Planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park this summer? Before you pack the car and hit the road, rangers want to make sure you arrive prepared. No reservation is needed to enter the park, just your entrance fee or park pass, but just about everything else requires a plan in advance.
Campgrounds and lodging fill up fast and are almost always fully booked. If you show up without a reservation, the nearest place to sleep could be hours away. Cell service inside the park is limited too, so download the National Park Service app with offline content before you leave home.
Once you’re inside, expect crowds. Boardwalks get packed, traffic backs up, and parking is tough. Speaking of boardwalks, stay on them. People have been seriously burned or killed after stepping off the path near thermal features or trying to touch the hot water.
Wildlife viewing comes with rules that are there for good reason. Stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from bison, elk, and other animals. Hike in groups, make noise on the trail, and carry bear spray. Know how to use it before you need it.
Keep food and trash secured at all times. Animals that get into human food can end up being put down. Pull completely off the road before stopping for photos, and always follow the speed limit.
