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Yell

Yell is one of the North Isles of the Shetland Islands, north of mainland Scotland. It's 20 miles long by 5 miles wide, thinly populated: 966 as of 2011. Most visitors just race across it to catch the ferry to Unst, and from the main road they'll see little reason to linger, just miles of moorland and peat bog. More attractive is the B-road along the east coast passing small farms and crofts, through communities such as Burravoe, Otterswick, Mid-Yell the largest, Gutcher and Cullivoe. Here too are good beaches, with otters, seals and seabirds.

Get in
By boat is the only way in, there's no air service. A ro-ro ferry plies between on Mainland Shetland and  on the southwest corner of Yell. Toft is 25 miles north of Lerwick, simply follow A968 (signposted "North Isles") to its end; but if the weather looks doubtful, check the ferry status display or enquire at the office in Lerwick harbour before setting out. The Yell ferry takes 20 min and sails daily, roughly hourly, from 6:30AM to 10PM. A later sailing is available only if booked, but with that exception you seldom need to book. Until April 2025, the return fare is £2.80 per adult, child or conc £0.80, car £16.50, pay on board outbound. This covers an onward journey same day to Unst or Fetlar, so hang onto your ticket.

Once on Yell, chances are you intend to continue to Unst. Your task is therefore to traverse the 18 miles north to in time for the onward ferry. The main road A968 up Yell's west coast is narrow but by car 30 min should be plenty, factoring in stray sheep and that you need to be on the pier at least five min before sailing. You'll be in a pack of vehicles all trying to do the same thing, acting as a snowplough through the bleating, skittering flocks. By bike, say an hour with the prevailing southwesterly behind you, but maybe two hours if it's in your teeth. If time allows, take the leisurely back road along the more populated east coast.

At Gutcher, queue in Lanes 1 / 2 for Unst, or 3 / 4 for Fetlar. The Bluemull ferry takes 10 min to cross from Gutcher to Belmont on Unst, M-Sat sailing every 45 mins or so, Sun every 90 minutes to 2 hours, from 6:15AM to 20:15AM. However some five or six ferries per day follow a triangle: from Gutcher to Hamar's Ness on Fetlar (20 min) then onward to Belmont, or the reverse pattern. Assuming you started from Mainland Shetland that day, your ticket is already paid; if you started from another island it's the same fare as Mainland-Yell above.

The ferry terminals at Toft, Ulsta, Gutcher and Hamar's Ness are all pretty basic, just small waiting rooms with toilets and a timetable.

Bus 24 runs once M-F afternoon from Lerwick to Toft (via Tingwall, Voe and Mossbank) then crosses on the ferry to Yell and traverses the island to Gutcher, for the ferry to Unst. The southbound bus is around 8:30PM, so residents of the North Isles can day-trip to Lerwick for their necessities, but a day-trip out from Lerwick is not possible by bus. Consider joining an organised tour from Lerwick if you don't have your own wheels.

Get around
The A968 main road runs up the west side of Yell from Ulsta ferry pier via West Sandwick then northeast to Mid-Yell and Gutcher ferry pier. B9082 continues north to Cullivoe and Gloup. The other route from Ulsta is B9081 to Burravoe then along the east coast to Otterswick and Mid-Yell. All these roads are in good condition and usually very quiet, apart from a little surge around the ferry times. The B-roads and lanes are unfenced single tracks with passing places.

Bus 24 / 24Y runs M-F along the main road to Gutcher and Cullivoe. The morning bus is from Ulsta, three midday buses are from mid-Yell, and the afternoon bus is from Lerwick connecting to Unst. Other buses occasionally venture into the back lanes but these are just dial-a-ride or school buses.

See

 * Windhouse is the picturesque shell of an 18th century house, built for the local fishing industry. The gatehouse survives as a böd or hostel, see "Sleep".
 * Wildlife: On any stretch of coast, look for birds, seals, whales and otters. The village of Otterswick is well named as they're common here, best seen at low tide as they scamper amidst the seaweed.
 * , a ship's figurehead, is seen by hiking east to Ness of Queyon. That ship was the Bohus, a barque (three-masted sailing ship) built in Scotland and sold to Germany. In 1924 she was put to use as a sail training vessel but it looks like the students flunked, as she was wrecked here. Her original wooden figurehead has rotted away so what's here now is a fibreglass replica.
 * is the little village at the end of the road on the north coast of Yell. "Gloup" is Old Norse for a ravine, suggestive of the sloshing of the sea in the base of a cleft in the cliffs. There's a memorial to the 58 fishermen of Gloup killed in July 1881 when their boats were overwhelmed by a storm. Ten boats were lost, mostly sixareens, small open boats with a crew of six each taking a single oar. They were frail craft yet often used far from land, and this was not their first such disaster; they fell out of use in the following years. The island seen half a mile offshore is Gloup Holm, with the smaller Clapper partly hidden behind; they're uninhabited.
 * is a sparsely populated island 5 miles east of Yell. A lane runs the length of it: you'll want a car, as the island Bus 29 only runs 3 times a day. It's wild and lonely, with seals and sea-birds. A curious feature is the Funzie Girt, a prehistoric stone wall (probably Neolithic) dividing the island into east and west: its northern section is the best preserved. Stone of the Ripples at Houbie is 2.3 m tall and of unknown date. No fuel or other facilities on the island, self catering accommodation may be available at Fetlar Lodge but for most visitors a day trip will be plenty. See "Get in" above for ferries from Gutcher on Yell to Hamar's Ness on the northwest tip of Fetlar. There are no direct ferries between Fetlar and Mainland Shetland, and no air service.
 * is a sparsely populated island 5 miles east of Yell. A lane runs the length of it: you'll want a car, as the island Bus 29 only runs 3 times a day. It's wild and lonely, with seals and sea-birds. A curious feature is the Funzie Girt, a prehistoric stone wall (probably Neolithic) dividing the island into east and west: its northern section is the best preserved. Stone of the Ripples at Houbie is 2.3 m tall and of unknown date. No fuel or other facilities on the island, self catering accommodation may be available at Fetlar Lodge but for most visitors a day trip will be plenty. See "Get in" above for ferries from Gutcher on Yell to Hamar's Ness on the northwest tip of Fetlar. There are no direct ferries between Fetlar and Mainland Shetland, and no air service.

Do

 * Beaches: two of the best are West Sandwick, and Breckon Sands north of Gutcher ferry pier on the lane towards Gloup.
 * Hikes recommended by Walk Highlands are Burravoe to Heoga Ness, to the White Wife of Otterswick, to Burra Ness broch, to Breckon Sands and Gloup Ness, to Gloup Voe and Scordaback, and to Stuis of Graveland.

Buy

 * Aywick Shop east side is open M-F 8:30AM-8PM, Sa 8:30AM-6PM, Su 2-5PM.
 * Hilltop in Mid Yell is open M-Sa 9:15AM-5:45PM, Su 10:15AM-3PM.
 * Buy a castle, anyone? Brough Lodge on Fetlar is a Gothic shambles built in 1820. It's derelict and in 2023 is for sale for £30,000, but whoever snaps up this bargain will need to spend £12 million to restore it.
 * Buy a castle, anyone? Brough Lodge on Fetlar is a Gothic shambles built in 1820. It's derelict and in 2023 is for sale for £30,000, but whoever snaps up this bargain will need to spend £12 million to restore it.
 * Buy a castle, anyone? Brough Lodge on Fetlar is a Gothic shambles built in 1820. It's derelict and in 2023 is for sale for £30,000, but whoever snaps up this bargain will need to spend £12 million to restore it.

Eat

 * Old Haa Museum has a tearoom.
 * Old Haa Museum has a tearoom.

Drink
Sorry.

Sleep
There's little accommodation on Yell.

Stay safe
This is a remote rural area with few man-made hazards. Dress for the weather and take care of dogs and children near cliffs.

