8 Tips for Visiting Yellowstone on a Budget

Yellowstone National Park is an incredible destination, but traveling on a budget can feel overwhelming, with entrance fees, lodging costs, and food expenses adding up quickly. The good news? Visiting Yellowstone doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right planning, you can experience its geysers, wildlife, and scenic wonders without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re camping under the stars, road-tripping on a budget, or looking for low-cost activities, this guide will help you make the most of your Yellowstone getaway without sacrificing the adventure! Here are 8 tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park on a budget.

Table of Contents Show

1. Plan Your Visit Around No-Entrance-Fee Days

One of the easiest ways to save money in Yellowstone is by visiting on a fee-free day when the park waives its $35 vehicle entrance fee.

The National Park Service offers several free entrance days each year, including:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January)
First Day of National Park Week (April)
Juneteenth National Independence Day (June)
Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (August)
National Public Lands Day (September)
Veterans Day (November)

These days are great opportunities to visit Yellowstone for free, though they can be busier than usual. If possible, arrive early to avoid the crowds. (Arriving early is also best for wildlife watching, so it’s a win-win!)

2. Save on Accommodation by Camping

Lodging inside Yellowstone can be expensive, with hotels and cabins during peak season costing over $300 per night. Camping is the most budget-friendly option for lodging inside the park and provides an immersive Yellowstone experience.

Yellowstone National Park has twelve campgrounds with over 2,000 campsites. Mammoth Campground is first come, first served from October 15 to April 1, while all other campsites must be reserved in advance.

The following campgrounds are reservable through Yellowstone National Park Lodges:

Bridge Bay Campground: Scenic campground near Yellowstone Lake, great for boating and fishing.
Canyon Campground: Located near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, offering a central base for exploring the park.
Fishing Bridge RV Park: The only campground in the park with full RV hookups, but no tents allowed.
Grant Village Campground: Another lakeside option with easy access to the West Thumb Geyser Basin.
Madison Campground: Closest to geyser country, including Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring. Popular with anglers and hikers.

While these campgrounds are reservable through Recreation.gov:

Indian Creek Campground: A quiet, forested option away from the crowds, near Mammoth Hot Springs.
Lewis Lake Campground: A quiet, forested campground near Lewis Lake, offering a more remote camping experience with easy access to southern Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park.
Mammoth Campground: The only campground in Yellowstone that is open year-round, located near Mammoth Hot Springs.
Norris Campground: A central campground near Norris Geyser Basin, known for its proximity to geothermal features and frequent bison sightings.
Pebble Creek: Secluded, scenic, and less crowded, offering a peaceful retreat in the park’s northeast corner.
Slough Creek: A favorite for wildlife watchers, especially those hoping to see wolves in Lamar Valley.
Tower Fall: Small and scenic, near Tower Fall and the Lamar Valley, a great base for wildlife viewing.

For those looking for an off-the-grid experience, Yellowstone also offers over 300 backcountry campsites, accessible only by hiking or paddling. A backcountry permit is required and can be reserved in advance.

Most Yellowstone campgrounds cost between $20–$40 per night, a huge savings compared to hotels. (Click here for campground operating dates and fees.) For an even cheaper option, camp outside the park in national forest areas, which sometimes allow free dispersed camping. Look for sites near Gardiner, West Yellowstone, or Cooke City.

3. Skip the Tours and Drive Yourself

One of the best ways to experience Yellowstone on a budget is by skipping guided tours and exploring the park on your own. While guided tours can be helpful, they aren’t necessary to see Yellowstone’s top sights. The park is designed for self-driving, and with the Grand Loop Road, you can access nearly every major attraction at your own pace and for free.

Here are four reasons to self-drive instead of booking a tour when visiting Yellowstone on a budget.

It’s free (after park entry)! Once you’ve paid the $35 entrance fee (or used an America the Beautiful Pass), you can explore as much as you want for up to seven days—no extra costs for guides or transportation.
You control your schedule. Want to stop for photos? Spend an hour watching a bison herd? Skip the crowds at Old Faithful and come back later? Self-driving lets you decide.
It covers everything a general tour does. Yellowstone’s roads are well-marked, and visitor centers, maps, and apps (like the NPS Yellowstone app) provide all the info you’d get from a guide.
Perfect for families, road trippers, and photographers. No rushing to keep up with a group—take your time enjoying the views, wildlife, and roadside pullouts.

The Grand Loop: The Ultimate Self-Drive Tour of Yellowstone

Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road is a 142-mile scenic drive that connects all of Yellowstone’s highlight attractions in a figure-eight shape. If you follow the loop, you’ll see everything major in the park without spending extra money on a tour.

