Yellowstone information for your trip
This is your source for any information about Yellowstone you may want to know before your trip as well as commonly asked questions about Yellowstone Recreation Co.
Yellowstone Recreation Co. FAQ
How long do your tours last?
All of our listed tours run about eight hours. Tours sometimes run over eight hours due to bison jams, other wildlife in the roadway, bear jams, or road work.
What should we bring on the tour?
Yellowstone’s climate is extremely varied. Daytime temperatures in the summer can be quite warm while morning and evenings can be very cold. In the winter it’s generally always quite frigid. The best approach to handling this is to dress in layers which can be added or removed to adjust to changing temperatures. It’s also a good idea to bring a waterproof outer layer in case of rain. Our road-based sightseeing tours do disembark to explore hydrothermal areas, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and other significant areas, exposing us to the elements.
In addition to proper clothing, a daypack, water bottle, and a camera are some other great ideas for packing. Yellowstone is at high elevation, meaning it’s important to stay hydrated. Keep in mind, if bringing a camera on a hike, that rain is a possibility, so some form of waterproof casing is highly recommended. In the summer months bug spray is also a great addition to your pack.
We provide lunches on all of our tours, so bringing along your meal is not necessary, but snacks are a good idea. Lastly, park entrance is not included in the price of our tours. Many of our guests already have an annual National Park pass, so including the price in the cost of the tour would not benefit many of our guests. We recommend getting either a Yellowstone park pass or an annual pass to all National Parks prior to the start of your tour. If you do not have a pass at the start of the tour a pass can be purchased at the entrance.
If you have any medications you need or may need access to we encourage you to bring them as well.
What's for lunch?
All of our lunches are prepared fresh and brought along on the tour in a temperature controlled cooler. We offer a choice of a ham, turkey, or veggie hummus wrap. All meals also include chips, fruit, and a cold drink.
We are happy to accommodate any allergies, vegetarian, and vegan dietary requirements.
Can I book over the phone?
You can book here on this website, over the phone, or contact us through email. If you have any questions about Yellowstone Recreation Co. or our tours feel free to contact us via email or phone. We’re always happy to talk to our customers and help with any issues. Our phone number is 1 (406) 641-0662.
What's your cancellation policy?
We offer a full refund up until 24 hours before the start of the tour. In the event of operator cancellation we will offer a complete refund regardless of the time before the start of the tour.
I am staying in west Yellowstone, canyon, old faithful, etc.
Can I be picked up here?
We are based in Gardiner, MT at the North entrance to Yellowstone. All of our public tours begin and end in Gardiner MT. If you are staying elsewhere and want to join one of our public tours you will need to meet us either in Gardiner. Our private tours offer pickup in Gardiner, Mammoth, and Canyon. If you are staying somewhere else please reach out and we can find the best location to meet to make the best use of your and our guides time.
Information About Yellowstone National Park
Where is Yellowstone?
Yellowstone is primarily located in the Northwest corner of Wyoming, but is also partially situated in Idaho and Montana.
How big is Yellowstone?
Yellowstone is a whopping 2.2 million square acres. That’s 3,471 square miles, or 8,991 square kilometers for our metric friends. That’s big enough to house all of Rhode Island and Delaware with room to spare.
How big is Yellowstone?
Yellowstone, often called the crown jewel of the National Park System, is the first national park, having been established in 1872. Yellowstone is also regarded as the first National Park in the world.
Is Yellowstone a volcano?
Yellowstone National Park sits atop an active volcanic hotspot capable of producing ‘super’ volcanic eruptions on a scale never seen in human history. There have been three such eruptions within the park’s current boundaries, resulting in the formation of three massive craters. Heat from this hotspot is the reason Yellowstone has such an incredible concentration of hot springs, geysers, and other hydrothermal features. In short, yes, Yellowstone is a volcano.
Is Yellowstone a volcano?
Despite making a great click-bait headline, no, Yellowstone is not ‘overdue’ for an eruption and there are no indications one is imminent. It is probable that Yellowstone will erupt again in the future, but any such eruption is likely thousands of years away and would be preceded by observable indicators which scientists monitor for.
How many geysers and hot springs are in Yellowstone?
Over half of the world’s hydrothermal features (geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots) are in Yellowstone. There are over 10,000 hydrothermal features in the park including over 500 geysers.
What animals live in Yellowstone?
Yellowstone is home to an incredible diversity of animals. Yellowstone’s prairies, river valleys, forests, and mountains provide an immense variety of ecosystems for life. Large ungulates, such as bison, elk, moose, pronghorn, and deer are plentiful in the park. Yellowstone is also home to a variety of large predators such as black and grizzly bears, wolves, coyotes, wolverines, and mountain lions.
The park also has an incredibly diversity of small mammals and birds, as well as populations of native fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
Are bears dangerous?
Bear attacks in Yellowstone are exceedingly rare and are usually the result of individuals not following the principles of safety in bear country.
Safety in bear country is paramount. Observing standards such carrying bear spray, storing food properly, and traveling in groups helps ensure safety in bear country. All of our tours follow the principles of safety in bear country to protect both ourselves and the incredible bears of Yellowstone.
Any more questions? Contact us below.
Contact us
Ready to experience the park in person?
Our guides are equipped to provide you with all the Yellowstone information you need to enjoy your time in the park and your tour with YRC. Openings for the upcoming season are starting to fill up, so make sure to book yours soon.