EXPLORE Yellowstone National Park

P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY
82190-0168

Phone
Visitor Information
(307) 344-7381

Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is America's first national park. Located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a collection of the world's most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Things to Do

Experience Old Faithful, the most popular geyser in the world, and hundreds of other geysers and hot springs. View the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and enjoy the wild beauty of Yellowstone Lake. Look for bears and wolves, elk and buffalo in the Lamar and Hayden Valleys.  Discover Fort Yellowstone and learn about the park's history. Hiking, camping, fishing, enjoying exhibits and films, and attending Ranger-led programs are among the many ways you can enjoy Yellowstone National Park.

Places to Picnic

There are 49 picnic areas in the park. Fires are permitted only in picnic areas with fire grates. Charcoal grills may only be used in areas with fire grates.  There are fire grates in the following picnic areas: Bridge Bay, Cascade Lake Trail, East Lot (Old Faithful Area), Grant Village, Nez Perce, Norris Meadows, Snake River, Spring Creek and Yellowstone River. Gas stoves may be utilized for meal preparation in any picnic area.  Camping is Not Allowed in any picnic area.  There is no water at any picnic area and most have pit toilets.

• Madison River
• Madison Junction
• Firehole River
• Nez Perce
• Whiskey Flat
• East Lot
• Spring Creek
• Delacey Creek
• East Divide
• Lewis Lake
• Cave Falls
• Snake River
• Grant Village
• West Thumb
• Hard Road To Travel
• Fisherman's Access
• Pumice Point
• Spruce-Fir Exhibit
• Sand Point
• Gull Point
• Bridge Bay
• Lake Village
• Fishing Bridge
• Steamboat Point
• Sedge Bay
• Sylvan Lake
• Eleanor Lake
• LeHardy
• Cascade
• Nez Perce Ford
• Otter Creek
• Chittenden Bridge
• Cascade Lake Trail
• Dunraven Road
• Yellowstone River
• Warm Creek
• Lava Creek
• Albright
• Mammoth
• Wyoming/Montana State Line
• Arch Park
• Sheepeater Cliff
• Appolinaris Spring
• Beaver Lake
• Norris Meadows
• Virginia Cascades
• Gibbon Meadows
• Tuff Cliffs
• Soda Butte

History
The human history of the Yellowstone region goes back more than 11,000 years. From about 11,000 years ago to the very recent past, many groups of Native Americans used the park as their homes, hunting grounds, and transportation routes. 

These traditional uses of Yellowstone lands continued until a little over 200 years ago when the first people of European descent found their way into the park. In 1872 a country that had not yet seen its first centennial established Yellowstone as the first national park in the world. A new concept was born and with it a new way for people to preserve and protect the best of what they had for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

Did You Know?
Some groups of Shoshone Indians, who adapted to a mountain existence, chose not to acquire the horse. These included the Sheep Eaters, or Tukudika, who used dogs to transport food, hides, and other provisions. The Sheep Eaters lived in many locations in Yellowstone.