You are here

Negotiating Yellowstone

Yellowstone can easily be divided into five geographic regions. Mammoth Country covers the northwestern corner of the park, Roosevelt Country sprawls across the northeastern corner, Canyon Country is just south of Roosevelt Country and takes in the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, Lake Country covers the southeastern portion of the park, and Geyser Country lies near the park's southwestern corner.

Map of Yellowstone National Park / NPS file

Within Mammoth Country you'll find delicate limestone terraces crated by minerals deposited from the water of hot springs.

Travertine terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park / Rebecca Latson

Tour Roosevelt Country and not only will you find the sprawling Lamar Valley but also thick forests and rushing rivers.

Bison in the Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park / Rebecca Latson

Canyon Country, along with encompassing the two waterfalls, also claims the expansive Hayden Valley with its bison herds.

An Artist Point view of Lower Yellowstone Falls, Yellowstone National Park / Rebecca Latson

Within Lake Country is Yellowstone and Heart lakes, two large bodies of water that attract bald eagles, white pelicans, moose and bear.

West Thumb Geyser Basin hydrothermal features along Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park / Rebecca Latson

Geyser Country contains the Upper, Middle, and Lower geyser basin. A sub-category of this region is the extreme southwestern corner of the park, known as Casade Corner for its many waterfalls.

Steaming hydrothermal features on Geyser Hill at Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park / Rebecca Latson

Connecting the five main regions is the Grand Loop road, a figure-eight shaped route that connects with the park's entrances at Gardiner, Montana; West Yellowstone, Montana; Cooke City, Montana, and near Cody, Wyoming, and Jackson. Wyoming.

As this 154-mile-long (248 km) loop winds through the park's interior it links together Yellowstone's lodging accommodations at Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake, Canyon, and Tower.

If you are driving a gasoline-powered vehicle, there are stations in the gateway towns just outside of the park (Gardiner, West Yellowstone, and Cooke City, MT, as well as at Cody, WY). There are also stations within Yellowstone, at Mammoth, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Fishing Bridge, and Tower/Roosevelt Junction.

If you are driving an electric vehicle (EV), there is a charging station at Yellowstone Forever in Gardiner Montana, and at The Gray Wolf Inn and Suites, 250 S Canyon St., and the Holiday Inn, 315 W Yellowstone Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. Tesla stations are also located in West Yellowstone. Within Yellowstone National Park, there are public charging stations at:

  • Mammoth Hot Springs: In front of the Haynes Photo Shop; and behind the Northwest corner of the Mammoth Hotel.
  • Old Faithful: At the Old Faithful Lodge Cabins (Lower Loop), outside of Showerhouse 1.
  • Canyon Village: In front of both Rhyolite and Washburn lodges.
  • Lake Village: In front of Teal employee dorm.
Yellowstone National Park

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.