Self-Driving Highlights Along the Grand Loop Road:

Old Faithful: Watch Old Faithful erupt for free, then explore the world’s largest concentration of geysers on boardwalk trails through the Upper Geyser Basin.
Grand Prismatic Spring: One of Yellowstone’s most famous sights, best seen for free from the Grand Prismatic Overlook on the Fairy Falls Trail or the Midway Geyser Basin.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Drive to Artist Point and Brink of the Lower Falls for some of the best canyon views in the park.
Hayden Valley & Lamar Valley: Self-driving is a great way to see wildlife, as you can stop at pullouts for bison, wolves, elk, and bears.
Mammoth Hot Springs: Explore the terraced geothermal formations on a self-guided walk.
West Thumb Geyser Basin: A beautiful lakeside boardwalk with steaming hot springs along Yellowstone Lake.

Self-driving through Yellowstone is the best budget-friendly way to see the park. With the Grand Loop Road covering all major attractions, you don’t need a tour to experience Yellowstone’s geysers, canyons, lakes, and wildlife. By driving yourself, you’ll save money, enjoy the park at your own pace, and create your own unforgettable adventure.

4. Choose Free and Budget-Friendly Activities

One of the best things about Yellowstone is that most of its best attractions are free (after paying the park entrance fee or using an America the Beautiful Pass). From geyser watching to wildlife spotting to scenic hikes, there are countless ways to experience Yellowstone’s beauty without spending extra money.

Here are some of the best free things to do in Yellowstone National Park.

Watch Geysers Erupt (Including Old Faithful)

Yellowstone is home to over 500 geysers, more than half of the world's total!

Old Faithful erupts roughly every 98 minutes, and you can watch it for free from the viewing area or nearby boardwalks. While Old Faithful is the most famous, many other geysers erupt for free throughout the park. Riverside, Castle, and Grand Geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin are spectacular and less crowded than Old Faithful. Fountain Geyser in the Lower Geyser Basin has powerful eruptions that last 30+ minutes.

See the Grand Prismatic Spring

The Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most famous sights in Yellowstone, known for its brilliant rainbow colors. Walk the Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk for a free up-close view of the spring, or hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook on the Fairy Falls Trail for the best aerial view, especially on a warm, calm day when the colors are most vibrant.

Hike Yellowstone’s Scenic Trails

Hiking is one of the best free activities in Yellowstone, offering breathtaking views, wildlife encounters, and geothermal wonders.

Here are some great hikes to consider in Yellowstone National Park.

Fairy Falls Trail: A 5.4-mile round-trip hike to a 200-foot waterfall with an optional detour to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook.
Mount Washburn: One of Yellowstone’s most iconic hikes, this 6-mile round-trip trek climbs to a fire lookout tower at 10,243 feet, offering 360-degree views of the park.
Elephant Back Mountain Trail: A moderate 3.5-mile loop that climbs through a dense lodgepole pine forest to a stunning panoramic overlook of Yellowstone Lake.
Seven Mile Hole Trail: The only trail that descends into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, this strenuous 10-mile round-trip hike takes you down 1,400 feet to the canyon floor, passing hydrothermal features along the way.
Brink of the Lower Falls Trail – A steep but short 0.7-mile round-trip hike that descends into the canyon to a breathtaking close-up view of the 308-foot Lower Falls.
Beaver Ponds Loop – A moderate 5-mile round-trip trail near Mammoth Hot Springs, passing through meadows, forests, and beaver ponds, with great chances to see elk, black bears, and beavers.

Go Wildlife Watching

Yellowstone is one of the best places in the world for wildlife viewing, and it’s completely free!

Lamar Valley: The best spot for seeing wolves, bison, and bears, especially at dawn or dusk.
Hayden Valley: Another great area for spotting bison, elk, and bald eagles.
Mammoth Hot Springs: A prime location for watching elk, especially in the fall during the rut.

Explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

One of Yellowstone’s most breathtaking natural wonders, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone features two massive waterfalls and stunning canyon views.

Artist Point: The best place to see Lower Falls, Yellowstone’s most iconic waterfall.
Brink of the Lower Falls Trail: A short, steep hike to stand right at the edge of the falls.
Lookout Point & Inspiration Point: Other great spots for taking in the canyon’s beauty.

Visit Mammoth Hot Springs & the Albright Visitor Center

Mammoth Hot Springs is one of Yellowstone’s most unique geothermal areas, featuring stunning terraced limestone formations created by hot water and mineral deposits. Walk the Upper and Lower Terraces boardwalks to see constantly changing hot springs, steaming vents, and colorful travertine formations like Minerva Terrace and Palette Spring.

Just a short walk away, the Albright Visitor Center is a must-visit for history buffs and first-time visitors. Located in a historic stone building that was once part of Fort Yellowstone, this visitor center offers fascinating exhibits about the park’s wildlife, geology, and the history of early park protection efforts. You can also watch a short film about Yellowstone, talk to rangers about park conditions, and explore exhibits on the park’s wolves, bears, and bison.

