National Park Service Visiting Yellowstone in Winter U.S. Department of the Interior

Emergency: 911 • Information: 307-344-7381 • TTY: 307-344-2386

Yellowstone is a special place, very different 

from your home. Like any grand adventure, 

your Yellowstone journey will take you to 

impressive new locations and introduce you to new 

experiences. There are different risks here than you 

may have faced before. You are responsible for 

your own safety. 

On the road to adventure

• Drive cautiously. The park speed limit is 45 mph 

(72 kph), unless posted otherwise.

• Icy and wet road conditions require extra 

attention.

• Watch out for wildlife on or near roadways. 

• Use a road pullout if you need to stop for any 

reason.

• Keep the road clear at all times; even when you 

are watching wildlife. Do not stop a vehicle, stand, 

or walk in the road.

Investigate the volcano

Hydrothermal features like geysers, hot springs, 

mudpots, and fumaroles are evidence of ongoing 

volcanic activity. If you travel the 50 miles between 

Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful, you will 

see travertine terraces, acidic thermal features at 

Norris Geyser Basin, mudpots and fumeroles at 

Fountain Paint Pot, plus beautiful hot springs at 

Biscuit and Black Sand basins near Old Faithful. 

Thermal area hazards

• Stay on boardwalks and designated trails. The 

ground is unstable in hydrothermal areas.

• Water in geysers and hot springs can severely 

burn you. Keep hands out.

• Keep litter out of the pools. Do not throw any 

objects into hydrothermal features.

Observe wildlife 

Winter is a wonderful time to view wildlife. All the 

large mammals present when Yellowstone became a 

park are here today: grizzly and black bears, wolves, 

mountain lions, elk, bison, pronghorn, moose, and 

bighorn sheep. You’ll likely see several species of 

birds, possibly bald eagles.

Keep wildlife wild

• Animals in Yellowstone are wild and dangerous. 

• Bison, bears, and elk have injured and killed 

people. For your own safety, keep back and give 

them space to be wild. 

• Stay 100 yards (91 m) away from wolves and 

bears. 

• Stay 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals. 

If the animal moves closer, you must back away.

• Store food securely. Backpacks and snowmobile 

gear bags are not secure.

• Do not feed any animals, even birds and squirrels. 

Explore history

The park was established in 1872 but people have 

visited the Yellowstone area for thousands of years. 

Visit Mammoth Hot Springs to walk the self-guiding 

trail around Fort Yellowstone. It chronicles the U.S. 

Army’s role in protecting the park. Other historic 

sites include the Norris Geyser Basin Museum, and 

the Old Faithful Historic District.

Marvel at the Canyon

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River extends 

from south of Canyon Village north to Tower 

Junction. The most famous and spectacular section, 

including the Upper and Lower Falls can be seen 

from the overlooks and trails of the Canyon area.

Pack your patience

Traveling can be very stressful and it is easy to get 

overwhelmed. Please use good manners and good 

sense.

• Be prepared for a potential change in plans. 

Allow time for delays due to weather or road 

conditions.

• Keep children close.

• Observe safe distances and settings for selfies. 

• Stay behind fencing, guard rails, and ledges.

Lower falls of the Yellowstone River.

A cow moose forages on willow canes.

Norris Geyser Basin overlook.
These activities are dangerous or destructive and 

carry legal penalties, including fines.

• Remaining near or approaching wildlife within 

any distance that disturbs or displaces the 

animal.

• Swimming in hot springs.

• Removing or possessing natural or cultural 

resources (such as wildflowers, antlers, rocks, 

and arrowheads).

• Leaving detachable side mirrors attached when 

not pulling trailers.

• Camping outside of designated campsites.

• Spotlighting wildlife (viewing with lights). 

• Imitating elk calls or using buglers. Imitating 

wolf howls.

• Tracking wildlife with electronic equipment.

• Launching, landing, or operating 

unmanned aircraft (drones) on lands 

and waters administered by the 

National Park Service. 

• Smoking in geyser basins, on trails, 

in buildings, or within 25 feet of 

building entrances.

This is only a partial list of regulations. 

