Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

About Yellowstone National Park

There's something almost primordial about Yellowstone, like you've stepped back to when the earth was still figuring itself out. Steam rises from rainbow-colored pools, geysers erupt on their own mysterious schedules, and mud pots bubble away like something from another planet. It's the kind of place where you'll find yourself sharing the road with a bison traffic jam, watching wolves hunt in the Lamar Valley at dawn, or standing slack-jawed as Old Faithful does its thing for the thousandth time that year. The park sits atop a supervolcano—which sounds dramatic because it is—and that geological restlessness creates landscapes you won't see anywhere else. Beyond the thermal features, there are alpine meadows that explode with wildflowers, waterfalls that dwarf most buildings, and that peculiar silence you only get in truly wild places. It's raw and beautiful and occasionally smells like sulfur, which somehow adds to the charm.

Travel Tips

Transportation: You absolutely need a car here—the park spans 2.2 million acres with attractions spread across a 142-mile Grand Loop Road. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent, so download offline maps beforehand. Gas stations exist only at a few locations (Old Faithful, Canyon, Grant Village), and they're pricey. Expect wildlife jams to add unpredictable time to any drive, and honestly, just embrace them.

Money: The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle (valid for seven days) or $80 for an annual pass—which pays for itself if you're visiting multiple national parks. Inside the park, you'll pay premium prices for everything: think $15 sandwiches and $4 bottles of water. The park accepts cards, but bring cash for tips and the occasional service outage. ATMs exist but are limited.

Cultural Respect: Stay at least 25 yards from bison and elk, 100 yards from bears and wolves—people get seriously injured every year ignoring this. Don't leave the boardwalks around thermal features; the ground can literally collapse, and the water reaches boiling temperatures. Pack out all trash, and remember this is wildlife's home first. You're the guest, so act accordingly and keep noise levels reasonable.

Food Safety: Dining options cluster around major areas like Old Faithful, Canyon, and Mammoth, ranging from cafeterias to sit-down restaurants. Reservations help during peak season. Pack substantial snacks and water—you'll be farther from food than you think. Store all food and scented items in bear-proof containers or your car; bears are surprisingly clever. If you're camping, use the provided food storage lockers religiously.

When to Visit

Summer (June through August) is peak season for good reason—all roads are open, temperatures hover between 70-80°F during the day, and you can actually access the entire park. That said, expect crowds, higher accommodation prices (roughly 40-50% more than shoulder season), and the occasional thunderstorm. You'll need reservations months in advance for lodging. Spring (April-May) brings baby bison and bears emerging from hibernation, but weather's unpredictable with temps ranging from 30-60°F, and many roads stay closed until late May. Fall (September-October) might be the sweet spot—fewer crowds, comfortable 60-70°F days, elk rutting season creates wildlife drama, and prices drop about 25-30%. You'll catch aspen turning gold and hear elk bugling at dawn. Winter (November-March) transforms the park into something otherwal, with temps plunging to 0-20°F. Most roads close to cars but open to snowmobiles and snow coaches. It's genuinely magical seeing bison covered in frost near steaming geysers, though it requires more planning and cold-weather gear. Accommodation prices drop 30-40%, but options are extremely limited.