Yellowstone National Park Information
from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide

Yellowstone National Park Entrance Sign1

With so much to see and do, Yellowstone National Park ranks among the top visitor destinations in the United States. The following guide offers some important things to keep in mind before embarking on a Yellowstone vacation, including park fees, access, climate and accommodation information. For a general guide to all of Yellowstone's areas and attractions, read Yellowstone – A General Guide.

PARK FEES

Visitors are required to have a park pass, which can be purchased at any of the entrances. Park passes, available for both vehicles and individual hikers and bikers, are good for seven days. An annual pass that provides access to any national park in the country is available for a flat fee.

	Roosevelt Arch at the North Entrance2

PARK ACCESS

Yellowstone National Park can be accessed from five entrances—the North Entrance, the Northeast Entrance, the East Entrance, the South Entrance and the West Entrance—but only the North and Northeast entrances are open all year. Access to the park becomes restricted with the first major snowfall of autumn, which normally happens in October but can come as early as late September. The road from the North Entrance to the Northeast Entrance (from Gardiner to Cooke City) remains open to automobile traffic in the winter, while the East, South and West entrances are open only to vehicles that can travel over the snow. The roads closed for winter at the East, South and West entrances open for the season sometime between mid-April and late May.

FISHING AND HUNTING

Hunting and firearms are prohibited inside Yellowstone's backcountry, but regulated camping and fishing are allowed. Visitors 16 years of age and older must purchase a permit to fish in the park. Three-day, seven-day and season permits are available. Anglers aged 12 to 15 must obtain a non-fee permit. With adult supervision, Children aged 11 years or younger can fish without a permit, but the adult is held accountable for the child's actions. Anglers should also be aware that all native sport fish species caught in Yellowstone National Park are subject to catch-and-release-only fishing regulations. Yellowstone's fishing season begins roughly in mid-June and ends in early November, although there are area-specific exceptions to these dates. Fishing permits may be obtained at all visitor centers, ranger stations and Yellowstone Park General Stores.

Backcountry Campsites on Yellowstone Lake3

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

Yellowstone features a designated backcountry campsite system, and all overnight stays require a Backcountry Use Permit. Every campsite has a limit for the number of people and stock allowed to stay each night. The maximum stay permitted at each campsite also varies from one to three nights. Campfires are allowed only in established firepits. Permits are available at most visitor centers and ranger stations and must be obtained in person no more than 48 hours in advance of the planned trip. Backcountry campers are required to carry their permits with them while in the backcountry. A number of campsites are located near the shores of Yellowstone Lake, allowing visitors to enjoy trips that combine canoeing and camping.

Month Avg. Daily Temperature Average Precip. Min Max Jan 10°F (-12°C) 29°F (-2°C) 28 mm Feb 13°F (-11°C) 34°F (1°C) 19 mm Mar 17°F (-8°C) 40°F (4°C) 28 mm Apr 26°F (-3°C) 50°F (10°C) 30 mm May 34°F (1°C) 60°F (16°C) 51 mm Jun 41°F (5°C) 70°F (21°C) 38 mm Jul 47°F (8°C) 80°F (27°C) 38 mm Aug 45°F (7°C) 78°F (26°C) 36 mm Sep 37°F (3°C) 68°F (20°C) 33 mm Oct 29°F (-2°C) 56°F (13°C) 25 mm Nov 19°F (-7°C) 39°F (4°C) 25 mm Dec 12°F (-11°C) 31°F (-1°C) 25 mm

Climate data from the Western Regional Climate Center

CLIMATE

In the summer, daytime temperates are usually in the 70s and can rise into the 80s at lower elevations. Evening temperatures are cool, sometimes dropping below freezing at higher elevations. Visitors are advised to bring rain gear, as thunderstorms are common in the afternoons. In the winter, temperatures usually range between 0 and 20 °F (-20 and -5 °C) during the day. Evening temperatures often plunge below 0 °F ( -18°C). Snowfall is highly variable depending on the level of elevation. Daytime temperatures in the spring and fall usually drift between the 30s and the 60s, with nightime lows ranging between 23 and -4 °F (-5 to -20 °C). Snowfall in the spring and fall seasons is not uncommon. Visitors are encouraged to bring an array of clothing options and dress in layers, as Yellowstone weather can be quite unpredictable.

Old Faithful Inn4

PARK ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION

The in-park accommodations at Yellowstone have different opening and closing dates each year, and visitors are advised to check availability and make reservations months in advance, as in-park accommodations are limited. Similarly, campground opening and closing dates vary from year to year, but in-park campgrounds generally open between May and June and close between September and October. Several in-park accommodations are open for the summer season, but the only in-park winter accommodations are Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Because the in-park accommodations are designed to reflect the natural surroundings of Yellowstone, visitors should keep in mind that many modern amenities, such as televisions, radios, air-conditioning and Internet access are not available. Travelers that desire many modern amenities are perhaps better-off staying at out-of-park accommodations, as they have more conveniences but are still close by to all the excitement of Yellowstone. A host of comfortable and rustic accommodations beckon visitors to experience Yellowstone, the world's first national park.

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PHOTO COURTESY

1. National Park Service; Yellowstone National Park Entrance Sign; MT, USA
2. National Park Service; Roosevelt Arch at the North Entrance; MT, USA
3. National Park Service; Backcountry Campsites on Yellowstone Lake, WY, USA
4. National Park Service; Old Faithful Inn, WY, USA