Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is about 1.5 to 2 hours from Bozeman to the park entrance, making it one of the easiest world-class national parks to reach as a day trip.
Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Lamar Valley (often called America's Serengeti for its wildlife) are the highlights most first-time visitors plan around. Bison, elk, and if you're lucky, wolves and bears, are commonly spotted from the road, especially early morning or at dusk.
Plan for a full day if you're visiting from Bozeman, and get an early start. The park is open year-round, but road access varies by season: summer (May-October) gives you the most routes, while winter visits require a guided snowcoach or snowmobile tour through most of the park. Entry passes can be purchased online in advance, which is worth doing during peak summer months to skip the line at the gate.
Which gate to use
North Entrance, Gardiner. About 78 miles and 1.5 hours from Bozeman, through Paradise Valley. This is the only entrance open to cars all year.
West Entrance, West Yellowstone. About 1.5 to 2 hours from Bozeman. It is the busiest gate in summer.
A one-day route
If you only have one day, go in one gate and come out the other. In summer we like West in, Gardiner out.
Come in through West Yellowstone and spend the morning at the geyser basins: Old Faithful, the mud pots and Grand Prismatic.
Watch Old Faithful from the second-floor deck of the Old Faithful Inn, with an ice cream cone from inside the Inn. Most people crowd the benches below, and the deck gives you a bird's-eye view.
Finish at Mammoth Hot Springs. Walk the terraces. Elk often hang out in the little town of Mammoth.
Leave through Gardiner and have dinner there. We think Gardiner has the better restaurants.
This route works when park roads are open, which is mostly May through October.
Pack for the day
Leave early.
Bring warmer clothes than you think you need.
Expect little or no cell service in the park.
Pack breakfast, lunch and snacks. When you get hungry, you are usually a long way from food. Mama Mac's Bakery & Sandwich Shop in Four Corners makes good sandwiches to go on your way out of town.
What it costs
A private vehicle pays $35 at the gate, good for seven days. Motorcycles pay $30. Walkers and cyclists pay $20 per person, age 16 and up. An annual Yellowstone pass is $70. No reservation is needed for your car. Visitors who are not U.S. residents pay an extra $100 per person, age 16 and up, unless they hold an annual pass.
Winter
In winter the North Entrance road to Cooke City stays open to cars. Most of the rest of the park is reachable only by guided snowcoach or snowmobile.
