Accessibility
Many park facilities and major areas of interest, such as Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Canyon, Grant Village, Madison and Norris, have been judged to be negotiable by wheelchair users without assistance. These areas are described in the pamphlet, Visitors Guide to Accessible Features in Yellowstone National Park.[PDF] The guide provides information about wheelchair availability, accessible fishing and backcountry campsites, and special programs offered to disabled persons. It’s also available free at all visitor centers in the park.
Bicycling
Xanterra Parks and Resorts rent bicycles at the Old Faithful location in the park. If you plan to bring one, remember it is subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles. Bicycling is permitted on established public roads, parking areas, and designated routes. Bikes are prohibited on backcountry trails and boardwalks.
Use extreme caution when riding on park roads; roads are winding and narrow while shoulders are either narrow or nonexistent. Vehicle traffic is heavy most of the time. There are no bicycle paths along roadways.
We strongly recommend that safety gear, including helmet and high visibility clothing, be worn by all bicyclists. During April, May, and June, high snowbanks make travel more dangerous. Road elevations range from 5,300 to 8,860 feet (1615 to 2700 meters), and services and facilities are relatively far apart–typically 20 to 30 miles (37 to 56 kilometers).
Motorists frequently do not see bicyclists or fail to give them sufficient space on the road. Drivers sometimes pass on hill crests, blind curves, or in oncoming traffic. Vehicles, especially motor homes or those towing trailers, may have wide mirrors, posing an additional hazard. For more information about bicycling, stop at a visitor center.
For more information, see the Park’s Bicycling Brochure [PDF]
Boat Rentals and Fishing Charters
Outboards and rowboats may be rented (first come, first served) from Xanterra Parks & Resorts at Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. Xanterra also provides guided fishing boats which may be reserved in advance by calling (307) 344-7311. Other commercial businesses are Permitted to offer guided services for canoeing, kayaking, and motorized boating.The Bridge Bay Marina also has boat launching ramps to accomodate people who bring their own boats. Be sure to review the NPS Boating Page if you plan to bring a boat and the Fishing Pages if you plan to fish.
Dining in the Park
Dining facilities are available throughout the park, ranging from fine dining to snack shops and cafeterias. Dinner reservations are required at the fine dining facilities. Inquire at any lodging front desk or dining room host stand when you arrive at the park.
Winter Dining Opportunities
- Mammoth General Store—lunch on weekdays
- Mammoth Hotel Dining Room
- Snow Lodge Dining Room
- Old Faithful Geyser Grill
Summer Dining Opportunities
Restaurants and Cafeterias
- Old Faithful Inn Dining Room
- Old Faithful Snow Lodge Restaurant
- Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria
- Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
- Lake Lodge Cafeteria
- Grant Village Restaurant
- Grant Village Lakehouse Restaurant
- Canyon Lodge Cafeteria
- Canyon Lodge Dining Room
- Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Dining Room
- Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room
Light Meals and Fast Food
- Mammoth Hot Springs: General Store and Terrace Grill
- Canyon: Photo Shop, Snack Bar, and General Store
- Tower Fall Store
- Lake: Hotel Deli and General Store
- Grant Village: General Store and Mini Store
- Fishing Bridge General Store
- Bridge Bay Marina Store
- Old Faithful: Basin Store, Photo Shop, BAC Store, Four Seasons Snack Shop, Pony Express Snack Shop, Lodge Snack Shop
You can find out more about these dining facilities, including menus and photos, HERE.
Gas Stations & Auto Repairs
Yellowstone Park Service Stations offers fuel and services at seven locations throughout the park:
- Mammoth (Open early May to mid October): Fuel, Diesel
- Tower (Open early June to early September): Fuel
- Canyon (Open early May to mid October): Fuel, Diesel, Wrecker, Auto Repair
- Fishing Bridge (Open mid May to mid September): Fuel, Diesel, Propane, Wrecker, Auto Repair, limited motor home service
- Grant Village (Open late May to mid September): Fuel, Diesel, Propane, Wrecker, Auto Repair
- Old Faithful, Upper (Open late May to early September): Fuel, Wrecker, Auto Repair
- Old Faithful, Lower (Open early May to mid October): Fuel, Diesel
Note that the gas station at the Lake General Store (east of the hotel) closed some number of years ago.
Horseback Riding and Llama Packing
Horseback riding is a great way to see the park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts offers horse rides of one and two hours in length which are available at Mammoth, Tower-Roosevelt, and Canyon. Advance reservations are recommended. In addition, they also offer horseback or wagon rides which take visitors to a cookout site for a steak dinner. Advance reservations are required; call (307) 344-7311.
Guided stock trips into the backcountry (horse or llama) may be arranged with one of the stock outfitters licensed to operate in Yellowstone.
Private stock can be brought into the park. Overnight stock use is not permitted prior to July 1, due to range readiness and/or wet trail conditions. Horses are not allowed in frontcountry campgrounds, but are permitted in certain backcountry campsites.
For information on planning a backcountry trip with stock please see the online Backcountry Trip Planner or call YNP’s Backcountry Office at (307) 344-2160.
Laundry Facilities
Tourist laundry facilities are located in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge (2nd Floor right off the elevators), and in campgrounds in Canyon, Fishing Bridge, and Grant Village (in the Camper Services buildings),
Lodging
Lodging in Yellowstone National Park is operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Visit their website for information about accommodations or phone 307-344-7311 or 1-866-GEYSERLAND (439-7375) for reservation information. Accommodations range from rustic cabins to luxury suites. You can find information about the lodging facilities in Yellowstone, including numbers and types of rooms, locations, photos, etc., HERE.
