Yellowstone National Park
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Yellowstone at a glance
- Best time
- May, October
- Trip length
- 4–7 days
- Don't miss
- Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring
- Nearby city
- West Yellowstone, MT
Explore this park
Alerts(8)
Park Rivers and Streams Closed to Fishing Daily from 2 p.m. to Sunrise
NPS detailsAll park rivers and streams are closed to fishing daily from 2 p.m. to sunrise due to high water temperatures and low stream flows. Additionally, the Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon (downstream of Norris Campground) rivers are fully closed to fishing. These closures will remain in effect until conditions improve to protect the park’s native and wild trout fisheries.
Osprey Falls Trail Temporary Closure
NPS detailsThe Osprey Falls Trail, located south of Mammoth Hot Springs near Bunsen Peak, will be temporarily closed for critical trail repair work July 28–Aug. 4 from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. On July 30–31, the trail will be closed all day. The Old Bunsen Peak Road will remain open during repair work.
Traffic Delays - Yellowstone River Bridge
NPS detailsExpect up to 30-minute delays on the Yellowstone River Bridge, near Tower Junction, while crews perform paving operations. Crews will work during the day until Aug. 7, and at night Aug. 9-15. Dates and times are subject to change based on weather.
Their Space, Your Safety
NPS detailsAnimals in Yellowstone are wild and dangerous. Stay at least 100 yards (91 m) from bears/wolves/cougars and 25 yards (23 m) from bison/elk/all other wildlife. Carry bear spray (even on short walks) and know how to use it—you can rent/purchase/recycle it at several locations in the park.
Traffic Delays - Gibbon River Bridge
NPS detailsExpect up to 15-minute delays on Gibbon River Bridge from July 9 through late-July while crews repair the railing.
Biscuit Basin Closed Due to Hydrothermal Explosion
NPS detailsThe parking lot, boardwalk, and Firehole River at Biscuit Basin, located north of Old Faithful, is closed to all travel until further notice due to the possibility of another event at the site of a hydrothermal explosion that occurred July 23, 2024.
Traffic Delays - Gardner River High Bridge
NPS detailsExpect a single lane of traffic with up to 15-minute delays, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 through late October 2026. Oversized/overweight vehicles (8'6"+ wide, 75'+ long, 80,000 lbs+ gross vehicle weight) will not be able to cross the bridge during this time.
Vehicle Entrance Reservation Not Needed
NPS detailsAlthough an entrance pass is required to enter Yellowstone National Park, vehicle reservations are not needed. You are encouraged to purchase an entrance pass before arriving, but you may also purchase passes at any entrance station upon arrival.
Common questions
Planning Yellowstone
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 2 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Yellowstone National Park Backcountry Permits and Yellowstone Non-Commercially Guided Snowmobile Access Program. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