For more information, consult 36 Code of 

Federal Regulations and the Superintendent's 

Compendium.

Park Tip Line • To report a crime or 

criminal activity please call 307-344-

2132. Leave as much detail as you can. 

Remain anonymous, or leave a name and number.

Prohibited activities 

Services Canyon

Village

Fishing

Bridge West Thumb MammothHot Springs Old Faithful Madison

Medical clinic

=

Year-round, except 

weekends and some 

holidays.

Mon–Thu 8:30 am–5 pm

Fri 8:30 am–1 pm

307-344-7965

CLOSED

Warming hut

Warming huts provide 

shelter for skiers, 

snowshoers, and 

snowmobilers.

i

Canyon Visitor Education 

Center Lobby

12/15/17–3/8/18

9 am–3 pm

Vending machine snacks, 

cold drinks. 

Restrooms open 24 hours. 

12/15/17–2/28/18

Vending machine 

snacks, cold drinks

12/15/17–2/28/18

No food or water 

available

Mammoth Terraces

12/15/17–3/15/18

9 am–5 pm

Vending machine snacks, 

cold drinks, snowmobile 

fuel.

Indian Creek

12/15/17–2/28/18 

Not staffed, no food

or water

12/15/17–2/28/18

Daytime only. Water and 

restrooms available. No 

vending.

12/15/17–3/5/18

Light snacks and hot drinks 

sold during day.

Vending machine, snacks 

available anytime.

Fuel

Call 406-848-7548 for 

assistance

E

12/15/17–3/15/18

Credit card fueling

12/15/17–3/15/18

Credit card fueling

Grant Village

12/15/17–3/15/18

Credit card fueling

Mammoth

Year-round

Credit card fueling 

Tower Junction

Credit card fueling

12/15/17–3/15/18

Credit card fueling

Supplies and gifts

Ö

General Store

Year-round, 9 am–6 pm

Bear Den Ski Shop

 12/15/17–3/15/18

Bear Den Gift Shop 

12/15/17–3/15/18

Hotel

W

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel 

12/15/17–3/5/18

Old Faithful Snow Lodge

12/16/17–3/4/18

Dining

C

Terrace Grill

12/16/17–2/27/18

General Store

Lunch available late fall 

through early spring

Old Faithful Snow Lodge

12/16/17–3/3/18

Geyser Grill

12/15/17–3/15/18

Campground

−

All year With backcountry permit, 

primitive only

12/15/17–3/15/18

Availability of Facilities and Services

Cell phone service

Cell phone service is very limited in the 

park and surrounding areas. General cell 

coverage areas are marked on the park map 

(back cover). Emergency 911 service by 

cell phone is only available in coverage areas.

During peak hours or seasons of heavy visitation, 

the cellular network may be slow or completely 

unavailable. As a courtesy to others, please silence 

your mobile device while enjoying Yellowstone’s 

natural features. 

Wi-Fi is available to visitors at the 

Mammoth Hotel restaurant lounge and 

the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, for a fee. 

Connectivity is very limited and may not be available at all times. The Horace M. Albright Visitor 

Center in Mammoth Hot Springs has free wi-fi.

Wi-Fi 

ôA printed guide for visitors who use 

wheelchairs is available at all visitor centers 

and on the park website. To arrange for an 

ASL interpreter for NPS ranger-led programs, call 

307-344-2251 at least three weeks in advance.

Qualified service animals are welcome throughout 

the park and in all park facilities. However, they 

must be leashed and under your control at all times. 

A permit is required for a service animal to enter 

the backcountry due to potential wildlife conflict 

and safety issues.

Know your responsibilities. 

Firearms are allowed in national parks 

pursuant to state and federal regulation. 

