Fort Yellowstone in Yellowstone National Park

Fort Yellowstone

Established in 1891 to literally protect the park.

Plan Around Fort Yellowstone

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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.

Fort Yellowstone Details

It may seem incongruous to have a fort inside a national park, but in its early years Yellowstone was literally under attack by developers, hucksters, and souvenir hunters looking to exploit the park's natural wealth. To protect Yellowstone, the federal government ordered the U.S. Cavalry to the park in 1886. After several years of living in tents at Camp Sheridan, the soldiers finally got permanent housing in 1891 when Fort Yellowstone was established. During more than 30 years of the military presence in the park, Fort Yellowstone grew to include quarters for officers and enlisted men, a headquarters building, a guard house, and of course stables for the cavalry horses. The chapel and several other buildings were constructed of native sandstone. Most of the buildings are still in use as the park's administrative headquarters and the Albright Visitor Center.

Difficulty

Low

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

Region

Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris

Nearby Parks Around Fort Yellowstone

Compare nearby parks around Fort Yellowstone when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

39.2 mi away

Yellowstone

National Park · WY

91.4 mi away

Grand Teton

National Park · WY

290.4 mi away

Glacier

National Park · MT

369.6 mi away

Theodore Roosevelt

National Park · ND

411.6 mi away

Rocky Mountain

National Park · CO

440.6 mi away

Badlands

National Park · SD

Nearby Points of Interest Around Fort Yellowstone

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Fort Yellowstone while the map context is still fresh.

0.1 mi away

Albright Visitor Center

Once the bachelor officer's quarters for the U.S. Cavalry.

0.1 mi away

Albright Visitor Center

Flush toilets are available near the Visitor Center.

0.1 mi away

Albright

Located across the parking lot from the Alrbight Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs.

0.1 mi away

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel

Don't expect luxury: rooms are described as "simple yet comfortable".

0.1 mi away

Lamar Valley Wildlife Tour (Autumn)

Autumn in Yellowstone is a season of sharp mornings, glowing aspens, and wildlife preparing for winter.