Connect
As of Nov 2021, the mobile signal is very patchy 3G, strongest with Three.

Go next
Ferries from Yell go north to Unst and east to Fetlar, but eventually you have to return south to Mainland Shetland.

title: Yell


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Yellapur

Yellapur is a city in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. It is located in the Western Ghats section of Karnataka.

By bus
Yellapur is located on the state highway between Hubli and Karwar. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has daily buses connecting Yellapur to Hubli, Sirsi, Karwar, Mangalore. Private buses also connect Yellapur to these places.

By train
The nearest railway stations are Hubli, Ankola. Both of them are well connected to all major parts of India.

By plane
There is no airport in Yellapur. The nearest airport is in Hubli.

Get around
Local rickshaws are available. To travel around best option would be to hire a local taxi from any of the travel agents.

Sathodi Falls

 * Sathodi Falls is located at a distance of 25 km from the town of Yellapur. On the outskirts of Yellapura, traveling towards Hubli, is the left turn that leads to Sathodi. Part of the road is an all-weather road but a portion, last 5 km, is a dirt road. Near the end of the rainy season is the best time to visit as the falls will be in full glory and road will be motorable. Using four-wheel drive vehicles or high ground clearance vehicles is recommended for visits during rainy season.

 * A lake called Kodasalli Reservoir is located just few meters before the falls.

Magod Falls

 * Magod Falls is located 19 km away from Yellapura, in the village of Magodu. From Yellapur, travelling towards Ankola, is the left turn that leads to Magod. Here, the Bedthi river takes two distinct leaps to hurtle from a height of 650 ft. into a rocky ravine. Bedthi river originates from Unkal Lake in Hubli. There is no path to get down to the bottom of the falls.

 * Around the falls there are other attractions like, a sunset point called Jenu Kallu Gudda where you can see a beautiful view of the sun set. On the way from Yellapura to Magod falls, there is a lake in the midst of a forest called Kavdi Kere. A temple called Gali Ganapathi 6 km from falls.

Buy
Arecanut and Spices grown locally.

Eat
Vegetarian food available at local restaurants.

Sleep
There aren't many options available to stay. Best would be to stay in Sirsi, which is about 50 km from Yellapur.

Connect
By B.S.N.L (Cellone) mobile phone network.

Go next

 * Sirsi
 * Karwar
 * Dandeli
 * Jog Falls
 * Murudeshwara
 * Udupi
 * Dharwad

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Yellapur


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Yellow fever

Yellow fever is a potentially fatal tropical disease caused by a virus that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Illness ranges in severity from an influenza-like syndrome to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever. Yellow fever can be prevented by vaccination. Travellers to areas with yellow fever transmission should take precautions against exposure to mosquitoes.

Understand
Countries where yellow fever is endemic - with CDC vaccination recommendation (may be abbreviated) as of 2017 in brackets - are below. "High-risk" travellers are a small fraction of travellers whose travel plans or lifestyle expose them to more mosquito bites than average.

Africa

Central America & South America

Vaccination
A vaccine is available which provides immunity for at least ten years. Many countries will require that you be vaccinated against yellow fever if you are coming from a country where it is present or have been in such a country within the last 6 days (the incubation period). If this is the case you will need to present a "World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination" with an appropriately dated certification on the "International Certificate of Vaccination or Revaccination Against Yellow Fever" page to immigration officials. This little yellow booklet will be given to you when you are vaccinated against yellow fever for the first time, which is valid for life. Carry it with your passport: you'll typically present them to immigration officials at the same time.

It is generally easiest to get a yellow fever vaccination in your home country before you leave on your trip. The vaccination is not in the normal vaccination schedules of many countries outside the infected areas since it is unnecessary unless you are travelling and has a somewhat higher risk of complications than many other vaccines. You will need to especially request a yellow fever vaccination from a designated yellow fever vaccination center. Immunity is considered to start 10 days from the time of the vaccination, so be sure to get vaccinated 10 days before you enter an infected country. The vaccine is live and not entirely inactive: many people have mild flu-like symptoms for a couple of days after receiving this vaccine, so it would be good not to be planning anything strenuous in those days.

Depending on how the vaccine is cultivated, you may need to allow about half an hour for a yellow fever vaccination as you will be observed for an allergic reaction after it is administered.

Vaccination requirements
Some countries have mandatory yellow fever vaccination requirements. The exact requirements vary from country to country and may also vary from time to time. The following is a list of countries and territories which had yellow fever vaccination requirements as of 2017 according to the CDC. Countries requiring proof of vaccination upon arrival from all other countries (as opposed to only upon arrival from endemic countries) for all travellers more than one year old are marked below.

Among countries that require it upon arrival from endemic zones, some exclude a few individual countries or regions from this requirement, so look up the details for your specific destination or destinations. Some even require the vaccine if you change planes in an endemic country, even if you don't leave the airport. Others don't count airport layovers, or only care about them if they are longer than a certain number of hours.

title: Yellow fever


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Yellowknife

Yellowknife is the capital city of the Northwest Territories, on the North Arm of Great Slave Lake, on Yellowknife Bay. Yellowknife is the main entry point for visitors to NWT. Many tourists come to experience the Northern climate and traditional lifestyle, and to see the Northern Lights.

Understand
You don't have to fly to Yellowknife, but it's the way most people get there. And if you do, your appreciation of the city will begin even before you reach the ground, as you look down after the long approach over the deep lake and see how it looks as if the city has been clawed out of the taiga. Nature does not give Yellowknife anything more than what humanity has made it. Here, more so than any other city in Canada's North, even in the Arctic, one can see just what an accomplishment it has been to make a livable place here on the far side of North America's deepest lake.

The city gets its name from the Yellowknives Dene, the area's First Nations inhabitants, who lived on the peninsula jutting into Great Slave Lake's North Fork where the city is now. Their name came from their use of copper knives they obtained on trading journeys to the Arctic, where the metal was readily available.

European explorers had known of the Yellowknife and their home since the 18th century, but rarely had any reason to venture, much less settle, there. Gold was discovered in the area during the 1890s, but the deposits were not enough to distract the steady stream of wealth-seekers headed for the Klondike gold fields of Yukon and Alaska at the centre of that era's gold rush. By the 1920s, however, a rough settlement had been established there, as bush pilots found it an excellent staging area, storing fuel supplies there for forays further north.

Yellowknife's modern history begins around 1935. A government survey team taking a second look found gold deposits more extensive than the earlier ones, some of which were practically at ground level where they could be easily extracted. Very quickly, Americans and Canadians impoverished by the Depression came to Yellowknife, building ramshackle log cabins and other ad hoc structures to house themselves and the businesses that came to serve them. Within three years, the people of the boomtown had elected a school board—the first democratic act of self-government in the Northwest Territories.

The outbreak of war in Europe at the end of the decade slowed things down for a while in Yellowknife, but afterwards the miners returned, along with scientists, bankers, government officials, and anyone else who thought they might make their fortune, or at least a life for themselves, north of 60. They couldn't all fit in the small frontier town. The federal government built a post office on the high ground above the lake. Fairly soon after, as intended, a commercial district known as New Town (in contrast to Old Town down on the lake) grew up around it. It soon became a city, and in 1967 became the Northwest Territories' capital, taking over from Fort Smith.

A popular songwriter native to Yellowknife wrote that while the streets there weren't paved with gold, there was plenty underneath the pavement. This later became an unofficial city motto: "Where the gold is paved with streets." That was true, and by the late 1970s there were modern high-rise office buildings. The four-star Explorer Hotel was built on the high ground nearby to give visiting executives an impressive place to stay, and sometimes served as a meeting place for the territory's new legislative assembly.

