From iconic geysers to diverse wildlife and picturesque landscapes, Yellowstone National Park is a natural wonder that has captivated visitors for generations. Yellowstone is the world’s first national park, and it’s one of the most-visited destinations in the U.S. So here’s how to plan a trip to Yellowstone National Park!

Tips for Visiting Popular National Parks

Planning a Yellowstone trip can be overwhelming because the park is only fully open a few months a year when crowds and prices are at their peak.

The keys to a successful Yellowstone trip are planning ahead, booking your accommodation in advance, and avoiding as many crowds as possible.

Here’s how to plan a trip to Yellowstone National Park!

When To Go

Yellowstone National Park is open year-round, but most of the park is only accessible by snowmobile from early October to March, and only a few park roads are open in April and early May.

June to August is when the park is fully accessible. In these summer months, all park roads and trails should be open, lodges will rent bikes, guided tours will be running, and the scenic Lake Yellowstone ferry will be running. Yellowstone’s high altitude means it’s cold here, even in the summer, so bring warm clothes.

Summer is the most popular and expensive season, so book accommodations and tours in advance, arrive at popular trails and overlooks as early in the morning as possible, visit on weekdays, have alternatives in case a parking lot is full, get off the beaten path as much as possible, and group your activities to minimize driving.

Mid-May is a shoulder season. The snow won’t have fully melted, so some trails, pull-offs, and scenic drives will be closed. Yellowstone Lake will still be frozen, most guide operators won’t be running tours or renting equipment yet, and only some park lodges will be open. But this is the best time to see baby wildlife, and the lower crowds and prices are worth the trade-off of the park not being fully open. It’ll be cold and wet, so pack layers and waterproof shoes.

September is the other shoulder season. The crowds will have thinned, prices will have dropped, and the weather will be relatively warm and dry. But the later in the month you visit, the colder it will be, especially in the evenings and mornings. All park areas and lodges should still be open, and most tour operators and equipment rentals will still be running.

October – November is a beautiful time to visit Yellowstone because of the fall foliage, and you’ll feel like you have the park practically to yourself. Snow will start falling, closing some roads, trails, and lakes, and the in-park accommodations and services will close. So you’ll need to book accommodation outside the park.

December – March is when Yellowstone is only accessible by snowmobile, and you’ll need to snowshoe anywhere you go. I recommend staying at one of the in-park snow lodges if you visit during these months. You’ll leave your car outside the park, be transported to your accommodation in special snow vehicles, and then your lodge will have all the equipment and guides you need to get around the park. You’ll need your warmest clothes and best snow gear.

What To Do from Mid-May to Early-October

Old Faithful Area: tour the Old Faithful Inn and stay here if you can, see the Old Faithful Geyser go off at least once, walk the boardwalks at Biscuit Basin and Black Sand Basin, walk the loop from Old Faithful to Castle Geyser around to Geyser Hill, and hike the Observation Point Trail.

You want to time your hike up the Observation Point Trail with when Old Faithful will erupt. This hike is 0.5 miles one-way uphill, so it will take 30-45 minutes. When you get about two-thirds up the trail, go left at the split and stop at the clearing right before the final ascent. The views of Old Faithful from here are actually better than at the very top of the trail.

Midway & Norris Geyser Area: Hike the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook (moderate, 0.6 miles one-way, 105-foot elevation gain), do the Firehole Lake Drive, do the Firehole Canyon Drive and see Firehole Falls, stop at Gibbon Falls, and explore the Norris Geyser Basin boardwalks.

Mammoth Area: Explore the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces (do the upper scenic drive and walk along the lower boardwalks), visit the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and stay here if you can, stop at the Undine Falls overlook, drive the Blacktail Plateau Drive, and hike around Tower Fall.

Tower-Roosevelt & Lamar Valley Area: Drive through Lamar Valley to at least the Pebble Creek Campsite as early as possible. Wildlife viewing here is best in the morning. Then see Tower Fall on your way to Canyon or Mammoth.

Canyon & Lake Area: Drive and hike along both sides of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to see the Upper and Lower Falls, drive through Hayden Valley, visit the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and stay here if you can, and walk across the Fishing Bridge.

