Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park
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Duration: More than 3 hours
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4 within 5 kms
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27 within 10 kms
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- SHIRLEY S40 contributionsMagical Yellowstone Park!Magical trip of a lifetime! Yellowstone is sensory overload!! From the beautiful park itself, the colorful pools and hot springs, geysers, fantastic hiking and rock climbing and don't get me started on the bison!! Plan ahead and go early!! You will avoid the line to enter park if you do so! We are early birds and entered the North side of the park at 5:30am. We were able to take pictures at the North archway all by ourselves and truly felt like we were alone in the park most of the time! Bring snacks! There are not a lot of places to eat so plan accordingly.Visited May 2023Written May 10, 2023
- Brittany R15 contributionsDefinitely worth the visit!What an amazing vacation! The park is beautiful. Yes, there is construction but they had a horrible flood last year and some roads needed repair. Just plan for some areas with pilot cars. We were able to see grizzly bears, tons of bison, antelope, elk, and deer. The whole experience was life changing!Visited June 2023Traveled with familyWritten June 8, 2023
- KarenM1_101,084 contributionsLots to seeWe arrived at Yellowstone through the west entrance. We then headed to Old Faithful stopping to see the Lower and Midway Geyser Basins. Along the way we saw many bison at rest, and on the road. When we arrived at Old Faithful it was estimated to erupt within 5 minutes. What lucky timing on our part. We then headed toward West Thumb and the Roosevelt Lodge where we saw a couple bears off the side of the road. We then looped around and went to Mammoth and Norris Basin. At this point we were heading back toward the west entrance after exploring the park for a full day. However, shortly after Norris we came to a complete stop due to a herd of bison in the road that refused to move. Traffic was backed up for miles and it took us approximately 1-1/2 hours to go 2 miles. The next day we returned because we failed to see the Upper Geyser Basin that is located by Old Faithful. Believe it or not our timing was great once again because we were able to see Old Faithful erupt within minutes of our arrival. When we were walking back from the Upper Geyser Basin, we were talking to a couple who told us to go on the free tour of Yellowstone Lodge that was starting within 10 minutes. We went on the tour that lasted an hour and it was very informative. The woman that led the tour has been doing this for a very long time and she was very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend the tour. TIP: Take snacks and a cooler of drinks, sandwiches, if possible. We visited at the end of May, and it was much busier than we expected. The lines were long and the prices high. Also, fill up your car with gas before arriving just in case you get caught in a traffic jam due to animals or construction. If you come to the park during the summer, you may want to consider arriving in the park in the late afternoon and checking into one of the hotels near Old Faithful. You can see the sites coming into the park via the West Entrance and then spend time walking around the hotel and doing the Upper Geyser Basin. The next day finish off the loop starting with the Roosevelt Lodge, Mammoth and Norris.Visited May 2023Written June 15, 2023
- David ABerri, Australia252 contributionsBucket List Trip.Went from Cody to the Noth West Entrance since the East Entrance was not open. Past Mammoth and went to Old Faithful. Watched it go off and then exited at the Western Entrance. Animals were deer and bison, lots of bison. Some birds.Visited April 2023Written June 17, 2023
- JMaria87Tennessee104 contributionsAmazing!We spent 3 nights and 4 days in Yellowstone and loved every minute of it. It was not what I would call laid back or relaxing because we put in long days trying to see as much as possible BUT you could take it easy and have relaxing days if you chose to. We stayed in the park at the Canyon Village campground and loved its location within the park. We were both amazed at all there was to see, it is all sooo incredible! I can’t imagine someone visiting and being disappointed, it just wouldn’t be possible.Visited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten June 18, 2023
- Demon MikeMelbourne, Australia26 contributionsYellowstone National ParkWe explored Yellowstone National Park in June 2023. You need a minimum of 3 days to see it. We saw a multitude of Bisons, elks and bears. We saw geysers and if course old faithful. The park is huge and you need to plan your day as you cannot see it all. There is quite a lot of driving. Buy an America the beautiful park pass as it will save you money each time you enter the park. The park is magnificentVisited June 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten June 18, 2023
- K BLafayette, California443 contributionsThe most amazing placeWe spent a week at Yellowstone and barely scratched the surface. It is a truly amazing place with a gazillion choices of things to do. We concentrated on thermal features and wildlife viewing and were not disappointed. There are so many places to go and so many things to do that you could literally spend years and not see it all.Visited May 2023Written June 20, 2023
