Yellowstone is the world’s first National Park established in 1872 by an act of congress.  Yellowstone is likely the most unique and diverse National Park in the world.  From the world’s tallest geysers, the country’s largest alpine lake, huge waterfalls, thousands of wildlife to some of the most primitive organisms found on the planet, there is a lot going on in the park.  Yellowstone is one of the most complex places on the planet, and fortunately was set aside before it was developed.  Yellowstone was actually set aside 17 years before Montana became a state, and 18 years before Wyoming and Idaho.  Yellowstone’s backcountry, which makes up 97% of the park is as wild as it was 500 years ago.

This page will orient you into this massive National Park and help you plan your visit.  Keep in mind of Yellowstone’s size, and if you truly want to see the park, you may want to plan an extra day or two.  To make the best of your time, we also recommend taking a guided tour or two first to orient you to the area.  A guided trip will also save you time, as the guides know the best locations, and the educational aspect is priceless.  When choosing a tour company, you may want to ask about the size of the vehicle, ask about the guide’s experience and if they are an authorized concessionaire for Yellowstone National Park.   For example larger busses are not always able to pull over for wildlife like the smaller tour vehicles.  Also, the more experienced the guide, the more you will learn about Yellowstone’s super volcano, some of the largest scientific discoveries found in Yellowstone’s heat loving thermophiles, where the wildlife is, how to catch other big geysers and more.  Taking a tour will be worth it just because of the size and complexity alone.  In addition, taking a tour will help keep traffic and pollution down to make Yellowstone a better place.

Winter is a magical time in Yellowstone, the wildlife comes down to the roads for easier foraging, the thermal areas become a winter wonderland and the crowds are at a minimum.  Keep in mind, during the early and late portions of the winter season Old Faithful, and the Interior of Yellowstone is closed.  The Northern Range and Gallatin Districts are open year ‘round to public travel.  See the Snowmobiles and Snowcoach sections below for trips to Old Faithful.

The winter season begins on the first Monday after November 1st (11/05/07) with the closure of the Interior roads to allow the snow to accumulate on the roads for over snow traffic.  The park’s interior will reopen on the third Wednesday of December (12/19/07) for the snowmobile and snowcoach season. 

The Northern Range
Open Year ‘round

Snowcoaches and Snowmobiles
12/19/07 through 03/09/08

Gallatin District
Open year ‘round

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