What state is the Yellowstone National Park in?

Introduction

Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its stunning geothermal wonders, diverse wildlife, and pristine natural landscapes.

The greater Yellowstone area spans across three states, including south-central Montana, eastern Idaho, and northeast Wyoming.

What state contains most of Yellowstone?

Yellowstone National Park is primarily situated in the state of Wyoming, which holds 96% of the park's land area.

How big is Yellowstone National Park?

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Yellowstone National Park is vast, covering a sprawling 2.2 million acres. It is the 8th largest national park in the United States and offers a wide variety of environments to explore, including mountains, meadows, canyons, rivers, hills, and valleys.

Entrances of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone boasts five entrances that allow visitors to access the park from different directions, each offering its own unique attractions.

West Entrance-West Yellowstone, Wyoming

The West Entrance is located by the lively town of West Yellowstone and is by far the most popular entrance.

South Entrance-Jackson, Wyoming

The South Entrance is just above Grand Teton National Park, and Jackson Wyoming offers lots of upscale accommodations for those interested in a luxe stay.

East Entrance-Cody, Wyoming

The East Entrance is one of the more remote entrances to Yellowstone, but beyond Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Mountains lies one of the largest cities nearest Yellowstone.

The city of Cody is famous for its Western heritage and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Northeast Entrance-Cooke City, Montana

The Northeast Entrance is just beyond the famous wildlife hotspot, Lamar Valley. Cooke City is one of the smaller entrance towns but offers accommodations, restaurants, and gear rentals.

North Entrance-Gardiner, Montana

The North Entrance is Yellowstone’s most iconic entrance, with the historic Roosevelt Arch welcoming visitors to their park journey.

The North Entrance Road was re-routed following the unprecedented flooding of 2022, but the new road offers some spectacular views of Mammoth Hot Springs.

Activities in Yellowstone National Park

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Yellowstone offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, including:

Wildlife Viewing: Observe bison, elk, wolves, bears, and more in their natural habitats.
Hiking: Explore numerous trails, from easy walks to challenging backcountry routes.
Geothermal Features: Witness geysers, hot springs, and mud pots, including big names such as Old Faithful Geyser.
Fishing: The park's rivers and lakes are great for anglers.
Camping: Stay in campgrounds or backcountry sites to immerse yourself in the park's wilderness.
Photography: Capture the park's breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, and geothermal features. The unique and vibrant scenery makes it a paradise for photographers.
Boating: Explore the park's lakes, including Yellowstone Lake, by kayak, canoe, or motorized boat. It's an excellent way to enjoy the pristine waters and surrounding views.
Biking: There’s nothing quite like exploring the roads and trails of Yellowstone with your own two legs. E-bike rentals are available locally for those looking to explore more with less time.
Ranger Programs: Join ranger-led programs and educational talks to gain insights into the park's history, geology, and wildlife.

Is Yellowstone National Park open year-round?

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Yellowstone's accessibility varies by season. The park is typically open year-round, but most roads and facilities close during the winter. Visitors should be aware of the following seasonal changes:

Spring: Snowmelt can lead to flooding, and some roads may still be closed.
Summer: Most park roads and facilities are fully accessible, but crowds can make parking difficult.
Fall: Crowds begin to thin, and some facilities start to close towards the end of September, the beginning of October.
Winter: Most park roads are closed to regular traffic, but snowmobile tours are available.

How many people visit Yellowstone in a year?

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Yellowstone National Park welcomes around 4 million visitors annually. The best time to visit depends on your preferences.

Summer is the busiest, offering pleasant weather and full accessibility.

However, for a quieter experience, consider visiting in spring or fall when the crowds diminish, and wildlife is more active.

Explore Yellowstone National Park with Shaka Guide

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Using Shaka Guide in Yellowstone offers numerous benefits that you simply can’t get with in-person tours or other apps. This GPS-based audio tour app provides:

Guided Narration: Enjoy informative and entertaining commentary throughout your journey, including stop suggestions, trip planning, local stories, and evocative music.
Offline Use: No need for a data connection; the app works in remote areas.
Flexible Scheduling: Explore at your own pace, with the option to pause and resume the tour.
A Comprehensive Experience: Shaka Guide’s audio tour explores all areas of the park, and offers unique content for each of the park’s entrances.

Uncover the wonders of Yellowstone with Shaka Guide, enhancing your park adventure with expert insights, vivid storytelling, and worry-free directions and suggestions.

Check out our Yellowstone tour here, and leave all the trip planning to us!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our 7-Day Yellowstone Itinerary, 3-Day Yellowstone Itinerary, and Know Before You Go article.

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