What’s the Best Way to Get to Yellowstone?
- Eric Beuning
- Feb 26
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 23
Yellowstone National Park essentially has four main entrances, each with its own unique flair and attractions you’ll find along the way. Where you’re driving or flying in from will have a major influence on which of the four Yellowstone entrances is best for you. Some like the Northeast Entrance are not as RV friendly as the West, and South entrances.
North Entrance to Yellowstone
Also known as the Gardiner Entrance, as it’s near the town of Gardiner, this is where you’ll find the iconic Roosevelt Arch. You get there from the quaint town of Livingston, through the Paradise Valley on US Highway 89.
It’s a picturesque drive that will connect you to Interstate 90. If you’re not staying in the Paradise Valley or Livingston, it’s arguably not the most efficient way to get to Yellowstone.
Attractions Near Yellowstone’s North Entrance
Several attractions near Yellowstone’s north entrance might make it your ideal entry point.
Roosevelt Arch
Located just outside the North Entrance, this historic stone arch, dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, marks the gateway to Yellowstone.
Mammoth Hot Springs
One of the park’s most famous thermal features, Mammoth Hot Springs has terraces of steaming, mineral-rich water flowing over travertine formations. You’ll also find the Albright Visitor Center and a chance to see Yellowstone’s resident elk.
Undine Falls
A scenic, three-tiered waterfall easily accessible from the road, offering a stunning view of Lava Creek tumbling down a 60-foot drop.
Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone
They really should call the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone the Beartooth Pass Entrance as you have to drive the famous mountain pass to get there. It's my preferred way to enter the park for the first time. I like to spend the night in Billings the night before, then drive the Beartooth Pass in the morning with the sun at my back.
Admittedly this is a challenging drive, but you're rewarded with some of the best mountain vistas in the lower 48.
However, I wouldn't advise it if you're driving a camper, travel trailer, or fifth wheel into the park. The climbs are tough, and some of the switchbacks are tight. And you don't want to be "That Guy" slowing traffic and blocking the road.
Attractions Near Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance
I honestly believe Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance offers some of the best vistas and wildlife-watching opportunities. Along with the following, Yellowstone Canyon is also within reach of this entrance.
Lamar Valley
Often called the "Serengeti of North America," this valley is one of the best places in Yellowstone to see bison, wolves, elk, pronghorn, and bears, especially at dawn and dusk.
Trout Lake
A short but scenic 1.2-mile round-trip hike leads to this peaceful lake, which is great for spotting cutthroat trout, otters, and breathtaking reflections of the Absaroka Mountains.
Tower Fall
One of Yellowstone’s most famous waterfalls, this 132-foot cascade tumbles over rock formations near Tower Junction. A short walk leads to an overlook with a fantastic view.
Petrified Tree
A rare, well-preserved petrified redwood tree that offers a glimpse into Yellowstone’s prehistoric past. It’s an easy roadside stop with a short walk.
The East Entrance from Cody
If you're coming to Yellowstone from the East and towing a camper or trailer, the East Entrance on HWY 14 from Cody Wyoming is the best option. Especially if you're staying at Canyon Village, Fishing Bridge or one of the other campgrounds in that area.
You still have to go over some mountains and navigating the park can take some time. So it makes sense to stay in Cody the night before if you can't get to Cody before 4:00 PM local time.
That's all right, as there's a lot to see and do in Cody. It's literally a town that was started for and survives on tourism.
Attractions Close to Yellowstone’s East Entrance
The following are some of the most popular attractions you’ll find on the way from Cody through the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
Sylvan Pass
A dramatic mountain pass at 8,530 feet, offering stunning views of craggy peaks and alpine forests. It’s a great place to spot bighorn sheep and bears. Just be mindful to keep your eyes on the road if you’re towing an RV through this area.
Sylvan Lake
A small, picturesque alpine lake, perfect for a quick scenic stop or a picnic. Its peaceful setting makes it a great place for photography. I have beautiful memories of eating a peanut butter sandwich on my father’s knee here in the 1980s.
Yellowstone Lake
The largest high-elevation lake in North America, with breathtaking views, fishing, kayaking, and scenic picnic areas along the shore. Steamboat Point and Fishing Bridge are great stops for lake views.
Fishing Bridge
A historic wooden bridge over Yellowstone River, once a popular fishing spot (now prohibited to protect the trout). The nearby Fishing Bridge Visitor Center has exhibits on the park’s aquatic ecosystems. This is also arguably the best place to get fuel and supplies in this part of the park.
West Yellowstone Entrance
The west entrance just outside the town of West Yellowstone is by far the most popular way to enter the park. It's at the southern terminus of the Gallatin highway connecting to Big Sky and Bozeman.
There are tons of surrounding campgrounds, resorts, cabins, and vacation rentals. It's also the part of the Yellowstone National Park with the most density of attractions.
So, it makes a lot of sense to stay and play here. Even if you're coming up from Salt Lake City.
Just bear in mind that it's very touristy and crowded. Prices here are high for everything, and you'll need to make reservations in advance. You'll also face pretty insane lines to get into the park after the first photon of pre-dawn gray.
Attractions Near the West Yellowstone Entrance
There are tons of popular attractions near the west entrance of Yellowstone, which is what makes it so popular with tourists but can also make it very hard to find affordable lodging.
