Frequently Asked Questions

Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with a small portion of the park located in Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone has five entrance stations: north, northeast, west, east, and south. Only the North Entrance is open to public vehicles in the winter. The entrances open at different times each year. Check the road opening and closing dates while planning and before you arrive for the latest status.

Yellowstone is at a high altitude, with the lowest point, Reese Creek, at 5,282 feet (1,610 m) and the highest point, Eagle Peak, at 11,358 feet (3,463 m). If you’re not used to higher elevations, taking it easy on your first day exploring and staying hydrated is essential.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) – in Belgrade, Montana is about a 90 minute drive from the North Entrance and about a 2 hour drive to the West Entrance. This is the closest international airport with year-round service.

Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – in Jackson, Wyoming, is located within Grand Teton National Park. It is about a 2 to 2.5 hour drive to Yellowstone’s South Entrance and is a good choice if you plan on visiting both National Parks.

Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) – in Cody, Wyoming, is just over an hour’s drive from the East Entrance.

Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) – in Idaho Falls, Idaho, is about a two hour drive from the West Entrance.

Yellowstone Airport (WYS) in West Yellowstone, Montana, is located just 3 miles from the West Entrance. This is the nearest airport, but commercial flights only operate in the summer.

If you are up for a road trip, these airports further away might offer more flight options and affordable fares. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Salt Lake City, Utah, is approximately 6+ hours from the South Entrance and about 5+ hours from the West Entrance. Billings-Logan International Airport (BIL) in Billings, Montana, is a 2.5 to 3 hour drive from the North Entrance and about a 3 hour drive to the Northeast Entrance (summer only).

VISITING IN WINTER

In winter, public vehicles can only enter the park through the North Entrance. This makes Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport your best choice. We also offer a winter airport shuttle from the Bozeman airport exclusively for our winter guests.

Yes. An entrance fee (pass) is required to enter Yellowstone National Park. You are encouraged to purchase this before arriving to save time, but you may also purchase passes at any entrance station upon arrival. Fees and pass types, including costs, can be found here. All visitors, including guests of our lodges and campgrounds, must purchase a park pass from the National Park Service, which is not included in our lodging or tour reservations.

No.  The only requirement to enter the park is to pay the National Park Entrance Fee at the entrance station.  Yellowstone does not require a vehicle reservation or timed entry ticket.

Yes! All Yellowstone National Park Lodges hotels and campgrounds are located inside the park boundaries. Staying inside the park gives you the advantage of easy access to popular sights and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Yellowstone National Park has two distinct seasons: summer and winter. Yellowstone National Park Lodges operates 9 lodges, 4 campgrounds, 1 RV park in the summer, and 2 lodges in winter. All lodges and campgrounds close between early March to late April. In 2025, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel will stay open between the summer and winter seasons. You can find the current opening and closing dates here.

Cell service is limited and can be spotty depending on your location in the park. Check with your provider to verify coverage. In summer, the number of users can overwhelm the system, making texting the most effective means of communication.

Wi-Fi is available in some lodges but is much slower than typical residential, business, or workplace service. A current list of lodges with guest Wi-Fi can be found here. Free public Wi-Fi is available at the Albright Visitor Center in Mammoth Hot Springs.

Overall, while cell service and internet access are available in some parts of Yellowstone, they should not be relied on as your only means of communicating, researching, and navigating the park

We recommend a minimum of three days in the summer to explore the park’s highlights. Check out our itineraries here.

You’ll want to spend more time during the winter as days are shorter and travel is slower. Winter is a magical time to slow down and enjoy the park’s peace. We have expertly curated winter packages that include lodging, meals, in-park transportation, knowledgeable guides, and more for a hassle-free winter experience.

The best season depends on your interests.

Summer (June – August) is great for hiking and wildflowers, while spring (April – May) and autumn (September – October) are ideal for wildlife watching.

Winter (November – March) offers unique activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, not to mention it is the most magical time in Yellowstone.

Yellowstone experiences a wide range of weather conditions throughout the year. You should be prepared for any weather, including the often-whispered-about snowfall in June.

Spring (April to early June) is a transitional season, bringing a mix of snow, rain, and occasional warm days. Daytime highs range from 40s-70s (5-25°C), while lows can drop near freezing. Visitors should prepare for varied weather, from sunny skies to chilly storms.

