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Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone · Wyoming / Montana / Idaho, USA
The world's first national park: a wilderness epic of geysers and bison
Know before you go
- Never approach or feed bison (people are gored every year)
- don't leave the boardwalks in geothermal areas
- drones are banned.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Established in 1872: Old Faithful's punctual eruptions roughly every 90 minutes, the rainbow colours of Grand Prismatic Spring and the wolves and bison of the Lamar Valley make up the most active geothermal theatre on Earth. It is the birthplace of America's idea of 'wilderness preservation' and was once a hunting ground of Native Americans; Yellowstone is both a place name and a spirit.
Local customs
- Keep 100 yards (91 m) from bears and 25 yards (23 m) from other animals when watching wildlife
- don't feed them
- American tipping culture applies.
Religion & beliefs
- Traditional hunting grounds and sacred lands of many Native American tribes
- be respectful — don't take hot-spring stones, and never leave the boardwalks in geothermal areas (it can be fatal).
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Driving in the US: what to do when police pull you over
- Signal right and pull over safely to the right
- Roll down your window after stopping, before the officer reaches you
- At night, turn on the interior light
- Keep both hands on the wheel and ask passengers to keep their hands visible too
- Getting out and walking towards the police car
- Suddenly reaching for the glovebox, a pocket or under the seat
Sudden movements may be read as a threat and become dangerous. The wording of the rules varies slightly between states.
Not yet verifiedSource: Texas Department of Public Safety driver handbook
Don’t DON'T
- Never approach or feed bison (people are gored every year)
- don't leave the boardwalks in geothermal areas
- drones are banned.
Locals appreciate DO
- Americans appreciate visitors who watch wildlife quietly and don't block traffic
- watching wolves in the Lamar Valley in the early morning and bison crossing rivers in the evening is how locals do it.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Late May–September is best (most roads close in winter) |
|---|
Travel tips
- Late May–September is best (most roads close in winter). Entry is USD 35 per vehicle (valid 7 days)
- under current rules, non-US residents aged 16 and over pay an extra USD 100 each (annual-pass holders exempt)
- book in-park lodging six months ahead
- allow 3–4 days, staying in West Yellowstone or inside the park
- bring warm clothes (big temperature swings morning and evening).
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Lodge meals in the park: bison burgers
- Trout
- American breakfast
In-park lodge meals: bison burgers (farmed, licensed meat), trout, American breakfast, huckleberry desserts / ice cream (a regional speciality)
| Where to eat | Lodge restaurants and General Store simple meals at Old Faithful / Mammoth / Canyon Village, restaurants in West Yellowstone outside the park |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | Absolutely never feed wildlife or approach bears and wolves; store food in your car or bear boxes (camping rules) |
| Typical price per person | USD 22–40 ≈ CNY 156–284 |
| Tips | There are few places to eat in the park and long queues, so bring sandwiches and snacks; in winter only the Mammoth area is open. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Missvain · CC BY 4.0
Photos
Photos
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Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0
Brocken Inaglory · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sources & verification notes
US National Park Service: Yellowstone fees
Compiled from US National Park Service guides to Yellowstone
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