At the end of the decade the world began coming to Yellowknife. Roads finally connected the city to the rest of Canada, ending its dependence on the bush pilots who had been its first settlers, although it still relied on ice roads across the lake in winter. Prince Charles came to speak at the dedication of the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, the territorial museum. And when the Soviet nuclear-powered Kosmos 954 satellite came crashing to Earth in 1979, the international media reported the story from Yellowknife. Suburban sprawl began to appear in the areas to the south of New Town, around Range Lake.

The territorial assembly moved into its own building in 1982, on the shores of Frame Lake near the Heritage Centre. That would be the peak of Yellowknife's development for some time. The decline in the price of gold on the international markets after the inflationary 1970s ended led to a slow pullback in mining operations. Bathers in Frame Lake were replaced by pollution and leeches. In 1992, during a strike at the Giant Mine, on the outskirts of the city, nine replacement miners were killed when a bomb planted by a striker went off, the deadliest incident of labour-related violence in Canadian history (the miner was convicted two years later). The city began to experience the social problems that follow any decline of a major industry, such as homelessness, increased drug and alcohol abuse, and crime.

Mine after mine closed throughout the 1990s, until Giant itself shut in 2004. The city's literal golden age was behind it, and government displaced mining as the city's largest employer. Even that took a hit at the end of the century, when the eastern two-thirds of the Northwest Territories were split off to become Nunavut, with its capital at Iqaluit on Baffin Island.

But the city was able to reinvent itself, even if it has not been able to completely return to its former prosperity. Tourism, always present in a city surrounded by abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, picked up some of the slack. It got a boost from abroad, as Japanese visitors found it an ideal place to go on dogsled rides and take in the northern lights, even in the coldest of winters. The cable-TV show Ice Road Truckers, focusing on a family business hauling supplies across the lake, put Yellowknife on the 21st-century media map. With the discovery of diamonds in the 1990s, mining has made a comeback, as enough diamond deposits have been found in the area for the city. In total, four major diamond mines have operated within the territory and the city claims itself "The Diamond Mining Capital of North America".

You will probably see that Yellowknife was a lot more, and is a lot more, whether you come during the long summer days with four-hour white nights in between, or the equally short winter days when temperatures stay well below zero and the auroras light up the night sky.

Tourist information

 * Yellowknife Visitors guide
 * Yellowknife Visitors guide

Airport

Air travel, interestingly enough, is one of the oldest ways of getting to Yellowknife (the city was founded in the mid-1930s, and space for float planes can still be found at the Old Town docks).

Airlines
Canadian airlines operating to Yellowknife:

 * Operates seasonally to Yellowknife.
 * Operates seasonally to Yellowknife.

By train
Railways have not been built to Yellowknife, and passenger rail service is not available in the Northwest Territories at all; the nearest freight railway reaches to the town of Hay River on the south side of the Great Slave Lake. One of the nearest passenger stations is in Edmonton, Alberta, thousands of kilometers to the south.

By car
Yellowknife is at the end of Northwest Territories Highway 3 (Yellowknife Highway). From Alberta, travel north on Alberta Highway 35 (Mackenzie Highway), which becomes Northwest Territories Highway 1 (Mackenzie Highway). Continue to follow the highway past the community of Enterprise and the turn off for the community of Kakisa to the junction with North West Territories Highway 3. Follow Highway 3 to the Mackenzie River crossing at Fort Providence. From Fort Providence, follow Highway 3 past Behchoko (formerly Rae-Edzo) to its terminus at Yellowknife.

A permanent bridge across the Mackenzie River opened in 2012, replacing a seasonal ferry crossing or ice bridge which used to be the sole overland route into the territorial capital.

By boat
Yellowknife is on Great Slave Lake. Boating to and in Yellowknife is private (ferries are used at some highway river crossings in the territory, however). There are docks in the Old Town area; one could presumably go across the lake to Hay River or Behchoko in a private boat. The closest destination to Yellowknife is Dettah. The lake drains to the Arctic Ocean via the Mackenzie River.

Orientation
Yellowknife is quite compact, and the main areas of interest can be easily reached on foot. "New Town" is the current downtown core. It is bordered by 47th street to the north, 53rd street to the south, 52nd avenue to the east, and Veteran's Memorial Way (49th Avenue) to the west. Franklin Avenue (50th Avenue) is the main thoroughfare. The corner of Franklin Avenue and 50th Street is considered to be the city's centre.

"Old town", where the city of Yellowknife was founded, is at the base of the hill on Franklin Avenue, on a peninsula that juts into Yellowknife Bay, and on Latham Island. This area is primarily residential, but remains home to some of Yellowknife's oldest businesses.

By taxi
$4.50 flag rate plus $2 per km.

See

 * Aurora Borealis (northern lights) - This is the one thing that you must see (however, it is best seen in wintertime, when the nights are long, and they cannot be seen at all during the short "white nights" around the summer solstice when the sun never dips far enough below the horizon for long enough for it to get darker than twilight). There are many tour companies that offer different ways of seeing the Aurora Borealis, such as by snowmobile, sled dog expedition, photography workshops and tractor rides to various lodges.
 * The many art galleries in town feature the works of local and northern artists.
 * Great Slave Lake
 * Old Town
 * Great Slave Lake
 * Old Town
 * Old Town

Do
Yellowknife is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. There are several scenic walking and hiking trails within the city boundaries. The Ingraham Trail (Highway 4) connects Yellowknife to many lakes, rivers, and hiking routes that draw campers, hikers, paddlers, fishermen and women, and hunters.

The winter months are dominated by winter sports: hockey, curling, skating, cross-country skiing, broomball, volleyball, and indoor soccer.

A small but active amateur arts community brings theatre, dance, and choral works to the community. Apart from some excellent amateur performers, the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC), the main venue for the performing arts, endeavours to bring professional level entertainment.

The Snowking Festival and the dog sled races are annual winter events (occurring in March). In the summer, visitors can take in the Summer Solstice Festival, Raven Mad Daze (with its 24-hour golf tournament), and Folk on the Rocks, a popular music festival in mid-July. Raven Mad Daze is a festival to celebrate the beginning of summer, but it has shrunk in size over the past few years and now features mostly sidewalk sales by local businesses. It's held in Downtown Yellowknife.

Or take a tour from one of the many tour companies around Yellowknife, such as Yellowknife Outdoor Adventures or Becks Kennels. They offer many programs. These include dog sledding, aurora viewing, shoreline breakfast/lunch, wildlife viewing, and fishing trips.

Work
There are many jobs available in Yellowknife, and wages are significantly higher than in the south.

Buy

 * A Canadian diamond
 * A painting by a local artist
 * An Inuit stone carving
 * A hand-made birch bark basket
 * Caribou-skin mittens
 * A northern parka, trimmed with fur
 * A single spring roll from Corner Mart after a night of ogling teenagers at the Raven
 * A world-famous breakfast hotdog from Gas Town (only served until 11AM)

Alcohol

 * The Elks Club hosts scotch night every Tuesday.
 * The Elks Club hosts scotch night every Tuesday.
 * The Elks Club hosts scotch night every Tuesday.

Stay safe
Driving, particularly away from the main highway, may involve long distances without seeing much traffic. Be sure to check the usual summer driving requirements: spare tire, water, etc. In winter, temperatures can drop to -40 °C/°F and colder. Be prepared! Bring a candle lantern for heat, a thermos of hot water, foods such as chocolate or nuts and a heavy blanket, and mitts (not gloves). If stranded, do not leave your vehicle unless forced to. See our page on winter driving for more tips.

Bison are prevalent between the Mackenzie River at Fort Providence and Behchoko. They like to amble on the highway. Take care during night driving along this section.

Do not stop on the Ingram Trail highway to see aurora lights. There are designated aurora viewing parking and pull-off sites along the highway for you to safely see the aurora. Cell phone signal starts to weaken after the 40-kilometre mark on Ingram Trail.