Summer (mid-June to early September) offers warm temperatures with highs between 70°F – 80°F (25-30°C), with the occasional highs reaching the 90s. Nights are cool with temps into the 30°F – 40°F  (0-10°C). Afternoon thunderstorms are common, but they usually pass quickly. Yellowstone is at a high elevation, which intensifies the sun, so be prepared to prevent sunburn.

Autumn (mid-September to early-November) brings warm, dry days and crisp cool nights as the park transitions to winter. Early autumn high temps reach 60°F – 70°F (20-25°C), while later in the season, they drop to 40°F – 50°F (5-15°C) with overnight lows frequently dropping below freezing. Snow is possible by late September, so you must be prepared for both summer and winter conditions.

Winter (mid-November to March) transforms Yellowstone into a “fire and ice” wonderland. Daytime temperatures hover between 0°F-25°F (-20 to -5°C), and nighttime temps at or below freezing. Park roads are closed to public vehicles, with the exception of the NE Entrance Road from Mammoth Hot Springs, through the Lamar Valley, dead-ending in Cooke City, MT. Access to the park’s interior is only available by snowcoach or snowmobile.

The best location depends on your interests and what you want to see and do. Here are some suggestions:

Geyser gazing – Old Faithful Village and Grant Village are the closest to the highest concentration of geyser basins in the park. You can’t beat walking out of the Old Faithful Inn to see the Old Faithful Geyser erupting in the early morning before the daytime crowds arrive.

Taste of the West – Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Roosevelt Lodge will put you in the middle of a western adventure with proximity to the Roosevelt Corral and Lamar Valley for wide-open views. In autumn, you’ll hear bull elk bugling around the park headquarters in Mammoth Hot Springs during the mating season.

Fishing – Lake Village and Bridge Bay Marina are the jumping-off points for catching a native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout on Yellowstone Lake. RVers will find Fishing Bridge RV Park another convenient spot to access the lake and the Yellowstone River. In autumn, Madison Campground is ideal for fly fishermen trying to score a trophy Brown Trout on the Madison River.

I want to see it all – If you’re short on time but your “must-see” list is long, Canyon Lodge & Cabins and Canyon Campground are centrally located between the north and south loops of the park. Plus, you’ll be next to one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the park: the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Enjoy an early morning walk along the canyon rim trail from the lodge.

Wildlife Watching –  While you can spot animals throughout the park, early mornings and evenings at sunset are the best times for wildlife watching. This means staying at any of our lodges or campgrounds inside the park will make the most out of your wildlife-watching experience; you might even see a bison from your room. Yellowstone’s north and east sides are the best for wildlife –the Lamar and Hayden Valleys are considered America’s Serengeti. Winter is the best season for seeing moose and wolf watching from Mammoth Hot Springs.

Cross-Country Skiing Enthusiasts – Old Faithful Snow Lodge becomes a cozy hideaway in winter with over 100 miles of cross-country ski trails in the Old Faithful Area alone. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel provides an excellent base for day trips to cross-country ski in the northeast part of the park.

Yellowstone National Park Lodges offer a wide range of guided activities, including wildlife viewing, full day tours, geothermal tours, photo tours, fishing, boating, horseback riding, western cookout, and stagecoach rides. In winter, we offer similar tours of the park by comfortable heated snowcoaches. Explore all of our summer guided adventure tours here and winter guided adventure tours here.

We also offer custom-guided private adventure tours in the summer and winter

In Yellowstone, you can encounter any weather, in any season, so packing layers is essential year-round. You’ll also want sturdy footwear, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. Check out our packing guide here.

Bear spray is recommended, but remember, if you’re flying, you can’t pack it in your luggage. Bear spray can be rented while you are in the park; find the locations here.

Yellowstone National Park Lodges offer various lodging options, from rustic cabins to historic hotel rooms and suites.

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins – suites, hotel rooms, hot tub cabins, cabins with bathroom, cabins with shared bathroom

Roosevelt Lodge Cabins – rustic cabins with bathroom, rustic cabins with shared bathroom

Grant Village – hotel rooms

Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins – suites, hotel rooms, rustic cabins with bathroom

Lake Lodge Cabins – rustic cabins with bathroom

Canyon Lodge & Cabins – suites, hotel rooms, cabins with bathroom

Old Faithful Inn – suites, hotel rooms, historic rooms with bathroom, historic rooms with shared bathroom

Old Faithful Lodge Cabins – rustic cabins with bathroom, rustic cabins with shared bathroom

Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins – hotel rooms, cabins with bathroom

We accept reservations for stays up to 13 months in advance. Specifically, on the 5^th of each month, we’ll begin accepting reservations for the same entire month of the following year. For more information, please review our reservation policies.

