Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is about 90 minutes from Bozeman, making it one of the easiest world-class national parks to reach as a day trip. The West Yellowstone entrance is closest and serves as the gateway to the park's most famous sights.

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.