[ROAD] 2026 road work
The Gardner River High Bridge near Mammoth has one lane through late October. Firehole Lake Drive is closed to vehicles. The Biscuit Basin parking lot and boardwalk are closed.
FIELD GUIDE / SUMMER 2026
Yellowstone National Park
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Conditions change. Follow signs and ranger orders.
Current conditions
The Gardner River High Bridge has one lane through late October, and Firehole Lake Drive and the Biscuit Basin area are closed. Elk mating season has begun, and elk are aggressive; keep at least 25 yards away from them.
[SAFE] Elk mating season
The elk mating season (rut) has begun. Elk are aggressive and can run up to 40 miles an hour. Keep at least 25 yards from elk at all times. If an elk charges, retreat.
[CLOSED] Buffalo Creek closure
Buffalo Creek is closed from August 31 through September 6. It will reopen on September 7. The closure is for treatment to remove invasive fish.
[FIRE] Fire danger
Fire danger is HIGH. Use campfires only in established fire rings where fires are permitted. Put every fire out completely.
[SAFE] Wildlife and hot ground
Stay on boardwalks near hot springs and geysers. Stay at least 100 yd from bears, wolves, and cougars and 25 yd from bison, elk, and other wildlife.
NPS conditions (large page)
Services by place
Major places list all five services. Seasonal services may be closed.
- West Entrance / West Yellowstone
Food: Nearby Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: Nearby Signal: Strong - Madison Junction
Food: No Water: Seasonal Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: Weak - Old Faithful
Food: Seasonal Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: Yes Signal: Limited - West Thumb
Food: No Water: Unknown Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: Limited - Grant Village
Food: Seasonal Water: Seasonal Toilets: Yes Fuel: Yes Signal: Limited - Fishing Bridge / Lake Village
Food: Seasonal Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: Yes Signal: Limited - Canyon Village
Food: Seasonal Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: Yes Signal: Limited - Tower Junction
Food: Seasonal Water: Seasonal Toilets: Yes Fuel: Yes Signal: Unreliable - Lamar Valley
Food: No Water: No Toilets: Limited Fuel: No Signal: None - Mammoth Hot Springs
Food: Yes Water: Yes Toilets: Yes Fuel: Yes Signal: Limited - Norris Geyser Basin
Food: No Water: Unknown Toilets: Yes Fuel: No Signal: None
West Entrance / West Yellowstone ↑
Do this: Buy food and fuel in West Yellowstone before entering the park. The next fuel is at Old Faithful, 65–75 minutes away.
- Food, fuel: Nearby in West Yellowstone.
- Water, toilets: Yes at the visitor information center when it is open.
- Signal: Usually available near the entrance. Summer demand can overload service.
The NPS visitor information center is in West Yellowstone. West Entrance to Madison Junction takes about 30 minutes.
Madison Junction ↑
Do this: For food or fuel, return 30 minutes to West Yellowstone or continue 35–45 minutes to Old Faithful.
- Water: Seasonal at Madison Campground.
- Fuel: No. Use West Yellowstone or Old Faithful.
- Signal: Weak or unavailable.
This is the junction for West Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Norris, and Canyon.
Old Faithful ↑
Do this: Use this as the main service stop between West Entrance and West Thumb. Fuel pumps accept cards 24 hours.
- Food: Seasonal restaurants, cafeterias, and stores.
- Water: Yes at developed facilities.
- Fuel: Yes. Credit-card pumps operate 24 hours.
- Signal: Limited. Calls, texts, or data may fail when the area is busy.
The visitor center and boardwalks are near the main parking areas. Stay on boardwalks in all thermal areas.
West Thumb ↑
Do this: For food, drinking water, or fuel, drive 2 miles south to Grant Village.
- Food, fuel: No. Use Grant Village.
- Water: Unknown. Carry water or use Grant Village.
- Toilets: Yes, vault toilets.
- Signal: Limited or unavailable.
The geyser-basin boardwalk is a 0.6-mile loop beside Yellowstone Lake.
Grant Village ↑
Do this: Get food and fuel here before driving toward West Thumb or the South Entrance.
- Food: Seasonal restaurants and a general store.
- Water: Seasonal at developed facilities.
- Fuel: Yes. Credit-card pumps operate 24 hours.
- Signal: Limited. The area has a tower, but service can be overloaded.
Grant Village is the main service area near the South Entrance and West Thumb.
Fishing Bridge / Lake Village ↑
Do this: Use Fishing Bridge for fuel. Food and lodging are in Fishing Bridge and Lake Village.
- Food: Seasonal stores and food service.
- Water: Yes at developed facilities.
- Fuel: Yes at Fishing Bridge. Credit-card pumps operate 24 hours.
- Signal: Limited. The area has a tower, but service can be overloaded.
Fishing Bridge has the fuel station. Food and lodging are spread between Fishing Bridge and Lake Village.
Canyon Village ↑
Do this: Get food and fuel here before driving toward Norris, Tower Junction, or Lamar Valley.
- Food: Seasonal restaurants and stores.
- Water: Yes at developed facilities.
- Fuel: Yes. Credit-card pumps operate 24 hours.
- Signal: Limited. Calls, texts, or data may fail when the area is busy.
Canyon Village is the service area for the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Tower Junction ↑
Do this: Refuel here before Lamar Valley or the Northeast Entrance. Do not rely on mobile service farther east.