To ensure you get your preferred room type at your desired location, we recommend making your reservation as soon as you know your travel dates.

However, you might be surprised to find accommodations somewhere in the park, even two weeks ahead of time. We recommend using our flexible booking calendar to see available dates.

Yes. You can find available ADA rooms in our online reservation system by selecting “Show ADA Accessible Rooms” in the filter menu. You can also speak with a reservation agent at 307-344-7311 regarding units for guests with disabilities and larger room sizes.

A limited number of wheelchairs are available at the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis to assist arriving and departing guests.

For more information on park accessibility, please visit the National Park Service’s accessibility page here.

If you have booked through our online reservation system you can modify your reservation via the MODIFY & CANCEL tab in the top navigation menu.

We do not have TVs in our lodge rooms or cabins, except for the suites at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

All rooms and cabins are non-smoking, non-vaping. All facilities within Yellowstone National Park are non-smoking.

Our rooms and cabins do not have air conditioning, but fans can be found in your room or from the front desk.

All rooms and cabins have heat.

During hot summer days, we recommend guests open the window in the evening or overnight while in the room to let in the cool air and then keep the window closed and drapes pulled during the day while you explore the park. Fans placed near or in the window will cool the room, and some rooms have double-hung windows that pull down from the top to increase airflow.

Wi-Fi in the park is limited and much slower than typical residential, business, or workplace service. Some of our lodge rooms and public areas have guest Wi-Fi. A detailed list can be found here.

The check-in time is 4:00 pm, and the check-out time is 11:00 am at all of our hotels, lodges, and cabins.

The front desk is staffed 24/7 for late check-ins at all properties except Lake Lodge Cabins, Old Faithful Lodge Cabins, and Roosevelt Lodge Cabins.

We offer designated pet-friendly cabins for a fee at specific locations. A current list of locations and tips for traveling with your pet can be found here. Pets are not allowed on trails and boardwalks throughout the park. Traveling to Yellowstone with your pet should be considered carefully for your pet’s safety and the native wildlife.

Service animals used for the sole purpose of aiding a person with a disability are permitted in all accommodations but should be clearly marked as a working animal. No pet fees are assessed for service animals.  Pets whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Yes. All campgrounds operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges require an advanced reservation, with one exception. The first operating week at Bridge Bay Campground, Canyon Campground, and Grant Village Campground have first come, first served campsites. Operating dates can be found here.

Campgrounds operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges include: Fishing Bridge RV Park, Madison Campground, Grant Village Campground, Canyon Campground, and Bridge Bay Campground.

The National Park Service operates several other campgrounds in Yellowstone. Reservations for those campgrounds can be made through Recreation.gov

Campsites are assigned at check-in. We are not able to reserve specific sites in advance of arrival. Please make sure you book the appropriate campsite type based on the equipment you will be traveling with. More information on our campgrounds and campground policies can be found here.

The check-in time is 1:00 pm, and the check-out time is 11:00 am at all of our campgrounds.

The registration building in our campgrounds is staffed during regular business hours. For guests who arrive outside regular business hours, your reserved site information will be in an envelope and posted on the registration building window. Please take this envelope and stop by the registration building in the morning to complete the check-in process.

Yes. All campgrounds operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges have restrooms with cold water and flush toilets.

Shower facilities are available at Fishing Bridge RV Park, Canyon Campground, and Grant Campground. Shower details and hours of operation can be found here. Guests should bring their own toiletries.

Laundry facilities are available at Fishing Bridge RV Park, Canyon Campground, and Grant Campground. All are laundromat-style with detergent and dryer sheets for purchase. The hours of operation of the laundry facility can be found here.

All campgrounds operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges have RV dump stations. Due to freezing temperatures, dump stations may not be available early and late in the season.

Fishing Bridge RV Park is our only campground with full electricity, water, and sewer hookups. This campground is also designated for hard-sided recreation vehicles only.

Individual campsites will have one fire ring/grate at Madison Campground, Grant Campground, Bridge Bay Campground, and Canyon Campground.

There are no fire grates at Fishing Bridge RV Park, and portable fire pits are not allowed.

Firewood is sold at all campgrounds except Fishing Bridge.

Campfires must always be attended to and cold to the touch before abandoning. Practice proper campfire safety: Soak, stir, feel, repeat.

During times of high fire danger, campfires may be restricted.

