Camping/Permits
Each designated campsite has a maximum limit for the number of people and stock allowed per night. The maximum stay per campsite varies from 1 to 3 nights per trip. Campfires are permitted only in established fire pits. Wood fires are not allowed in some backcountry campsites. A food storage pole is provided at most designated campsites so that food and attractants may be secured from bears.
A new "firearms in parks" law is in effect as of Feb. 22, 2010. SeeLaws and Policies for more information.
Permits may be obtained only in person and no more than 48 hours in advance of your trip. Permits are available from backcountry offices located in most ranger stations or visitor centers. In order to obtain the best information on trail conditions, permits should be obtained from the ranger station or visitor center nearest to the area where your trip is to begin. The Backcountry Use Permit is valid only for the itinerary and dates specified. Backcountry travelers must have their permits in possession while in the backcountry.
A new "firearms in parks" law is in effect as of Feb. 22, 2010. SeeLaws and Policies for more information.
Permits may be obtained only in person and no more than 48 hours in advance of your trip. Permits are available from backcountry offices located in most ranger stations or visitor centers. In order to obtain the best information on trail conditions, permits should be obtained from the ranger station or visitor center nearest to the area where your trip is to begin. The Backcountry Use Permit is valid only for the itinerary and dates specified. Backcountry travelers must have their permits in possession while in the backcountry.
Campsite Reservations
Although permits must be obtained in person no more than 48 hours in advance, backcountry campsites may be reserved in advance. Reservation applications for backcountry permits are accepted from January 1 to October 31 of each calendar year. Reservations received by March 31 will be processed in random order starting April 1. Reservations received April 1 and later will be processed in the order received.
Requests for reservations must be submitted by mail, fax, or in person. They cannot be made over the phone or by email. A confirmation notice, not a permit, is given or emailed to the camper. This confirmation notice must then be converted to the actual permit not more than 48 hours in advance of the first camping date. Details are provided on the confirmation notice. The reservation fee is $25.00 regardless of the number of nights out or the number of people involved. The fee is not refundable. Forms for making an advance reservation are available to download online at: Backcountry Trip Planner, or by writing to:
Requests for reservations must be submitted by mail, fax, or in person. They cannot be made over the phone or by email. A confirmation notice, not a permit, is given or emailed to the camper. This confirmation notice must then be converted to the actual permit not more than 48 hours in advance of the first camping date. Details are provided on the confirmation notice. The reservation fee is $25.00 regardless of the number of nights out or the number of people involved. The fee is not refundable. Forms for making an advance reservation are available to download online at: Backcountry Trip Planner, or by writing to:
Visitor Centers
Yellowstone has National Park Service operated visitor facilities in each of the areas listed below. Exhibits cover a wide range of natural and cultural history subjects. Visitor centers and information stations are open daily during their seasons.
Ranger-led programs begin Memorial Day weekend. Select a link below to find out about facilities associated with that park area and their functions.
Albright Visitor Center (at Mammoth Hot Springs)
Open daily, year-round.
10/1-5/25: 9 am-5 pm
5/26-9/30: 8 am-7 pmLocated at Mammoth Hot Springs and open year round, the center offers information, a bookstore, exhibits on wildlife and history, and films about the park and the national park idea. Call 307-344-2263.
Learn more online about the Mammoth area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Canyon Visitor Education Center
5/12-5/25: 9 am-5 pm
5/26-9/3: 8 am-8 pm
9/4-9/30: 8 am-6 pm
10/1-10/14: 9 am-5 pmExplore Yellowstone's supervolcano and other aspects of its geology through interactive exhibits, including a Kugel globe and relief map of Yellowstone. Call 307-344-2550.
Learn more online about the Canyon area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Fishing Bridge Visitor Center
5/23-9/30: 8 am-7 pm
Offers exhibits about the park's birds and other wildlife, and Yellowstone Lake's geology, including a relief map of its bottom.
Call 307-344-2450.
Learn more online about the Lake, Bridge Bay & Fishing Bridge area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Grant Visitor Center
5/26-9/30: 8 am-7 pm
Exhibits describe the park's historic fires of 1988. Call 307-344-2650.
Learn more online about the Grant Village and West Thumb area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Junior Ranger Station (at the Madison Information Station)
5/23-9/3: 9 am-6 pm
Learn more about the Junior Ranger program.
Madison Information Station
5/23-9/30: 9 am-6 pm
Information & bookstore. Call 307-344-2876.
