Fees:
The entrance fee is $20 for a private, noncommercial vehicle; $15 for each snowmobile or motorcycle; or $10 for each visitor over 16 years of age entering by foot, bike, ski, etc. This fee provides the visitor with a 7-day entrance permit for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Remember to keep your admission receipt in order to re-enter the parks.Commercial bus tours are subject to a separate fee schedule based upon the
seating capacity of the bus.
Sedan, 1-6 passengers: $25, plus $10 a person.
Van, 7-15 passengers: $125 (no per person fee)
Minibus, 16-25 passengers: $200 (no per person fee)
Motor coach, 26 or more passengers: $300 (no per person fee)
Reservations/Permits:
Advance reservations are not needed to enter the park. Annual Area, Golden Access, Golden Age, and Golden Eagle Passports are possible alternatives to the above fees.
Annual Area Pass:
A $40 Annual pass for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks is available. It is valid one year from date of purchase.
Golden Access Passport:
This lifetime passport is available to citizens or permanent residents of the United States, regardless of age, who have been medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled. The passport must be obtained in person and is available at any federal area where an entrance fee is charged. Proof of medically determined blindness or permanent disability and eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law must be shown. The passport admits the holder and any accompanying passengers in a private, noncommercial vehicle to national parks and provides a 50% discount on camping and some other fees. When entry is not by private vehicle, the passport admits the passholder, spouse, and children. The passport is free of charge.
Golden Age Passport:
This lifetime passport is for U.S. citizens or permanent residents 62 years of age or older. A one-time fee of $10 is charged. The passport must be obtained in person and is available at any federal area where an entrance fee is charged. The passport admits the holder and accompanying passengers in a private, noncommercial vehicle to national parks and provides a 50% discount on camping and some other fees. When entry is not by private vehicle, the passport admits the passholder, spouse, and children.
Golden Eagle Passport:
This $50 passport is valid for one year from the date of purchase. The passport may be purchased at any federal area where an entrance fee is charged. It allows the permit holder and any accompanying passengers in a private, noncommercial vehicle to enter all federal parks which charge entrance fees. When entry is not by private vehicle, the passport admits the passholder, spouse, and children.
Commercial Visitors:
Commercial bus tours are subject to a separate fee schedule based upon the seating capacity of the bus.
1 to 6 seats -- $30
7 to 25 seats -- $45
26 or more seats -- $100
Backcountry Reservations and Permits:
Although permits must be obtained in person no more than 48 hours in advance, backcountry campsites may be reserved in advance. Requests for reservations must be submitted by mail or in person. They cannot be made over the phone or by fax. Reservations are booked on a first come, first served basis. A confirmation notice, not a permit, is given or mailed to the camper. This confirmation notice must then be converted to the actual permit not more than 48 hours in advance of the first camping date. Details are provided on the confirmation notice. The reservation fee is $15 regardless of the number of nights out or the number of people involved. The fee is not refundable. To receive the forms to make an advance reservation, write:
National Park Service
Attention: Backcountry Office
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.
Or you may call (307) 344-2160 or (307) 344-2163 to request forms.
Permits and Reservations Made Less Than 48 Hours in Advance:
Because only a portion of the approximately 300 backcountry campsites are available for advance reservations, you may choose to wait until you arrive in the park to reserve your site(s) and obtain your permit. The $15 fee applies only to reservations made more than 48 hours in advance of the start of your trip.
During the summer season (June - August), permits are available 7 days a week between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 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 StationSouth Entrance Ranger Station Tower Ranger Station West Entrance Ranger Station In addition, permits may sometimes be obtained from rangers on duty at the Northeast Entrance, 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.