They are prohibited in facilities where signs are 

posted, such as visitor centers, government offices, 

and some concession operations. Discharge of firearms is prohibited. Possession and use of weapons, 

such as air guns, bows and arrows, spears and 

slingshots, is also prohibited. Details are available at 

www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm

Accessibility Firearms

Cellular and data coverage are extremely limited 

within the park.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges

As one of Yellowstone’s official concession 

companies, Yellowstone National Park Lodges 

offers lodging, dining, and a variety of tours and 

activities. In winter, there are partial or full-day 

tours by heated snowcoach, skiing, and snowshoe 

adventures. Reservations and information are 

available at park hotels and at: 

307-344-7311 

Toll free: 866-439-7375

TDD: 307-344-5395

www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com

Reserve_YNP@Xanterra.com

P.O. Box 165, Yellowstone WY 82190

In-park reservations: lodging, dining, tours

Children ages 4 and older can 

become a Yellowstone Junior 

Ranger. Get the Junior Ranger 

activity book for $3 at a visitor 

center and ask for the free winter 

supplement. Hike, ski or snowshoe a trail, attend a ranger-led 

program, and complete fun activities in the Junior 

Ranger book to earn an official Junior Ranger patch. 

Become a Junior Ranger

YELLOWSTONE

Junior

RANGER

Tours and shuttles are available on snowcoaches 

outfitted for Yellowstone's winter road conditions

Yellowstone offers a variety of enjoyable and challenging trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Track is 

set on a few trails, others may be groomed, and all 

unplowed roads and trails are open to skiing and 

snowshoeing. 

Equipment rental is available in several communities around the park; and ski shop services—

including lessons, rentals, and repairs—are available 

at the Bear Den ski shops at Mammoth Hot Springs 

and Old Faithful. 

Brochures with general trail maps and trail descriptions can be obtained at visitor centers, ranger 

stations, and ski shops. One-way or round-trip skier 

shuttles may be offered to specific trails in the park 

for a fee. 

Dress for success

Even in Yellowstone’s severe winter temperatures, 

you can be comfortable and safe if you dress properly to prevent chilling and overheating. 

• Wear clothes in several adjustable layers including 

wind protection and insulated undergarments. 

• Avoid clothes that fit too tightly as they restrict 

circulation and increase the possibility of 

frostbite. 

• Do not wear cotton clothes of any kind, 

including jeans, sweatshirts, underwear, or socks. 

They retain moisture and put you at risk for 

hypothermia. 

Etiquette

• Do not walk on snowshoe or ski trails.

• Snowshoe parallel to the ski track.

• Yield to faster skiers or those going downhill. 

• Detour around wildlife—do not approach.

For detailed information on winter trails, routes, 

and winter safety, contact the Central Backcountry 

Office or request a Winter Backcountry Trip 

Planner (available online or from any visitor center).

Ski and snowshoe trails

Many authorized guides and outfitters are ready to 

show you the wonders of Yellowstone, and each has 

a unique approach. Find authorized guides, tour 

companies, or other commercial services at

www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/services.htm. 

Please report unauthorized operators to a park 

ranger, or contact Concessions Management at 

307-344-2271. 

Yellowstone Forever Institute

Programs about wildlife, plants, geology, and 

history are perfect for curious adults and families 

who want to spend a day or more exploring the 

park with a knowledgeable guide. To find out more, 

call 406-848-2400 or visit

www.Yellowstone.org.

Authorized guides

Join a Yellowstone Park Ranger for a snowshoe 

walk, a special talk, or an evening slide presentation about the wildlife or geologic wonders of 

Yellowstone. Schedules and topics are posted 

locally at visitor centers. 

Albright Visitor Center

Located at Mammoth Hot Springs and open yearround. Open daily 9 am–5 pm. Ph: 307-344-2263

Old Faithful Visitor Education Center

Geyser eruption predictions: 307-344-2751

Open daily 9 am–5 pm. Ph: 307-344-2750

West Yellowstone Visitor Info. Center 

The West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce is 

open weekdays 8 am–5 pm. Ph: 406-646-7701

NPS Desk (inside the Chamber of Commerce) 

Open daily 8 am–4 pm. Ph: 307-344-2876

Ranger-led programs 
The travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs 

are like living sculptures, shaped by the volume 

of water, the slope of the ground, and objects in 

the water’s path. Travertine builds up rapidly here 

and causes the features to change quickly and 

constantly. 

