How to Get to Yellowstone in 2025: Closest Airports, Car Rentals, and Best Routes
Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest and most popular national parks in the United States. Whether planning a road trip or flying in from afar, getting to Yellowstone is part of the adventure! Yellowstone is accessible via five main entrances, each offering a unique route through breathtaking landscapes, unique attractions, and diverse wildlife.
In this guide, we'll explore the best ways to reach Yellowstone, including the closest airports, major highways, and tips for navigating the surrounding areas. Whether coming from a nearby state or across the country, here’s how to get to Yellowstone National Park in 2025.
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Getting to Yellowstone National Park By Plane
Flying is one of the fastest, most popular, and most convenient ways to get to Yellowstone National Park year-round. Here are nearby airports if you’re flying to Yellowstone.
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is about 1.5 hours from the North Entrance (Gardiner) and about 2 hours from the West Entrance (West Yellowstone). This is the most popular airport for traveling to Yellowstone.
West Yellowstone Airport (WYS) is about 5 minutes from the West Entrance. Delta and United flights are offered through Denver and Salt Lake City.
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is about 1.5 hours from the South Entrance. Alaska, American, Delta, and United Airlines offer year-round flights to and from Jackson Hole.
Yellowstone Regional Airport (YRA) near Cody, WY, is about 1 hour and 20 minutes from the East Entrance. United Airlines offers flights through Denver.
Bozeman is the largest nearby airport, so most Yellowstone visitors fly into BZN and rent a car at the airport.
If you’re visiting both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, you may wish to fly to Yellowstone via Bozeman Airport and then fly home from Grand Teton National Park via Jackson Hole.
Although we generally recommend flying into BZN, another option for those interested in driving Beartooth Highway is to fly into Billings Logan International Airport and take Beartooth Highway to Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance.
Getting to Yellowstone in the Winter
Yellowstone in the snow is absolutely magical! It’s also a very unique time to visit the park, as much of Yellowstone is closed to car travel, offering exploration of Yellowstone’s interior by snowcoach or snowmobile only. (The only exception is the drive between the North and Northeast Entrances, from Gardiner, MT, to Cooke City, MT, which is open to self-driving.)
To get to Yellowstone in the winter, most people fly into Bozeman International Airport (BZN) and then rent a car to drive to the park. If you’re staying near Gardiner, you’ll be able to drive directly into the park from the North Entrance. If you’re staying near West Yellowstone, you’ll need to book additional transportation into the park’s West Entrance. (This is when you’ll book a snowcoach or snowmobile tour!)
Although we highly recommend renting a car to explore Yellowstone’s Northern Range, there are a few options for getting from Bozeman airport to Yellowstone’s gateway cities or the Old Faithful Snow Lodge inside the park. To get to Gardiner from Bozeman Airport, consider shuttle options from Silverback Transportation. To get to Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel from Bozeman Airport, you can book shuttles here with Yellowstone National Park Lodges. (To get to Old Faithful Snow Lodge, book snowcoach transportation from Mammoth to Old Faithful.) To get to West Yellowstone or Big Sky from Bozeman Airport, consider the airport shuttle from Karst Stage.
One thing to note about getting to Yellowstone in the winter… Bozeman Pass between Livingston and Bozeman can be a difficult drive during winter, as unpredictable weather can cause road closures. We highly recommend avoiding early morning drives between Gardiner and Bozeman in winter months, which generally means (1) avoiding early morning flights from Bozeman or (2) spending the night before an early flight in Bozeman.
Where can I get a rental car near Yellowstone?
Driving your own car or renting a car at the airport is the best option for getting around Yellowstone.
You’ll want a car to experience all Yellowstone National Park has to offer, and we highly recommend the flexibility of a car as your primary mode of transportation. We typically prefer to rent from Enterprise or AvisBudget and pick up at the Bozeman Yellowstone Airport, but there are many rental car services near Yellowstone.
1. Airports with Rental Car Services:
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) - Montana:
Location: About 1.5 hours from the North or West Entrance.
Rental Companies: Major car rental companies, such as Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Alamo, operate here. See all rental car options from Bozeman Airport here.
Variety: Offers a wide selection of vehicles, including SUVs, sedans, and sometimes even RVs.
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) - Wyoming:
Location: About 1 hour from the South Entrance.
Rental Companies: Jackson Hole Airport offers four rental car options, including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, and National. View options here.
Variety: Offers vehicles suited for the mountainous terrain, such as 4WD and SUVs.
Yellowstone Airport (WYS) - Montana:
Location: Just minutes from the West Entrance.
Rental Companies: Smaller selection with companies like Avis and Budget.
