Are you dreaming of the geothermal wonders, the vast wildlife, and the untouched beauty of Yellowstone National Park? You’re not alone! As one of America’s most cherished national treasures, Yellowstone beckons adventurers from around the globe. But how do you get to this natural paradise?
This guide is your roadmap to how to get to Yellowstone National Park. Join us as we explore the various ways to get there, ensuring your journey is as memorable as your time in the park itself. Let’s dive into the details and make your Yellowstone adventure a seamless and exciting experience with nationalparkshop’s team!
Contents
Where is Yellowstone National Park located?
Yellowstone National Park is primarily located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho. The park covers an impressive 3,472 square miles (8,987 square kilometers), making it one of the largest national parks in the United States. Approximately 96% of Yellowstone is situated in Wyoming, with 3% in Montana and 1% in Idaho.
How to get to Yellowstone National Park? The park features five entrances: North, Northeast, East, South, and West. Each entrance provides access to different areas of the park and its many attractions. Understanding where the entrances are located can help you plan your route and ensure you don’t miss out on any of Yellowstone’s wonders.
>> What State Is Yellowstone National Park In?
How to get to Yellowstone National Park?
So, how to get to Yellowstone National Park? Getting to Yellowstone National Park is an adventure in itself, with several routes and transportation options available depending on your starting point. The park is accessible from multiple gateway communities, including Gardiner and Livingston in Montana, Cody in Wyoming, and Jackson Hole in Wyoming. Each of these towns offers various amenities such as car rentals, lodging, and dining options, making them convenient bases for your Yellowstone exploration.
For those flying into the region, from the airports, shuttle services are available to transport visitors to nearby towns like West Yellowstone and Gardiner. Additionally, during the summer months, several companies offer bus services that connect these airports directly to the park entrances.
Once you arrive at Yellowstone, having a car is essential for getting around the expansive park. However, during winter months, most roads are closed to private vehicles, and visitors must rely on snowcoaches or guided tours to access areas like Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs.
For those looking for a more relaxed experience, the Yellowstone Shuttle Service operates during the peak season, providing free transportation to key points of interest within the park. This service helps reduce traffic congestion while allowing visitors to enjoy the stunning scenery without the stress of driving and parking.
>> You can refer to some of the following directions: Bozeman To Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park To Yellowstone
Best Airports Near Yellowstone National Park
How to get to Yellowstone National Park by Fly? Here are the nearest airports for you:
Yellowstone Airport
Yellowstone Airport (WYS) is a seasonal facility located one mile from the heart of West Yellowstone, Montana. It operates during the months of June through September. Delta Airlines, along with its affiliate SkyWest Airlines, provides flights from Salt Lake City. This airport is the nearest one to Yellowstone National Park.
- It is 3 miles away from the West Entrance.
- The travel time from the West Entrance is approximately 7 minutes
Jackson Hole Airport
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is situated close to Jackson, Wyoming. It operates throughout the year. Delta, American Airlines, and United provide services at the airport. In the summer, flights come in from various locations across the United States. For the rest of the year, incoming flights are primarily from Salt Lake City, Denver, and Dallas/Fort Worth. The Jackson Hole Airport is unique as it is the only airport within a national park.
- It is 71 miles from the South Entrance.
- The driving time from the South Entrance is approximately 1 hour.
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is situated close to Bozeman, Montana. This airport operates throughout the year and is the most frequented airport in Montana. Airlines such as Delta, American Airlines, United, Frontier, Allegiant, and Alaska Airlines provide services at this airport. JetBlue operates summer flights. Year-round, there are direct flights available from many locations across the United States.
- The distance from the North Entrance is 91 miles.
- The driving time from the North Entrance is 1.5 hours
Bert Mooney Airport
Bert Mooney Airport (BTM) is situated in Butte, Montana. The airport operates throughout the entire year. Delta Airlines provides service to the airport with flights connecting through Salt Lake City. It is named after Bert Mooney, who was the inaugural pilot to deliver mail into Yellowstone National Park.
- The distance from the West or North Entrance is 146 miles.
- The travel time from the West or North Entrance is approximately 2.5 hours
Billings Logan International Airport
Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) is situated in Billings, Montana. This airport operates throughout the entire year. It is the second-largest airport in the state of Montana. Airlines that operate at this airport include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Cape Air, Delta, Frontier, and United.
- The distance to the Northeast Entrance is 129 miles.
- It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from the Northeast Entrance.
>> How Many Days Need For Yellowstone National Park?
Public Transport to Yellowstone
So how to get to Yellowstone National Park by Public Transport?There is no public transportation available to or within Yellowstone National Park. This absence is a significant drawback for visitors and contributes to congestion and traffic problems in the park.
The nearest train station is Amtrak’s Salt Lake City station. From there, various companies provide 5-day tours of the park that include all transportation and lodging.
Greyhound Bus Lines can take you to Bozeman, Montana, but there is no public transport from Bozeman to the park.
In winter, Xanterra provides shuttle services from Bozeman to the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins.
Driving to Yellowstone National Park
Accessing Yellowstone National Park is possible through five entrance roads, with two of them open throughout the year. To reach the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, travel south on US-89 from I-90. For the Northeast Entrance, take US-212, known as the Bear Tooth Scenic Highway, from the northeast. Throughout the year, roads connecting these two entrances remain open, although access to areas beyond Cooke City, Montana, near the Northeast Entrance is restricted during winter.
During the peak season, three additional entry points are accessible. The East Entrance can be reached by heading west on US-16 from Cody, Wyoming. To get to the South Entrance, follow US-89/US-191 north through Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway. Lastly, for the West Entrance, take US-20 east through the town of West Yellowstone, Montana.
For personalized directions from your current location, you can use the interactive map provided below. The marker indicates the Albright Visitor Center, which is located in the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone.
>> Yellowstone National Park Weather Forecast: Month-by-Month
Official Park Maps of Yellowstone
Conclusion
Alright, We’ve journeyed together through the various pathways, pondered the best times to visit Yellowstone, and considered the many modes of transport that can whisk you away to the geothermal wonderland that is Yellowstone National Park. I hope that this exploration has clarified how to get to Yellowstone National Park and sparked a real sense of excitement for your upcoming trip. Remember, the journey is just as much a part of the adventure as the destination itself, so take your time, enjoy the scenery along the way, and prepare to be utterly mesmerized by the raw beauty that awaits you – I’m certain you’ll be planning your return trip before you even leave! Happy travels!
FAQ
What major airport is closest to Yellowstone National Park?
The nearest significant airport to Yellowstone National Park is Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). It takes approximately 5 hours to reach the park’s west entrance from SLC.
What is the address to Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park does not have a single address. GPS devices and Google Maps usually indicate each of the park’s five entry points. However, no specific physical address exists. If you don’t see a marker for the entrances, the GPS coordinates are provided below, along with the addresses for Yellowstone’s Visitor Centers.
What is the best way to get to Yellowstone National Park?
If you’re within a 12-hour drive of Yellowstone, consider taking a road trip. For those further away, it’s better to fly to a nearby airport and rent a car. Make sure to compare rental car rates and flight costs from the closest airports to Yellowstone to find the best deal.
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