- 497daveAlbuquerque, New Mexico76 contributionsone new impressive view after another.A trip to Yellowstone will move you in ways you never expected. Every new feature is just as awe inspiring as the one before. Plan for at least one week, but more time allows you fully immerse yourself in this place unlike anywhere else on our planet.Visited June 2023Written June 30, 2023
- John PSouth Deerfield, Massachusetts881 contributionsSo many parks inside the Park. June 22-25, 2023We spent 4 days in Yellowstone before the heavy Summer crowds arrived. There were still traffic situations caused by wildlife making their daily commutes. There was ample parking (except on Friday at Norris Springs, but Saturday the lot was only half full) and many different things to visit in the park. Food and bathrooms (sometimes primitive) were readily available, and our lunchtime picnics were welcome since we were averaging 20,000 steps/day with all our 'hiking'. Most walks had little elevation change, and were wooden or paved. Old Faithful was outshined by a geyser behind it and to the right that goes off randomly every 22 hours to 3 days, but we hit it at just the right time. It was spectacular and you were so close to it that you could get soaked ! We saw Elk, Bison, a fox on the hunt, and a Grizzly Mama and her two cubs playing with each other. The Lifetime Senior National Parks Pass saved us the $35 entrance fee at both Yellowstone and Grand Tetons.Visited June 2023Written July 1, 2023
- SeniorTravelerTF1,199 contributionsIt lives up to its billing, but plan ahead.Yellowstone is one of a kind. There are the geysers in the south, the fumeroles and mudpots at Norris, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in the middle, and the cascade and wildlife valleys of the north. And it all takes time. The space is so vast that you really need to prioritize what you want to see, so know going in. And allow for 2-3 times the travel time between the sites in the park even though the distances don't seem vast because traffic and wildlife sightings/jams and construction (in the summer) are guaranteed.Visited June 2023Written July 4, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,831 reviews
Excellent
1,591
Very good
150
Average
58
Poor
21
Terrible
11
saalfeldk68
Independence, KY185 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
This is one of my favorite parks to visit. It has everything. There’s a beautiful waterfall, hot springs, geysers and animals everywhere.
Written March 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Medha
Lisle, IL10 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
It was so cool! Old Faithful was my personal favorite geyser. The Rainbow Geyser is also really cool. DO NOT BRING A HAT IT WILL BLOW AWAY AND THERE IS A BIG FINE
Written March 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin B
Mount Juliet, TN2,325 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Yellowstone is an amazing place to visit with diverse locations filled with wildlife, geothermal activity, and breathtaking sites. The park is massive and you can stay in a variety of areas outside of the park as well as several places inside the park. We opted to stay near the original entrance at the north end of the park and we really enjoyed coming from this direction. The nice thing about staying here is that it's a bit less busy than anywhere near West Yellowstone or the Old Faithful area, which gets extremely busy in the peak summer months. The roads in Yellowstone have two loops connected by a connecting road so it resembles a figure 8. Since we stayed at the north entrance, we were able to drive clockwise around the loop and it made for a quieter trip. We also then got to go to Lamar Valley, which was filled with herds of bison and is something you don't want to miss.
There's so much to see here that you definitely need multiple days and be prepared for cooler weather as the elevation is high here. We came at the beginning of August and there was a cold front and storm that came through so it was only a high of mid-50s during the day. Each area in the park is so different than the last and you'll be shocked that this is all the same National Park. We loved visiting each area as they each had something unique and we really, really enjoyed our time here.
Make sure your vehicle is gassed up so you don't have to worry about finding a gas station within the park. Also, be prepared to smell sulfur everywhere you go as the whole park sits atop a super volcano and has geothermal activity everywhere. Also make sure to be kind to your fellow tourists; people come here from all over the world and everyone's trying to see the same things. Give yourself time and make sure to be courteous to one another so that everyone can enjoy it. It's a blast coming here and it's definitely something that we're so glad that we got to experience!
There's so much to see here that you definitely need multiple days and be prepared for cooler weather as the elevation is high here. We came at the beginning of August and there was a cold front and storm that came through so it was only a high of mid-50s during the day. Each area in the park is so different than the last and you'll be shocked that this is all the same National Park. We loved visiting each area as they each had something unique and we really, really enjoyed our time here.