Limestone, deposited millions of years ago when 

a vast sea covered this area, provides the first 

ingredient. A network of fractures and fissures 

form the "plumbing system" that allows hot water 

from underground to reach the surface. Hot water 

with dissolved carbon dioxide makes a solution of 

weak carbonic acid. As the solution rises through 

the limestone, it dissolves calcium carbonate. At the 

surface, the calcium carbonate is deposited in the 

form of travertine, which forms the intricate pools 

and sweeping terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs.

Are the hot springs drying up?

No. These terraces change constantly—sometimes 

overnight—but the overall activity of the entire area 

remains relatively constant. Rangers have heard this 

question since the late 1890s, when visitors began 

making their second and third trips to Yellowstone. 

Travelers remember the active, colorful springs 

shown in their photos and postcards. They usually 

don’t remember the expanses of bare sinter, which 

are as common here as in the geyser basins.

The water which drives the transformation at 

Mammoth comes from rain and snow falling on the 

surrounding mountains and seeping deep into the 

earth. Some vents will clog completely, new vents 

may form, and old vents may reopen. Sometimes the 

water is concentrated in a few springs while at other 

times it may spread across many outlets. Scientists 

estimate that, at any given time, only 10 percent of 

the water in the Mammoth Hot Springs system is on 

the surface; the other 90 percent is underground.

The features are always changing, but the overall 

activity of the entire area and the volume of water 

discharge remain relatively constant. Here, as in few 

other places on earth, rock is born before your eyes.

Highland Terrace is located on the Upper Terrace 

Drive, a popular groomed ski and snowshoe trail 

above the village of Mammoth Hot Springs.

Travertine terraces

The National Park Service anticipates that climate 

change will create significant challenges to the 

preservation of park resources, infrastructure, and 

visitor experience. 

Within Yellowstone specifically, scientists expect 

ecosystem changes due to increased temperatures 

and changing rain and snow patterns. Some 

observed and expected effects of climate change are: 

• Average temperatures in the park are higher now 

than they were 50 years ago, especially during 

springtime. 

• In the last 50 years, the growing season has 

increased by roughly 30 days in some areas of the 

park.

• Snowpack throughout the area is decreasing and 

snow is melting faster in the spring. The change 

in snowpack levels could impact agriculture and 

municipal water supplies downstream. 

• The alpine zone, which currently begins at 9,500 

feet, may shift higher, decreasing or eliminating 

species that live in this important habitat.

• Increases in insect or disease infestations in trees 

are likely. Currently, five types of insect pest and 

one nonnative fungus are attacking regional 

forests.

• Declining wetlands will decrease essential habitat 

for frogs, salamanders, and many birds and 

insects.

• Grassland animals should be able to find suitable 

habitat. However, migration patterns may change 

as vegetation growth begins earlier in spring.

• Grizzly bears may have less of some of their most 

nutritious foods such as whitebark pine nuts and 

army cutworm moths.

• Native plants may be lost and replaced with 

nonnative invasive exotic plants more adapted 

to earlier, wetter springs, and dryer late-season 

conditions.

The elusive wolverine (Gulo gulo) requires deep 

snow to build a den for breeding. Decreased 

snowpack may cause declines in the already sparse 

population. 

Climate change challenges

JASON WILMOT

The Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National 

Park has the largest concentration of geysers in 

the world. Geysers are hot springs with narrow 

spaces in their plumbing, usually near the surface. 

These constrictions prevent water from circulating 

freely to the surface where heat would escape. The 

deepest circulating water can be even hotter than 

the surface boiling point (199°F/93°C).

Surrounding pressure also increases with depth, 

similar to the ocean. Increased pressure exerted 

by the enormous weight of the overlying rock and 

water prevents the water from boiling.

As the hot water rises, steam forms. Bubbling 

upward, steam expands as it nears the top of the 

water column until the bubbles are too large and 

numerous to pass freely through the constrictions. 

At a critical point, the confined bubbles actually 

lift the water above, causing the geyser to splash or 

overflow. This decreases pressure on the system, 

and violent boiling results. Tremendous amounts of 

steam force water out of the vent, and the eruption 

begins.

