Current NPS alerts (4)
Stay Away From Bull Elk
Bull elk are fast and unpredictable this time of year and can seriously injure people. If an elk charges, run. In addition to staying at least 25 yards (23 m) away from elk and bison, always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves.
Biscuit Basin Closed Due to Hydrothermal Explosion
The parking lot, boardwalk, and Firehole River at Biscuit Basin, located north of Old Faithful, is closed to all travel until further notice due to the possibility of another event at the site of a hydrothermal explosion that occurred July 23, 2024.
Traffic Delays - Gardner River High Bridge
Expect a single lane of traffic with up to 15-minute delays, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 through late October 2026. Oversized/overweight vehicles (8'6"+ wide, 75'+ long, 80,000 lbs+ gross vehicle weight) will not be able to cross the bridge during this time.
Vehicle Entrance Reservation Not Needed
Although an entrance pass is required to enter Yellowstone National Park, vehicle reservations are not needed. You are encouraged to purchase an entrance pass before arriving, but you may also purchase passes at any entrance station upon arrival.
Hikes, views & photo spots
Picked from official NPS trail and things-to-do pages. Lengths, difficulty and times are shown only where NPS states them. Each spot is checked against current NPS alerts on every update.
- View
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Rim overlooks and trails above the colorful canyon and the Upper and Lower Falls.
- Photo
Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail
Length: 1.2 mi (1.9 km) round tripDifficulty: EasyGentle 105-foot climb to look down on Grand Prismatic Spring. Parking at Fairy Falls lot is very limited.
- Hike
Brink of the Lower Falls
Difficulty: Steep: drops 600 ft over 0.4 miSteep trail down to the edge of the 308-foot Lower Falls. NPS says it is closed in winter.
- View
Old Faithful
The park's best-known geyser.
NPS tip: NPS says it erupts about every 90 minutes (+/- 10) and suggests arriving at least 10 minutes before the predicted time.
- Hike
Storm Point Trail
Length: 2.3 mi (3.7 km) loopDifficulty: EasyMeadow and forest loop to a windy point on Yellowstone Lake with a marmot colony. Often closed late spring and early summer for bears.
- Hike
Mount Washburn from Dunraven Pass
Length: 6 mi (9.6 km) round tripDifficulty: StrenuousClimb to the fire lookout for big views. No water on the trail; watch for lightning and grizzlies.
Weather alerts (National Weather Service)
No active NWS watches, warnings or advisories for the forecast zone and county at the park's central point.
About this site
- Type
- National Park
- States
- Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
- Address
- 2 Officers Row, Yellowstone National Park Headquarters, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190