Learn more online about the Madison area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Museum of the National Park Ranger, Norris (1 mile north of Norris)
5/26-9/23: 9 am-5 pm
Call 307-344-7353
Located one one mile north of Norris, the museum presents the history of the park ranger profession through exhibits and videos, and through the stories of the volunteer retired rangers who staff the center. Call 307-344-7353.
Norris Geyser Basin Museum & Information Station
5/23-9/30: 9 am-6 pm
Bookstore
10 am-6pm
Features exhibits about the hydrothermal features of Yellowstone.
Call 307-344-2812.
Learn more online about the Norris area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
4/20-5/25: 9 am-6 pm
5/26-9/30: 8 am-8 pm
10/1-11/4: 9 am-5 pm
Yellowstone's newest visitor center offers dynamic exhibits about hydrothermal features. Geyser eruption predictions are posted, or call ahead, 307-344-2751.
Visit the Old Faithful Virtual Visitor Education Center.
No visitor center or contact stations available at Tower but learn more online about what NPS services are available at Tower-Roosevelt.
West Thumb Information Center
5/26-9/30: 10 am-6 pm
Offers information about the adjacent geyser basin on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. Call 307-344-2650.
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center-NPS Desk
10/1-4/30: 8 am-5 pm weekdays
Daily thereafter
5/1-5/25: 8 am-6 pm
5/26-9/2: 8 am-8 pm
9/3-9/30: 8 am-6 pm
Located in the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce.
Call 307-344-2876.
Ranger-led programs begin Memorial Day weekend. Select a link below to find out about facilities associated with that park area and their functions.
Albright Visitor Center (at Mammoth Hot Springs)
Open daily, year-round.
10/1-5/25: 9 am-5 pm
5/26-9/30: 8 am-7 pmLocated at Mammoth Hot Springs and open year round, the center offers information, a bookstore, exhibits on wildlife and history, and films about the park and the national park idea. Call 307-344-2263.
Learn more online about the Mammoth area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Canyon Visitor Education Center
5/12-5/25: 9 am-5 pm
5/26-9/3: 8 am-8 pm
9/4-9/30: 8 am-6 pm
10/1-10/14: 9 am-5 pmExplore Yellowstone's supervolcano and other aspects of its geology through interactive exhibits, including a Kugel globe and relief map of Yellowstone. Call 307-344-2550.
Learn more online about the Canyon area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Fishing Bridge Visitor Center
5/23-9/30: 8 am-7 pm
Offers exhibits about the park's birds and other wildlife, and Yellowstone Lake's geology, including a relief map of its bottom.
Call 307-344-2450.
Learn more online about the Lake, Bridge Bay & Fishing Bridge area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Grant Visitor Center
5/26-9/30: 8 am-7 pm
Exhibits describe the park's historic fires of 1988. Call 307-344-2650.
Learn more online about the Grant Village and West Thumb area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Junior Ranger Station (at the Madison Information Station)
5/23-9/3: 9 am-6 pm
Learn more about the Junior Ranger program.
Madison Information Station
5/23-9/30: 9 am-6 pm
Information & bookstore. Call 307-344-2876.
Learn more online about the Madison area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Museum of the National Park Ranger, Norris (1 mile north of Norris)
5/26-9/23: 9 am-5 pm
Call 307-344-7353
Located one one mile north of Norris, the museum presents the history of the park ranger profession through exhibits and videos, and through the stories of the volunteer retired rangers who staff the center. Call 307-344-7353.
Norris Geyser Basin Museum & Information Station
5/23-9/30: 9 am-6 pm
Bookstore
10 am-6pm
Features exhibits about the hydrothermal features of Yellowstone.
Call 307-344-2812.
Learn more online about the Norris area National Park Service visitor facilities.
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
4/20-5/25: 9 am-6 pm
5/26-9/30: 8 am-8 pm
10/1-11/4: 9 am-5 pm
Yellowstone's newest visitor center offers dynamic exhibits about hydrothermal features. Geyser eruption predictions are posted, or call ahead, 307-344-2751.
Visit the Old Faithful Virtual Visitor Education Center.
No visitor center or contact stations available at Tower but learn more online about what NPS services are available at Tower-Roosevelt.
West Thumb Information Center
5/26-9/30: 10 am-6 pm
Offers information about the adjacent geyser basin on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. Call 307-344-2650.
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center-NPS Desk
10/1-4/30: 8 am-5 pm weekdays
Daily thereafter
5/1-5/25: 8 am-6 pm
5/26-9/2: 8 am-8 pm
9/3-9/30: 8 am-6 pm
Located in the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce.
Call 307-344-2876.