Although an entrance pass is required to enter Yellowstone National Park, vehicle reservations are not needed. You are encouraged to purchase an entrance pass before arriving to save time, but you may also purchase passes at any entrance station upon arrival.

Good to know: The reason why we recommend doing the trip this way instead of doing the Lower Loop of Yellowstone one day and the Upper Loop the other day, is because it gives you more time to explore the Upper Geyser Basin on one day and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on the other day.

Both of these areas have a lot to offer and they are both located along the Lower Loop. So if you visit them both on the same day, you’ll have to rush through them.

• Avoid July, go in june

• Avoid mid-day(10am-4pm) when crowds are the worst, utilize the early morning and late afternoon-evening hours instead

• Hit mid-way and the lower Geyser basin early morning

• upper geyser basin at sunset(old faithful, black sands, biscuit

• Old faithful at sunrise

• go wildlife watching in the morning and evening when animals are more active

• Park early

• stop at picnic areas for restroom breaks. Other places have long lines