The automobile is the main method of transport within the parks. You won't find trains or buses with regular schedules here, although many tour operators use buses. Bikes are common, but riders and drivers should exercise extreme caution: Roads are twisty and rife with wildlife, pulled-over vehicles, and jaw-dropping scenery.
By Plane
The closest airport to Yellowstone is Yellowstone Airport (tel. 406/646-7631), just 1 mile north of the town of West Yellowstone, Montana (and 2 miles north of the west entrance to the park), on U.S. 191. The airport has commercial flights seasonally, early May through mid-October, on Delta Airlines, connecting through Salt Lake City.
American, Delta, and United all have flights to and from Jackson Hole Airport (tel. 307/733-7682), which is right in Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, Wyoming, and only 56 miles of scenic driving from the southern entrance of Yellowstone.
To the north, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (tel. 406/388-8321) in Bozeman, Montana, provides service via Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, and United. From Bozeman, you can drive 87 miles on U.S. 191 to the West Yellowstone entrance, or drive 20 miles east on I-90 to Livingston and then 53 miles south on U.S. 89 to the Gardiner entrance.
Also to the north, Billings Logan International Airport (tel. 406/247-8609), Montana’s busiest airport, is 2 miles north of downtown Billings, Montana. Service is provided by Allegiant, Alaska, Delta, Cape Air, Frontier, and United. From Billings, drive 65 miles south on U.S. 212 to Red Lodge, and then 30 miles on the Beartooth Highway to the northeast Yellowstone entrance in Cooke City.
Yellowstone Regional Airport (tel. 307/587-5096) in Cody, Wyoming, serves the Bighorn Basin as well as the east and northeast entrances of Yellowstone with year-round commercial flights via United Express and summer service by SkyWest/Delta through Salt Lake City. From Cody, it’s a gorgeous 53-mile drive west along U.S. 14/16/20 to the east entrance of Yellowstone.
Airfares to the small airports surrounding the parks can be pricey, so if you like to drive, consider flying into Salt Lake City and driving about 300 miles to Grand Teton National Park. Even Denver, a drive of roughly 500 miles, is an alternative.
By Car
If interstate highways and international airports are the measure of accessibility, then Yellowstone is as remote as Alaska’s Denali National Park. But more than four million people make it here every year, on tour buses, in family vans, on bicycles, and astride snowmobiles. Cars are the most common method of travel in and around the parks. Public transportation is sparse, and the lack of trains makes it hard to get near the parks without your own vehicle.
Grand Teton’s gateways are from the north, south, and east. Drivers naturally enter from whichever side they approach the parks. From the west, U.S. 20 or U.S. 191 takes you to West Yellowstone, Montana. From the south, U.S. 191 runs through Jackson and the length of Jackson Hole before entering Yellowstone. From the east, U.S. 20 bisects Cody, Wyoming, and continues west 53 miles to the east entrance of Yellowstone. The northeast entrance of Yellowstone is accessible from U.S. 212 via Cooke City, Montana. The north entrance is just outside Gardiner, Montana, on U.S. 89.
Most of the major auto rental agencies have operations in the gateway city airports. Visit each airport’s rental car page for details, national reservation phone numbers, and local rental desk numbers. Also consider using a third-party booker such as Hotwire or Kayak for substantial savings on your rates. You’ll find the most car rental companies at Bozeman Yellowstone International and Billings Logan International. Jackson Hole Airport, Cody’s Yellowstone Regional Airport, and West Yellowstone’s Yellowstone Airport also have options for car renters.
Gasoline is sold in gateway cities, but at only a few select locations in the park; fill up well before empty. International visitors should note that insurance and taxes are almost never included in quoted rental car rates in the U.S. Be sure to ask your rental agency about additional fees.
Driving Distances to Yellowstone National Park*
Salt Lake City: 390 miles
Denver: 563 miles
Las Vegas: 809 miles
Seattle: 827 miles
Portland, Oregon: 869 miles
Omaha: 946 miles
Washington, D.C.: 2,081 miles
*The difference in distance to Grand Teton is about 70 miles, depending on your route.
By Bus or Shuttle
Public transportation options are fairly limited around the parks; a few companies will haul you from selected airports to gateway towns. For long-distance bus travel, check Greyhound (tel. 800/231-2222) schedules for Bozeman, Jackson, and Idaho Falls. From the Bozeman airport, you can catch a ride to West Yellowstone with Karst Stage (tel. 406/556-3500) or Yellowstone RoadRunner (tel. 406/640-0631). The latter also serves Jackson and Idaho Falls. In winter, Xanterra Parks & Resorts (tel. 307/344-7311) runs a daily shuttle from Bozeman airport to Mammoth; advance booking required.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.