Canyon Visitor Education Center

 
Visitors walk toward the entrance of the wood and stone visitor center.
The Canyon Visitor Education Center is an excellent source of park information.

NPS/Diane Renkin

 

Enter the Canyon Visitor Education Center and the world of Yellowstone's supervolcano—an idea that has captured the minds and imaginations of people around the world. See, hear, and learn how the Yellowstone volcano, its geysers and hot springs, and geologic history shape the distribution and abundance of all life found here. Explore these ideas through interactive exhibits, animations, audio-visual productions, and real-time scientific data.

 

Description

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

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Exhibits and Films

  • An orientation film and safety short to help prepare you for your Yellowstone experience.
  • A film on the geology of the park, Yellowstone: Land to Life, reveals how powerful geologic forces from fire to ice have combined to create a unique landscape which supports an abundant variety of life.
  • A room-size relief model of Yellowstone National Park that illuminates and narrates the park's volcanic eruptions, lava flows, glaciers, and earthquake faults on the first floor; from the second floor view, hear tribes associated with the park interpret the park's geology from their perspective.
  • A 9,000-pound, rotating globe illustrates volcanic hotspots found around the world.
  • Exhibits on how magma rises to the earth's surface by heat convection—one of the geologic forces that shapes Yellowstone.
  • Real-time earthquake data that is currently being collected in the park.
  • Murals and enlarged photographs showing the enormity of Yellowstone's glaciers and their lasting effect on the landscape.
  • Detailed panoramas, dioramas, and cross-sections of life in a lodgepole forest and a grassland-habitats made possible by Yellowstone's fire and ice.
 
  • Alaskan Elders: Timeless Tales From the Trail (Open Captioned)

    Yellowstone - Land to Life

    An NPS film portraying Yellowstone's extreme geologic forces as they create unique landscapes that support an abundance of life. Duration: 20 minutes, 27 seconds

    Duration:
    20 minutes, 27 seconds
 

Additional Canyon Area Information

 
Lower Falls plunges into the yellowish-tan canyon.

Canyon Hikes

Hike around the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River to see mountains and canyons.

Skiers moving along a trail cut through the pine forest.

Canyon Skiing & Snowshoeing

Discover the skiing and snowshoeing opportunities around the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

Lower Falls plunges into the yellowish-tan canyon.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River virtually, and plan how to visit in person.

Become a junior ranger of Yellowstone National Park.

Become a Junior Ranger

This is a great way to experience Yellowstone National Park for you and your family.

A young visitor learns about hot springs from a ranger.

Explore as a Young Scientist

Solve science mysteries by combining investigation in both visitor center and field settings.

Visitors sitting around tables eating and kids playing on furniture.

Accessibility in the Canyon Area

Learn about the accessible opportunities and options around Canyon Village and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

 

Canyon Area Knowledge

 
Looking down the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from the Brink of Lower Falls

Canyon Area

Discover all the region has to offer, from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to Mount Washburn.

Trail with construction orange fencing around while rocks are moved into position.

Canyon Area Construction Projects

Learn about current and future closures that are part of the Canyon Overlooks and Trails Restoration Project.

 
Visitors stopping by Fishing Bridge Visitor Center & Trailside Museum

Visitor Centers

Step inside a visitor center and explore the exhibits and interpretive offerings, or talk to a ranger.

Last updated: June 27, 2019

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

Phone:

307-344-7381

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