Kennels
There are no kennels within Yellowstone National Park. For a list of kennels in surrounding communities, go HERE. For more information about pets in Yellowstone, see HERE.
Medical Services
Emergency medical services are provided by rangers on duty. Call 911 in case of an emergency.
Medcor operates three urgent-care services within the park. The clinic at Mammoth is open year-round, staffed by a board-certified physician and a team of experienced RNs. The clinics at Lake and Old Faithful are open seasonally (see HERE for locations and schedules).
All of these clinics are open to the public and are staffed and equipped for most medical emergencies as well as for routine care. Services include injury and illness treatment, x-rays, and some lab and pharmacy services.
If in-patient care or advanced services are required, the clinic staff can stabilize patients and arrange for appropriate transfer to a hospital outside the park via ground or air ambulance.
Post Offices
There are Post Offices at the following locations:
- Mammoth Hot Springs – Open year-around excluding holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
- Old Faithful – Open from early-May to late-October
- Grant Village – Open from mid-May to mid-September
- Lake Village – Open from mid-May to mid-October
- Canyon Village – Open from late-May to mid-September
For more information about the Post Offices, including specific locations, photos, etc., go HERE.
Stores and Shopping
Delaware North and Xanterra operate several general stores throughout the park.
| Location/Store | Opens* | Closes | Items Sold |
| Mammoth | |||
| General Store | Year Round | Year Round | Groceries, souvenirs camping & fishing gear. No restaurant/food bar |
| Hotel Gift Shop | Mid Dec Mid May | Early Mar Late Oct | Souvenirs |
| Roosevelt | |||
| Lodge Gift Store | Early Jun | Early Sept | Souvenirs |
| Tower Fall | |||
| General Store | Mid May | Mid Sept | Groceries, mini-restaurant, souvenirs, camping & fishing gear |
| Canyon Village | |||
| General Store | Early May | Early Oct | Groceries, restaurant, souvenirs, camping & fishing gear |
| Outdoor Store | Mid Apr | Mid Oct | Recreation gear, snacks, souvenirs, fast food |
| Lodge Gift Shop | Late May | Mid Sept | Souvenirs |
| Fishing Bridge | |||
| General Store | Mid May | Early Oct | Groceries, restaurant, souvenirs, camping & fishing gear |
| Lake | |||
| General Store | Mid May | Early Sept | Groceries, restaurant, souvenirs, camping & fishing gear |
| Hotel Gift Shop | Mid May | Early Oct | Souvenirs |
| Lodge Gift Shop | Mid Jun | Mid Sept | Souvenirs |
| Bridge Bay | |||
| Outdoor Store | Late May | Early Sept | Recreation gear, snacks, souvenirs, fast food |
| Grant Village | |||
| General Store | Late May | Late Sept | Recreation gear, snacks, souvenirs, fast food |
| Mini Store | Mid May | Early Oct | Groceries, some camping & fishing gear, souvenirs |
| Lodge Gift Shop | Late May | Late Sept | Souvenirs, snacks |
| Old Faithful | |||
| Lower General Store | Late May | Early Oct | Groceries, restaurant, souvenirs, camping & fishing gear |
| Upper General Store | Early May | Late Oct | Groceries, restaurant, souvenirs, camping & fishing gear |
| Inn Gift Store | Mid May | Mid Oct | Souvenirs |
| Snow Lodge Gift Store | Mid May Mid Dec | Late Sept Early Mar | Souvenirs, snacks |
| * If no winter opening/closing times are provided, the store is closed during the winter. |
For more information, including locations, photos, and information about the buildings and contractors, go HERE.
Bookstores
The non-profit Yellowstone Association funds and provides educational products and services for Yellowstone National Park. The Yellowstone Association is the National Park Service’s primary partner in providing educational programs, exhibits, and publications for park visitors and has furnished $8.9 million in support for Yellowstone since its inception in 1933. Their store locations include the world’s largest in-stock selection of Yellowstone-related books, maps, videos, educational posters, and games. All net proceeds from Yellowstone Association sales, memberships, and programs are used to support education in and about Yellowstone National Park.
YA operates several bookstores throughout the park. Each maintains operating hours that roughly correspond to those of the visitor centers they’re in. You can find that information HERE.
- Mammoth Visitor Center & Museum
- Canyon Visitor Education Center
- Fishing Bridge Visitor Education Center
- West Thumb Information Station
- Grant Village Visitor Education Center
- Old Faithful Visitor Center
- Madison Information Station
- Norris Information Station
Transportation Services
Xanterra Parks & Resorts provides bus tours within the park during the summer season. The Lower Loop Tour departs from locations in the southern part of the Park only. The Upper Loop Tour departs from Lake Hotel, Fishing Bridge RV Park, and Canyon Lodge to tour the northern section of the park only. The Grand Loop Tour departs from Gardiner, MT and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel to tour the entire park in one day. During the winter season, they provide several snowcoach tours from various locations. Please call (307) 344-7311 for information or reservations.
Winter Services
Park concessionaires operate lodging and provide other services, including evening programs, snow-coach tours, guided ski and snow-shoe tours, guided snowmobile tours, and wildlife bus tours. Detailed information is available at the visitor centers, warming huts, and front desks of hotels or by calling Xanterra Parks & Resorts at (307) 344-7311.
