There are tons of things to do in Yellowstone in this post, so if you’re trying to decide where to start, make it these 5 things.

1. Visit Mammoth Hot Springs

The geothermal Mammoth Hot Springs in the northern part of Yellowstone don’t look like the hot springs anywhere else in the park. They are uniquely stair-stepped travertine terraces, formed when hot water bubbles up through limestone rock. The hot water dissolves the limestone into calcium carbonate, which then re-solidifies into new shapes, formed by water. The Mammoth Hot Springs area is really big, so be sure to explore different parts of it. There are lots of boardwalk paths winding through it, or you can drive the Upper Loop road and see some of the features from your car.

2. Watch a Geyser Erupt

For most visitors, watching Old Faithful erupt is a Yellowstone must-see. Old Faithful is pretty spectacular, so it’s definitely worth visiting. However, there are literally hundreds of other geysers in the park. In fact, there are more geysers in Yellowstone than in any other place on Earth! A few of the large geysers erupt regularly. You can get info on when they are next predicted to erupt at ranger stations or online. But you’re likely to stumble across an erupting geyser in any of the geothermal basins in the park. We were lucky enough to see Steamboat Geyser at the tail end of of one it’s enormous eruptions.

3. See the Rainbow Colors of Grand Prismatic Spring

As one of the biggest hot springs in the world, and one of the deepest, Grand Prismatic Spring is pretty… grand! But the real reason it is so popular is the beautiful rainbow colors around its edges. The colors actually come from different types of heat-loving bacteria growing around the rim of the spring. (Fun fact: heat-loving organisms are called “thermophiles”.) The rainbow colors come from the differences in water temperature. You can find Grand Prismatic Spring in the Midway Thermal Basin. But if you want to see the spring from above, be sure to hike to the overlook on the Fairy Falls Trail.

4. Stand on the Edge of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Before visiting, I had no idea that Yellowstone has its own Grand Canyon. The Yellowstone River has carved a deep canyon in the volcanic rock. Ongoing geothermal activity leaves colorful mineral deposits on the canyon walls and you can spot puffs of steam here and there.

The entire canyon is about 20 miles long, but you can see the best parts by visiting viewpoints on the rim. My favorites were Inspiration Point and Grand View. You can also climb stairs down into the canyon for a closer view at Red Rock Point, Brink of the Lower Falls and Uncle Tom’s Trail. For a different view without the crowds, try the hike to Point Sublime.

One of the best ways to learn about the unique geology is to go with a naturalist. Sign up for this Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone loop hike that includes a guide, snacks, lunch, and tons of views.

5. Spot Some Wildlife

Before Europeans settled the American West, it was home to a multitude of animals. Yellowstone National Park is one of the few places that has preserved the ecosystem and allowed indigenous wildlife to thrive. And that makes it one of the best places to watch wildlife in America. You can spot grizzly bears, black bears, elk, pronghorn, buffalo, wolves, coyotes and more. Hands down, wildlife watching was my favorite thing to do in Yellowstone. The best wildlife watching is usually near dawn. I recommend binoculars or a spotting scope to get a better look. (Check out all my gear recommendations in my Yellowstone packing list.)

Visit a Hydrothermal Area

Yellowstone has one of the largest concentrations of hydrothermal features on earth. There are over 10,000 features including hot springs, geysers, mudpots, and fumaroles. Here’s a list of the 12 main places to see them.

Norris Geyser Basin

The Norris Geyser Basin contains the oldest, hottest and most active thermal features in Yellowstone. There are two main areas: Porcelain Basin and Back Basin. A network of paths and boardwalks snakes through them both. Be sure to check out Steamboat Geyser. It’s the world’s tallest geyser at 300+ feet. I was lucky enough to see the tail end of a major eruption on my visit.

Upper Geyser Basin

Most people head to Upper Geyser Basin to see Old Faithful. And while it is spectacular, there are tons of other geysers in the area. In fact, the Upper Geyser Basin has the highest concentration of geysers in the park. Don’t miss Castle, Grand, Daisy, and Riverside Geysers. And be sure to walk the easy Upper Geyser Basin trail as it passes by numerous thermal features.

To get the most out of your visit, sign-up for this Upper Geyser Basin tour. The easy hike is led by a naturalist who will explain the geothermal phenomenon, plus it includes lunch.

