Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is the world's first national park and one of the largest in the contiguous United States. Sprawling across volcanic plateaus in the northwest corner of Wyoming, Yellowstone contains more than 2 million acres of steaming geysers, crystalline lakes, thundering waterfalls and panoramic vistas.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Suzanne LewisPhone Number: 307-344-7381
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $12; Motorcycle or Snowmobile Pass (valid for 7 days): $20; Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $25; Annual Park Pass: $50
Sights: Mammoth Hot Springs; Old Faithful; Norris and Firehole River Geyser Basins; Grand Prismatic Sping; Morning Glory Pool; Yellowstone Lake; West Thumb Geyser Basin; Tower Fall; Petrified Forest; Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; Hayden Valley
Endangered Species: Grizzly Bear; Bald Eagle (threatened); Canada Lynx; Gray Wolf
Important Dates
Established as Park: March 1, 1872By The Numbers
Acres: 2,221,770.00Highest Point: Eagle Peak (11367 feet)
Annual Visitation: 2,870,295 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :44.771240 / -110.550370 (map it)
State: WY
Nearby Big City: Yellowstone National Park, WY
Gateway Communities: West Yellowstone, MT; Gardiner, MT; Silver Gate, MT; Cooke City, MT; Macks Inn, ID; Island Park, ID; Moran, WY; Emigrant, MT; Wapiti, WY; Pray, MT; Moose, WY; Squirrel, ID; Roscoe, MT; Big Sky, MT; Felt, ID; Tetonia, ID; Nye, MT
Nearby Airports: Billings Logan International Airport (BIL); Gallatin Field Airport (BZN); Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD); Jackson Hole Airport (JAC); Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA); Yellowstone Airport (WYS)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Bison Herd Geyser
Robynrg
Coyote Sitting
Sascha Burkard
Emerald Pool
Sascha Burkard
View More Yellowstone Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL Listen to the sound of long summer days calling you to experience adventure in Yellowstone's mountain wilderness. The backcountry beckons anglers to streams shimmering with fis ... read more.
At Your Fingertips Emergency 911 NPS General Information (307) 344-7381 NPS TDD (307) 344-2386 NPS Camping Information (recorded message) (307) 344-2114 NPS Special Services - (307) 344-2017 Sign Language Interpreters ... read more.
Bears at Yellowstone The grizzly bear once claimed much of the North American continent as its territory, roaming as far east as the Mississippi River and south into Mexico. With the influx of settlers in the mid to late ... read more.
Campgrounds at Yellowstone YELLOWSTONE CAMPGROUNDS Fee Number of Sites Firewood Sold Flush Toilets ... read more.
Camping at Yellowstone Of Yellowstone's 12 campgrounds, seven are operated on a first-come, first-served basis by the National Park Service. Five of the campgrounds, encompassing more than 1,400 sites, may be reserved one ... read more.
Continental Divide Trail The construction of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is one of the most significant conservation initiatives ever undertaken. Designated by Congress in 1978, a focused effort to complete the trail ... read more.
Drive to Yellowstone Driving to Yellowstone Cody, Wyoming -- 52 miles East Jackson, Wyoming -- 57 miles South Bozeman, Montana -- 77 miles North Billings, Montana -- 129 miles Northeast Salt Lake City, Utah -- 320 miles W ... read more.
Five Countries For convenience purposes, Xanterra Parks & Resorts® divides the park into different regions, or "countries." Locations of park features and facilities in the countries are indicated by these ... read more.
Flora & Fauna A greater number and variety of plants and wild animals live here, in their natural habitat, than anywhere else in the 48 contiguous states. Some of these are described below. Plants The following ... read more.
Further Reading Yellowstone — The Official Guide to Touring America's First National Park. Yellowstone Association, 2006. It Happened in Yellowstone: Turner.Globe Pequot, 2001. For information, go to: www.Yel ... read more.
Geology of Yellowstone Hydrothermal activity results when surface water seeps down to meet the heat of the earth's molten rock. Because molten rock may be as close as three to eight miles below the surface in Yellowstone, ... read more.
Geology Timeline 2.7 billion to 570 million years ago Precambrian History: The most ancient rocks in North America form during the Precambrian era. Huge mountain ranges form and erode away, until Yellowstone is a re ... read more.
Green Practicies of Yellowstone In recent years, Yellowstone has adopted innovative and effective sustainability practices. As the world's first national park, Yellowstone is still making history by introducing creative initiatives ... read more.
Harry Yount In 1880, Yellowstone's superintendent set Lamar Valley aside as a game reserve to protect the remaining herds of deer, elk, antelope and bighorn sheep, whose numbers had been devastated by market hun ... read more.
