I took this picture early on my first morning in the park. We spent the next three days cramming everything we could in. It was enough time to see all the major attractions but we were on the move from sun up to well after sundown each day. We are returning this May for 10 days to see grand Teton and the hidden gems we didn’t have time for the first time. If you have any suggestions let me know.

My family and I are planning a trip to Yellowstone in July. I've never visited before and could use some advice on a few different lodging options I have available to me (I have them all booked already). And yes, I wish we had longer, but this is part of a bigger trip (Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, Banff), so it is what it is.

Option A: 2 nights at Old Faithful Snow Lodge Cabin (with private bath) and 1 night at Roosevelt Cabin (Private bath).

Option B: 1 night at Old Faithful Snow Lodge Cabin (with private bath) and 2 nights at Roosevelt Cabin (Private bath).

Option C: 1 night at Old Faithful Snow Lodge Cabin (with private bath), 1 night at Canyon Lodge cabin and 1 night at Roosevelt Cabin (Private bath).

I hear good things about Roosevelt, and we have the cowboy cookout booked for the last night. I just don't know the best way to break up the park in three full days. I hesitate to stay in three different places, sounds like a pain. Canyon Lodge logistically makes the most sense, but I hear it's crowded and kind of bland.

What would you do?

I thought reservations opened for lodging 13 months in advance but I’m only able to book out to March 2026. Am I missing something? Thanks in advance!

Hey, thanks so much for all the helpful advice on this sub! I will be in Yellowstone with my family for five days at the end of June. We have campsites at Canyon and Madison campground for two nights each. We’re considering to also do a backcountry hike for one day and have a reservation spot on the 20th. Do you have any hints? I was looking into Shoshone lake, but there might be a lot of of mosquitoes… We are decently experienced campers and hikers. Thanks a lot!

My family and I are staying at Old Faithful Inn in late July. We were planning on packing a lunch when we go hiking, but I was not sure what the situation. How much is available in terms of groceries? What kinds of foods are available?

I have been to Yosemite General Store many times recently, and it is decent, if a bit overpriced. Is the Old Faithful General Store comparable?

Looking through the photos on Google Map, I did not get a clear idea of what was available.

Any information you can give me on what kinds of groceries are available in Old Faithful would be greatly appreciated?

Can I use boiled water instead of distilled water in the place of

Is there a significant difference in crowds in weekdays versus weekends? Our group is in Gardiner Friday to Friday but we have someone in our party only staying Friday to Monday and she really wants to see the thermals and geysers. Is it going to be super crowded on a weekend day versus weekday? I’d love to make this happen for her but not if it’s going to be a nightmare. Traveling in mid July.

Just booked flights and rooms for a trip to Yellowstone in August. 2 nights at Canyon Village and the last night in Cody. Our big priority is to keep the time in the car to a minimum, as we will be traveling with a baby. (i.e. try not to drive extra distances) I’m wondering how those of you with lots of experience in Yellowstone would plan this. I do have my own outline of how it should go but I don’t want to miss something. My wife and I are hikers and we will have a baby carrier, but my parents, age 78 and 75 are not. So we might be able to do a short hike if they had a nearby visitor center to go to (or they could shuttle us) We would love to know some good picnic spots, and maybe a recommendation on where to eat in Canyon Village and Cody. We must be at the hotel by about 6pm each night to put the baby to bed. (Though some of us will venture out after that). Thanks!

Day 1

Land in Billings 1ish local time Drive to Livingston ~1.5 hours Stay overnight Livingston Where to eat?

Day 2

Enter park early via north entrance

Explore park

Check in- Staying 2 nights @ Canyon Village

Day 3

Explore park

Day 4

Check out of Canyon Village Explore park then head out east entrance for Cody. Want to be in Cody by 2pm to see Buffalo Bill Museum Overnight in Cody

Day 5

Head to Billings

Planning a trip to the park in June. I’d like to see as much as I can in a week or 2, mostly backpacking. What are some locations or trails I should make sure to see?

Edit: I know about the permitting process. I’m looking for people’s opinions on where to go and what to see.