Biscuit Basin

This small thermal area near Old Faithful used to have biscuit-like deposits around the pools. But an earthquake in 1959 changed that quickly! If you visit today, check out the deep blue Sapphire Pool and the bright yellow Mustard Spring. Stick around for at least 10 minutes to see the Jewel Geyser erupt.

Black Sand Basin

Black Sand Basin is another small thermal area next to Old Faithful. It’s an easy 1-mile walk and it also has limited parking. Key features are the colorful Emerald Pool, Rainbow Pool, and Sunset Lake. You can also watch Cliff Geyser erupt on the banks of the creek every few minutes.

Midway Geyser Basin

The star of the show at Midway Geyser Basin is rainbow-colored Grand Prismatic Spring. While it’s cool to see the colors of the spring up close from the boardwalk paths, you’ll get a better view of it from the Fairy Falls trail.

Firehole Lake Drive

The 2-mile long, one-way Firehole Lake Drive is part of the Lower Geyser Basin thermal area. Along the drive, you’ll pass geysers, hot lakes, and hot springs. There are a few parking areas where you can get out to take photos. Check the eruption schedule for the Great Fountain Geyser ahead of time to see if you can watch it go off.

Fountain Paint Pots

The Fountain Paint Pots are also in the Lower Geyser Basin. A half-mile boardwalk loop takes you through the area. You will see geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles.

West Thumb Basin

The West Thumb Basin sits on and under the shores of Yellowstone Lake. The entire West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake is an old volcanic caldera, which explains the thermal activity here. The half-mile loop trail takes you past lots of springs, mudpots, and pools. Near the lakeshore, you’ll find Fishing Cone. In the early days of the National Park, visitors would catch trout in the lake, then swing their line into the mouth of the geyser to cook their fish!

Mud Volcano

If you have a sensitive nose, you won’t like the smell at the Mud Volcano. Mud and pungent hydrogen sulfide gas burble up from the depths, making the whole place smell like rotten eggs. A 0.6-mile path winds through the features. Be sure to head across the road to visit Sulphur Caldron too. It’s the most acidic spring in Yellowstone.

Artists Paint Pots

This small thermal area is just south of the Norris Junction. It’s less popular than some of the other thermal basins, so it’s great for escaping the crowds. There’s a 1.6-mile loop trail that goes past colorful hot springs and mudpots.

Terrace Spring

Another small, and off-the-beaten-path thermal area, you will find Terrace Spring just north of Madison Junction. There’s a short boardwalk to a few springs in a grassy meadow.

Beryl Spring

Boiling Beryl Spring is one of the hottest springs in Yellowstone National Park with temperatures up to 196 °F (91 °C). It’s a quick stop along the road between Norris and Madison. Just look for the steam!

Go Chasin’ Waterfalls

Thanks to the interplay of glaciers and volcanoes, Yellowstone National Park is home to lots of waterfalls. Here are 8 Yellowstone waterfalls you can visit without going on a long hike.

Tower Fall

Tower Fall plummets 132 feet (40m) down Tower Creek towards the Yellowstone River. There are some eroded rock pinnacles at the top of the falls, giving it its name. You can see the falls from a short path. Years ago, you could take a trail all the way down to the bottom of the falls, but erosion damaged it beyond repair. You may have seen a famous painting of Tower Fall by American artist Thomas Moran. This painting was one of the key factors in persuading Congress to create Yellowstone National Park.

Upper Falls

Upper Falls is one of two show-stopper waterfalls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It drops 109 feet (33m). The best places to see Upper Falls are from the Brink of Upper Falls viewpoint or Uncle Tom’s Trail. Unfortunately, both were closed for construction during my visit. However, you can also see Upper Falls from a viewpoint on the South Rim Trail near Uncle Tom’s Point.

Lower Falls

The other major waterfall in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is called… you guessed it… Lower Falls. It’s 308 feet (94m) high. You can see it from Lookout Point on the North Rim Drive. But I think you can get a much better view by descending the stairs and switchbacks to Red Rock Point or Brink of the Lower Falls Viewpoint. Just remember that you’ll have to climb all the way up again!

Firehole Falls

If you drive the one-way scenic Firehole Canyon Drive, be sure to stop to see Firehole Falls. It’s 40 feet (12m) high.