Madison River & Madison Junction
A prime wildlife viewing area, especially at dawn and dusk, where you can see elk, bison, and bald eagles. The river is also popular for fly fishing and photography. It’s the ideal stop for dawn wildlife viewing if you’re staying in West Yellowstone or in the Western side of the park.
Fountain Paint Pot
A short, 0.5-mile boardwalk trail featuring a mix of boiling mud pots, steaming geysers, and colorful hot springs. This is a great introduction to Yellowstone’s geothermal features.
Firehole Canyon Drive & Firehole Falls
A scenic one-way drive along the Firehole River, featuring a 40-foot waterfall and a popular swimming area, that’s periodically open in the summer.
Grand Prismatic Spring & Midway Geyser Basin
One of Yellowstone’s most famous sights, the Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the U.S. known for its vivid rainbow colors. The Fairy Falls Trail offers the best overlooking views.
Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin
Yellowstone’s most famous attraction, the Old Faithful Geyser, erupts approximately every 90 minutes. The Upper Geyser Basin contains the largest concentration of geysers in the world.
Gibbon Falls
An 84-foot waterfall along the Gibbon River, easily accessible via a short walk from a roadside pullout.
Norris Geyser Basin
The hottest, oldest, and most dynamic geyser basin in Yellowstone, featuring Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser, and eerie steaming landscapes.
Yellowstone’s South Entrance
The South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is basically the direct line to the Grand Tetons. If you want to try to see both parks this is the most common route.
With traffic and animal jams you can expect it to take 2 hours one way to get from the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton.
The South Entrance is the one you'll use the most if you're going to camp around the south side of Yellowstone Lake or the more rustic parts of Southeastern Yellowstone.
Attractions Near Yellowstone’s South Entrance
The attractions near the south entrance to Yellowstone have more water elements to them and can make for a nice place to stretch your legs if you get stuck in jams getting out of the Tetons.
Lewis Falls
A 30-foot waterfall on the Lewis River, visible from the highway with an easy short walk for better views. This is a good place to stop and stretch your legs.
Moose Falls
A small but picturesque 30-foot waterfall, just a short walk from the South Entrance. I think it’s the perfect place to stop and stretch your legs after a long drive up from the Tetons.
West Thumb Geyser Basin
A geothermal area along Yellowstone Lake, featuring colorful hot springs, steaming pools, and bubbling geysers right next to the water.
Yellowstone Lake
The largest high-elevation lake in North America, offering boat tours, fishing, and stunning sunrise/sunset views. There are tons of great campgrounds on this side of the lake.
Grant Village
A visitor hub with a visitor center, lodges, restaurants, and a marina, providing a convenient stop for travelers. This is the best place to stop for snacks and supplies coming in from the south entrance.
Closest Airports to Yellowstone
The two most popular airports for visiting Yellowstone are Bozeman and Salt Lake City. Though Billings and Cody are options if you're flying from within the region.
Bozeman Airport
Bozeman does have direct flights throughout the West and Midwest. However, the individual flight cost per person is higher. Rental car availability is less, so it's wise to reserve your rental car months in advance or packaged with your flight.
The West Yellowstone and North Gardiner Entrances are the two most likely ways into Yellowstone National Park after flying into Bozeman airport.
Both will take roughly two hours of drive time. Both are picturesque drives that will whet your appetite.
Secret Gem Stops
Palisade Falls is just outside Bozeman. It's an easy hike to help cool your tubes and stretch your legs after a long flight, or if your flight home is delayed.
Gallatin Valley Road is festooned with outdoor entertainment opportunities for fishing, rafting and even ziplining. However. The secret gem they don't talk enough about is the Big Sky bakery.
Salt Lake City Airport
The closest major airport to Yellowstone is Salt Lake City International. It's roughly five hours to the West Yellowstone entrance.
Like any major airport, there are plenty of rental cars. However, availability can vary based on the season and days of the week. The wise move is to lock up your preferred vehicle type a month in advance. I find that Discover Cars has the best access and deals coming out of SLC.
Secret Gem Stops
While you could drive hard from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone, there are enough interesting stops along the way to make a day of it. You could pick one or two to visit on your way up and one or two visits on your way back without any regrets.
Antelope Island State Park, in Davis County, UT is a beautiful island in the Great Salt Lake with bison herds, hiking trails, and stunning lake views. The sunset here is breathtaking.
American West Heritage Center, in Wellsville, UT is a living history museum showcasing pioneer and Native American life in northern Utah, complete with hands-on activities.
Bear Lake’s North Beach on the Garden City, UT/ID border is often called the "Caribbean of the Rockies", this lake has crystal-clear turquoise water, ideal for a refreshing swim or paddleboarding.
Big Springs in Island Park, ID is a massive freshwater spring that pumps 120 million gallons of water daily and is home to huge trout. This is a perfect spot for a peaceful walk to stretch your legs on the drive.
Mesa Falls near Ashton, ID is a hidden gem waterfall with both Upper and Lower Falls,
offers incredible views and a visitor center in a historic lodge. I consider this an absolute “Must Stop” on the route from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone.
You can follow more of my 2025 deep dive on Yellowstone National Park at Eric Beuning's Facebook Author Page.
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