Go next

 * Drive to Dettah on ice road on Great Slave Lake in winter (6.4 km) or around Great Slave Lake in summer (21 km)
 * Drive south along the Mackenzie Highway (5.5 hours) or fly on First Air (40 mins) to Hay River

title: Yellowknife


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Yellow Springs

Yellow Springs is a village in Southwestern Ohio. It is home to Antioch College.

Understand
The Village of Yellow Springs was founded in 1825. It was named for a natural spring rich in iron ore in Glen Helen. Legend has it that if you drink from the spring you will always return.

In the conservative stronghold of Southwest Ohio not far from a major air force base, Yellow Springs has the reputation for being an island of left-wing activism supported by its small liberal arts school, Antioch College. Some locals go as far as to call it the Berkeley of Ohio. When school is in session, people watching is an interesting event given the personalities this college attracts.

The Village offers some of the best dining in the Dayton area, along with several artisan groups and a downtown bustling with side-walk shops. All of this lies a short distance from Ohio's best natural area, including John Bryan State Park and Glen Helen.

The Village can get quite congested on warm-weathered weekends, but nearly all of its attractions are open during weekdays, which offer less in the way of crowds. As of the 2000 census the population was 3,761.

By car
Yellow Springs is on route 68, just 7 1/2 miles south of route I-70. It is approximately a half hour drive from Dayton, and a one hour drive from Columbus. Dayton is serviced by the James M. Cox Dayton International Airport. Columbus is serviced by John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Rental cars are available at both locations.

By bus
The Greyhound bus stops in Springfield, a 15-minute drive from Yellow Springs and too far to walk.

By bicycle
Yellow Springs is accessible by the excellent system of bicycle trails thanks to Ohio's Rails to Trails program. A 10 mile ride south on the trail will lead to Xenia; continuing further takes you to Cincinnati. Parking and access to the trail, are available at the Chamber of Commerce which also houses public restrooms.

Get around
Yellow Springs is 1.9 square miles. The downtown area is easily walkable. It is relatively flat and a great town to get around by foot or on a bike. Bike rentals are available at Corner Cone, at the corner of Dayton and Walnut Streets, during its open season. If you want to visit any of the attractions outside of the town you will need a car. Yellow Springs has limited public transportation through Greene County's GreeneCATS program.

See
"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."

- Antioch College motto

Despite its small size, Yellow Springs punches above its weight in cultural attractions.

Do
There are lots of outdoor activities in and around Yellow Springs.

Buy
Yellow Springs has a plethora of independent shops and artisans.

Eat
Yellow Springs offers many dining options with something to please every palate.

Sleep
There are many comfortable and unique places to stay in Yellow Springs

Go next
The cities of Columbus and Cincinnati are each about an hour's drive from Yellow Springs if you are looking for a more urban setting.

title: Yellow Springs


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Yellowstone Country

Yellowstone Country, or south central Montana, is a place of rugged beauty, with its roaring rivers and snow capped peaks, and is considered by many to be one of the most naturally beautiful places on Earth. It also encompasses cultured cities and historic towns. It is partly in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is one of the last remaining large, nearly intact ecosystems in the northern temperate zone of the Earth. It serves as a gateway for visitors to Yellowstone National Park and as a major migration route for animals coming in and out of the higher areas of the park. Much of the area appears the same as it did when Lewis and Clark explored the area.

Regions

 * Beartooth area – encompasses Cooke City and the northeast entrance to the Yellowstone National Park
 * Big Sky – an area south of Bozeman known for its ski resort, Gallatin River and West Yellowstone entrance to the park
 * I-90 Corridor – the main east–west travel corridor, which includes Bozeman and Livingston
 * Paradise Valley – carved by the Yellowstone River, extending from Yellowstone National Park and broadening out between Yankee Jim Canyon and Livingston. It is populated with small farms and ranches and serves as a major migration route for animals coming and going from the park.

Cities
Yellowstone Country offers a variety of cities and towns as a welcome relief from exploring the areas rugged wilderness. From the bustling Bozeman with its many museums and convenient airport to the quaint Cooke City which isn't much more than a convenient place to dine, refuel and perhaps spend the night after exploring Yellowstone.
 * – magnificent scenery and western culture
 * – the largest city, offering the widest variety of museums, restaurants and shopping
 * – rural county with great hiking and fishing
 * – at the north east entrance of Yellowstone National Park
 * – at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park
 * – historic downtown is a favorite stopping point for visitors
 * – charming town in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains and surrounded by Custer National Forest
 * – at the turn off between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, known for its annual rodeo
 * – a popular entrance with a small airport on the west side of the park

National parks
is a United States National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the world's first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. The park contains 3,472 square miles (8,987 km2), and 3 of the main 5 entrances to the park are in Montana at Cooke City, Gardiner (Montana) and West Yellowstone.

National forests
There are two large National Forests in Yellowstone Country helping to complete the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

Ski areas
There are four different public ski resorts in the area, each with their own unique terrain and character. Check individual websites for current conditions and pricing. The mountains usually open around mid-late December and remain open into April, sometimes May. There are also options for backcountry and heli-skiing.
 * Bridger Bowl. Locally owned and adored, Bridger Bowl has operated as a nonprofit community ski area since 1955. With over 2,000 acres spanning 2,600 vertical feet located just minutes from Bozeman.
 * Big Sky — Montana's largest ski resort located south of Bozeman with a low cost shuttle from Bozeman twice a day in winter.
 * Moonlight Basin Located on the north side of Lone Mountain, which it shares with Big Sky Resort.
 * Red Lodge Mountain basic all around skiing.

Major rivers
The areas rivers are famous world wide for their blue ribbon trout fishing and water sports.

Talk
Although English is the primary language spoken in the area tourists come from all over the world to see the natural beauty of the area and it's not unusual to hear dozens of languages being spoken in public.

By plane
Don't expect a dazzling array of services available from larger airports, just the basics means short waits and not much else. Several smaller landing strips dot the area provide space for small private planes and a few may offer private tours. In a few areas such as Chico Hot Springs the road seconds as a runway so be prepared to pull over as planes obviously have the right of way.

By car
There was a short time when Montana experimented with eliminating its speed limits to help cope with the long distances between towns. This proved to be too risky as drivers that were unfamiliar with the area were taking unnecessary risks. The good news is that its almost impossible to find an area that does not provide breath taking views of staggering natural beauty including the Beartooth Highway which is the section of U.S. Highway 212 between Red Lodge, Montana and Cooke City, Montana. An official National Scenic Byways All-American Road, it traces a series of steep zigzags and switchbacks, along the Montana-Wyoming border to the 10,947 ft (3,337 m) high Beartooth Pass that has been called "the most beautiful drive in America," by late CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt.
 * I-90 connects Billings with Bozeman, Livingston, Butte, Missoula and Idaho.
 * I-89 runs north south through Livingston to Yellowstone National Park
 * Highway 212 leads from Cooke City and Yellowstone National Park and connects to I-90 and Billings Montana via 310 at Laurel (Montana).
 * U.S. Route 191 runs from West Yellowstone through Big Sky Resort area and eventually to Bozeman.

By foot
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (in short Continental Divide Trail) is a United States National Scenic Trail running 3,100 miles between Mexico and Canada. It follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the Rocky Mountains and traverses five U.S. states; Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

By car
It can be a long way between towns in the area so make sure you are aware of your fuel level and weather conditions before heading on the road. Even major roadways can be treacherous due to animals on the roadway so use extreme caution at night. Car rentals are available near major airports for those not driving into the area. The road between Gardiner and Cooke City is the only road open to cars during the winter

By bus
Xanterra Resorts provides bus tours within the park during the summer season. The Grand Loop Tour departs from Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel to tour the entire park in one day. During the winter season snowcoach tours are provided from various locations. Call +1 307 344-7311 for information or reservations.

