How to Enjoy Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is the largest national park within the continental United States and the oldest national park in the world, established in 1872. A treasure trove of geological, geothermal, historic and cultural sites await the visitor, who could easily spend a whole week exploring.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Camping Gear
• Cameras
• Sunglasses
• Binoculars
• Travel Services
• Fishing Gear
• Sporty Hats
• Camcorders
• Travel Guides
• Sunscreen
• Maps
• Hiking Boots
• Children's Bicycles
• National Park Passes
• Fishing Licenses
• Bicycle Helmets
• Walkie-talkies

1. Decide when to go. The season runs from mid-April through October, with the most visitors coming in June, July and August. One of the most beautiful times in the park is early fall, when the crowds have evaporated.
2. Choose a way to get there. Many people prefer to drive and use their cars to get around within the park. Other options include local airports at West Yellowstone, Montana (open only in summer); Jackson, Wyoming; Cody, Wyoming; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Bozeman, Montana; and Billings, Montana.
3. Decide on lodging inside or outside of the park or on camping. See the National Park Service Yellowstone site (nps.gov/yell) for information on reserving campgrounds (only 5 of the 12 campgrounds accept advanced reservations) or making other reservations within the park.
4. Pay the entrance fee ($25 for a personal vehicle), then stop at a visitor center and pick up maps and other information that will be helpful as you tour the park. Stop at interesting attractions near the entrance gate (such as the Grizzly Discovery Center in West Yellowstone).
5. Bring your bike. Although bicycles are not available for rent in the park, you can bike on roads, in parking lots and on designated bike routes. Bikes are not allowed on boardwalks or on backcountry trails. Always wear a helmet.
6. Go hiking. There are more than 1,100 miles of hiking trails in the park. Stop by a visitor center or ranger station for a list of suggested day hikes, or get detailed information on hiking in the back country, which is a slightly more dangerous undertaking. You will need a permit for any overnight hiking or camping in the back country. (Permits are $20. See the National Park Service site for complete regulations on backcountry camping.)
7. Rent a horse. One- and two-hour horseback excursions can be arranged at Mammoth, Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon, or you can take a guided backcountry excursion with a local outfitter.
8. Go fish. Fishing regulations vary with the season are are somewhat strict, so check with the visitor center before fishing within the park. A $35 season permit or $20 permit good for 7 days is required for anyone 16 or older.
9. Enjoy museum hopping. There are many excellent museums in the vicinity of the park, including the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, the International Fly Fishing Museum in Livingston, Montana, the Montana Historical Society in Helena, Montana, and the well-respected National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming.

Tips & Warnings

• To contact the park directly, write to Yellowstone National Park, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168, or call [phone].
• Pets are allowed in the frontcountry of the park, but must be crated or be on a leash no more than six feet long at all times. Pets are not allowed in the backcountry. Check the National Park Service Web site for a list of nearby kennels where you can board your pet.
• Before entering the park, check at the visitor center for a list of current road closures, which are often due to road repairs. These can cause a major backup, so you should avoid them if possible.
• Be sure to oberve all regulations pertaining to interaction with park wildlife. Walking within 100 yards of bears or within 25 yards of other wildife is not permitted - for your own safety.
• Always be prepared for the weather to change. Rain can fall in almost any season, and you never know when an unexpected snowstorm might develop. Wear layered clothes for warmth and have rain gear on hand.