Visitor center · Yellowstone National Park
A room-size map makes Yellowstone's scale click before you head out.
Overview
Map
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Yellowstone Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Yellowstone National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Yellowstone audio tourRecorded for this place
Canyon Village“Canyon Village is coming up, a useful stop for understanding the landscape as well as getting lunch.”
Plays as you drive up to Canyon Visitor Education Center in the Parkwolf Yellowstone Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“First time driving through a national park. We used the Yellowstone tour on grand loop Road and it’s just like having a tour guide in your car with you.”
Guide
Set in Canyon Village near the middle of Yellowstone’s Grand Loop, Canyon Visitor Education Center is a two-floor orientation and interpretation stop best known for its room-size relief map and exhibits on the park’s volcanic system. If you’re heading to Upper or Lower Falls, I’d stop here first: the map makes the park’s scale easier to grasp, and staff can help you plan where to go next.
Start with the relief map, then follow the story of Yellowstone’s volcano, geysers and hot springs through interactive displays, animation, audiovisual programs and real-time scientific data. The exhibits connect that geologic history to where life thrives across the park. A 20-minute film gives you another concise introduction.
The center provides orientation and ranger-program information, issues fishing permits and has a souvenir shop. Ask staff about nearby waterfall viewpoints if you’re planning the rest of your day. Food is in separate facilities around Canyon Village, so plan on another stop for a meal.
Wildlife
713 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
743 sightingsWolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
5,273 sightingsBisonMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
3,258 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
397 sightingsMooseMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
1,494 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Yellowstone. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
EasyCascade Creek Trail3.4 mi · 2 hr · 0.6 mi awayAn easy creek-and-meadow walk to the Cascade Lake Trail junction.
ModerateHoward Eaton Trail: Canyon to Ice Lake10.7 mi · 5.5 hr · 0.6 mi awayA long one-way traverse past four lakes, meadow, and marsh.
ModerateRed Rock Points Trail0.6 mi · 45 min · 1 mi awaySteep stairs bring you close to Lower Falls.
ChallengingSeven Mile Hole Trail10 mi · 6.5 hr · 1 mi awaySilver Cord Cascade first, then the steep drop to the river.
ChallengingMount Washburn Spur Trail16.2 mi · 9 hr · 1 mi awayFrom canyon rim to Washburn Hot Springs and a 10,219-foot summit.
ChallengingObservation Peak Trail9.6 mi · 5.5 hr · 1.1 mi awayMeadows and a lake lead to a fire lookout above the valley.
EasyCascade Lake Trail4.4 mi · 2.5 hr · 1.1 mi awayFollow open meadows to a lake edged with lily pads.
ChallengingBrink of the Lower Falls Trail0.7 mi · 1 hr · 1.1 mi awayA close Lower Falls view after a steep, stepped descent.
Store · At the trailheadCanyon Yellowstone Adventure StoreA seasonal stop for outdoor gear, fishing supplies and a yogurt bar.
Store · 0.1 mi awayCanyon General StoreA nostalgic burger counter and useful supply stop in Canyon Village.
Gas station · 0.1 mi awayCanyon Gas and Service StationFuel, snacks and vehicle help for the Canyon drive.
Campground · 0.2 mi awayCanyon CampgroundA 273-site, pine-wooded campground near Canyon Village.
Lodging · 0.3 mi awayCanyon Lodge and CabinsA handy in-park base near the Grand Canyon and both loops.
Sight · 0.9 mi awayGrand ViewA broad canyon view, with the river and Lower Falls far below.
Sight · 1 mi awayLookout PointThe Lower Falls fills the canyon from this north-rim perch.
Sight · 1 mi awayRed Rock PointA close Lower Falls view after a steep climb back out.Parkwolf’s Yellowstone ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