Make sure your vehicle is gassed up so you don't have to worry about finding a gas station within the park. Also, be prepared to smell sulfur everywhere you go as the whole park sits atop a super volcano and has geothermal activity everywhere. Also make sure to be kind to your fellow tourists; people come here from all over the world and everyone's trying to see the same things. Give yourself time and make sure to be courteous to one another so that everyone can enjoy it. It's a blast coming here and it's definitely something that we're so glad that we got to experience!
Written February 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susanne T
North Carolina Mountains, NC1,570 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Yellowstone has become our favorite NP over the last few years and we always try to make it a point going and exploring new places on our drives from NC to WA and back every year. So many beautiful places to see and so many things to do. Study the map you get at the entrance and have fun. If you can, be in Lamar Valley around early evening; the bison are coming to the river. We have seen elk, Moose, Grizzlies, black bear, Bison, wolves and coyote over the years. Mammoth Hot Springs is a must! Plan on plenty of time...like days, if you can and be prepared for lots of traffic.
Written January 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
clarkey61
Rochester, NY95 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Experiencing Yellowstone NP in winter is a MUST do. We booked directly with the Yellowstone concessioner, Xanterra. Everything from the bus pickup at our Bozeman hotel to meal reservations, day tours and Yellowstone hotels were handled in a professional way. The staff and guides are passionate and their training is top notch. I would highly recommend booking directly with Xanterra for this bucket list trip. Visiting in the winter is a quiet time. No crowds, as you must use a snow coach to travel around the park. There is so much to do if you enjoy being outdoors in the winter. Just bring lots of layers to stay warm.
Written January 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graham D
Marysville, WA85 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
What a great experience. Saw all kinds of wildlife including Grizzly bears, bison, elk. This is an experience that can’t be missed. There are several other worthwhile attractions in the area.
Written December 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mindy
Louisville, KY39 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
I have mixed feelings about Yellowstone. It’s a spectacular place, you’re literally on top of a super volcano with the ground steaming beneath your feet and the water around you boiling. In some areas, like Mammoth Springs, it feels like you’re in an alien world. Plus, there’s an abundance of wildlife. I was even driving directly behind a buffalo that was in my lane for quite some time. There’s soooooo much to see and it’s all very impressive. My issue was with the crowds, it is beyond ridiculously packed with people and very touristy. Parking anywhere was a nightmare. I got lucky and it poured down rain. I don’t mind rain hikes, but luckily most people do so it cleared a lot of people out…which I was very thankful for. It’s a beautiful place and well worth a visit IF you take the trails and avoid the people.
Written December 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fira2007
Vancouver, Canada427 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We went in the first week of October, and the weather was actually pretty good, not too cold. The park is huge! We drove the Upper and Lower loops and each took a full day. The views are amazing!! People only talk about Old Faithful, but there's so much more!
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmeliavdBerg
Auckland, New Zealand497 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Yellowstone National park is a huge park , stunning scenery around every corner . There was lots of road work whilst we were there , didn’t influence our experience . Lost of stops with great views . Lots of wild life to be spotted . Amazing park to explore
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xinyi Sun
Snellville, GA29 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
THE View was AMAZING ... DO BRING Your CAMERAS all Charged Up !!
THIS is SUCH ... an ART BEAUTY !!
DO NOT TOUCH THE BURNING / STREAMING ROCKS !!
THIS is SUCH ... an ART BEAUTY !!
DO NOT TOUCH THE BURNING / STREAMING ROCKS !!
Written October 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hereford blues
Bishop's Frome, UK105 contributions
Car hire questions.
Thinking of flying into calgary and hiring a car .
We are travelling from the UK.
May be a silly question but can we take our hire car from Canada into the USA , we will be returning the car back to the same location in calgary ??
Hereford blues
Bishop's Frome, UK105 contributions
Car hire questions.
Thinking of flying into calgary and hiring a car .
We are travelling from the UK.
May be a silly question but can we take our hire car from Canada into the USA , we will be returning the car back to the same location in calgary ??
cuantos animales hay
Betterinkmx B
1 contribution
Muchos. Hay bisontes que puedes ver a la orilla del camino. Ardillas pájaros diversos. Peces. Etc
inad
State College, PA114 contributions
Are pets allowed
sullific
new haven, ct708 contributions
Yes. We saw many, many dogs there. One woman even was carrying her Yorkie in a baby carrier (the kind that's like a backpack but in the front). Others were large dogs, leashed, and it seemed every RV had a dog in it, large, medium and small. Just be careful as there are many hazards for pets in the park...keep them safe.
lauren8914
Ovilla, TX14 contributions
Hello all! We will be traveling to Montana and want to visit Yellowstone next week! I saw road closures on the app(The road between Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Junction will be completely closed until May 2022.) Is it assumable that we cannot access any of the areas of interest on this road as well as the Grand Loop road on the west side of the park? Just trying to gauge what we could still see if the roads are completely closed. TYIA!