*If you’re visiting Grand Teton National Park before or after your Yellowstone trip, stop at Moose Falls near Yellowstone’s South Entrance. If you’re not visiting the Tetons, you don’t need to prioritize the road from Grant Village to the South Entrance.

What To Do from June To August

You can do everything I listed in the Mid-May to early-October section, plus these activities:

Kayaking or boating on Yellowstone Lake.

Riding e-bikes along the paved geyser pathway starting at the Old Faithful Inn along the Firehole River.

A horseback or carriage ride.

Fun activities to do outside the park in West Yellowstone or Gardiner are a helicopter ride and whitewater rafting.

What To Do in the Winter

Guided wolf tracking

Snowmobiling

Snowshoeing

Cross-country skiing

Wildlife Viewing

Yellowstone National Park is a haven for wildlife lovers. As one of the largest nature reserves in the United States, it provides a habitat for many species of animals, such as grizzly bears, wolves, moose, black bears, elk, and the park’s most iconic residents – bison.

As tempting as it is to approach wildlife to “get the shot,” don’t do it. Stay 100 yards away from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife, including bison, elk, and moose.

You’ll see bison everywhere in the park, but the best places for watching these fascinating creatures are Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, and on the road between Madison and the West Yellowstone Entrance.

If you’re driving through the park, watch for wildlife crossing the road, especially bison. These animals are unpredictable, so you need to drive extra cautiously and maintain a safe distance. Be prepared for bison to cause traffic jams and delays.

One of the best ways to increase your chances of seeing wolves, moose, and bears is to join a guided wildlife safari. These tours are conducted by experts with insider knowledge and equipment to spot wildlife.

Where To Stay

One of the best things you can do when you visit Yellowstone is to stay at one of the nine in-park lodges.

Staying at these hotels allows you to maximize your time in Yellowstone. You won’t have to drive in and out of the park every day, allowing you to beat some of the crowds to the popular hikes, overlooks, and scenic drives. When you stay at one of these properties, you can also experience the park after dark without having to drive at night.

One of my favorite parts about staying at these lodges is that you’re almost guaranteed to see wildlife outside your room sometime during your stay!

These properties are where the gas stations, restaurants, and stores are inside the park. So since you’ll need to come to these lodging areas throughout your trip, the most convenient option is to stay at one of these properties.

If you want to stay outside the park, I’ve rounded up the best vacation homes and glamping near Yellowstone.

The park has twelve campgrounds that must be reserved in advance, except Mammoth Campground, which offers first-come, first-served sites from October 15 – April 1. The rest of the campsites have staggered openings and closings from early May to the end of June through the end of September and early October.

Some campsites have RV spots, but the Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground offering water, sewer, and electrical hookups (50 amp service). Many campsites also require RVs to be hard-sided.

For information about camping in the backcountry, visit the national park service website.

No matter which accommodation you choose, it’s essential to book as far in advance as possible because they fill up FAST.

Know Before You Go

Yellowstone is a massive park with a lot to see, so it’s essential to prioritize and make an itinerary for your trip. You don’t want to drive more than you have to or miss out on must-see attractions or experiences.

Pack warm clothes. Even in the summer, temperatures are cool at night and in the morning, so bring layers. I recommend this lightweight fleece hooded jacket. – it’s one of my go-to national park essentials. Being ready for rain and unexpected weather changes is key, and having jackets on hand is crucial, particularly when you’re out hiking.

Always have these items with you: sun protection, sunglasses, a layer, and more water than you think you’ll need.

I highly recommend having a walking stick on trails for balance and making noise to keep wildlife away.

Stay on designated trails and boardwalks to preserve fragile biological soil crusts, protect plant and animal habitats, and reduce your risk of getting lost or falling into thermal pools.

The park roads are narrow and winding, and bison frequently share the road with vehicles. Unless you’re stopped for bison in the road, only stop at designated pull-offs and viewpoints.

There is limited cell service inside the park, so download or screenshot maps and trail guides before you arrive.

Pets are only allowed on public roadways, in campgrounds, and parking lots, and they must be on a leash no more than six feet long.

Yellowstone is at a high altitude (between 7000 and 8500 feet), so it’s easy to get “winded.” Take lots of breaks, sit down when you can, and always have plenty of water, sun protection, and snacks.

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