FIELD GUIDE / SUMMER 2026
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Conditions change. Follow signs and ranger orders.
Expect road-work delays up to 30 minutes and seasonal closures including the Biscuit Basin parking lot and boardwalk. Park rivers and streams are closed to fishing daily from 2 PM to sunrise, with full-day closures on the Firehole, Madison, and Gibbon rivers.
Expect road-work delays of up to 30 minutes. The Gardner River High Bridge near Mammoth has one lane through late October. Canyon Village to West Thumb has weekday delays through Aug 14. Firehole Lake Drive is closed to vehicles. The Biscuit Basin parking lot and boardwalk are closed.
All park rivers and streams are closed to fishing daily from 2 PM to sunrise. The Firehole and Madison rivers and their tributaries are closed all day. The Gibbon River and its tributaries downstream of Norris Campground are also closed all day.
Fire danger is HIGH. Use campfires only in established fire rings where fires are permitted. Put every fire out completely.
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)
Every place lists all five services. Seasonal services may be closed.
Do this: Buy food and fuel in West Yellowstone before entering the park. The next fuel is at Old Faithful, 65–75 minutes away.
The NPS visitor information center is in West Yellowstone. West Entrance to Madison Junction takes about 30 minutes.
Do this: For food or fuel, return 30 minutes to West Yellowstone or continue 35–45 minutes to Old Faithful.
This is the junction for West Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Norris, and Canyon.
Do this: Use this as the main service stop between West Entrance and West Thumb. Fuel pumps accept cards 24 hours.
The visitor center and boardwalks are near the main parking areas. Stay on boardwalks in all thermal areas.
Do this: For food, drinking water, or fuel, drive 2 miles south to Grant Village.
The geyser-basin boardwalk is a 0.6-mile loop beside Yellowstone Lake.
Do this: Get food and fuel here before driving toward West Thumb or the South Entrance.
Grant Village is the main service area near the South Entrance and West Thumb.
Do this: Use Fishing Bridge for fuel. Food and lodging are in Fishing Bridge and Lake Village.
Fishing Bridge has the fuel station. Food and lodging are spread between Fishing Bridge and Lake Village.
Do this: Get food and fuel here before driving toward Norris, Tower Junction, or Lamar Valley.
Canyon Village is the service area for the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Do this: Refuel here before Lamar Valley or the Northeast Entrance. Do not rely on mobile service farther east.
This is the junction for Mammoth, Canyon, and the Northeast Entrance.
Do this: Bring food and water. Refuel at Tower Junction before entering the valley.
Do not stop in the traffic lane to watch wildlife. Park fully inside a designated pullout.
Do this: Get food and fuel here before driving toward Norris or leaving through the North Entrance.
Mammoth is 15 minutes from the North Entrance. The Albright Visitor Center is open year-round.
Do this: Carry water. For food or fuel, continue to Mammoth, Canyon Village, or Old Faithful.
Norris is a major road junction. Stay on boardwalks inside the geyser basin.
Summer estimates without long stops. Traffic, wildlife, weather, and road work can cause delays.
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 → 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 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 → 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 → 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.
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.
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.
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.
Every backcountry overnight stay requires a permit. Advance reservations are available through Recreation.gov.
Fishing requires a Yellowstone fishing permit. Watercraft require a Yellowstone boat permit and an aquatic-invasive-species inspection before launch.
Distances are one way unless marked as a loop. Check trail closures.