By bicycle
Cycling in area can be a very rewarding experience, but due to the great distances between towns and extensive mountain terrain some additional planning is necessary to ensure that lodging is available each night. Yellowstone National Park reserves a number of campsites for cyclists, but during the busy summer season it is probably best to reserve sites in advance wherever possible.

See

Although Yellowstone Country is known as the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park and Gardiner Montana is the only entrance to the park accessible by road year round. There are many other wilderness areas locally including Gallatin National Forest which offer many similar hiking and backpacking experiences that are available in Yellowstone but without all of the crowds.

Wildlife viewing
The greater Yellowstone ecosystem home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. Sixty-seven different mammals live here, including grizzly bears and black bears. Gray wolves were restored in 1995. Wolverine and lynx, which require large expanses of undisturbed habitat, are also found in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Seven native ungulate species - elk, mule deer, bison, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and white - tailed deer live here. Non-native mountain goats have colonized some areas and numerous small mammals are found throughout the area. Paradise Valley south of Livingston is a major migratory route for animals coming and going seasonally to the higher elevations in Yellowstone National Park.

Bird watching
Records of bird sightings have been kept in Yellowstone National Park since its establishment in 1872; these records document 330 species of birds to date, of which approximately 148 species are known to nest in the park. The variation in elevation and broad array of habitat types found within the park contributes to the region's relatively high diversity.

Museums and cultural centers
Bozeman has a range of museums that are worth exploring. The American Computer & Robotics Museum is a must-see for anyone with an interest in computers or computing. The Children's Museum of Bozeman emphasizes hand-on activities, learning, and play. The Emerson Center for Arts and Culture puts on art exhibits, classes, and concerts in a historic (1918) school building. The Pioneer Museum chronicles the history of Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. The Museum of the Rockies documents the changes that the Rockies have undergone.

The Carbon County Historical Society Museum in Red Lodge is a popular historical museum.

The Crazy Mountain Museum in Big Timber is a historical museum featuring exhibits that reflect the history of Sweet Grass County and the surrounding area.

In Livingston, the Depot Center of railroad history provides historic exhibits and cultural programs, and the Yellowstone Gateway Museum explores Park County and Yellowstone National Park history.

Rodeo
Yellowstone Country is cowboy country and rodeos are a natural extension of local pride. Cowboys are a common site in the area and although they are more likely to drive a four wheel drive ATV these days rather than a horse, rodeos are a great time to get together and show off their skills and compete with other riders. Check out the annual rodeos in Bozeman, Livingston and Three Forks.

Dude ranches
Although the OTO Guest Ranch near Gardiner has not been in business for over 50 years, it none the less can claim being the first Dude Ranch anywhere as the whole concept of Guest Ranches was developed in Yellowstone Country. A Yellowstone Country dude ranch vacation is a quintessential Western experience. Some are working ranches where guests participate in cattle drives and perform daily chores. Others provide a completely different experience, one with less labor and more glam camping involved. A range of activities are offered, including horseback riding for people of all abilities, fishing trips, archery, cookouts, swimming, hiking and square dancing.

Fishing
World famous area for fly fishing, outfitters can be found in most cities and many towns and rural areas. Ask at local fly shops and check river conditions online. June is high water month due to snow melting at higher elevations so can make rivers treacherous and water muddy and difficult to fish.

There are fishing shops in Gardiner and Livingston.

Kayaking, rafting
Most towns along major rivers will have a variety of rafting outfitters that can provide a safe trip down river. Gardiner and West Yellowstone have a broad range of services for the Yellowstone Rivers Class III rapids.

Hiking
Yellowstone Country offers some of the best hiking and wilderness backpacking in the United States. Check with local forest service offices for details and trail conditions before heading out and maybe more importantly remember to report back to them if you see something noteworthy. A fresh elk kill on the trail could mean that a bear is nearby for example. Know the 10 basics needed for all back country camping and that cell phones are not one of them, cell phones often don't work in rural mountainous areas. Topo maps are also available in local camping and fishing stores.

There are regional forest service offices in Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Big Timber, and South Livingston.

Horseback riding
Its difficult to imagine a more appropriate place than Yellowstone Country to go horseback riding. If only for an afternoon of riding around a high mountain prairie or a weeks long camping adventure deep in the Montana wilderness Yellowstone Country offers plenty of opportunities to ride a horse. Various National Forest trails are designated for horseback and outfitters and ranches that cater to tourists can be found across the region.

Eat
Yellowstone Country is cattle country and meat is on the menu. Search out restaurants that offer wild game such as elk and trout, but beef and buffalo is commonly raised in the area, not the easiest area of the country to find vegetarian options but they do exist especially in larger cities and tourist areas. See individual city listings for particular food recommendations.

Regional food
Look for these locally made foods.
 * Wheat Montana Farms and Bakery- locally made breads from locally grown wheat.
 * Wilcoxson's Ice Cream- Made in Montana since 1912. Available at many local restaurants and utilizes several local flavors.

Drink
Although Montana is not known for its sophisticated variety of drinks, there are a few great regional micro breweries and bars hold an important part of local culture. Even small towns have been known to have several bars available and they often serve as a community hub for the latest news and fishing reports. See individual town pages for specific listings.

Regional breweries
Keep an eye out for local brews from Neptune's Brewery in Livingston and Bozeman Brewing Company. Neptune's has a taproom and restaurant, while Bozeman Brewing has a tasting room.

Campgrounds
The campgrounds within Yellowstone National Park are wonderful but often crowded and over booked during peak season. A nice alternative is some of the many state campgrounds located near the park. Here is a list with their mileage from the various park entrances.

 * North Entrance to Yellowstone near Gardiner
 * Eagle Creek Campground : 2 miles
 * Timber Camp Campground : 9 miles
 * Bear Creek Campground : 9.5 miles
 * Canyon Campground : 16 miles
 * Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone near Cooke City
 * Colter Campground : 7 miles
 * Soda Butte Campground : 6 miles
 * Chief Joseph Campground : 9 miles
 * West Entrance to Yellowstone near West Yellowstone
 * Baker's Hole Campground : 3 miles
 * Rainbow Point Campground : 10 miles
 * Lonesomehurst Campground : 12 miles
 * Cherry Creek Campground : 14 miles
 * Spring Creek Campground : 18 miles
 * Cabin Creek Campground : 22 miles
 * Beaver Creek Campground : 24 miles
 * Red Cliff Campground : 35 miles

Stay safe
Visiting Yellowstone Country is a safe and rewarding experience if common sense and good judgment are followed. Unfortunately this is not always the case so please take the following guidelines to heart.

Roads

 * During the winter, smaller secondary roads are often closed entirely, and even the Interstate can shut down rapidly when the weather turns poor. Verify weather conditions and road status  before setting out, and travel with emergency supplies.  Unpaved roads are typically impassable for over half the year.

Wildlife

 * Though many of the animals in the area are used to seeing humans, the wildlife is nonetheless wild and should not be fed or disturbed. Stay at least 100 m away from bears and 25 m from all other potentially aggressive animals! No matter how docile they may look, bison, elk, moose, bears, and nearly all large animals can attack, and every year dozens of visitors are injured because they didn't keep a proper distance. These animals are large, wild, and potentially dangerous, so give them their space. Be especially cautious while traveling at night as animals (especially deer) are known to wander onto roadways.

Weather

 * The weather can change rapidly and with little warning. A sunny, warm summer day can quickly become a cold, rainy or even snowy experience. Hypothermia can be a concern. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions by bringing along appropriate clothing. Lightning can and does injure and kill people in the area, so watch the sky and take shelter in a building if you hear thunder.