Variety: More limited but convenient for quick access to the park.
Cody Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) - Wyoming:
Location: About 1 hour from the East Entrance.
Rental Companies: Hertz, Avis, and Thrifty. Browse rental car companies at Cody Yellowstone Regional Airport here.
Variety: Good for SUVs and larger vehicles for family trips.
2. Rental Car Options in Nearby Towns:
West Yellowstone, Montana:
Rental Companies: Some local agencies and larger companies like Budget and Avis offer rentals.
Convenience: Ideal for those who arrive by shuttle or bus and need a car for park exploration.
Livingston, Montana:
Rental Companies: Gardiner, MT, and Livingston, MT, offer limited options for car rentals. You may be able to rent a car from Livingston Motor Company at 1415 W Park St, but your best bet is renting a car in Bozeman, MT, or Billings.
Jackson, Wyoming:
Rental Companies: Enterprise, Hertz, and some local agencies are available.
Variety: Offers a wide range of vehicles, including 4WD, which is useful for winter travel or backcountry roads.
Cody, Wyoming:
Rental Companies: Includes Hertz, Dollar Car Rental, and a few local rental companies.
Usage: Convenient for those staying in Cody and exploring Yellowstone’s eastern regions.
Renting a car gives you the flexibility to explore Yellowstone at your own pace, visit nearby attractions, and access some of the park's more remote areas. This is hands-down the easiest and most flexible way to get to—and explore—Yellowstone National Park.
How to Get to Yellowstone National Park By Car
Driving is another great way to get to Yellowstone National Park, particularly if you live in a nearby state, are traveling with a pet, or you want to turn your vacation into an epic road trip!
Coming from Dallas, it makes sense for us to fly for shorter trips to Yellowstone, but for longer trips—especially when bringing our dog, Lincoln, with us—we drive. We’ve driven from Dallas (through Denver) to Yellowstone a handful of times (& counting). Since we bought “Lincoln’s Lodge” in Gardiner, MT, to live part-time at the foot of our favorite Yellowstone entrance, we’ve made this drive multiple times a year. Plus, we actually first fell in love with the park on a Pacific Northwest Road Trip, so we know a lot about roadtripping to Yellowstone. It’s often cheaper than flying, you can bring way more luggage with you, and you don’t have to worry about renting a car since you’re bringing your own.
When getting to Yellowstone by car, the most important thing to consider is the time of year you’re driving. That’s because various Yellowstone entrances close throughout the year, limiting your ability to drive through those entrances into the park in different seasons.
If you’re driving to Yellowstone from mid-May through October 31st, use the following to plan your trip. All park entrances and roads are open at this time of year, meaning there are generally no closures or detours to worry about.
If you’re driving to Yellowstone outside these dates, it’s generally best to drive outside the park directly to your hotel or Airbnb. (Or at least confirm road openings and closures here.) This is because various park roads are closed to car travel from November 1st through mid-May, and you may be unable to travel through the park to your destination.
Note: The north entrance to Yellowstone, located near Gardiner, MT, is the only one open year-round. Confirm whether or not an entrance is open here.
Getting to Yellowstone from the North
Here are some tips if you’re getting to Yellowstone from the north. This is for you if you’re driving from Bozeman, MT, Glacier National Park, Seattle, WA, or the Canadian Rockies.
We recommend entering Yellowstone via the North Entrance near Gardiner, MT.
The North Entrance is the most scenic entrance to Yellowstone National Park and the best for wildlife watching. It is closest to Mammoth Hot Springs and has convenient access to Tower-Roosevelt and Lamar Valley. If you’re staying in Gardiner, this will be the most direct route to your lodging. If you’re staying elsewhere, drive through Yellowstone’s North Entrance and enjoy the sights on the way to your destination!
Getting to Yellowstone from the Northeast
Here are some tips if you’re getting to Yellowstone from the northeast. This is for you if you’re coming from Billings, MT, or Bismarck, ND, and you want to drive Beartooth Highway.
We recommend entering Yellowstone via the Northeast Entrance near Cooke City, MT.
Beartooth Highway is considered one of the most scenic drives in America, so it’s worth the detour if you enjoy roadtrips and stunning scenery. However, due to its high elevation and snow, Beartooth Highway is generally closed before Memorial Day and only open until mid-September. Summer is the best time to drive Beartooth Highway and avoid unexpected closures. Consider one or two nights in Red Lodge for more time to experience all this area has to offer!
If you’d prefer not to drive Beartooth Highway or are traveling outside of these peak summer dates, we recommend driving to Gardiner and entering via the North Entrance.