- Food: Seasonal at Tower Fall and Roosevelt.
- Water: Seasonal at developed facilities.
- Toilets: Yes at developed facilities.
- Fuel: Yes. Credit-card pumps operate 24 hours.
- Signal: Unreliable or unavailable.
This is the junction for Mammoth, Canyon, and the Northeast Entrance.
Lamar Valley ↑
Do this: Bring food and water. Refuel at Tower Junction before entering the valley.
- Water: No dependable drinking water. Carry water.
- Toilets: Limited vault toilets at some developed pullouts.
- Fuel: No. Use Tower Junction or a gateway town.
Do not stop in the traffic lane to watch wildlife. Park fully inside a designated pullout.
Mammoth Hot Springs ↑
Do this: Get food and fuel here before driving toward Norris or leaving through the North Entrance.
- Food: Yes. A general store and dining are open in summer.
- Water: Yes at developed facilities.
- Fuel: Yes. Credit-card pumps operate 24 hours.
- Signal: Limited. Calls, texts, or data may fail when the area is busy.
Mammoth is 15 minutes from the North Entrance. The Albright Visitor Center is open year-round.
Norris Geyser Basin ↑
Do this: Carry water. For food or fuel, continue to Mammoth, Canyon Village, or Old Faithful.
- Water: Unknown. Carry water.
- Fuel: No. Use Canyon Village, Mammoth, or Old Faithful.
Norris is a major road junction. Stay on boardwalks inside the geyser basin.
Other places
- North and Northeast Entrances — Use Gardiner or Cooke City for food and fuel. Check the year-round road before traveling in winter. Food: Nearby in Gardiner or Cooke City; limited inside the entrance corridor. · Water: Limited at developed facilities; carry water. · Toilets: Yes at some developed stops. · Fuel: Nearby in gateway towns; use Mammoth or Tower Junction inside the park. · Signal: Weak or unavailable between developed areas. The North-to-Northeast road is the park's primary year-round vehicle corridor.
- Bechler — Carry all supplies and confirm road conditions. Do not approach from the main park loop. Food: No. Carry all food. · Water: No dependable treated water. Carry treatment. · Toilets: Limited at the ranger station and campground. · Fuel: No. Fill up near Ashton before the gravel road. This remote southwest area is reached from Idaho and is not connected to the main park road system.
Drive times
Summer estimates without long stops. Traffic, wildlife, weather, and road work can cause delays.
West Entrance to Old Faithful
West Entrance → 30 min → Madison Junction → 35–45 min → Old Faithful
Allow 65–75 minutes without traffic or stops. Wildlife and construction can cause long delays.
Old Faithful to Canyon Village
Old Faithful → 40 min → Grant Village → 45 min → Lake Village → 35 min → Canyon Village
The direct route through Norris is usually shorter when open. Check the road map before you choose a route.
South and East entrances
South Entrance → 50 min → Grant Village · East Entrance → 60 min → Lake Village
A trip through the South Entrance also passes through Grand Teton National Park, which charges a separate entrance fee.
North Entrance to Canyon Village
North Entrance → 15 min → Mammoth → 45 min → Norris Junction → 30 min → Canyon Village
Allow at least 90 minutes. The bridge southeast of Mammoth can add 15 minutes.
Northeast Entrance
Northeast Entrance → 60 min → Tower Junction → 50–60 min → Canyon Village
Tower Junction to Mammoth takes about 40 minutes. Weather can close roads outside the Northeast Entrance.
Help
Emergency: call 911. Tell the dispatcher your location, direction of travel, vehicle, and problem.
Park information: 307-344-7381
Road text alerts: text 82190 to 888-777.
This independent guide is not the National Park Service and is not an emergency service.
Permits
Entering Yellowstone
You need an entrance pass. You do not need a vehicle reservation. A trip through the South Entrance also enters Grand Teton National Park, which charges a separate fee.
Pets
Pets are only allowed in developed areas. They must stay within 100 feet of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds. Pets are not allowed on boardwalks, hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in thermal areas. You must physically control your pet at all times.
Bear spray
All of Yellowstone is bear habitat. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. You cannot bring bear spray on an airplane. You can rent bear spray in the park. You can buy bear spray at gift shops, outdoor stores, service stations, and bookstores. Do not throw bear spray in the trash. Use a 24/7 Bear Aware drop-off location to dispose or recycle it.
Camping
Reserve a campsite before arrival. Do not sleep in a vehicle at a pullout, parking area, or picnic area. Overnight vehicle use is allowed only in a designated campground.
Backcountry camping
Every backcountry overnight stay requires a permit. Advance reservations are available through Recreation.gov.
Fishing and boating
Fishing requires a Yellowstone fishing permit. Watercraft require a Yellowstone boat permit and an aquatic-invasive-species inspection before launch.
Short hikes
Distances are one way unless marked as a loop. Check trail closures.
- West Thumb / West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail: 0.6 mi loop. An easy boardwalk loop. Stay on the boardwalk.
- Mammoth / Wraith Falls: 1 mi round trip. An easy trail. The final section is steep and rocky.
- Old Faithful / Observation Point: 1.6 mi round trip. A moderate climb to a view of the Upper Geyser Basin. Carry water.
- Canyon / Brink of the Lower Falls: 0.7 mi round trip. Very steep. The trail drops 600 ft and is not suitable for visitors with heart or lung conditions.