Yellowstone National Park

America's Living Natural History Museum

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal wonders. As development spread across the West, the 2.2 million acres of habitat within the park became an important sanctuary for the largest concentration of wildlife in the lower 48 states.

An amazing experience awaits you here. Yellowstone is a seasonal park, so plan your visit by learning about the current conditions, operating seasons and hours, road conditions, lodging and eating options, and available activities.

Yellowstone National Park - Places to see from the Gardiner, Montana North Entrance:

Mileage is from Little Trail Creek Cabins to destinations shown below

The Roosevelt Arch and Arch Park: 4 miles

As the gateway to Yellowstone, founded in 1872, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone to the impressive and triumphal Roosevelt Arch. The 50-foot arch with a 30-foot-tall opening is supported by two 12-foot-wide columns and welcomes visitors to the Yellowstone frontier with the famous inscription: “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.” Arch Park is just a few steps away from the Roosevelt Arch and has a pavilion for a nice picnic.

Mammoth Hot Springs: 9 miles

Mammoth Hot Springs is where Yellowstone National Park headquarters reside, making it a great place to get information about the park. But you’re likely to see bears, elk, bison, and more right in the town of Mammoth Hot Springs. And the namesake springs are gorgeous travertine terraces that will set the stage for everything else you see in Yellowstone.

Tower Falls: 29 miles

The north end of Yellowstone is well-known for hosting the most dramatic and inspiring waterfalls in the park. Tower Falls cascades down 132 feet in a geographically rich area with natural rock spires just off the Yellowstone River.

Norris Geyser Basin: 30 miles

At Norris Geyser Basin, you’ll find some of the most dramatic and inspiring thermal features in Yellowstone. Walk along charming boardwalks through the aptly named Porcelain Basin. If you’re lucky, you might catch an eruption of the tallest geyser in the park (300 feet), the recently reawakened Steamboat Geyser. See the hottest (280 degrees Fahrenheit) thermal feature in the park at Black Growler Steam Vent. Watch Ledge Geyser spew water 125 feet in the air. And see colorful springs like Whale’s Mouth, Emerald Spring, Congress Pool, and more.

Canyon Village and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone: 42 miles

Canyon Village is host to the The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, an impressive canyon as much as 1,200 feet deep. The star attractions nearby include Artist’s Point, wildlife-heavy Hayden Valley, Mt. Washburn, and the largest waterfall in Yellowstone: Lower Falls of the Yellowstone. The 308-foot waterfall can send as much as 63,500 gallons of water every second on the ride of its life. And that is a sight worth seeing.

Wildlife Watching in Lamar Valley: 42 miles

Lamar Valley is the most popular wildlife viewing area in all of Yellowstone. Wildlife watchers sometimes spend weeks there viewing wolves, grizzlies, black bears, pronghorn antelope, moose, elk, and more. This thriving ecosystem close to Gardiner hosts all the major wildlife people love to see.

Yellowstone Lake: 58 miles

The historic Lake Hotel, a colonial-style hotel built in 1891 and originally accepting visitors traveling by horse and carriage, adds personality to the pristine waters of Yellowstone Lake. Enjoy the fishing on the lake, take a boat ride, or otherwise enjoy the atmosphere at Yellowstone’s largest lake and the biggest high-elevation lake in North America at 132 square miles.

Old Faithful Geyser Basin: 60 miles

The big one. Almost everyone who comes to Yellowstone wants to see Old Faithful spew heated water as much as 180 feet in the air on its predictable 60-to-90-minute eruption intervals. Don’t want to wait around? Explore the boardwalks around the attached geyser basins and find other thermal treasures.

Most of Yellowstone National Park actually can’t be seen from the road – 98% is off the beaten path. Yellowstone National Park covers more than 2.2 million acres with more than 900 miles of hiking trails in backcountry wilderness. Treks to stunning waterfalls, geyser basins, plunging canyons, and more await day-trippers. If you can’t find a trail here, you can’t find it anywhere. Stop by a ranger station or the visitor center for the latest information on the condition of trails. They may be closed. Ask about bear activity, weather, and fires in the area. No permit is required for day hiking in Yellowstone. Or check out the Backcountry Situation report. It’s impossible to explore all the beauty Yellowstone hiking has to offer. It’s hard to know where to begin when you hit the trails. So, we’ve identified 12 of the best hikes in Yellowstone, each with a charm and a challenge.

Awesome Day Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

Mountains of the Imagination

Rising above a scene rich with extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton Range stands monument to the people who fought to protect it. These are mountains of the imagination. Mountains that led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park where you can explore over two hundred miles of trails, float the Snake River or enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place.

Grand Teton National Park

Important Note about the Summer Ranger Programs

Due to modified park operations for the summer season, there will not be any scheduled ranger programs. When visiting the park, please check at the local visitor center or message boards to see what activities are being offered.

One of the best ways to experience a national park is participating in a ranger program. Yellowstone National Park offers a variety of ranger programs throughout the park, and throughout the year. Check the calendar for specific program details.

Participate in a Ranger Program