Last Updated on: 26th March 2024, 06:01 pm
Known for its hydrothermal features and wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest parks in the country. Most people visit in summer, but at 7,733 feet (2,357 m) above sea level, temperatures can fluctuate greatly throughout the day. Furthermore, this being bear country, you’ll need to take special precautions to ensure a smooth and safe trip. Assuming you’re visiting in a warmer month, this Yellowstone packing list covers all the essentials.
The following list is divided into three main sections: General Items, Camping Gear and Hiking Gear. While many of the links below are Amazon affiliate links, online shopping is indeed often the best option when it comes to preparing for outdoor trips.
When outdoor shopping in the US, you often just have a few choices: Walmart, which has an extensive product range but with many items that break easily, or REI, which is of higher quality but outrageously overpriced. Online shopping, therefore, is often a comfortable middle ground.
By clicking on the links below, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. But regardless of where you shop, this Yellowstone packing list is intended to make sure you have a hassle-free trip.
For what it’s worth, Jackson, Wyoming does feature a REI. But if you’re coming from Salt Lake City, consider checking out a local outdoor shop there such as Recreation Outlet.
General Items
Yellowstone Guidebooks
Having a physical guidebook can really come in handy when at a National Park – especially one as big as Yellowstone. While I didn’t happen to have a dedicated guidebook to Yellowstone during my trip, I was traveling with a copy of Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 63 Parks.
Even though the coverage of each park was relatively brief, I still found it quite helpful, especially when I needed to refresh my memory about something in a place with no signal.
It turns out that the same author, Becky Lomax, has also written a dedicated Yellowstone guide called Moon Yellowstone & Grand Teton: Including Jackson Hole.
Another guidebook that looks promising, meanwhile is Compass American Guides: Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks by Fodor’s.
Maps
When exploring a park as massive as Yellowstone that also lacks cellphone reception, having a physical map can be very helpful. This foldable map by National Geographic is one of the most detailed maps of the park out there.
Also be sure to get the free Maps.me app on your phone. It works offline, but don’t forget to download the map for Wyoming in advance.
Sun Protection
Sunscreen is a must when doing any outdoor activity in summer. At some of Yellowstone’s larger geyser basins, you may end up walking around for hours, so be sure to apply some in the morning or bring a small container of sunscreen with you in your bag.
Also be sure to bring a hat and sunglasses.
Water Bottle
When visiting in summer, you’ll always want to carry a bottle of water with you, as time can fly by quickly when you’re out exploring. But choosing the right one can be tricky, as you’ll want a size that’s compatible with your bag or day pack.
I’ve been using this 28 oz Contigo water bottle for the last few years and highly recommend it.
Raincoat
You should always be prepared for rain at Yellowstone. But you also probably wouldn’t want to drag a thick and cumbersome raincoat with you, either.
Therefore, consider something light that won’t take up much space in your daypack. This seems like a great lightweight option for men, while this is one of the most popular lightweight options for women.
First-Aid Kit
It’s always a good idea to have a First-Aid Kit handy when exploring a remote National Park. This first-aid kit has everything you need for minor cuts, scrapes and more.
While Yellowstone has an abundance of general stores that will sell what you need, it’s always a good idea to have something in your car in case you get hurt in a remote part of the park.
Bear Spray
You should definitely make a habit of having bear spray on you at all times at Yellowstone. While you can find some good deals online, you’re not allowed to fly with bear spray, so you’ll have to buy it locally unless you’re driving from home.
Most on-site gift shops do sell bear spray, albeit for a slightly inflated price.
Binoculars
You might want to consider bringing binoculars to Yellowstone to better see animals in the distance. Binoculars are an item that haven’t been replaced by modern technology, yet one that few people seem to buy anymore. If you’re purchasing a new pair, there are a few things to consider.
If your binoculars are of too poor quality, you likely won’t end up using them much at all. That’s what happened to me with an affordable pair I picked up in Salt Lake City. On the other hand, it’s only worth buying an expensive pair if you plan on using it multiple times.
For what it’s worth, this affordable pair has thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, while this higher-end pair is also highly rated.
Zoom Lens
If you’re a photographer, be sure to bring a zoom lens for shooting wildlife. If you already have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, I recommend this 70-300 mm lenses by Tamron.
Unfortunately, prices seem to have gone up over the last several years. Nevertheless, they’re still cheaper than many of the first-party zoom lenses out there (at least if you have a full frame camera). While I use a Canon, you should find a version suited for your particular brand.
Warm Clothing
Even when visiting in summer, warm clothing at Yellowstone is an absolute must if you’ll be camping. Give the park’s high elevation, things can get very cold at night.
But even if you’re not camping, be sure to bring some warm clothing anyway, especially if you’ll be doing any exploring in the early mornings.
Camping Gear
Yellowstone National Park is a great place to camp. Even if you’re not that into camping, there are a few good reasons to camp in the park.
First of all, it will save you lots of money, as lodging within the park can go for hundreds of dollars per night. Most campsites, in contrast, can be booked for roughly $40 per night.
Another major reason is that staying within the park will save you lots of time. There aren’t any major town right by the park, so staying inside the park will allow you to see so much more during your visit.
Be sure to check our detailed Yellowstone itinerary for details on which campgrounds to choose.
Tent
When it comes to tents, Coleman is a trusted brand, and this model comes in various sizes depending on how many people you intend to fit inside.
Don’t make the mistake of buying a cheap Ozark tent from Walmart. That’s what I did earlier on in my road trip, but the poles snapped due to wind on the very first night! I ended up needing to buy a brand new tent before my visit to Yellowstone.