Hiking and camping

There's no reason to fear the mountains, as long as you approach them with proper respect and preparation. As with anywhere else, recklessness and a lack of forethought can get you into trouble, especially in Montana's vast back country. 1.     Navigation 2.     Hydration & Nutrition 3.     Pocket Knife 4.     Sun Protection 5.     Insulation 6.     Fire! 7.     Lighting 8.     First Aid 9.     Shelter 10.    Whistle
 * Altitude sickness - Can lead to dizziness, headaches, nausea, even blackouts and pulmonary edema. Give your body a few days to adjust to the high altitudes before going full throttle with your hiking or skiing.
 * Dehydration - When you engage in strenuous outdoor activities, be sure to replenish your fluids as you go. You may be losing moisture through your mouth and nose and through sweating, but be completely unaware due to the arid mountain air. May result in dizziness, intense thirst and elevated heart and breath rates.
 * Giardia - Drinking untreated water from regional streams is not a good idea owing to Giardia parasites, but tap water is not a problem.
 * Hypothermia - Prolonged exposure to the cold can result in confusion, a slowed heart rate, lethargy, even death. Dress warmly in non cotton clothing to allow any sweat to wick away from your body and evaporate. Otherwise, it may thoroughly chill you later in the day when temperatures drop.
 * Frostbite - During periods of severe cold, your circulatory system pulls all your warming blood into the core of your body to protect your vital organs. This makes your extremities such as your ears, fingers and nose especially vulnerable. Wear a face mask, insulated gloves and other heavy gear on the worst winter days. It gets cold sitting still on those ski lifts!
 * Sunburn - Lather up with sunscreen, even if there's cloud cover. Montana's high elevation means you have less protection to the sun's powerful ultra violet rays. This can be compounded while skiing or snowboarding, when the rays are reflected off the snow and hits the underside of your jaw. Don't forget to wear UV-rated goggles or sunglasses, as well.
 * Know your 10 essentials when going on a hike, because cell phones won't always work in many rural areas, and may not be depended on in an emergency situation.

Crime

 * Finally, with so many people visiting the area each year petty crimes are something to be vigilant against. Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables, especially when leaving your vehicle at trail-heads or anywhere you might be away from your vehicle for any length of time.

Go next

 * Billings to the east is Montana's largest city
 * Butte is to the west and is known for its colorful past
 * Helena, Montana's capital, is to the north
 * Yellowstone National Park has three entrances in the south - Cooke City, Gardiner, and West Yellowstone

title: Yellowstone Country


text:
Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the world's first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. The park contains, mostly within the northwest corner of Wyoming, but with portions extending into the states of Idaho and Montana.

History
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park reserve declared anywhere in the world, by President Ulysses S. Grant. In 1978 it was designated a World Heritage Site. Although it is commonly assumed that the park was named for the yellow rocks seen in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the park's name comes from the Yellowstone River that flows through it, which is in turn named after sandstone bluffs found farther down its course in eastern Montana.

Long before any recorded human history in Yellowstone, a massive volcanic eruption spewed an immense volume of ash that covered all of the western U.S., much of the Midwest, parts of the US east coast, northern Mexico, and some areas in Canada. The eruption left a caldera approximately 34 by. See volcanoes for background; Yellowstone is classed as a supervolcano and its last eruption is thought to have been a VEI-8 event with over 1000 km3 of ejecta, a thousand times more powerful than the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. The Yellowstone super volcano is believed to erupt every 600,000 to 900,000 years with the last event occurring 640,000 years ago. Its eruptions are among the largest known to have ever occurred on Earth, producing drastic climate change in the aftermath.

Landscape
With half of the earth's geothermal features, Yellowstone holds the planet's most diverse and intact collection of geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. Its more than 300 geysers make up two thirds of all those found on earth. Combine this with more than 10,000 thermal features comprised of brilliantly colored hot springs, bubbling mudpots, and steaming fumaroles, and you have a place like no other.

Yellowstone's hydrothermal features would not exist without the underlying magma body that releases tremendous heat. They also depend on sources of water, such as from the mountains surrounding the Yellowstone Plateau. There, snow and rain slowly percolate through layers of permeable rock riddled with cracks. Some of this cold water meets hot brine directly heated by the shallow magma body. The water's temperature rises well above the boiling point but the water remains in a liquid state due to the great pressure and weight of the overlying water. The result is superheated water with temperatures exceeding 400 F.

The superheated water is less dense than the colder, heavier water sinking around it. This creates convection currents that allow the lighter, more buoyant, superheated water to begin its journey back to the surface following the cracks and weak areas through rhyolitic lava flows. This upward path is the natural "plumbing" system of the park's hydrothermal features. Once it reaches the surface, the various colors of the pools are due to different types of bacteria growing in different temperatures.

Flora and fauna

The park is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet, and as a result is an exceptional area for wildlife viewing.

Yellowstone is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. Sixty-seven different mammals live here, including grizzly bears and black bears. Gray wolves were hunted to extinction by 1926, but reintroduced from Canada in 1995, and more than 100 live in the park now, making it one of the best places to see them in the wild. In addition, the park is also home to thriving populations of coyotes and red foxes. Wolverine and lynx, which require large expanses of undisturbed habitat, are also found in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Seven native ungulate species - elk, mule deer, bison, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and white-tailed deer live here. Non-native mountain goats have colonized northern portions of the park and numerous small mammals, including beavers, are found throughout the park.

Records of bird sightings have been kept in Yellowstone since its establishment in 1872; these records document 330 species of birds to date, of which approximately 148 species are known to nest in the park. The variation in elevation and broad array of habitat types found within the park contributes to the region's relatively high diversity.

Glacial activity and current cool and dry conditions are likely responsible for the relatively small number of reptiles and amphibians found in the park.

Yellowstone is home to more than 1,350 species of vascular plants, of which 218 are non-native.

Climate
The weather in Yellowstone National Park can change very rapidly from sunny and warm to cold and rainy, so it's important to bring along extra layers of clothing which can be used as needed. Snow can fall in Yellowstone at any time of the year.

 * Summer: Daytime temperatures are often in the 70s F (25 °C) and occasionally in the 80s F (30 °C) in lower elevations. Nights are usually cool and temperatures may drop below freezing at higher elevations. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons.
 * Winter: Temperatures often range from zero to 20 °F (-20 to -5 °C) throughout the day. Sub-zero temperatures over-night are common. The record low temperature is . Snowfall is highly variable. While the average is $$ per year, it is not uncommon for higher elevations to get twice that amount.
 * Spring & Fall: Daytime temperatures range from the 30s to the 60s (0 to 20 °C) with overnight lows in the teens to single digits (-5 to -20 °C). Snow is common in the Spring and Fall with regular accumulations of 12" in a 24-hour period. At any time of year, be prepared for sudden changes. Unpredictability, more than anything else, characterizes Yellowstone's weather. Always be equipped with a wide range of clothing options. Be sure to bring a warm jacket and rain gear even in the summer.

Visitor information

 * Park website

By plane
The principal airport serving Yellowstone is Jackson Hole Airport, in Grand Teton National Park, near Jackson, and the largest airport in Wyoming. United and Delta serve Jackson Hole year-round, from Denver and Salt Lake City respectively. These airlines plus American and Frontier provide seasonal flights from those cities and eight others across the US.

Other airports with commercial services are at:

 * Bozeman (Montana) . From eight cities year round and more seasonally. During the winter only, Xanterra runs a once-a-day hotel bus from Bozeman; expect to pay $100 per person.
 * Cody (Wyoming), Yellowstone Regional Airport. From Salt Lake City and Denver.
 * Idaho Falls (Idaho) . From six cities.
 * West Yellowstone (Montana) . From Salt Lake City, Jun–Sep only.

By bus
Several bus companies provide service to the areas surrounding Yellowstone National Park, though direct bus routes into the park are limited. Here are some of the primary bus companies that operate in the region:

 * Greyhound - Offers routes to nearby cities such as Bozeman, Montana, and Idaho Falls, Idaho.
 * Jefferson Lines - Provides service to several locations in Montana, including Bozeman, which is a gateway to Yellowstone.
 * Salt Lake Express - Operates routes that connect Salt Lake City, Utah, to various locations in Idaho and Montana, including West Yellowstone.