Getting to Yellowstone from the East
Here are some tips if you’re getting to Yellowstone from the east. This is relevant if you’re coming from places like Mount Rushmore, Kansas City, MO, Chicago, IL, or Nashville, TN.
We recommend entering Yellowstone via the East Entrance near Cody, WY.
This drive takes you through Shoshone National Forest and past the Buffalo Bill Reservoir, with views of the Absaroka Range as you get closer to the park. As you pass through Cody, WY, you might want to stop and explore the town’s Western heritage, including the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The route from Cody to the East Entrance of Yellowstone takes you along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway, offering stunning views of rugged cliffs and the Shoshone River. Just keep in mind that the East Entrance is usually open from early May to October 31st, so plan your trip accordingly.
Getting to Yellowstone from the South
Here are some tips if you’re getting to Yellowstone from the south. This is for you if you’re driving from Grand Teton National Park, Jackson, WY, Denver, CO, Albuquerque, NM, Phoenix, AZ, or Dallas, TX.
We recommend entering Yellowstone via the South Entrance near the West Thumb Geyser Basin.
Technically, if you’re driving from CO, TX, or NM, your driving time is similar whether entering Yellowstone from the South or East (Cody, WY). And if you’re driving from UT or AZ, your driving time is similar to the South or West Entrance (West Yellowstone, MT). However, when this is the case, we’re partial to entering Yellowstone via the South Entrance, so you can drive through or easily detour to the stunning Grand Teton National Park on your way!
Getting to Yellowstone from the West
Here are some tips if you’re getting to Yellowstone from the west. This is for you if you’re coming from Las Vegas, NV, or Boise, ID.
We recommend entering Yellowstone via the West Entrance near West Yellowstone, MT.
Once again, if you’re coming from UT or AZ, your driving time is similar whether entering Yellowstone from the West or South (near GTNP). And if you’re coming from Seattle or Portland, your driving time is similar to either the West or North Entrance (Gardiner, MT). Drive directly to your lodging… or drive to the opposite so you can enjoy the views from the park on your way!
Can I get to Yellowstone by train?
While you can't take a train directly to Yellowstone National Park, you can use train travel as part of your journey to get close to the park. Here’s how:
Amtrak Services: The Amtrak train stations closest to Yellowstone are located in cities such as Salt Lake City, UT, and Denver, CO. You could take a train to one of these stations, but from there, you would need to continue your trip by rental car to reach the park.
Amtrak’s Empire Building: Amtrak’s Empire Builder routes pass through Whitefish, MT, West Glacier, and East Glacier, which means you could travel to Glacier National Park by train. Then, you could book an alternate method of transportation to Yellowstone National Park, such as a rental car or shuttle bus. If you’re hoping to visit Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks on the same trip, this is a way to experience a portion of your trip by train.
While train travel offers a scenic and relaxed way to get within a couple of hours of Yellowstone, it’s not the fastest or most convenient way to get to the park. You’ll still need to plan transportation to enter and explore Yellowstone.
You can view the entire Amtrak National Route map here. Amtrak train routes are designated in red, while connecting services are highlighted in green. Yellowstone is toward the middle of the map above and to the right of Salt Lake City.
Can I get to Yellowstone by bus?
Getting to Yellowstone by commercial bus is difficult, but there are tour companies that offer bus tours to and within Yellowstone. These tours often start from major cities or nearby towns, such as Bozeman, MT, or West Yellowstone, MT, and provide a convenient, guided experience of the park. Some tours include transportation through Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks and also take care of all lodging during your trip. This is generally the most expensive way to get to Yellowstone National Park but requires the least planning.
Commercial Bus Services: Some commercial bus companies, such as Greyhound and Jefferson Lines, provide service to nearby towns like Bozeman, Montana, and Jackson, Wyoming. From these towns, you would need to arrange additional transportation, such as a rental car, shuttle, or tour service, to reach the park itself.
Tour Buses: Several tour companies offer bus tours that include transportation to and within Yellowstone. These tours often start from major cities or nearby towns and provide a convenient, guided experience of the park.
Local Shuttles: During the peak season, some shuttle services operate from nearby airports or towns, like West Yellowstone and Gardiner, directly into the park. These shuttles can be a good option if you’re staying in one of the gateway towns and prefer not to drive. Consider the “Yellowstone in a Day” bus tour from Yellowstone National Park lodges. These tours depart from Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Or browse tours from Gardiner via Yellowstone Safari Company, Montana Yellowstone Tours, or Yellowstone Wonders.
While buses can get you close to Yellowstone, you’ll likely need to arrange further transportation to explore the park, as public transportation within Yellowstone itself is not available.
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Happy Travels!
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