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Yellowstone National Park

Geysers, wildlife and untamed wilderness

Yellowstone National Park spans Wyoming, Idaho and Montana creating a vast protected area known for its geothermal features. The park contains active geysers including Old Faithful which erupts at regular intervals. Visitors can observe hot springs colorful mineral deposits and mud pots shaped by underground heat sources. Wildlife thrives here with bison elk wolves bears and numerous bird species adapting to the varied habitats. Trails wind through forests meadows and along rivers providing opportunities for hiking camping and wildlife viewing throughout the seasons.

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National Park in United States

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

English is spoken everywhere, and all park rangers and staff communicate in English. Some tourist services may also offer Spanish, but overall, English proficiency is very high.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Yellowstone National Park Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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World-famous for geothermal landscapes and wildlife watching. See geysers and hot springs, hike scenic trails, watch bison and wolves and explore vast wilderness.

Place score

8.8

Best at:

Spotless

Natural sites

Geothermal

Hiking

Wildlife

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 10

Couples

♻️ 9

Sustainability

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Yellowstone National Park, United States

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - Feb., May, Oct. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Most interior roads only open to cars early May to early November

Winter access is by snowmobile or snowcoach tour only, mid-December to early March

Best wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk in spring and autumn

Don't miss

🌋 Watch Old Faithful erupt and feel the geothermal power of Yellowstone
🌈 Walk the boardwalks of the Grand Prismatic Spring and admire its vivid colors
🐃 Spot bison, elk, and bears roaming in Lamar Valley
🏞️ Marvel at the waterfalls and canyon walls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
♨️ Relax in the natural hot springs near Mammoth
🥾 Hike to Artist Point for unforgettable panoramic views

You've been here?

Why travel to Yellowstone National Park?

From the famous Old Faithful geyser to the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone is a geological wonderland. Hiking through its vast wilderness, spotting grizzlies and wolves and camping under the dark night sky make this park an unforgettable experience. Just be prepared for unpredictable weather and the sheer size of the park – it’s huge!

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Hayden Valley
2 Norris Geyser Basin
3 Old Faithful
4 Tower Fall
5 West Thumb Geyser Basin
6 Yellowstone Lake

🎡Places for activities

1 Boiling river
2 Upper Geyser Hill Trail
3 Ice Lake trail
4 Mount Washburn Spur Trail

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Firehole River
2 Grand Prismatic Spring
3 Lamar Valley
4 Mammoth Hot Springs
5 Mud Volcano
6 Old Faithful
7 Shoshone Lake
8 Upper Yellowstone Falls
9 Yellowstone River

🛍️Shopping

1 Yellowstone General Stores

🎈Events

Winter Wildlife Watching (December – March)
Spring Opening (April – May)
Summer Ranger Programs (June – August)
Fall Elk Rut Viewing (September – October)
Old Faithful Christmas Celebration (December)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Book park lodging and rental car months ahead, especially for summer.
Carry layers and rain gear; Yellowstone weather changes rapidly, even in summer, with cold mornings and sudden storms.
Stay well away from wildlife and thermal features; follow boardwalks and rangers’ instructions to avoid injuries and heavy fines.
Visit at sunrise or sunset near Lamar or Hayden Valley for fewer crowds, better wildlife viewing and stunning soft light on geothermal features.

How to travel to Yellowstone National Park

The nearest airports are Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) and Yellowstone Airport (WYS). Renting a car is the best way to reach and explore the park, as bus services are rare.

Access summary

From West Yellowstone Airport (WYS): Short 5–10 minute drive to West Entrance.
From Bozeman (BZN): Scenic drive to North/West Entrances, typically about 1.5–2 hours.
From Jackson (JAC): Drive via Grand Teton to South Entrance, usually around 1.5–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Yellowstone National Park

Lodging options range from historic park lodges like Old Faithful Inn to basic campgrounds. Nearby towns like West Yellowstone and Gardiner offer more hotels. Booking early is essential, especially in summer.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Crosswinds Inn

9.0

Holiday Inn West Yellowstone By IHG

8.8

Starlite Yellowstone, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

7.8

Super 8 By Wyndham Gardiner/Yellowstone Park Area

7.8

Wagonwheel Hotel

8.8

Kelly Inn West Yellowstone

9.2

Travelodge by Wyndham Gardiner Yellowstone Park North Entr

8.8

Best Western Weston Inn

8.7

Ridgeline Hotel at Yellowstone, an Ascend Collection Hotel

8.0

Best Western Desert Inn

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Yellowstone National Park

A car is the best way to explore the park, as public transport is limited. Popular scenic routes include the Grand Loop Road, connecting major sights. Parking can be tricky in peak season, so plan early starts.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-32 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 32% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Cody, United States - 118 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£70	£133	£305
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£75	£150
🍝 Food per day	£29	£53	£134
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£5	£20

Notable additional fees: US$35 (£26.29) per vehicle (7 days) plus a US$100 (£75.11) non-resident fee per person 16+, new since Jan 2026. Grand Teton needs its own ticket, but the US$250 (£187.78) non-resident annual pass covers both.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£17
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£15
🍟 Fast food combo	£10.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.95
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£12
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£85
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£13

Safety information overview

General safety

Generally safe, but wildlife encounters can be dangerous. Keep distance from bison, bears and wolves. Stick to marked trails and be cautious near geothermal areas – burns can be severe.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are limited inside the park. Clinics are available at Mammoth and Old Faithful, but serious cases require evacuation to larger hospitals in nearby towns.

Accessibility

Many major attractions have wheelchair-accessible boardwalks, but the rugged terrain limits full accessibility. Some shuttle services and guided tours cater to visitors with mobility needs.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink, but it's best to bring a refillable bottle. In remote areas, carry a water filter or purification tablets, as some streams may contain bacteria.