From these nearby cities, you can often find additional transportation options such as shuttle services or rental cars to enter Yellowstone National Park.

By car
The park has 5 entrances. The nearest cities to each entrance are given.

 * - Accessed from Gardiner (Montana) via US Route 89, from Livingston. This entrance is open all year and leads to the park headquarters at Mammoth Hot Springs,  inside the park boundary. The iconic Roosevelt Arch is at this entrance.
 * - Accessed from Silver Gate and Cooke City via US Route 212 (Beartooth Highway). The entrance and road to Cooke City are open all year, but Route 212 past Cooke City is closed in winter (mid-October to late May).
 * - Accessed from Cody,, via US Route 14/16/20. This entrance is closed in winter (early November to early May).
 * - Accessed from Grand Teton National Park via US Route 89/191/287. This entrance is closed in winter (early November to mid-May).
 * - Accessed from West Yellowstone via US Route 20/191/287, from Ashton, Idaho. This entrance is closed in winter (early November to late April).

By foot
There are an extensive number of trails entering the park on all sides including the 3100 mi Continental Divide Trail.

Fees and permits
All vehicles and individuals entering the park must pay an entrance fee that is valid for seven days. Fees as of 2023 are:

 * $20 - individual on foot, bicycle, etc.
 * $30 - motorcycle or snowmobile.
 * $35 - non-commercial vehicle.
 * $70 - Yellowstone National Park Annual Pass, allows access to the park for one year for a private vehicle.

While in the past entrance fees to Yellowstone also included fees for entering Grand Teton National Park, visitors planning to visit both parks will now have to pay separate entrance fees for each.

Get around

A useful way to orient yourself is to visualize the roads inside Yellowstone as making a "figure-8" shape. The lower loop, West Thumb - Old Faithful - Madison - Norris - Canyon - Lake Village - West Thumb, is about 90 mi around. The upper loop, Norris - Mammoth - Tower-Roosevelt - Canyon - Norris, is about 70 mi around. The park is large.

By car
Most visitors use private vehicles to get around inside Yellowstone National Park. Roads can become very crowded whenever people stop to view wildlife; use pullouts, and be respectful of other motorists to help avoid bear-jams. When snow falls roads may be closed, and during winter months many park roads close permanently.

By bus
There is no public transportation available within the park. Xanterra 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 and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel to tour the entire park in one day. During the winter season snowcoach tours are provided from various locations. Call +1 307 344-7311 for information or reservations.

In addition, during the summer season, commercial businesses offer tours originating from many area towns and cities. During the winter season, some businesses provide snowcoach tours for most park roads or bus transportation on the Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City road.

By bicycle
Cycling in the park can be a very rewarding experience, but due to the great distances in the park some additional planning is necessary to ensure that lodging is available each night. The park reserves a number of campsites for cyclists, but during the busy summer season it is probably best to reserve sites in advance wherever possible.

By snowmobile or snowcoach
Winter is perhaps the most tranquil time to visit the park when there are the fewest visitors. The winter use season of snowmobile and snowcoach travel begins in mid-December and ends in mid-March. Actual opening or closing dates for oversnow travel varies by entrance and will be determined by adequate snowpack and plowing schedules. Visitors wishing to visit the park on a snowmobile or in a snowcoach must either travel by commercial snowcoach or accompany a commercial guide on snowmobiles (private, unguided snowmobiles or snowcoaches are not allowed) which are available at most entrances. Best Available Technology snowmobiles are required, and there is a daily limit on snowmobile and snowcoach entries. Off-road use of snowmobiles and snowcoaches is prohibited.

See
Yellowstone is world-famous for its natural heritage and beauty - and for the fact that it holds half the world's geothermal features, with more than 10,000 examples. Travelers to Yellowstone can view more than 300 geysers (such as "Old Faithful"), pools of boiling mud, and an amazing assemblage of wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves, bison and elk, all while standing on the surface of the Earth's largest known "super-volcano".

The park can be sub-divided into approximately eight major areas, which are organized below as they would be encountered by someone traveling the park in a clockwise direction, starting from the east.

Bridge Bay, Fishing Bridge & Lake
These three regions are situated on the north side of Yellowstone Lake. Recreation options include boating, fishing, and a handful of thermal features.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:

Historical and educational attractions in this area include:

West Thumb & Grant Village

These two villages are on the western side of Yellowstone Lake and offer boating, fishing, and some interesting thermal features, including the "Fishing Cone", a hot springs that bubbles out directly into the lake. The area's name comes from the fact that with a little imagination, Yellowstone Lake looks like a left hand reaching southward, and this area would be the "thumb" of that hand.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:

Historical and educational attractions in this area include:

Old Faithful

Old Faithful is the image people think of when they think of Yellowstone, and the geyser erupts regularly (check the visitor center for estimated eruption times). This area is also home to the iconic and historic Old Faithful Inn, as well as a vast number of geysers and hot springs that are easily accessible via boardwalks.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:

Historical and educational attractions in this area include:

Madison
Madison is midway between Old Faithful and the Norris Geyser basin and offers an array of thermal features.

Norris

South of Mammoth, the Norris area is a home to a vast array of thermal features, including Steamboat Geyser, the world's largest. The area was named after Philetus W. Norris, the second superintendent of Yellowstone, who provided the first detailed information about the thermal features.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:

Historical and educational attractions in this area include:

Mammoth

Mammoth is home to the park headquarters and the impressive calcite terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. This area has numerous services and is a surprisingly good place to see elk grazing on the manicured lawns surrounding the park administrative buildings.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:

Historical and educational attractions in this area include:

Tower-Roosevelt
The Tower area is one of the park's more rugged regions and is a good place for spotting wildlife. The Lamar Valley, east of Tower, is home to one of the park's more accessible wolf packs as well as elk, bighorn, and other large animals.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:

Historical and educational attractions in this area include:

Canyon

The Canyon village is named after the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and offers access to this impressive natural landscape. Recreational opportunities include hiking and wildlife viewing - the Hayden Valley area is probably the best place in the park for seeing bison.

Thermal features and natural attractions in this area include:

Historical and educational attractions in this area include:

Do

Many visitors believe they can visit all 2.2 million acres or 2200 acre thousand km2 of Yellowstone in 1-2 days - all the while staying within sight of their car or tour bus. To truly appreciate this vast park, get off the park roads and paved tourist paths.

Hiking
There are a huge number of day hikes available in the park, and since many visitors travel only to the most popular geyser basins these trails can provide an opportunity to see the park in a more natural setting.

Old Faithful

Norris

Canyon

Buy
Every major village within the park offers food, camping supplies, and souvenirs for sale, although these stores all close during the winter months.

Gasoline and automotive services are available in the following locations:

Eat

Most of the villages sell food supplies and may offer snack bars. The following restaurants and cafeterias are also available:

Drink
Cocktails can be purchased in the lodge restaurants, and lighter beverages can be obtained at the snack bars.

Sleep

While there are an abundance of hotels and campgrounds within the park, they fill quickly in the summer so visitors may also want to consider lodging options in the gateway towns of West Yellowstone and Gardiner.

Lodging
Lodging in the park fills quickly and should be booked in advance. Cancellations are common, so if a particular lodging option is unavailable it is a good idea to re-check frequently to see if it becomes available. Reservations for all lodges and cabins in the park can be made through Xanterra Parks & Resorts or by calling (307) 344-7311. All park accommodations are non-smoking and, reflecting the natural surroundings of Yellowstone, televisions, radios, air conditioning, and Internet hook-ups are not available. During the winter the only lodging within the park is the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and the Mammoth Hotel. Getting to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge requires traveling over snow-covered roads, which usually means reserving a seat on the snowcoach at a cost of about $150 per person.

