Yellowstone National Park

Xanterra Travel Collection operates nine hotels and five campgrounds inside Yellowstone National Park, as well as numerous summer and winter activities. Yellowstone is located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
For all Yellowstone property/campground opening/closing seasonal dates:
Website Page

General Info

CLOSEST CITIES:

North Entrance:
- Gardiner, Montana -approximately 7/10 of a mile
- Livingston, Montana – approximately 57 miles
- Bozeman, Montana – approximately 81 miles

Northeast Entrance:
- Cooke City / Silver Gate, Montana, – approximately 1 mile
- Red Lodge, Montana – approximately 68 miles
- Billings, Montana -approximately 128 miles

East Entrance:
- Wapiti, Wyoming – approximately 32 miles
- Cody, Wyoming – approximately 52 miles

South Entrance:
- Moran, Wyoming (inside Grand Teton NP) — approximately 28 miles
- Jackson, Wyoming — approximately 53 miles

West Entrance:
- West Yellowstone, Montana – approximately 1 mile
- Bozeman, Montana – approximately 90 miles
- Idaho Falls, Idaho – approximately 109 miles
- Helena, Montana – approximately 178 miles
- Missoula, Montana – approximately 265 miles

NEAREST AIRPORTS:

North Entrance:
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Bozeman, MT — approximately 91 miles

Northeast Entrance:
- Billings-Logan International Airport, Billings, MT — approximately 130 miles

East Entrance:
- Yellowstone Regional Airport, Cody, WY — approximately 55 miles

South Entrance:
- Jackson Hole Airport, inside Grand Teton National Park, WY — approximately 49 miles

West Entrance:
- Yellowstone Airport, West Yellowstone, MT — approximately 3 miles
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Bozeman, MT — approximately 91 miles
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport, Idaho Falls, ID — approximately 109 miles

MISCELLANEOUS:

Visitor Centers – Summer:

Albright Visitor Center (Mammoth)
Canyon Visitor Education Center (Canyon Village)
Fishing Bridge Visitor Center & Trailside Museum (Lake Yellowstone area)
Grant Visitor Center (Grant Village)
Madison Information Station & Trailside Museum (Madison)
Norris Geyser Basin Museum & Information Station (Norris Junction)
- There are 2 visitor centers at Norris – the Norris Geyser Basin Museum, which is at the Norris Geyser Basin, and the Museum of the National Park Ranger, which is just north of Norris Junction.
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center (Old Faithful)
West Thumb Information Station (West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalk, near Grant Village)
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (inside West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce, in West Yellowstone)

Visitor Centers – WINTER:

Albright Visitor Center (Mammoth)
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center–RESTROOMS ONLY (Old Faithful)
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (Chamber of Commerce desk only, NPS desk closed)
Old Faithful Visitor Center is full service in the winter.
Canyon Visitor Education Center lobby and bathrooms are also open.
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center NPS desk is staffed on weekdays.

Webcams:

North Entrance Gate
West Entrance Gate
Old Faithful
Mammoth

Direction & Mileages to Yellowstone National Park

All mileages are approximate and are to closest entrance. Mileages vary based on route taken, and do not account for seasonal closures.

Albuquerque, NM	870 miles
Billings, MT	125 miles
Bismarck, ND	541 miles
Bozeman, MT	79 miles
Butte, MT	163 miles
Calgary, Alberta, Canada	545 miles
Casper, WY	280 miles
Cheyenne, WY	440 miles
Cody, WY	65 miles
Denver, CO	519 miles
Fargo, ND	811 miles
Glacier National Park, MT	378 miles
Helena, MT	178 miles
Jackson, WY	57 miles
Las Vegas, NV	725 miles
Lincoln, NE	853 miles
Los Angeles, CA	1007 miles
Missoula, MT	280 miles
Phoenix, AZ	1036 miles
Portland, OR	823 miles
Rapid City, SD	442 miles
Salt Lake City, UT	329 miles
San Francisco, CA	945 miles
Seattle, WA	748 miles
Sheridan, WY	212 miles
Sioux Falls, SD	785 miles
Spokane, WA	470 miles
Twin Falls, ID	275 miles
International Peace Park, Waterton, AB, Canada	441 miles
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada	891 mile

Link to Maps page

Current Park Information

Current Entrance Fees:
Private Vehicle (non-commercial): $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days)
Motorcycle or snowmobile: $30 per motorcycle/snowmobile (valid for 7 days)
Individual (by foot, bicycle, ski, etc.): $20/person (valid for 7 days)
Youth 15 and under are admitted free
*For more details and information, refer to www.nps.gov/yell

Entry gates are not staffed 24 hours a day. If guest does not pay NPS fee upon entry, they must pay at a Visitor Center or when exiting.

Yellowstone National Park does not offer any public transportation. Xanterra offers a variety of tours during the Summer and Winter; additionally, skier shuttles, and snowcoach transfers during Winter.

