Travel Guide Yellowstone National Park
How to describe Yellowstone? The task is difficult because the park is so immense and diverse. A guidebook on Yellowstone National Park (sometimes coupled with the Grand Teton) will explain that the name of the park comes from the yellow color of the cliffs of the grand canyon. This particular color is due to the hydrothermal alteration of the iron contained in the rocks. The geothermal activity (hot springs, geysers, mud volcanoes, fumaroles) contributes to the worldwide fame of the park. While it is of great interest to scientists (geologists, volcanologists...), Yellowstone National Park, the oldest national park in the United States and the world (it was created in 1872), is a great place for visitors. Backed by the Rocky Mountains, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are all possible in winter. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the park is a paradise for all wildlife lovers who will be able to observe bison, wolves, pumas, elk and even wolverines. It offers fantastic landscapes that seem completely untouched(Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the numerous geysers, Crescent Hill, Yellowstone Lake...). Finally, history lovers will not be left out: the park has many historical sites and museums, witnesses of a rich and ancient history (Fort Yellowstone, Old Faithful Inn...). From now on, all you have to do is take the famous Grand Loop Road, which crosses the park and links its many points of interest, and discover this mythical park as big as Corsica!
What to visit Yellowstone National Park?
Suggested addresses Yellowstone National Park
When to go to Yellowstone National Park?
When to go to Yellowstone National Park? Summer, which begins with Memorial Day (last Monday in May) and ends with LaborDay(first Monday in September) in the U.S., is the vacation season. Prices go up and crowds flock. However, Yellowstone National Park can be "visited" year-round, so many attractions and opportunities are available. The white blanket that covers the park in winter allows for winter sports (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling...). However, the Grand Loop Road is snowed in and the park is only accessible with specialized vehicles (some roads are even completely closed). In summer, the whole park is accessible, but of course, there are more visitors. However, the park guarantees stable weather, which is not the case in autumn and spring.
Weather at the moment
Yellowstone has a mountain climate with beautiful days in summer but temperatures that drop quickly once the sun sets. Winters are harsh and snowy and the park is not fully accessible during this season. As for spring and fall, the weather is rather unstable and can bring rain as well as snow. Check the opening of roads that may be closed in the event of heavy snowfall.
In a country where the currency is of course the US$, a stay in Yellowstone National Park can be very expensive. Any activity (hike, visit...) will cost you a pretty penny. The same is true for lodging and food. Hoteliers, restaurateurs and tourism professionals take advantage of the high demand (especially in the summer) and "captive" visitors. So if you want to save money, opt for hostels, campgrounds and fast food.
You need a biometric passport to go to the United States. This passport qualifies for the Visa Waiver Program for stays of less than 90 days. To do so, you will have to fill in the ESTA form online at https: //en.usembassy.gov/en/ and pay the administrative fees. Be careful to fill in the form at least 72 hours before and only through the above-mentioned site. Many fraudulent sites offer to take care of this administrative process at exorbitant costs. All you need to enter Alaska is a valid biometric machine-readable passport and a non-refundable round-trip ticket to the United States and no intention of extending your stay.
No particular precautions to take: in the United States, the mandatory vaccines are the same as in Europe or Canada and no one will ask you for them if you come from these countries. Almost everywhere in Yellowstone National Park, the water is drinkable. However, it may be a good idea to alternate between tap water and bottled mineral water.
Also, be sure to check your health insurance before you leave. Medical care in the U.S. is very expensive and free hospitals are overcrowded, with no guarantee of perfect care. In private hospitals, you will be taken care of on the condition that you provide proof of solvency.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Yellowstone National Park? Our advice & tips
There are many tour operators and agencies that offer tours of Yellowstone National Park and the Rocky Mountains, and there are many different options available: bus tours, independent self-guided tours, ranch stays, camping, sports trips, nature observation, and more. The possibilities are varied, but the budget will be substantial!
Visiting Yellowstone National Park on your own is very easy, as long as you are well organized. Remember to book airfare, car rentals, accommodations and activities (when possible) well in advance: it will save you money and make your trip less stressful. It is better to plan a tour than to return to the same accommodation every night. From Europe, it will take you about ten hours and at least 600 € to get to an airport (Jackson Hole in particular), which will then allow you to enter Yellowstone.
Within Yellowstone National Park, there are not many means of transportation and unless you travel in a group (i.e. by bus), you will need to rent a car and obtain an accurate map of the park. As big as Corsica, Yellowstone cannot be covered in a day and you will need to understand the estimated distances and travel times. In winter, snowmobile travel is possible.