Camping

Campgrounds may fill by early morning, especially during peak season (early July - late August). Recreational vehicles over should make reservations since there is a limited number of RV sites available in Yellowstone. Large RV sites are at Flag Ranch, Fishing Bridge RV Park and West Yellowstone. Reservations should be made well in advance and/or campsites should be secured as early in the day as possible.

Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and Tower Fall are operated by the National Park Service and do not accept reservations; all sites are first-come, first-served.

Backcountry
Permits are required for all backcountry camping, and quotas are placed on the number of people that may use an area at a given time. The maximum stay per backcountry campsite varies from 1 to 3 nights per trip. Campfires are permitted only in established fire pits, and wood fires are not allowed in some backcountry campsites. A food storage pole is provided at most designated campsites so that food and attractants may be secured from bears. Neither hunting nor firearms are allowed in Yellowstone's backcountry.

Permits may be obtained only in person and no more than 48 hours in advance of your trip, although backcountry sites may be reserved through the mail well in advance for a non-refundable $20 reservation fee. To reserve a site, download the reservation form from the Backcountry Trip Planner, call +1 307 344-2160, or by writing: Backcountry Office, PO Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.

During the summer season (Jun-Aug), permits are available 7 days a week between 8AM and 4:30PM at the following locations:

 * Bechler Ranger Station
 * Canyon Ranger Station/Visitor Center
 * Grant Village Visitor Center
 * Lake Ranger Station
 * Mammoth Ranger Station/Visitor Center
 * Old Faithful Ranger Station
 * South Entrance Ranger Station
 * Tower Ranger Station
 * West Entrance Ranger Station

In addition, permits may sometimes be obtained from rangers on duty at the East Entrance and Bridge Bay Ranger Station. However, these rangers have other duties and may not be available to provide assistance at all times.

During the spring, fall, and winter seasons, ranger stations and visitor centers do not have set hours. To obtain a Backcountry Use Permit during these seasons, check the office hours posted at the nearest ranger station or visitor center.

Stay safe
Yellowstone has some hazards related to volcanic activity. There are also hazards from dangerous animals.

Wildlife
Though many of the animals in the park are used to seeing humans, the wildlife is nonetheless wild and should not be fed or disturbed. According to park authorities, stay at least 100 yards/meters away from bears and wolves and 25 yards/meters from all other wild animals! No matter how docile they may look, bison, elk, moose, bears, and nearly all large animals can attack. Each year, dozens of visitors are injured because they didn't keep a proper distance. These animals are large, wild, and potentially dangerous, so give them their space.

In addition, be aware that odors attract bears and other wildlife, so avoid carrying or cooking odorous foods and keep a clean camp; do not cook or store food in your tent. All food, garbage, or other odorous items used for preparing or cooking food must be secured from bears. Treat all odorous products such as soap, deodorant, or other toiletries in the same manner as food. Do not leave packs containing food unattended, even for a few minutes. Animals which obtain human food often become aggressive and dependent on human foods, and many can suffer ill health or death from eating a non-native diet. A short film about food safety is now mandatory before a back country permit will be issued.

Thermal areas

It is illegal to swim or bathe in thermal pools. There is a designated swimming area along the Firehole River near Madison Junction. Always stay on boardwalks in thermal areas. Scalding water lies under thin, breakable crusts; pools are near or above boiling temperatures. Every year visitors traveling off trail are seriously burned, and people have died from the scalding water. Park rangers can also issue $130 fines for being out of bounds, or much more if there is any geological damage. Serious violations can result in the visitor being banned from the park, or even facing criminal charges.

It's common to get sprayed with fine mist from the geysers, though. You don't need to worry about being burned, as the water has traveled a sufficient distance to cool down, provided you're within the designated areas. (Mist can't retain heat for more than half a second.)

Beware, glass lenses (such as eyeglasses and camera lenses) may be permanently damaged by the high mineral content of the water in the mist. For cameras, clear glass filters can provide inexpensive protection for high-priced lenses (be sure to have some replacements). If water from a thermal feature gets on a vulnerable lens, it must be washed off immediately. If no clean water is available, you can try – no, this is not a joke – licking the lens. If you try to wipe off the geyser water with a cleaning cloth (without rinsing the lens first), you risk grinding the suspended minerals into the glass of the lens, and scratching it. For eyeglasses, use safety goggles over glasses. These are quite cheap, and available at hardware stores.

Yellowstone Lake
This is one of the largest, high-altitude bodies of fresh water on the planet. The Lake is large enough to have its own weather effects, and conditions can change rapidly. More than a few fatalities have occurred on the lake, when boaters fell victim to weather conditions that went from calm and sunny to violent storm in a matter of minutes. East of West Thumb Geyser Basin, near Lake Village, there is a marina where boats are available for rental from a Park concessionaire.

Hiking
Know your 10 essentials when going on a hike, cell phones (mobile phones) won't work in most areas of the park, and may not be depended on in an emergency situation.
 * 1) Navigation
 * 2) Hydration & Nutrition
 * 3) Pocket Knife
 * 4) Sun Protection
 * 5) Insulation
 * 6) Ability to make fire
 * 7) Lighting
 * 8) First Aid
 * 9) Shelter
 * 10) Whistle

Weather
The weather can change rapidly and with little warning. A sunny, warm day can quickly become a cold, rainy or even snowy experience even in summer. Hypothermia can be a concern. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions by bringing along appropriate clothing. Lightning can and does injure and kill people in the park, so watch the sky and take shelter in a building if you hear thunder. If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes; it'll probably change.

Other concerns
When camping, either filter, boil, or otherwise purify drinking water. Assume that even crystal clear waters may be polluted by animal and/or human wastes, and intestinal infections from drinking untreated water are increasingly common. Iodine tablets are not as effective as other methods but are readily available at local stores and easy to bring on a hike.

Finally, with so many people visiting the park each year petty crimes are something to be vigilant against. Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables, especially when leaving cars near trail heads or other areas where you might be away from your car for any length of time.

Law Enforcement
As a US National Park, Yellowstone is subject to US Federal Law. Generally, permits (such as for fishing) issued by surrounding States are not valid in the Park. If a visitor is cited for an offense while in the Park (such as speeding, feeding wildlife, failing to secure food in a campsite, etc), the fine must be paid immediately. The visitor is then free to make their case to the court at the Park Headquarters in Mammoth Hot Springs.

Go next

 * Grand Teton National Park (WY). Yellowstone's southern neighbor is famous for its dramatic mountain vistas and its alpine lakes. The road connecting the two parks is closed during winter (early November to mid-May).
 * West Yellowstone (MT). This town is most notable as a gateway to the park, with all the motels, services, and kitsch that park visitors require.  West Yellowstone is the most convenient non-park lodging option for those planning to visit the Old Faithful area.
 * Gardiner (MT). Just north of the park, Gardiner is another border town that provides lodging and service options.  It is the most convenient non-park option for those wanting to be near the Mammoth area of Yellowstone.
 * Cody (WY). About from the park's east entrance, this town offers a Wild West atmosphere in addition to lodging and service options.  The Cody rodeo runs during the summer and the Buffalo Bill museum provides an excellent collection of old West artifacts and western art.
 * Virginia City (MT). Historical gold mining town of the old west. About 90 min from West Yellowstone, and halfway to either Butte or Bozeman, Montana. In the town of Ennis, be sure to turn right at Main St. onto Montana Hwy 287, and stop following the US highway of the same number.
 * Idaho. There are no roads in the small Idaho portion of the park, and very few visitors ever venture in. However, if you want to visit southern Idaho next, exit through West Yellowstone, and follow US Hwy 20. The first major city is Idaho Falls (just over 100 mi).

title: Yellowstone National Park


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Yellville

Yellville is a city of 1,200 people (2019) in the Ozarks region of Arkansas. Flippin is 7 mi NE of Yellville.

title: Yellville