Water is expelled faster than it can enter the geyser’s 

plumbing system, and the heat and pressure gradually decrease. The eruption stops when the water 

reservoir is exhausted or when the system cools.

Fountain-type geysers, like Clepsydra (left), shoot 

water out in various directions from a pool of 

water. Cone-type geysers, like Old Faithful, erupt 

in a concentrated jet of water from inside a rock 

formation. 

Clepsydra Geyser

How do geysers work?

Will the Yellowstone Volcano erupt 

soon? Another caldera-forming eruption is 

not likely in the next 10,000 years, though it is 

theoretically possible. According to 30 years 

of data, even a small lava flow is not likely in 

Climate change will probably impact wildlife the next few hundred years. 

migration patterns.
Bison are iconic animals of the American West. 

With adult males weighing up to 2000 pounds 

(907 kg), the bison is the largest land mammal in 

North America and is the National Mammal of the 

United States.

The herd is comprised of cows, calves, and some 

younger bulls. Mature bulls spend most of the year 

alone or with other bulls—except during the rut, or 

mating season. 

Bison are well-adapted to survive the challenges 

of Yellowstone winters. Their thick fur and layers 

of fat keep them insulated in average low temperatures of -30°F (-34°C). A bison’s massive hump is 

comprised of muscles supported by long vertebrae; 

this allows a bison to use its head as a snowplow 

in winter, swinging side to side to sweep aside the 

snow and uncover grasses and sedges underneath. 

Look for bison near hydrothermal features where 

underground heat melts the snow and keeps vegetation green well into winter.

Surviving winter's edge Pack mentality

What is the difference between 

bison and buffalo?

In North America, both “bison” and 

“buffalo” refer to the American bison (Bison 

bison). Generally, “buffalo” is used informally; 

“bison” is preferred for formal or scientific 

purposes. Early European explorers called 

this animal by many names. Historians 

believe that the term “buffalo” grew from the 

French word for beef, boeuf. African buffalo 

(Syncerus caffer)and Asian water buffalo 

(Bubalus arnee) are not closely related to each 

other or to American bison. 

To conserve energy, bison often travel on plowed or 

groomed park roads in the winter.

Yellowstone National Park is the site of one of the 

most ambitious and controversial wildlife restoration projects in the world. The Yellowstone Wolf 

Project has yielded two decades of discoveries on 

wolf behavior, predator-prey relationships, wildlife 

disease management, and ecological complexity.

The stark white backdrop of snow and the general 

absence of leaf cover make winter an ideal time for 

visitors and researchers alike to observe wildlife. 

From the popular overlooks of Lamar Valley, it is 

possible to get a glimpse of wolf society. You may 

even witness the dangerous dance of predators and 

prey as each struggles to survive.

Do not approach wildlife

• Federal regulations require you to stay at least 100 yards (91m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 

25 yards (23 m) away from all other wild animals, such as bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and 

coyotes. 

• If an animal moves closer to you, you must move to maintain the appropriate distance. 

• Do not surround, crowd, or disrupt an animal’s path of movement. 

• If other visitors put you or wildlife in danger, leave the scene and notify a park ranger. 

• If bison or other wildlife are on the road, pull as far as possible to the shoulder and give them a chance to 

move off the road. 

• Do not follow animals too closely or cause them to run—this wastes energy they need to survive winter.

Keep your distance

25 YARDS (23 METERS) 100 YARDS (91 METERS)

Do not feed any wildlife, 

including small mammals and 

birds. Consuming human food is 

unhealthy and encourages aggressive behavior that may require 

animals to be destroyed.

All food, trash, and scented items must be kept 

bear-proof at all times. Tents, truck beds, and 

picnic tables are not secure. In some areas, ravens 

have learned how to unzip packs and scatter the 

contents.

None of these items, even if clean and empty, may 

be left unattended at any time:

• Water and beverage 

containers

• Cooking or eating 

utensils

• Stoves and grills 

• Coolers and ice 

chests

• Trash, bagged or not

• Food, including 

condiments, even if 

in containers

• Cosmetics and 

toiletries

• Pet food and bowls

• Pails, buckets, and 

wash basins

Keep food secure

Members of the Lamar Valley pack in 2012.
ExpEriEncE

it today. 

prEsErvE it 

for always.

yellowstone forever partners with yellowstone 

national park to create opportunities for all 

people to experience, enhance, and preserve 

yellowstone forever.