Outside, Fort Yellowstone itself is a piece of living history, showcasing the U.S. Army’s role in protecting Yellowstone before the National Park Service was established in 1916. Strolling past these preserved historic buildings gives you a glimpse into the early days of Yellowstone and its transition from a military-managed reserve to the world’s first national park.

Whether you're looking to learn more about Yellowstone’s wildlife and history, grab a Junior Ranger booklet for the kids, or just enjoy the geothermal wonders of Mammoth Hot Springs, this area offers a mix of education, scenery, and history that shouldn’t be missed.

5. Check out Yellowstone’s Free Ranger Programs

Yellowstone National Park offers a variety of free ranger-led programs that help visitors of all ages learn about the park’s geology, wildlife, history, and conservation efforts. These programs include guided hikes, wildlife talks, geology walks, and evening programs at campgrounds and lodges. Rangers provide valuable insight into Yellowstone’s unique ecosystem, and programs vary by season and location. Check the visitor centers or the NPS website for schedules during your visit.

For kids, the Junior Ranger Program is a great way to engage with Yellowstone while earning a badge. Children ages 4 and up can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet from any visitor center, complete fun activities related to the park, attend a ranger program, and receive an official Yellowstone Junior Ranger badge upon completion.

Older kids and teens (ages 5 to 13) can take it a step further with the Young Scientist Program, available at Old Faithful and Canyon visitor centers. This program encourages hands-on learning and scientific exploration, where participants use field kits and observation skills to study Yellowstone’s geothermal activity, wildlife, and ecology.

Both programs are interactive, educational, and completely free, making them a great addition to any Yellowstone visit.

6. Pack Your Own Meals and Snacks

Eating out in Yellowstone can quickly add up, with restaurant meals often costing $15–$25 per person. Instead of relying on pricey park dining options, bring your own food to save money and enjoy more flexibility during your visit.

Before entering the park, stop at a grocery store in a nearby town to stock up on essentials. Gardiner and West Yellowstone both have good supermarkets where you can grab fresh produce, snacks, and sandwich supplies. Packing a cooler with sandwiches, wraps, fruit, and drinks ensures you always have food on hand, reducing the need for expensive last-minute meals.

Yellowstone has plenty of scenic picnic areas, making it easy to enjoy a meal with a view for free. Instead of waiting in long lines at crowded park restaurants, you can pull off at a picnic spot near a geyser, waterfall, or scenic overlook and eat whenever and wherever you want.

Not only does packing your own meals save a significant amount of money, but it also lets you spend more time exploring and less time waiting for food.

7. Use a National Park Pass to Save on Entrance Fees

One of the best ways to save money while visiting Yellowstone, particularly if you plan to visit multiple national parks within the year, is to purchase the America the Beautiful Pass. This annual pass costs $80 and covers entrance fees for all U.S. national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, and other federally managed lands.

Since the entrance fee for Yellowstone alone is $35 per vehicle, the pass pays for itself after just three park visits, making it a great investment for road trippers, outdoor enthusiasts, and families.

For those traveling with family or a group, the pass covers everyone in the same vehicle, making it an even better deal for larger parties. Instead of paying individual fees at each park, this one-time purchase grants you unlimited access to more than 2,000 federally protected areas across the U.S. for an entire year. If your Yellowstone trip is part of a larger road trip through national parks (such as Grand Teton, Glacier, or Badlands) this pass is an easy way to cut costs while maximizing your adventures.

You can purchase the America the Beautiful Pass at Yellowstone’s entrance stations when you arrive, or buy it in advance online at store.usgs.gov/pass. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a national park regular, this pass is one of the smartest ways to stretch your travel budget while exploring some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes.

8. Keep Souvenirs to a Minimum

It’s easy to get tempted by Yellowstone’s gift shops, but souvenirs can be overpriced, especially in the park’s busiest visitor centers and lodges. Instead of spending money on expensive keepsakes, consider memorable, budget-friendly alternatives that still let you take a piece of Yellowstone home with you. (But remember to never take a piece of the actual Yellowstone Park home with you 😉)

One of the best (and free!) ways to remember your trip is by taking plenty of photos. Skip the postcards and capture your own shots of geysers, wildlife, and scenic views. Another free keepsake is the official Yellowstone park map, which you’ll receive at the entrance gate. Collecting park maps from every national park visit is a fun and meaningful way to track your travels over time.

If you do want to purchase a souvenir, consider something small and meaningful. National park stickers, patches, or magnets are a great way to commemorate your trip without breaking the bank.

Save this for later

You don’t need to spend a fortune to have an amazing trip to Yellowstone. From fee-free days to camping and self-driving, you can experience Yellowstone’s geysers, wildlife, and stunning landscapes without overspending.

Hover over the image below and click on the red “Save” button that pops up in the upper lefthand corner of the image to save this on Pinterest for later. (If you’re on mobile, you might have to tap the image first to see the red ‘Save’ button.)

Happy Travels!