Flow, River, Flow

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic wonders. With the arrival of spring, rain and snowmelt rejuvenate underground systems and swell Yellowstone’s rivers and lakes, providing essential moisture for plants, animals, and people downstream.

Yellowstone Lake

Delve into facts about North America's largest high-elevation lake.

Aquatic Ecosystems

Watch a video about the park's aquatic ecosystems, and learn how we are addressing a threat to one of the park's key native fish species

Hydrothermal Waters

Rain and snowmelt that soak underground can eventually emerge hot! Find out how.

Experience Your Yellowstone

An amazing experience awaits you here. In spring, plowing begins and roads and services open for the season on a staggered schedule. Please check the current conditions, operating seasons and hours, road conditions, and lodging and eating options to help plan your visit as best as possible.

A lone person standing on a boardwalk and takes a picture of steaming hot springs.

Things To Do

Explore all the different things there are to do in the park.

View from the top of a building shows visitors standing in a wide arc around a steaming geyser.

Webcams

Watch Old Faithful erupt or see the Upper Geyser Basin, Mount Washburn, Yellowstone Lake, and some of the park entrances.

Four people sitting in campsite in front of a fire laughing and smiling.

Camp in a Campground

Plan a night in one of twelve park campgrounds.

A car drives along a road next to a river, with snow still covering the nearby mountain slopes.

Park Roads

See what's open during our spring season.

Lodging

Plan ahead and reserve a room in one of our many lodges.

Child wearing a winter hat and coat looking out across a deep, aqua-green hot spring.

Kids & Youth

What fascinates you about Yellowstone? Personalize your online adventure of the world's first national park.

Map of Norris Geyser Basin showing a brief description and image of Steamboat Geyser.

Virtual Tours

Virtual explore different parks of the park through interactive maps.

Understand Yellowstone

Yellowstone is as wondrous as it is complex. The park is at the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, where nature and culture abound. Here are just a few highlights for you to learn about the park.

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Duration:: 5 minutes, 35 seconds

Water plays an incredible role in the ecosystems of Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding areas.

An eared grebe floats on the surface of a pond.

Sound Library

Sounds of nature harken the arrival of spring. Immerse yourself in the aural splendor of Yellowstone.

Grizzly bears and ravens feed on a carcass near a couple of ponds.

Cycles and Processes

Many animals migrate seasonally, following the new growth of grasses and other food sources.

A heartbeat graphic is superimposed over a croaking frog and a mountain valley

Yellowstone Science

Yellowstone Science shares in-depth, science-based knowledge about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

The Tukudika Indians

The Tukudika, or Sheep Eater, Indians were a band of Mountain Shoshone that lived for thousands of years in the area.

Interactive map depicting some of the major places in the park.

Kids: Places in Yellowstone

Yellowstone is full of incredible places. Explore the park with this interactive map.

Preserve Yellowstone

The National Park Service works to preserve Yellowstone for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of all people. We are not alone in this endeavor-park partners, volunteers, and visitors all help. Learn how to get involved.