Gibbon Falls

If you slow down, you can see Gibbon Falls from the road between Norris and Madison. But take the time to pull into the parking lot and walk the short paved trail. It leads to several viewpoints of the 84 foot (26m) falls.

Undine Falls

Pull over on the road between Mammoth and Tower Junction to see 60 foot high Undine Falls. There’s a viewpoint right next to the parking lot where you can take photos of the double-tiered falls.

Wraith Falls

In order to see Wraith Falls, you will have to go hiking. But it’s barely a hike at 0.5 miles each way. The reward is 79 foot high (24m) Wraith Falls, tumbling down a rock face on Lupine Creek.

Kepler Cascades

This waterfall drops in several different cascades down the canyon of the Firehole River. In total, the Kepler Cascades falls about 150 feet. You can view it from a pullout just south of Old Faithful.

Find the Best Places to Spot Wildlife

In Yellowstone National Park it’s really easy to spot wildlife, as long as you head to the right places. In fact, it’s one of the most popular things to do in Yellowstone. Here are 6 sure-fire ways to see wild animals.

Go on a Safari in the Lamar Valley

The Lamar Valley in the northeast corner of the park has been called the American Serengeti. It’s a large, open valley with lots of grassy slopes so it is the easiest place to spot wildlife in Yellowstone. Drive the Northeast Entrance Road, then park at a pull out when you see animals. There are large herds of bison, groups of elk, deer, and pronghorn. The Lamar Valley is also home to the park’s largest concentration of wolves. You may also spy black bears, grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions.

You see the Lamar Valley on your own, but for the best experience, go on a Lamar Valley Safari hiking tour. The guides know the best places to see the animals. They also supply binoculars and spotting scopes to help you get a better look.

Get out the Binoculars at Hayden Valley

Although not as big as the Lamar Valley, the Hayden Valley is another wildlife hot spot. It is located on the Yellowstone River midway along the road between Fishing Bridge and Canyon Village. Hayden Valley is a great place to spot bison. There are also a few wolf packs in the area. You might also see elk, black bears, and grizzly bears.

Watch for Elk in Mammoth

The area around Mammoth is teeming with elk. They like to hang out there since predators are unlikely to attack near so many people. It’s definitely the easiest place to spot elk in the park. However, you might also see some bold black and grizzly bears wandering through.

Get Caught in a Bison Jam

Yellowstone’s bison seem to believe that the grass is always greener on the other side. They are often on the move in the park, walking from one green valley to another in search of fresh grass. They use the park’s roads as travel corridors and don’t seem to care about cars. This means that you may get stuck in a bison jam, waiting for hours for the bison to clear the road. However, if you are lucky enough to be ahead of the bison, rather than behind them, you will get to have an exceptionally close encounter with these huge animals as they stampede past your car!

Spot Wildlife in the Backcountry

Most of Yellowstone’s wildlife prefers to hang out away from people and cars. If you leave the park roads and head into the backcountry, you have a much higher chance of spotting wildlife. Going for a day hike improves your chances, but camping out in the backcountry really helps since animals are more active at dawn and dusk. On my 4-day backcountry hike in Yellowstone, we spotted pronghorn, elk, deer, marmots, bison, numerous birds of prey and a grizzly bear!

Take a Wildlife Tour

If you visit Yellowstone on your own, you’ll definitely see some wildlife. But you may only see a few animals if you don’t know where to look or what time to be there. For much more meaningful animal spotting, you may want to take a wildlife tour. The professional guides can help you spot hard to find animals like wolves and grizzly bears. And they may even be familiar with individual animals and their families.

Outdoorsy Things to do in Yellowstone

Many visitors to Yellowstone explore the park by car, walk around a short paved trail, read an interpretive sign, and then leave. If you’re willing to get a little sweaty, and travel a little further, so much more of the park opens up to you. Here are 8 outdoorsy things to do in Yellowstone.

Go Hiking

There are over 900 miles of trails in Yellowstone National Park, which gives you waaay too many options for both day hikes and multi-day trips. However, the majority of visitors to the park never venture more than a few hundred feet from their cars, so you will get most trails all to yourself. Check out my guide to the best hikes in Yellowstone.

Camp in the Park

On my trip to Yellowstone, I spent 10 nights camping in the park. It made getting out to see the sights or going for a hike MUCH easier since we didn’t have to commute and could experience Yellowstone early in the morning or in the evening. It’s also a great way to connect with nature. If you want to stay at one of the national park campgrounds, I put together a MASSIVE guide to camping in Yellowstone for you.

