The Best GPS Units for Yellowstone National Park & Beyond: A Buyer's Guide for Road Trippers and Backcountry Explorers
- Eric Beuning
- Apr 23
- 4 min read
Yellowstone’s vast and remote landscapes are stunning, but they’re also notorious for poor cell signal and tricky terrain. Whether you’re driving through iconic sites like Old Faithful or venturing into the untamed backcountry, having a reliable GPS unit can make or break your experience.
To keep you dialed in on everything the first national park has to offer, I thought I’d take a closer look at the best GPS units for exploring Yellowstone National Park. Including options for road navigation, off-grid hiking, back country hiking and units that are compatible with the ultra-popular GuideAlong app.
Why You Need a Dedicated GPS in Yellowstone
Unless you’re at one of Yellowstone’s major attractions, the cell phone reception in the rest of the park is only slightly better than being in a cave. Especially in areas like Lamar Valley, Tower Junction, and the Bechler region where wildlife viewing is at its best. While offline maps help, they’re no substitute for a dedicated GPS unit with features like:
Turn-by-turn directions without signal
Topographic maps for hiking and camping
Emergency SOS and location sharing
Waypoint tracking and breadcrumb trails
Best GPS for Driving Yellowstone’s Scenic Roads
When looking for the best GPS units for Yellowstone, I prioritized models that pair well with the Guide Along app and have value outside of just helping you get around the national park system. I also picked out a few models that are better for road navigation and others that are better tailored for back country camping to help you pick the one that best fits your specific needs.
The Garmin DriveSmart is arguably best for road navigation. It works beautifully in tandem with GuideAlong, which uses your phone’s GPS to provide narrated audio tours. All you have to is mount your phone or the Garmin Drive Smart 66 and let the GPS guide your route.
Key Features of the Garmin DriveSmart 66
Best for Road Navigation
Approx. $250
GuideAlong Compatible (via smartphone)
6-inch high-resolution screen
Built-in Wi-Fi and voice control
Live traffic and weather updates (when connected to phone)
Buy the Garmin DriveSmart 66 Here and get the companion friction mount.
This is the ultimate tool if you're planning to camp in Yellowstone’s backcountry zones like Heart Lake, Shoshone Geyser Basin, or the Thorofare region.
I went on a wilderness retreat with a friend who had one and I was impressed with how easy it was. I also admit that the satellite connection and SOS features helped me sleep a little easier just in case something happened while we were backcountry camping.
Key Features of the Garmin GPSMAP 67i
Satellite Messaging + Topo Maps
Built-in inReach® technology for SOS and text via satellite
Multi-band GNSS tracking for accuracy in canyons and forests
Long battery life of up to 180 hours in GPS mode
Preloaded with TopoActive Maps for rugged terrain navigation
The Garmin eTrex 32X is a great entry-level GPS for casual hikers who still want the peace of mind of GPS navigation in remote area. It’s arguably the best budget backcountry GPS money can buy, and I wouldn’t want to hike off trail without at least it in my arsenal. However, the short battery life probably isn’t ideal for a multi-day backcountry camping trip.
Key Features of the Garmin eTrex 32x
Lightweight and durable
2.2” sunlight-readable screen
Preloaded TopoActive maps
MicroSD slot for custom maps
Long battery life (25+ hours)
The Garmin Montana 700 is the best all-arounder GPS I’ve found. Perfect if you're mixing driving and trekking and want one device for both worlds. You can easily load it up with Yellowstone GPX trails, waypoints, and more. So, it has functionality beyond just a Yellowstone bucket list vacation.
I tagged along with a buddy of mine on a deer hunting trip and he had one of these. I have to admit to small case of GPS envy due to the glove functionality of the Garmin Montana 700i. If you’re going to explore Yellowstone during the cold months of the year, or you’re looking for a special gift for a hunter in your life, this GPS is perfect.
Key Features of the Garmin Montana 700
Best Dual-Use for Driving, Hiking, and Hunting
Rugged touchscreen + inReach®
5-inch glove-friendly display
Turn-by-turn driving navigation and topographic mapping
inReach® satellite SOS
Waterproof IPX7 rated
What About the GuideAlong App?
The GuideAlong app (formerly GyPSy Guide) is wildly popular for Yellowstone and offers narrated driving tours that sync with your GPS location. While it’s a smartphone app, it can be used offline as long as you’ve downloaded the content in advance.
Guide Along App Compatibility Tip
All Garmin DriveSmart and Montana units can be used alongside GuideAlong. The GPS unit navigates the road, while your smartphone runs the app for storytelling and site insights.
Pro Tip: This dual device setup lets you use the GPS unit for directions and the GuideAlong for tour narration, for the ultimate Yellowstone experience. This is a lifesaver for me as my daughter loves to hold onto the phone with the app, but I want something to drive by with proper road insights, and trail value.
Final Thoughts on a Yellowstone GPS Device
A trip to Yellowstone is a bucket-list adventure. Whether you're cruising through Lamar Valley or hiking deep into the wild on a back country camping adventure, a dedicated GPS unit offers security, efficiency, and peace of mind.
Pair one of these top-rated devices with smart route planning and the GuideAlong app, and you’re set for a seamless, memorable experience in America’s first national park. Unless you’re very accomplished at orienteering with a compass and a topographical map I wouldn’t dare hike more than 100 yards off trail without a GPS.
Best All-Around GPS for Driving, Hiking, & Back Country: Garmin Montana 700
Best GPS for Driving Yellowstone: Garmin DriveSmart 66
Best Budget-Friendly GPS for Yellowstone: Garmin eTrex 32x
Best GPS for Prolonged Backcountry Camping: Garmin GPSMAP 67i
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