Yellowstone National Park occupies 2,221,766 acres in northwestern Wyoming, overlapping into Montana and Idaho. Terrain has been characterized as broad dissected plateau interrupted by several mountain ranges. Highest relief is along the northern and eastern borders. Elevations range from 1,620 m (5,314 ft) where the Yellowstone River exits the Park on the north boundary, to 3,000 m (9,840 ft) and higher at mountain summits on the eastern and northern boundary. Highest elevation is 3,462 m (11,358 ft) at the summit of Eagle Peak on the southeastern Park boundary.

The National Park is remote from any major source regions. The nearest population centers are the Idaho Falls/Pocatello Idaho located 120 miles and Helena, Montana located 140 miles north-northwest. The Naughton and Bridger coal-fired power plants located in southwestern Wyoming are 200 miles to the south. Nearby emission sources may include smoke from natural and anthropogenic burning.

Visibility impairment occurs more frequently in summer months. During the summer, haze corresponds to higher levels of organic material attributed to regional wildfires.

In wintertime, poor visibility corresponds to higher levels of nitrates and sulfates. Research continues to evaluate the impact of snowmobile engines on wintertime air quality in the park.