Hayden Expedition Dr. Ferdinand V. Hayden, director of the U.S. Geological & Geographical Survey of the Territories, decided to explore the Yellowstone area at the urging of Nathaniel P. Langford and his cohorts. ... read more.
Highlights of Yellowstone Established: In 1872, legislation was passed making Yellowstone the world's first national park. Land Area: 2.2 million acres of forests (80 percent), grassland (15 percent) and water (five percent). ... read more.
History of Yellowstone Throughout its dynamic history, Yellowstone has inspired awe in all its visitors—American Indians, mountain men, explorers and modern- day adventurers. The Earliest Humans in Yellowstone The ... read more.
Hydro Thermal Features Yellowstone has the largest and most varied collection of hydrothermal features on Earth. Geysers, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles bubble, gurgle, hiss and spout throughout the area. The presence ... read more.
In A Nutshell PLANNING YOUR STAY General Park Information The road from Gardiner, MT at the North Entrance to Cooke City, MT is open year-round. Park interior roads close to the public at 8 a.m. on Monday after th ... read more.
Just For Kids A host of ranger-led activities are especially designed for young visitors to Yellowstone. Fun, educational films are also shown daily at several visitor centers. For more information about National ... read more.
Recent News
- Scientists Ready to Analyze Yellowstone Park Quake Data January 8, 2009, 5:01 pm
- Swarm of Earthquake Activity Over For Now at Yellowstone National Park January 7, 2009, 3:01 pm
- Ranchers Oppose Yellowstone Bison Relocation January 5, 2009, 12:32 pm
- Yellowstone Park Hit by Hundreds of Small Earthquakes January 5, 2009, 11:18 am
- Yellowstone's Famed Snow Coaches Going Green December 23, 2008, 10:20 am
- Winter Brings Yellowstone Wildlife Close to Road December 19, 2008, 12:12 pm
- Bison Get New Access December 19, 2008, 11:47 am
Yellowstone In Depth
News from the Parks
National Parks Escape, This Time Around
January 8, 2009 - 5:17pm
Unlike the last two years, popular recreation areas in Western Washington have escaped serious damage from this week’s heavy rain. Mount Rainier National Park and Gifford Pinchot National Forest were devastated by flooding in 2007. Last year, flooding hit Olympic National Park.
January 8, 2009 - 5:17pm
Unlike the last two years, popular recreation areas in Western Washington have escaped serious damage from this week’s heavy rain. Mount Rainier National Park and Gifford Pinchot National Forest were devastated by flooding in 2007. Last year, flooding hit Olympic National Park.
Dorgan with Game and Fish
January 8, 2009 - 5:06pm
Sen. Byron Dorgan, (D-N.D.) said he agrees with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department on the elk situation at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Since the unveiling of the National Park Service’s Draft Elk Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement on Dec. 17, Game and Fish officials have voiced their displeasure that the document did not include their “Alternative G,” as a viable option.
January 8, 2009 - 5:06pm
Sen. Byron Dorgan, (D-N.D.) said he agrees with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department on the elk situation at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Since the unveiling of the National Park Service’s Draft Elk Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement on Dec. 17, Game and Fish officials have voiced their displeasure that the document did not include their “Alternative G,” as a viable option.
Coming to the Inauguration? Read This First, Then Think Again
January 8, 2009 - 5:05pm
All roads will lead to Washington on Inauguration Day, but many of them will be closed. With packed trains, buses and planes, how will as many as 2 million people who are hoping to witness history crowd into a city whose subway system usually accommodates 718,000 a day?
January 8, 2009 - 5:05pm
All roads will lead to Washington on Inauguration Day, but many of them will be closed. With packed trains, buses and planes, how will as many as 2 million people who are hoping to witness history crowd into a city whose subway system usually accommodates 718,000 a day?
Scientists Ready to Analyze Yellowstone Park Quake Data
January 8, 2009 - 5:01pm
Between Dec. 27 and Jan. 2, more than 500 small earthquakes shook Yellowstone National Park. The swarm of quakes was centered below Yellowstone Lake, beginning southeast of Stevenson Island and migrating north toward Fishing Bridge before quieting.
January 8, 2009 - 5:01pm
Between Dec. 27 and Jan. 2, more than 500 small earthquakes shook Yellowstone National Park. The swarm of quakes was centered below Yellowstone Lake, beginning southeast of Stevenson Island and migrating north toward Fishing Bridge before quieting.
Haleakala National Park Gets New Superintendent
January 8, 2009 - 5:00pm
Sarah Creachbaum, a 15-year veteran of the National Park Service, has been named superintendent of Haleakala National Park.
January 8, 2009 - 5:00pm
Sarah Creachbaum, a 15-year veteran of the National Park Service, has been named superintendent of Haleakala National Park.