Sleeping Bag
As mentioned, Yellowstone can get quite cold at night – even in summer. As such, you might want to consider a cold-weather sleeping bag like this one by Coleman. This compact sleeping bag, meanwhile, is suited for a wide variety of weather conditions.
Sleeping Pad
A sleeping pad is essential for a comfortable camping experience. But they can often be quite expensive, not to mention cumbersome. If you’re not someone who camps all the time, consider getting a cheap one so that you won’t feel guilty about throwing it away after your trip.
Out of all the products that have nearly five stars on Amazon, this is the cheapest foam pad, while this is the cheapest inflatable pad.
Headlamp
A headlamp is vital if you’re camping. While not the cheapest option out there, I’ve been using a Black Diamond headlamp for the last couple of years, and it still works great.
Lanterns
Even with a great headlamp or flashlight, relying on it for everything can be a pain. Lanterns are great to have in your tent and also at your picnic table. This set is very affordable and has great reviews.
Portable Stove
Even if you just want to make coffee, it’s great to have a portable stove with you while camping. I’m a big fan of this stove by Coleman which works with butane gas canisters.
Unfortunately, however, following my purchase, I had the hardest time finding the proper canisters. I went to a Walmart, Target, Lowe’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods, but NONE of them carried the right canisters. Upon the recommendation of a sales staff, I went to a smoke shop and sure enough, they had them!
To my surprise, I did see butane gas canisters at one of the Yellowstone gift shops. But I wouldn’t count on them always being in stock.
Throughout my hunt, I noticed that propane canisters seem to be a lot easier to find. Interestingly, this stove looks very similar and it takes both butane and propane canisters.
Camp Cooking Essentials
If you’re going to cook, you’re obviously going to need a pan, pot, utensils and plates. Unless you’re camping all the time, I wouldn’t worry about going all out with cookware specifically designed for camping.
This cookware set comes with a pot, pan, cups and some plates for a very decent price. But this is one area where you should be fine with cheap Walmart stuff, as it’s unlikely to break.
French Press
If you need your caffeine each morning but can’t stand the taste of instant, consider buying a portable French press. A typical glass one won’t do, of course, as they can easily break.
During my trip, I used a stainless steel French press by Poliviar which was very sturdy and did the job perfectly.
Cooler
Obviously, a cooler is a must if you’ll be doing any kind of cooking at Yellowstone. You’ll be able to find ice at many of the local shops.
What size cooler you buy, of course, is going to depend on how many people there are in your party and how long you’ll be staying. But for many, this 50-quart wheeled cooler by Coleman seems like a great choice.
Foldable Chairs
When it comes to foldable chairs for camping, you can’t go wrong with these chairs by Coleman. But this is another area where you might be better off with cheap Walmart chairs. They were going for as low as $8 the last time I was there!
Power Bank
If you’ll be camping at Yellowstone, you won’t have an opportunity to charge your phone at night. And considering how vital phones are for navigation, you definitely won’t want your phone to run out of juice.
This is one of the most affordable power banks out there and it goes for a very reasonable price.
Earplugs
A major downside of camping at Yellowstone is that you’ll likely be quite close to other campers. If your neighbors are quiet and respectful, then it won’t be a problem. But if they’re not, you’re going to want to sleep with earplugs.
Garbage Bags
When camping in bear country, bear mindfulness is of utmost importance. You never want to leave out food waste, especially overnight. You’ll want to have plenty of garbage bags on hand, as you’ll be constantly cleaning up after yourself.
Fortunately, every campsite is home to multiple bear-proof dumpsters. Otherwise, you can leave your garbage inside your car.
Hiking Gear
Yellowstone is not exactly a hiker’s park. With that said, there are numerous short hikes you can experience in the park, while the Mount Washburn Trail is said to be Yellowstone’s most strenuous.
As many people combine visits to Yellowstone with other parks such as Grand Teton or Glacier, the following items will also come in handy throughout the rest of your roadtrip.
Hiking Boots
As mentioned, Yellowstone doesn’t feature too many strenuous trails, though hiking boots will come in handy regardless. Shortly before my trip, I replaced my older boots with these lightweight hiking boots by La Sportiva. While it’s still too early to tell how well they hold up long-term, I can confirm that they are quite comfortable.
If you’re simply sticking to easier hikes, you should be find in a good pair of tennis shoes, while trail runners are also an excellent choice.
Wool Socks
Hiking boots don’t go well with regular socks. And if you’re new to hiking, you’ll have to invest in some high-quality wool socks.
Annoyingly, however, wool socks can be shockingly expensive at stores like REI. Fortunately, there are much better deals online, and this is one of the best values I was able to find.
While slightly more expensive, these socks have an ‘Anti-Hole Guarantee.’
Trekking Poles
You probably won’t need trekking poles in Yellowstone, though they can come in handy for hikes like Bunsen Peak or Mount Washburn. But if you’re also visiting somewhere like Glacier, you’ll definitely want them.
While high-end trekking poles can be expensive, in many cases, you’ll be fine with something more budget-friendly. These poles by Trekology are highly rated and seem to often go on sale.
Hiking Pants
Alltrails or onX Backcountry Subscription
As mentioned above, Maps.me is a free app that works offline. But if you’ll be doing a lot of hiking in Yellowstone and in other nearby parks, you’ll thank yourself for buying a subscription to either AllTrails or onX Backcountry.
Both apps cost around $30 per year, and paying for a subscription allows you to access specific trail maps offline. Needless to say, this is vital in areas that lack reception.