Try Glamping

If you don’t feel like roughing it, try glamping. You can stay in a luxury tent with heating, bathrooms and real beds! Check out Under Canvas Yellowstone, located in West Yellowstone.

Go on a Backpacking Trip

However, if you are up to roughing it, explore Yellowstone’s backcountry on a backpacking trip. Yellowstone has over 300 backcountry campsites. They all have food storage poles and many of them come with outhouses and fire pits. You need to obtain a backcountry permit before your trip. If you’re looking or an easy trip, I recommend the Yellowstone River Trail.

Go for a Mountain Bike Ride

If you prefer to explore on two-wheels, there are a few gravel trails in the park you can explore. Many of them are old roads that are now closed to cars so you may be able to use a regular bike instead of a hardcore mountain bike with suspension. The National Park has a full list of all the bike trails in Yellowstone.

Bike to Geysers

An easy paved 2-mile trail leads from Old Faithful to Morning Glory Pool. It’s great for kids! There are racks along the way where you can leave your bike as you explore each of the geysers and thermal pools. Highlights include the impressive Castle, Riverside and Daisy Geysers.

Cycle Tour in Yellowstone

All the roads in Yellowstone National Park are open to bikes, however, there are no bike lanes and in some places, the shoulder can be narrow. But for adventurous bikers, cycle touring in Yellowstone National Park can be lots of fun. And best of all, most of the park’s campgrounds have first-come, first-served sites set aside for cyclists. Apparently, they are never full so unlike the rest of us, cyclists don’t have to stress about where to camp in Yellowstone!

Brave the Weather to Bike Without Cars

For a few weeks each spring and fall, Yellowstone National Park allows cyclists to roam some of the park’s roads while they are closed to cars for the winter season. There may be snow on the road, the weather is often cold, but you’ll have the place to yourself. And without cars, the likelihood of seeing wildlife is higher. The exact dates for spring and fall biking in Yellowstone vary each year with the snowfall, but in general, they occur in early April and early November.

Learn About Nature

Yellowstone’s landscape has some complex and super fascinating origins. There are all kinds of factors at play here including volcanoes, earthquakes, glaciers, rivers, animals and of course humans. Here are nine key places to learn about nature in Yellowstone National Park.

See a Petrified Tree

Until I visited, I had no idea that there were petrified trees in Yellowstone. About 50 million years ago, ash from nearby volcanoes buried trees. The wood of the trees started to decay, but mineral-rich water seeped in leaving rock deposits behind. Over time, the trees decomposed entirely, leaving a rock deposit in the shape of the trees. The easiest place to see a petrified tree in Yellowstone is at the Lost Lake trailhead near Tower Junction.

Visit the Norris Basin Museum

If you are interested in the geothermal activity in the park, be sure to pay a visit to the Norris Basin Museum. It’s located in a historic stone building at the entrance to Norris Basin. It has lots of interpretive panels about geothermal activity, plus a ranger on hand to answer your questions.

Find Some Wildflowers

In June and July, the park’s open slopes explode with wildflowers. The best way to see them is to go on a hike, but you can also drive through Dunraven Pass between Tower and Canyon to spot them on the roadside. Remember to stay on the trail so you don’t trample the wildflowers as they live in a fragile ecosystem and take years to grow. And of course never pick them so there are lots left for other visitors to enjoy. (You can read more about to respect wildflowers in my post about Leave No Trace.)

Learn About Geysers at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center

The giant visitor center at Old Faithful has tons of educational info about geothermal activity, the supervolcano that formed Yellowstone, and how geysers work. Be sure to check out the Young Scientist section which has a model of a geyser and some hands-on exhibits. There’s also a theater showing Yellowstone related films. The best part of the center is the geyser prediction board that tells you when one of the big geysers will erupt next.

Check Out the Relief Map at Canyon Visitor Education Center

I think that the easiest way to get an overview of a place is to look at a model. Head to the Canyon Visitor Education Center to see the room-sized relief map of Yellowstone National Park. It has cool overlays that show how volcanic eruptions, lava, glaciers, and earthquakes have shaped the park. There are also lots of other volcano-themed exhibits to see and a film about the geology of Yellowstone.

