Yellowstone National Park

With its otherworldly geothermal landscapes, geological wonders, and exciting wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is a must visit at least once in your lifetime. The park was established in 1872 and is known as the oldest and most known park in the United States. The park spans across three states with the majority of the park in Wyoming and then running into southern Montana and eastern Idaho. Yellowstone is ripe with adventure and the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Learn more about Yellowstone’s main attractions, seasons, and more below and then start planning your Yellowstone vacation with Roam Properties.

Main Attractions

Fortunately for those staying with Roam Properties, our West Yellowstone vacation rentals are just minutes from the park’s west entrance. Yellowstone National Park is filled with natural wonders.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring is the park’s most photographed thermal feature in Yellowstone, and there’s a good reason why. Grand Prismatic boasts vivid hues of blues, greens, oranges, and yellows – offering a mesmerizing experience. It is the third largest spring in the world and measures 121 feet deep. 

Firehole Canyon Drive

Just outside of Madison Junction, you’ll find Firehole Canyon Drive, a two-mile, one-way road featuring Firehole River, Firehole Falls, and a natural swimming hole. Stop by and admire Firehole Falls, a 40-foot waterfall, along the way. The Firehole River swimming area is only open through late fall into winter due to the water levels but it’s a great place to unwind.

Old Faithful Geyser

Visiting Old Faithful Geyser is a must when roaming Yellowstone National Park. While there are nearly 500 geysers in the park, Old Faithful is the most popular. The geyser is one of the more predictable geysers in the park with about 20 eruptions a day, lasting anywhere from 1.5 to 5 minutes and averaging 130-140 feet in height.

Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center

While technically not in Yellowstone National Park, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center sits just outside of Yellowstone’s west entrance. The not-for-profit center features exhibits such as the Banks of the Yellowstone River Otter Exhibit, Bears: Imagination & Reality, the Naturalist Cabin (Wolves), and the Raptors. It is an opportunity to see bears and wolves up close and appreciate these majestic creatures. 

The Grand Loop

There are many attractions in and around Yellowstone to be explored. If you’ve got plenty of time, jump in the car and take a leisure ride on The Grand Loop. The Grand Loop is a continuous stretch of road that connects most of Yellowstone’s attractions such as Old Faithful, Fountain Freight Road Trailhead, Biscuit Basin, and more. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to spend the whole day in Yellowstone to admire the sights and sounds of the park, this is the best way to do it. 

Seasons

Because Yellowstone National Park is such a popular vacation destination, it does see a large amount of visitors every year. From Memorial Day to mid-August and September, West Yellowstone sees its peak amount of visitors. The winter season begins December 15th and runs through to March 15th. During the winter, you can access the park by guided snowmobile tours and snow coach only.  Mindy, the owner of Roam Properties, takes visitors out on snowmobile tours almost daily all winter long, making your winter Yellowstone vacation planning a breeze!

West Entrance Seasonal Hours and Closures

The West Yellowstone Entrance Station is open from mid-April through October. Entrance station hours vary with longer hours in the summer and shorter hours in spring, fall, and winter. Main roads in the park begin to close down in early November, however, severe weather can cause roads to close at any time of year if they are unsafe to be traveled.

For the most up to date operating hours and seasons, visit the National Park Service website.