WINTER TRANSPORTATION–guests who are staying at Old Faithful Snow Lodge and are arriving from the West or South entrance must provide their own transportation to Snow Lodge. Below is a list of non-Xanterra operated companies guests reach out to:

From the West Entrance, Backcountry Adventures (800-924-7669 or www.backcountry-adventures.com) provides a shuttle to Snow Lodge.
From the South Entrance, Scenic Safaris (888-734-8898 or www.scenic-safaris.com) provides a shuttle to Snow Lodge. It is up to the guest to contact and secure these shuttles. They are in no way affiliated with Xanterra.
Additional information can be found at https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/snowmobiles-snowcoaches.htm.

Non-Xanterra operated companies guests reach out to for Shuttle services that may transportation from Gardiner/BZN Airport/West Yellowstone/Bozeman/Big Sky:

Old Faithful and Friends (406-600-8408) or visit website: www.oldfaithfulandfriends.com

For the most up-to-date road closure information, guests should call 307-344-2117 or visit https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm (phone call is more accurate than the website).

All of Xanterra’s in-park accommodations have ADA rooms available.

Service animals can go anywhere guests can go in the park, including the backcountry.

ABA (Architectural Barriers Act) campsites are available at all Xanterra operated in-park campgrounds.

Guests should visit the National Park Service website for detailed information on accessibility in Yellowstone.

ADA Ramp Access to MH Dining Room: The ADA ramp access to the Dining Room is through the Terrace Grill. Guests should advise the MH Front Desk to help describe the route.

Yellowstone permits bicycling, including the use of e-bikes, on established public roads, parking areas, and designated routes. Electric or pedal-assist bikes are considered to be bikes (as opposed to motor vehicles). They can ride anywhere bikes are allowed. All bikes are subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles. Bikes are prohibited on backcountry trails, boardwalks, and oversnow routes in Yellowstone. Bikes may be rented at Old Faithful Snow Lodge (guests must check with bike shop staff for approved routes). https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/adventure/land-adventures/bicycle-rentals/

Bicycle Rental — Available Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend (dates subject to change)

Private boats are allowed in YNP, but guests must purchase a permit in order to operate it. Permits may be purchased at a variety of locations. Advise guests to visit the National Park Service website for additional information and restrictions.

A variety of boats may be rented at Bridge Bay Marina:
♦ Guided fishing and sightseeing boats may be booked in advance through CRes. Jump to YL Summer Activites.
♦ Motorboats are first come, first serve
♦ Backcountry Boat Shuttles drops via “The Otter” can be made by contacting the Marina at (307) 272-1521 and leave a message with your name, contact info, and requested date/time. From late-September to mid-MAY please call (307) 344-5217 or email shgood@xanterra.com with your name, contact info, and requested date/time.
Additionally, canoes may be rented for backcountry drops only, and are not available for any other purpose. Pricing and contact information are also available on YNP webpage under THINGS TO DO then WATER ADVENTURES.

Dock slips are also available for rental, and may be booked by contacting the Marina at 307-344-7901, ext 3876.
The off-season (mid-September to mid-May) contact for backcountry shuttle & dock slips is Shawnee, Support Services/Coordinator at Yellowstone; email is the best form of contact for guests: shgood@xanterra.com. Guests can also go on our website under THINGS TO DO > WATER ADVENTURES > DOCK SLIP RENTALS

No car camping or overnight vehicle parking is allowed in pullouts, parking areas, picnic grounds, or any place other than a designated campground (Xanterra or NPS-operated).

Yellowstone offers 12 campgrounds with over 2,000 sites. Xanterra takes reservations for 5 of these campgrounds–Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, and Madison.

The National Park Service manages the other 7 campgrounds (listed below)–guests should visit www.nps.gov/yell (NPS) for a complete list/additional info, and/or make reservations through Recreation.gov.

Indian Creek
Lewis Lake
Mammoth
Norris
Pebble Creek
Slough Creek
Tower Fall

Campfires, including those in portable wood or propane fire pits, are prohibited in the Fishing Bridge RV Park. Wood and charcoal fires are permitted in all other campgrounds unless high fire danger prompts special restrictions. Any restrictions will be listed on campground information boards and the current conditions page. Use the NPS page for reference, Campfires.

Cooking in the Park: not all picnic areas have grills for cooking. No open fires are allowed at any picnic area, cooking is allowed on the grills or a camp stove. Propane grills and stoves are not usually affected by fire restrictions. No fuel is provided, and most visitors utilize camp stoves or charcoal. No overnight camping is allowed in any picnic area in Yellowstone. Use the NPS pages for reference: Cooking in Camp and Cooking in Picnic Areas.

Cooking is not allowed inside our lodges or cabins. Guests can use liquid fuel stoves outside or adjacent to the cabins.

Fishing is allowed in Yellowstone from the end of May through the beginning of November. Permits are required for anyone 16 and older. Children 15 years of age or younger may fish free of charge if accompanying adult has a valid fishing permit or a separate fee-free fishing permit is available in person. Guests may find additional information on the National Park Service website. Additionally, Xanterra offers guided fishing boats .