Join more than 50,000 supporters who have 

made a commitment to visitor education and 

park preservation

Enroll in one of our 600 in-depth learning 

programs in the world’s first national park

Support Yellowstone by visiting one of our 

year-round educational Park Stores in Gardiner, 

Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and 

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

ConnECt with our online community of more 

than 300,000 worldwide

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photo BigHorn sHEEp; ann skElton

MC1702004WIN17-18YFAD03indd 1 11/1/17 5:56 PM

Follow @YellowstoneNPS
Partners in Sustainability

The National Park Service mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national 

park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. 

Our commitment to environmental stewardship 

extends to sustainable operations and facilities. 

Yellowstone National Park, park concessioners, and 

partners work together to reduce the park’s ecological footprint from our operations and the services 

we provide, preserving natural resources through 

sustainable practices and extending the benefits 

of resource conservation and outdoor recreation 

throughout this country and the world.

During your time in Yellowstone and beyond, we 

encourage you to do your part by practicing the 

following:

lMinimize waste and properly dispose of 

all waste items. Recycling bins are located 

throughout the park for plastic, glass, 

metal, paper, cardboard, propane canisters, bear 

spray, batteries, and more.

We encourage you to stay hydrated 

during your visit. We also ask visitors 

to please use a reusable water bottle 

and fill it up for free at our many water 

filling locations. All Yellowstone tap water is clean 

and ready to drink. Water in cans or boxes is sold 

in some stores as an alternative to single-use plastic 

containers. 

In an effort to reduce harmful emissions from idling, turn your vehicle off 

while you are parked or stopped for 

more than 30 seconds. Emissions can 

also be reduced by carpooling and utilizing transportation services to tour the park.

Reduce energy use by turning off lights, 

heat, and electrical devices when you 

leave your rooms. 

QHelp reduce water consumption by being 

aware of your water use. Turn water 

off while brushing your teeth, shorten 

showers, and participate in towel and linen reuse 

programs if you are staying in park lodging.

This sustainability message is brought to you by 

the Yellowstone Environmental Coordinating 

Committee (YECC), a team of National Park 

Service employees, park concessioners, and 

non-profit partners combining efforts to realize 

sustainability achievements in Yellowstone National 

Park. The YECC is comprised of representatives 

from Delaware North Companies, Medcor Inc., 

National Park Service, Xanterra Parks & Resorts, 

Yellowstone Forever, and Yellowstone Park Service 

Stations.

NPS Yellowstone 

National Park 

Discover the stories behind scenery as 

you explore Yellowstone. Learn about 

historic places and natural features. Find visitor 

centers, places to stay and eat, and shopping and 

services throughout the park.

Features

• Interactive map is easy to use. Use “Locate me” 

to always know where you are.

• Discover rich natural and cultural resources with 

self-guided walking tours.

• Get information about special events and 

programs, including links to geyser predictions 

and road construction.

• Share a digital postcard with friends and family.

• Accessibility information for facilities and some 

trails in the park, audio-described sites, and 

alternative text for images.

Download the app media before you arrive. Cell 

service and Wi-Fi are limited in Yellowstone.

Free NPS Yellowstone App

Your Fee Dollars at Work

This guide is printed using your fee dollars.

Thank you for your support.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM

Visitors interested in guiding a small, 1–3 day, 

private (not commercial) snowmobile trip through 

Yellowstone in winter can apply for permits at 

recreation.gov, September 1–30. Applicants must 

be 18 years or older with a valid driver’s license.

Permit holders are considered non-commercial 

guides and may lead groups of up to five snowmobiles. All snowmobile operators must be licensed 

drivers at least 16 years old and all group members, 

including the permit holder, must complete the 

free, online Yellowstone Snowmobile Education 

Certification course. 

Beginning in early November, unclaimed or 

canceled permits can be obtained with a first-come, 

first-served reservation through recreation.gov. 

