Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first National Park, and was established in 1872.

Guided or unguided, Yellowstone National Park is a unique and amazing place, with adventure waiting around every corner. You will be amazed by the handiwork of Mother Nature. The best wildlife viewing can be found in the early mornings and evenings. One can anticipate seeing elk, moose, bear, eagles, big horn sheep, buffalo, coyotes, swans and pronghorn antelope.

The park is suitable for day tripping from the Jackson area, just be prepared for a long day. There is much to see and do. It is suggested that you bring along a cooler loaded with some ice, snacks and beverages. Be sure to have the camera charged and ready to go. Binoculars or some type of spotting scope will assist in wildlife viewing.

Guided Tours

Having a guide take care of the driving will allow you the time to take in the sights and gain insight into the Yellowstone ecosystem. Guides can provide valuable information about the flora, fauna and geology of the park. Guided tours that provide a picnic lunch, snacks and beverages tend to provide the most flexibility within the tour. At the end of the day when you are tired, you can grab a quick nap on the return trip while your guide takes care of the driving.

*Information regarding winter exploration via Snowmobile or Snowcoach*

Earth Tours, Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, Grand Teton Adventure Company

Unguided Exploration

You can obviously experience Yellowstone on your own, thousands of people do it each day. There are excellent maps available and plenty of rangers, locals and park employees that can provide information about the park. Getting a Gaper Guide can be a great asset while exploring the parks. This dash mounted device works off of GPS waypoints to provide a virtual tour guide. Gaper Guide has convenient locations for pick up and drop off throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Creekside Market & Deli is an easy stop, conveniently located at 545 N. Cache St. when heading North out of Jackson towards the parks. I suggest bringing along food and beverages so that a destination does not need to be reached  to obtain them. You never know what sort of wildlife etc. you may come across when traveling in the parks.

General Information

Maps and information regarding the park will be distributed at the entrance station. Summer is a busy time of year in the park, so an early start is always suggested. This will also increase your chances of viewing some wildlife. Be prepared for some crowds, July daily visitation averages around 26,000 people. Yellowstone is quite large, to tour the upper and lower loops of the park and truly have time to see it all, two days would be most ideal.

Yellowstone is closed to automobile traffic from early November to early May.  Touring the park during the Winter can be done via snowmobile, snowcoach or skis and snowshoes. 

Be prepared and check the weather before you go, Mountain Weather.

Old Faithful Geyser as the eruption wanes.

Admission Fees

A vehicle pass to the park costs $25 for 7 days, which also includes Grand Teton National Park. An annual pass valid for both parks is also available for $50.

Motorcycles are $20 each for 7 days.

Pedestrians and cyclist fees are $12 per individual.

One may also use an Interagency Pass, an annual pass which is good for most federal recreation areas and costs $80.

For more information on exploring Yellowstone National Park or other activities in Jackson Hole, please contact us.