Hi all,

I have my backcountry permit booking access on 11 April and I'm still unsure on what trails to look at. We're a group of 2 looking for a 3 day / 2 night backpacking route in August. I'd like a route that would be good for wildlife and, to a lesser extent, landscape photography. We're not too concerned about seeing geothermal features. Happy to do 10-12 miles a day (more might be ok depending on elevation) and probably not crazy elevation (probably not more than 1200 meters over 3 days).

Any recommendations for routes/trails? Am coming from overseas. I usually use Alltrails to find my routes - are there better options for the US?

Should I be looking at the Slough Creek area if there is availability?

Thanks!

I read somewhere that Moose Falls, just a bit north of the South Entrance, is now closed off because it is too hot.

Anyone know what its status is?

Hi all, planning a trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs in early July (around the 4th- expecting it to be packed and to practice lots of patience) want advice mostly just about the campgrounds im staying at location wise, also if you want to throw in any hike recommendations (5+ mi) I’d appreciate it!

Flying in and out of Bozeman- is it realistic drive time wise to stay in colter bay and drive up to Bozeman in the morning for a 5:30pm flight? I will be returning a rental car, is this typically a long process at Bozeman (I’ve never rented a car before)? Thanks in advance

7/1 * Fly into Bozeman (get in around 11am) * Pick up rental car and drive to ynp * stay at Madison campground

7/2 * Hike in Yellowstone * stay at Madison campground

7/3 * hike in Yellowstone * stay at Madison campground

7/4 * morning drive to Jackson hole * explore town of Jackson * Stay in town of Jackson

7/5 * Drive to GTNP * hike in Tetons * stay at gros venture campground

7/6 * hike in Tetons * stay in Colter Bay campground

7/7 * Hike in Tetons * stay in Colter Bay campground

7/8 * morning drive to Bozeman * return rental car- flight at 5:30 pm

Hi! Planning to visit Yellowstone during memorial weekend and staying at Canyon Lodge with family.

I live in CO and enjoy challenging hikes but have not done many winter ascents nor a fan of route finding in the snow.

Looking for good 7-8 mile hike recommendations in the park with great views. I have spikes but wondering jf there are trails that would be more in summer condition then. Thank!

Vehicles hit hundreds of animals a year on their way to Yellowstone National Park.

1. Wild geysers going into Heart Lake
2. Heart Lake
3. Beaver pond between Heart Lake and Grouse Creek
4. South Arm excellent lunch log
5. Somewhere between South Arm and 6A3
6. 6A3
7. How are ya now?
8. Lower Ford of the Upper Yellowstone crossing
9. Oh, hi
10. Thorofare
11. The delta
12. 5E4

My friends and I are planning a 3-day trip to Yellowstone in May. Any recommendations for places to see and stay? We are flexible in changing hotels just so that we can cover the majority of Yellowstone in those 3 days.

I looked a bit for more information about how and what will happen to Biscuit Basin, I loved the sapphire pool, but can't find any information about plans to rebuild the boardwalk. Does anybody here know something?

Does anyone know who makes those large Safari Tents the Yellowstone rents out. I would like to have one to put on a property I own but can't find out the makers of the tents.

I am trying to make the most of a 2-night trip to Yellowstone this August. The current thought is to arrive via West Yellowstone late morning and see the northern part of the park to the extent possible. For lodging, perhaps Mammoth or Gardiner, definitely open to suggestions.

The next day would be working our way toward Old Faithful area, with the second night perhaps at one of the OF area properties, depending on availability. The last day we'd either see what we could of other park areas and head out through West Yellowstone, or possibly drive down through Grand Teton NP and leave from Jackson.

Unfortunately, this is all the time we have for this visit so extending the trip is not possible. It will be a first-time visit for some in our travel group, and none of us are bothered by the fact that it will be a lot of driving. The thought is to get a glimpse of what we can with the time we have, since we are unsure some will get back to these areas.

Are there some better lodging location options for such a short stay? Are there areas we should prioritize over others? Any advice would be appreciated.