Bill M
Livermore, CA550 contributions
That road is closed but even with your time, you will not see everything in the park and one day is different than the next in many places. Just take some warm clothes and take your time driving through. Make sure you take snacks and some other food in the car with you. Many times the limited concessions are overcrowded or closed. Also always drive on the top half of the tank as there are not a lot of gas stations and if you get stuck you want to stay warm.
David R
21 contributions
We scheduled our vacation from 12-19 Oct. I noticed there is a winter storm watch from 11-12 Oct with 6-12 in snow possible. How well equipped is Bozeman airport, the states of Montana and Wyoming, and Yellowstone and Grand Tetons NP able to handle the possible storm?
David R
21 contributions
We scheduled our vacation from 12-19 Oct. I noticed there is a winter storm watch from 11-12 Oct with 6-12 in snow possible. How well equipped is Bozeman airport, the states of Montana and Wyoming, and Yellowstone and Grand Tetons NP able to handle the possible storm?
Bill M
Livermore, CA550 contributions
The amount of snow they will get at this time is nothing for these airports. You need to be prepared for cold and minimal concessions. Drive carefully and on the top half of the tank. Make sure to take snacks and other food with you in the car because there are limiteds concessions and are often overcrowded and may close early. It is a lovely time of the year to visit.
Shmuel H
Haifa, Israel78 contributions
What's the best way to cover the most ground in the park on 4-5 day trip? Stay in the park at various locations? Stock to one lodging location for the entire duration? West Yellowstone, MT?
John F
Vallejo, CA1,270 contributions
Not necessary to stay in Canyon Village. You are only a 20-30 minute drive away from any and all attractions...unless the Bison get in the way. I highly recommend The Lazy G Motel. DO NOT eat out at the Chinese Restaurants in W. Yellowstone. You must go to the Wild West Pizzeria....very good pizza and cold beer.
Rosielen P
Miami, FL5 contributions
Hello! We just planned a last minute Yellowstone roadtrip at the end of July It will be our first time there and we are traveling with a toddler. We are driving from Great Falls Montana, and probably staying 2 or 3 days,but I am so confused with all the names and locations of the park. I know we wont be able to see everything, but im asking for some guide of what you think its doable and safe in those days. Im also worried about where to stay giving that we are from Florida and traveling with a toddler, so i dont want to risk driving at night. Any help is appreciated as I know we are very close to the trip and I dont have much time for reservations.
db7477
Carlsbad, CA2,502 contributions
Suggest staying at the Mammoth Hot Springs Lodge. From there you can do Mammoth Hit Springs and explore the Lamar Valley. You’ll have to drive over an hour to explore Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin but it’s doable. Don’t miss the short hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook.
If you can work it out the morning view from Artist’s Point is breathtaking!
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Claim your listingYELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Yellowstone National Park
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Yellowstone National Park:
- Private Yellowstone Wolf Watching & Wildlife Safari + lunch (From ₱69,405.89)
- Best of Yellowstone Private National Park Safari Tour (From ₱33,176.01)
- Full Day Yellowstone Nat'l Park Tour From West Yellowstone (From ₱19,433.65)
- Best of Yellowstone Guided Tour from Bozeman - Private Tour (From ₱24,847.31)
- Best of Yellowstone - Guided National Park Safari Tour (From ₱19,156.02)
- Hotels near Yellowstone National Park:
- (0.18 km) Grant Village Campground
- (0.19 km) Indian Creek Campground
- (0.23 km) Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins
- (0.55 km) Mammoth Campground
- (6.18 km) Gardiner Guest House B&B
- Restaurants near Yellowstone National Park:
- (0.14 km) Mammoth Hotel Dining Room
- (0.18 km) Grant Village Cafeteria
- (0.32 km) Mammoth General Store
- (0.27 km) Mammoth Terrace Grill
- (6.17 km) Wonderland Cafe & Lodge
- Attractions near Yellowstone National Park:
- (0.15 km) Albright Visitor Center and Museum
- (0.23 km) Old Gardiner Road
- (0.27 km) Mammoth Chapel Yellow Stone
- (0.62 km) Mammoth Hot Springs
- (0.44 km) Beaver Ponds Loop Trail