Yellowstone National Park is one of America’s premier wilderness areas. The park encompasses more than 2.2 million acres, has more than 900 miles (1,449 km) of hiking trails, and is primarily managed as wilderness. Day hiking does not require a permit.

When planning a hike, guests should remember that many of Yellowstone’s trails are more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Most areas retain snow until late May or early June, and some (especially mountain passes) are snow-covered until late July. Also, many routes require fording rivers that can be 25 feet wide, 3 to 6 feet deep, extremely cold, and swiftly running during our late spring runoff. Guests can visit the National Park Service website for additional information and trail maps.

Xanterra offers guided hors eback riding tours from Roosevelt Lodge. Guests may also bring private stock into the park for both day use and overnight use. Guests should visit the National Park Service website for additional information.

Ice skates and ice skating is free for guests at both Mammoth and Snow Lodge! Mammoth has a small rink behind the employee rec hall; Snow Lodge has a rink behind the Lodge, towards the Visitor Center. Guests can help themselves to skates–they are kept on racks just inside Snow Lodge, or inside cabins next to the Mammoth rink.

Rinks are open during the winter season at each property, but may close early due to weather.

Bringing a pet to Yellowstone may limit a guest’s activities in the park.
Hotel Guests: Please refer guests to our website (under PLAN and then Traveling with Pets) for detailed information.
Campground Guests: Pets allowed, 2 pets per site, and on leash at all times. They may not be left unattended. Guest are responsible for pet waste and damages. Refer guests to our website page (under “STAY” and “CAMPING”, scroll to the bottom of page to) “Pets at Campground” for more info.

The following regulations apply to pets in Yellowstone:

Pets may only accompany people in developed areas and must remain within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds.
Pets must be physically controlled at all times: they must be in a car, in a crate, or on a leash no more than six feet long.
Pets are not allowed on boardwalks, hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in thermal areas.
Pets are not allowed on any tours or snowcoaches
Pets may not be left unattended or tied to an object.
Pets may not be left in a situation where food, water, shade, ventilation, and other basic needs are inadequate. Pets may remain in vehicles for short periods of time, but it is recommended that someone stay behind to personally ensure their well being.
Owners must bag and dispose of pet waste.

There are NO EXCEPTIONS to the regulations for carried pets (in arms, carriers, strollers, backpacks, and so forth) in restricted parts of the park.

These policies exist to protect pets from being killed by predators like bears and coyotes, to protect them from being burned or killed in hot springs, to prevent the exchange of diseases between domestic animals and park wildlife, and to allow others to enjoy the park without the disruption of pets.

Cellular service is limited in Yellowstone. Cell towers at Mammoth Hot Springs, West Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake Village, and Mount Washburn provide service to most developed areas, and to the North and West entrances. Check with your provider to verify coverage. During summer, the number of users can overwhelm cellular circuits resulting in an inability to send or receive calls, text, or use cellular data. Texting is usually the most effective means of communication in the park. Cellular service is available in most nearby communities, and along some of the major highways leading to the park. Areas without coverage, however, exist throughout the region.

Free Wi-Fi is available at the Albright Visitor Center in Mammoth Hot Springs.

Wireless Internet access is available for registered guests at Canyon Lodge, Mammoth Hotel, and Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Wired ethernet access is available inside the Business Center at Lake Yellowstone Hotel. No internet at Roosevelt, Old Faithful Lodge, Old Faithful Inn, Grant Village, or Lake Lodge.

Guests can go to our YL Website under PLAN > Wifi & Cell Phone Service for detailed information.

Winter in Yellowstone is a whole different experience: cars and camper-vans give way to snowmobiles and snow-coaches, cold temperatures freeze lakes and waterfalls, and snow-covered landscapes can be explored on skis or snowshoes. Xanterra offers a variety of winter activities. Click here for NPS info on skiing and snowshoeing, or winter camping.

Weather in Yellowstone

AVERAGES FOR THE MONTH (temps in Fahrenheit; precipitation in inches)

MONTH	AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE	AVERAGE LOW TEMPERATURE	AVERAGE PRECIPITATION (INCHES)	AVERAGE SNOWFALL (INCHES)
JANUARY	28	9.6	1.1	14.5
FEBRUARY	34	13	0.75	10.4
MARCH	39.6	17.2	1.1	13.1
APRIL	49.4	26	1.2	5.9
MAY	60.4	34.3	2.0	1.5
JUNE	70	41.2	1.5	0.1
JULY	79.6	47	1.5	0.0
AUGUST	78.3	45	1.4	0.0
SEPTEMBER	67.8	37	1.3	0.5
OCTOBER	55.7	29	1.0	3.7
NOVEMBER	38.7	19	1.0	9.0
DECEMBER	30.5	12	1.0	13.5

[Source: NPS Weather Page]