Learn About Wildlife at the Albright Visitor Center

This recently refurbished visitor center has a few exhibits about the park’s history and wildlife, including lots of taxidermied animals. It’s also one of the only places in the park with free (and fast) wifi. The Albright Visitor Center is housed in a historic building from 1909 that used to serve as army officer’s quarters before the creation of the National Park Service.

Become a Junior Ranger

If you’ve got kids with you, be sure to participate in the Junior Ranger Program. Pick up a booklet at a visitor center, then complete the educational activities inside. Take the completed booklet back to a visitor center to get an official Yellowstone Junior Ranger badge. And in case you didn’t know, you don’t have to be a kid to take part – you just need to be “young at heart”. All ages welcome.

Go on a Guided Walk with a Ranger

One of the best ways to learn more about the park is to take a guided walk with a park ranger. I definitely got much more out of my visit to Norris Geyser Basin thanks to the ranger walk. There are walks scheduled in several locations every day all summer long.

Attend a Ranger Talk

Going to a ranger talk is a great way to learn more about a specific part of the park. There are talks on a wide range of subjects from animals to geology. Check the ranger program schedule to find a talk that interests you.

Take a Guided Tour

Seeing Yellowstone with a professional guide can give you insight into the park that you wouldn’t otherwise get. Guides often know of off-the-beaten-path spots to stop or where to see animals. They can also answer your questions about wildlife, geology, plants, history and more. One-day tours of Yellowstone are popular, but if you really want to see the whole park, you’ll need to book a multi-day tour.

Get in the Water

Yellowstone has lots of lakes, rivers, and creeks to explore. Here are 7 water-related things to do in Yellowstone including swimming, fishing, and boating.

Go Swimming at Boiling River or Firehole River

While there are countless water bodies in Yellowstone National Park, most of them are too cold or too swift for swimming. However, there are two designated swimming locations in the park: Boiling River and Firehole River. Both sites don’t open until early July when river levels drop enough for it to be safe. There are no lifeguards on duty, so you need to be a strong swimmer. The Firehole River is a bit warmer than the rest of the water in Yellowstone, but it’s not hot enough to live up to its name. But Boing River DOES live up to it’s name… sort of. It is a hot spring, but thankfully it’s not actually boiling or it would be too hot to get in! The water temperature varies from 100 to 140 degrees (38-54°C).

Soak in a Hot Spring

Visit Yellowstone Hot Springs just 8 miles north of the park to soak in naturally heated mineral water in a spa-like pool. The water is 104F, and rich in calcium, magnesium, and sodium, amongst other minerals.

Go Kayaking or Canoeing

There are lots of lakes and rivers to explore by canoe or kayak in Yellowstone National Park. Most visitors stop for a few minutes to look at the huge expanse of Yellowstone Lake, but few actually experience it first hand. On my trip, we spotted a guided kayak tour cruising past the geysers at West Thumb. It looked like a great way to see the geothermal features along the shoreline. If you are an experienced paddler you can also rent boats outside the park (or bring your own) and explore popular backcountry paddling routes on Lewis and Shoshone Lakes.

Take a Boat Tour

Yellowstone Park Lodges offers 1-hour guided boat tours of Yellowstone Lake. Rangers or interpretive guides explain the geology and history of the lake. They’ll also help point out eagles, osprey, and other water birds.

Rent a Boat

If you’d rather pilot your own ship, you can rent a boat at the Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. You can fish for trout or just explore the lake.

Catch a Fish

Fishing in Yellowstone National Park is world-renowned. You need a permit to fish any of Yellowstone’s waterways and there are restrictions on what kind of tackle, hooks, and lures you may use. If you’ve got your own gear, Yellowstone National Park’s website has tons of info on where you are allowed to fish and which species you can catch. If you’d prefer to have someone else set you up for success, sign up for a guided fishing trip with all the gear included.

Rafting the Yellowstone River

You can’t raft any of the rivers inside the park, but you can take on the mighty whitewater of the Yellowstone River outside the North Entrance to the park in Gardiner, Montana. If whitewater seems like too much, there are also more mellow float trips on calmer sections of the river.

Learn about Yellowstone’s History

As America’s first national park, Yellowstone has a LOT of history. Each of the old buildings and museums has a story to tell about what Yellowstone used to be like. Here are 7 places to dive into Yellowstone’s past.