Visit the official park website for more information. 

nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/ncgsap.htm.

Plan ahead for self-guided tours

America the Beautiful: National Parks and 

Federal Recreational Lands Pass

The Interagency Annual Pass is valid at federal 

recreation sites, including national parks and wildlife refuges, where entrance fees are charged. You 

can purchase it at Yellowstone’s entrance stations, 

at Yellowstone Forever stores, or visit 

http://store.usgs.gov/pass

The pass is not good for camping or for some other 

fees such as concessionaire parking fees at Mount 

Rushmore, or cave tours at various parks. Inquire 

locally.

Already paid? 

Apply the cost of your Yellowstone entrance fee to 

the purchase of this pass at Yellowstone Forever 

stores located in visitor centers, at the Bozeman 

Yellowstone International Airport, and Gardiner.

Interagency Annual Pass
Approximate Cell

Coverage Area

Verizon, AT&T (select areas), 

Union (select areas).

North Entrance

Mammoth Hot Springs

Northeast

Entrance Cooke City, MT

East

Entrance

To

Cody, WY 

53 mi/85 km

West Thumb 

Old Faithful

South Entrance

To Jackson, WY

57 mi/91 km

Madison

To

Bozeman, MT

90 mi/144 km

To Big Sky, MT

55 mi/

Yellowstone

 Lake

5 mi/8 km

18 mi/29 km

29 mi/47 km

21 mi/34 km

12 mi/19 km

16 mi/26 km 14 mi/23 km

14 mi/23 km

17 mi/27 km

21 mi/34 km 27 mi

43 km

22 mi/35 km

Norris 

West

Entrance

Gardiner, MT

Grant 

Village

Bridge Bay

Yellowstone 

Forever 

Institute ⁄

19 mi/31 km

Canyon Village

16 mi/26 km

To Livingston, MT

52 mi/84 km

To Bozeman, MT

84 mi/134 km

Slough Creek Pebble Creek

West

Yellowstone, MT

Indian Creek

Lewis Lake

To Idaho Falls, ID

100 mi/160 km

Dunraven Pass

To Grand Teton National Park

8 mi/13 km

Tower 

Junction

Tower Fall

Lake Village

Roosevelt

Fishing Bridge 

Craig Pass

Sylvan Pass

 Full service 

No access

to Billings

or Cody

in winter

Pahaska

 Teepee

Warming hut

vending machines at 

Mammoth, Madison, 

Fishing Bridge, and Canyon

 Full service

Clinic

Restrooms

Visitor center 

or information station

Food service

Fuel

General store

= restrooms, food service, lodging, fuel

Camping

Lodging

Recycling

Post office

Pay/courtesy 

phone

Cell phone tower

Connectivity is limited

Avalanche

Danger

 Full service 

Mud 

Volcano 

Area

Fountain Paint Pot

Midway Geyser Basin

Upper Geyser Basin

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Roaring Mountain

Norris Geyser Basin

Beryl Spring

Biscuit Basin

Black Sand Basin

Plowed roads

Wheeled vehicles only

Groomed oversnow routes

Guided tours/permit holders only

Closed for winter

Oversnow travel ends in 

March 2018

Roads close at 9 pm.

March 4

Mammoth to Norris.

March 6

Madison to Norris to Canyon.

March 11

Canyon to Fishing Bridge to East 

Entrance.

March 15

All other roads close.

Park Roads and Services

Spring road opening 2018

Weather permitting, roads open 

at 8 am. Call 307-344-2117 or 

check locally and at go.nps.

gov/yellroads for real-time road 

information. Changes and delays 

are always possible. 

Open

The road between the North and 

Northeast entrances is open to 

wheeled vehicles year-round.

April 20

Mammoth to Old Faithful; 

Madison to West Entrance; 

Norris to Canyon. 

May 4

Canyon Junction to Lake; Lake to 

East Entrance (Sylvan Pass).

May 11

West thumb to Old faithful; 

Lake to South Entrance; Tower 

Junction to Tower Fall.

May 25

Tower Fall to Canyon Junction 

(Dunraven Pass); Beartooth 

Highway.