Pets may not be left in a tent site, but can be left in a hard-sided RV or trailer, as long as they are quiet. Pets at campsites must be physically restrained at all times and only left outside when you are with them. You must clean up after your pet and not leave food and water unattended.

Remember that Yellowstone has an abundance of wildlife and geothermal features that may not be favorable to your pet. Please review our traveling with pets guide here.

100% YES, and we take this very seriously! Anything with an odor, including things like toothpaste and deodorant, can attract bears. Food, items used for cooking, and anything with a scent may not be left outside at your campsite, in tents, or in tent trailers at any time, day or night. When not in use, these items must be stored in a hard-sided vehicle or a shared bear-proof box located throughout our campgrounds. Violating these rules may result in a citation and/or confiscation of your items.

Backcountry camping regulations can be found here and may differ from our campground regulations.

Yellowstone has length-of-stay limits at all campgrounds except Fishing Bridge RV Park.  For all other campgrounds, including NPS operated campgrounds, length-of-stay limits apply.

From July 1st to Labor Day, any person, party, or organization can stay a maximum of 14 nights in Yellowstone, even if the nights are non-consecutive and at multiple Xanterra and National Park Service (NPS) operated campgrounds.  For all other dates, any person, party, or organization can stay a maximum of 30 nights, even if the nights are non-consecutive and at multiple Xanterra and NPS operated campgrounds.  The TOTAL maximum number of nights any person, party, or organization is allowed to stay during a summer season is 44 at any combination of Xanterra and NPS operated campgrounds.

Yellowstone National Park Lodges offer a diverse array of dining experiences in the park, from casual bites and fine dining to quick-serve and grab-and-go options. Beyond the variety, we’re deeply committed to sourcing 70% of our ingredients from local and sustainable producers. View all our in-park dining here.

Additionally, General Stores can be found throughout the park; operating dates and locations can be found here.

Cooking is not allowed in any guestroom or cabin. This includes any self-heating meal or noodle bowl, which will set off our sensitive fire alarms. You could incur a substantial charge if you are found to be cooking in your room.

In summer, reservations are required for dinner only at the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room, and Grant Village Dining Room.

In winter, reservations are required for dinner only at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Dining Room and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge Dining Room.

Reservations are not needed at any of our restaurants for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at any dining location not listed above. A complete list of our dining options, including operating dates, can be found here.

Advance dinner reservations are available for our lodging and campground guests. Guests with an overnight reservation in our lodges or campgrounds can make reservations 60* to 30 days before arrival. Guests will receive email communication with additional information within the booking time frame, including a link to make dinner reservations online. *Only guests staying at the three listed summer lodges above will have access 60 days in advance. All other guests will receive an email 30 days in advance.

Visitors without overnight lodging and campground reservations should visit the host stand for same-day availability at any location requiring reservations.

Yellowstone National Park Lodges operates a collection of gift shops located at our lodges. Our thoughtfully curated items feature art from local artisans, sustainable items, made in USA products, and much more.

Explore our in-park shopping opportunities here.

We get it; that stuffed bison was adorable; you can’t stop thinking about that squishy face.  Maybe you didn’t want to pack it, or maybe you didn’t get back to our gift shop before you left. Our online store offers some of the great items you’ll find in our lodge gift shops.

We ship to all 50 states. Sorry, we cannot ship internationally to Mexico, Canada, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or any overseas country.

Please note: We do not operate the Yellowstone General Stores found around the park and do not have items online found in those stores.

Dial 911 and seek assistance from park personnel or ranger stations. Yellowstone National Park has emergency services for accidents, injuries, or other issues.

Minor medical services are available year-round at the Mammoth Clinic. Medical clinics are also available in the summer at Lake Village and Old Faithful Village. Clinics are equipped for most medical emergencies.

If advanced care is needed, clinic staff will stabilize and transfer patients to hospitals outside the park.

If something is lost in one of our lodges, campgrounds, restaurants, or on a tour fill out this form.

If you are still at our property, check with the front desk at your lodge or registration building in your campground. We will work hard to reunite you with your lost item.

While limited, Level 2 charging stations can be found inside the park at: Canyon Lodge & Cabins, Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, and Old Faithful Village. For a complete list and location of these charging stations, click here.

You will also find charging stations outside the park, including Tesla Superchargers in West Yellowstone, MT.

Yes. Gas and service stations can be found at Cayon Village, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and Tower Junction. Mechanical services vary by location, more details can be found here.

All service stations offer 24-hour, year-round fueling with a credit card.