Old Faithful Inn

The historic Old Faithful Inn is one of the largest log structures in the world. The lobby has a 100-foot-high atrium with a huge stone fireplace. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to visit. Stop in to eat at the restaurant, or if you’re cheap like me, head up to the coffee shop on the second floor.

Fort Yellowstone

Many people don’t know that the US Army originally managed Yellowstone National Park, mostly to help prevent poaching. They built a complex of stone buildings at Mammoth Hot Springs called Fort Yellowstone. Many of the buildings survive today and you can visit them on a self-guided tour.

Museum of the National Park Ranger

This little museum near the entrance to the Norris Campground was originally one of the remote soldier stations used to protect the park from poachers. Now it has exhibits about the history of park rangers across the National Parks Service.

Roosevelt Lodge

The low-slung Roosevelt Lodge and surrounding log cabins are part of the dude ranch history of Yellowstone. Despite the name, Roosevelt never stayed at the lodge. However, it’s believed that he did camp in the area before the lodge was built.

Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center

The Yellowstone Heritage and Research Centre at the north entrance of the park in Gardiner houses a huge collection of historical documents, archeological items, and specimens. They have rotating exhibits in the lobby, and a library, but the main part of the center is only open to the public on guided tours.

Roosevelt Arch

Find this huge stone arch at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The current park road bypasses the arch, but for a century, most park visitors passed through the arch to enter the park.

Lake Hotel

The Lake Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in Yellowstone National Park. It’s been restored to the colonial appearance it had in the 1920s.

Experience Yellowstone’s Old West Atmosphere

In the early days of Yellowstone, everyone explored the park by horse or stagecoach. Cowboy culture was big and many city-slicker visitors wanted to visit the park to have a dude ranch experience. That tradition lives on today. Here are 3 ways to experience the Old West in Yellowstone.

Ride a Horse

Yellowstone is in the heart of cowboy country and horse culture has a long history in the park. Sign up for a trail ride in the Roosevelt or Canyon areas to see what it’s like to be a cowboy.

Travel by Stagecoach

In the early days, most visitors to Yellowstone travelled in horse-drawn stagecoaches. You can still experience that today by taking a trip back in time on a stagecoach tour. These short excursions explain a bit about the history of Yellowstone while giving you a look at some breathtaking scenery.

Visit Yellowstone in Winter

From November to April, Yellowstone is blanketed in deep snow. Many of the roads, visitor centers and lodges in the park close, but Yellowstone is still accessible to visitors who are prepared for the cold. Here are 4 things you don’t want to miss on a winter visit to Yellowstone.

Go Cross Country Skiing or Snowshoeing

In the winter many of Yellowstone’s roads are closed. That means one of the best ways to see the park is on cross country skis or snowshoes. There are also tons of trails in the park perfect for winter travel. Some of the trails have tracks set for skiers, but on most of them, you’ll be breaking your own trail. Bring your skis or snowshoes, or rent them at shops in Gardiner, MT or West Yellowstone, WY.

Take a Snow Coach Tour

While the park’s roads might be closed to cars, they are still open to snow coaches. These giant vans have burly snow tires or tank-like tracks for getting around in the snow. Sign up for a snow coach tour to see Old Faithful erupt in the winter, as well as other snowy park sights.

Drive a Snowmobile

Besides, skis, snowshoes and snow coaches, there is one more way to get around Yellowstone in the winter: snowmobile! With a few exceptions, the only way to snowmobile in the park is on a guided snowmobile tour. You’ll get geared up with a helmet, snowmobile suit, boots, and gloves, then drive yourself to Old Faithful and other landmarks.

Go on a Winter Wildlife Safari

Winter is one of the best times to spot wildlife in Yellowstone. The grazing animals including elk, deer, bison, pronghorn and moose head down out of the mountains in search of food. That brings them closer to the roads, making them easier to spot. Keep an eye out for wolves, coyotes and mountain lions too. (Unfortunately, the bears hibernate all winter, so you won’t see them.) If you have your own car, you can drive the road from the Northeast entrance to Mammoth since it stays open. But for the best chances of seeing wildlife, go with a wildlife guide who will know the best spots to hit and what time to be there.

So that’s my giant list of 70 things to do in Yellowstone National Park. I hope it helps you plan your trip. If you’re already visited, leave your Yellowstone favorites in the comments.

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