Yellowstone National Park: planning guide
A large volcanic plateau with geysers, wildlife, and big loops of park road across Wyoming (and bits of Montana/Idaho).
Yellowstone National Park is in WY, United States. The nearest town is Cody — roughly 71.2 mi (115 km) out, about 2 hr 8 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: July through mid-September, once the high country is clear of snow. Shoulder season: late June and late September.
High passes and trails hold snow from October into June, and some roads close entirely for the winter.
Afternoon thunderstorms build fast above treeline in summer. Start early and be off exposed ridges by early afternoon.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Cody | 71.2 mi (115 km) | 2 hr 8 min |
| Jackson | 78.5 mi (126 km) | 2 hr 18 min |
| Powell | 86.3 mi (139 km) | 2 hr 30 min |
| Lovell | 105 mi (169 km) | 2 hr 56 min |
| Star Valley Ranch | 115 mi (185 km) | 3 hr 10 min |
| Greybull | 121 mi (194 km) | 3 hr 18 min |
| Basin | 122 mi (197 km) | 3 hr 21 min |
| Pinedale | 124 mi (199 km) | 3 hr 23 min |
Before you go
Yellowstone National Park does not gate the entrance itself. Specific roads, hikes, or tours still need a permit or timed ticket.
| Booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone National Park Backcountry Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge Bay | Concessionaire | Book with Yellowstone National Park Lodges — not Rec.gov. Sites assigned at check-in. 2027 season moves to Rec.gov. |
| Canyon | Concessionaire | Book with Yellowstone National Park Lodges — not Rec.gov. Sites assigned at check-in. 2027 season moves to Rec.gov. |
| Fishing Bridge RV Park | Concessionaire | Hard-sided RVs only. Full hookups. |
| Grant Village | Concessionaire | Book with Yellowstone National Park Lodges — not Rec.gov. Sites assigned at check-in. 2027 season moves to Rec.gov. |
| Indian Creek | Reservable | — |
| Lewis Lake | Reservable | — |
| Madison | Concessionaire | Book with Yellowstone National Park Lodges — not Rec.gov. Sites assigned at check-in. 2027 season moves to Rec.gov. |
| Mammoth Campground (Yellowstone) | Reservable | — |
| Slough Creek | Reservable | — |
| Tower Fall | Reservable | — |
Permits
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone National Park Backcountry Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
Where Yellowstone National Park sits
Official Yellowstone National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park sits close enough to Grand Teton National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Teton National Park | 56.7 mi (91.2 km) | 1 hr 48 min |
Parks close by
- Grand Teton National Park
A steep mountain wall rising above Jackson Hole in Wyoming. Lakes, valley floors, and short approaches to big scenery.
- Glacier National Park
Sharp peaks, lakes, and leftover glaciers in northwest Montana. Going-to-the-Sun Road is the main corridor when open.
- Grasslands National Park
Mixed-grass prairie and badlands on the Saskatchewan–Montana border. Rare undisturbed prairie and fossil country.
- Waterton Lakes National Park
Where Rockies meet prairie on the Alberta–Montana border. Twin of Glacier (US) in the peace park.
Common questions
Where is Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park sits in WY, United States. Cody, about 71.2 mi (115 km) away — roughly 2 hr 8 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?
Generally July through mid-September, once the high country is clear of snow, with late June and late September quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Yellowstone National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 10 campgrounds at Yellowstone National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.