As the gates to Yellowstone National Park swing open to another busy summer season, the park’s team has dropped their Top 10 Things to Know Before You Go, and lucky for you, we read the whole thing so you don’t have to.
Whether you’re a seasoned geyser gawker or a first-timer wondering if the Grand Prismatic Spring is a cocktail (it’s not), here’s your local-friendly breakdown of how to enjoy the park safely, smartly, and without becoming part of a viral “tourist gets too close” video.
1. No Reservations Required — Just a Good Attitude
You don’t need a reservation to enter the park. But you will need patience — with other visitors, with traffic, and especially with the guy who parks sideways to photograph a squirrel.
2. Check the Roads (Seriously, Check Them)
Yellowstone roads are like Wyoming spring weather: unpredictable and possibly under construction. Before you load up the Subaru, check the current road status.
3. Book Everything Ahead
Campgrounds and hotels book up faster than a Jackson Hole après-ski happy hour. Don’t wing it, plan ahead, check operating hours, and yes, you’ll need permits for things like fishing and boating.
4. Give Wildlife Room — Like, Way More Room
Yes, that bison looks majestic. No, it doesn’t want a selfie.
Rule of hoof: 25 yards from most wildlife, 100 yards from bears and wolves. We like our readers alive. Don’t be that guy.
5. Park Like You’ve Done It Before
Use pullouts, follow speed limits, and for the love of Yogi Bear, don’t stop in the middle of the road to take photos. You’re not in a safari van.
6. Stay on Boardwalks
Yellowstone isn’t a giant hot tub. The ground can (and will) collapse under you or worse. Stay on boardwalks and paths. The Instagram post isn’t worth a third-degree burn.
7. Download the NPS App
Grab the free National Park Service app before you head out and download offline content, because…
8. You’ll Probably Have Zero Service 📱
Expect limited cell reception. It’s nature’s way of telling you to look at the waterfalls, not your phone.
9. Weather is a Wildcard
June snow? July hail? August frost? Yep. Dress in layers and pack for all possible weather conditions.
10. Go Beyond the Geysers
Check out ranger talks, Indigenous-led events, or the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center. It’s all free and way cooler than just standing in line for Old Faithful snacks.
Bottom line: Yellowstone’s still wild, still wonderful, and still best enjoyed with a little prep, a lot of respect, and maybe a granola bar or two.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
