Is Grand Teton part of Yellowstone?

No. The parks are separated only by the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway , a roughly 7-mile drive. However, the two parks are distinct entities within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and each have their own geologic flavor.

Is there cell service in Grand Teton National Park?

Yes. You can expect cell service in the Jackson Hole Valley and in the developed areas around Jenny Lake and Flagg Ranch. However, reception is more spotty in the backcountry although often still decent.

Is Yellowstone or Grand Teton better?

Grand Teton receives slightly higher reviews on travel sites than its more famous neighboring park. Both parks share the same ecosystem, but they contain different sight-seeing opportunities and geologic features. Grand Teton is a fraction of the size of Yellowstone and is visited by nearly as many tourists per year as Yellowstone.

Can I sleep in my car in Yellowstone?

No. Yellowstone doesn’t allow overnight parking except for visitors who have reserved rooms in the lodges, cabins, or campsites. You cannot spend the night in your car at a trailhead, roadside, or in a parking lot.

Can you drink alcohol in Yellowstone?

Yes. Drinking alcohol is allowed in most places in the park.

Does it cost money to go to Yellowstone?

Yes. The park charges a $35/vehicle entrance fee for private vehicles to enter Yellowstone National Park. The pass is good for 7 days.

Does it cost money to see Old Faithful?

No, but Yellowstone does require a $35 entrance fee that’s valid for 7 days. The pass allows you to view all attractions within the park, including Old Faithful.

How early can you enter Yellowstone?

The North Entrance is accessible year-round through Gardiner, Montana. The West Entrance near West Yellowstone, Montana usually opens for the year on the third Friday in April at 8 a.m. The other three entrances open by mid-May.

How far is the walk to Old Faithful?

The Old Faithful Geyser Loop trail is only a 0.7 mile loop. This trail is mostly on boardwalk and is easily accessible by most visitors and can easily be walked in 15-20 minutes.

What do I need to know before going to Yellowstone?

Cell service is limited within the park, as is parking. Places to spend the night fill quickly so make reservations before you come. Download the NPS Yellowstone App for a digital guide. Do not approach the wildlife, they’re dangerous. Stay on the boardwalks; hot springs are dangerous too.

Which state is Yellowstone National Park in?

Yellowstone National Park is mostly in Wyoming, but also extends into Montana and Idaho.

How long drive from Old Faithful to Bozeman?

Bozeman, Montana is about 2.5 hours (120 miles) from Old Faithful in Yellowstone.

Which Yellowstone entrance is closest to Bozeman?

The North Entrace to Yellowstone is closest to Bozeman. You'll travel along I-90 E and US 89 S to the Gardiner exit.

How far is Cody from Old Faithful?

Cody, Wyoming is 91 miles from Old Faithful, which is at least a two-hour drive. Traffic and "wildlife jams," along with any stops you want to make, may add time to the route.

How far is Cody from Yellowstone?

Cody, Wyoming is about an hour (52 miles) from the East Entrance to Yellowstone via the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway (US 14-16-20). Please note that this route closes in winter to car traffic, though snowcoaches and authorized snowmobiles can still access the park.

Can you drive from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful?

Yes. You can drive from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful in spring, summer, and fall. Your 32-mile trip will take 45 minutes or more depending on traffic.

How far is it from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful?

West Yellowstone is only about 32 miles, or a 45-minute drive, from Old Faithful, one of Yellowstone's most iconic attractions.

Where is the west entrance to Yellowstone?

You'll find Yellowstone's West Entrance at the edge of the town of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Yellowstone National Park

Photo © iStockPhoto

Encompassing portions of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone National Park is a vast playground for outdoor enthusiasts, teeming with a variety of wildlife and a number of extraordinary natural features.

Start Your Planning With These Local Businesses

Off the Beaten Path - winter Yellowstone package

(800) 445-2995

Park Permittee

Offering a variety of winter packages to thrill the whole family. Stay in Yellowstone's winter lodges, and ski at Big Sky Resort. All-inclusive pricing.

GYFO - Yellowstone Guided Fly Fishing Trips

(406) 579-4850

Park Permittee

Yellowstone flyfishing day trips for friends, families & groups. Hike & fish, horseback fishing, fishing packages, wilderness packtrips since 1993. Superb scenery & wildlife

Yellowstone Mountain Guides - horseback trips

West Yellowstone, MT

(406) 539-4556

Park Permittee

If you love Yellowstone's backcountry, enjoy a leisurely trail ride in the Park's NW corner (near the Gallatin River), experiencing colors and majestic wildlife.

Visit Site

Pioneer Outfitters | Yellowstone hikes & fishing

(406) 600-3835

Park Permittee

Choose from day-trips just 45 mins from Big Sky, or multi-night adventures into wildflower meadows that attract wildlife of all kinds, while camping under the stars.

Yellowstone Rent A Car - in Belgrade near Airport

(406) 312-1303

Get your rental vehicle from us at Bozeman Airport and be in Big Sky within the hour, before heading to Yellowstone to see the amazing sites. All vehicles with winter tires.

Big Sky Adventures | van and hiking tours

(406) 451-1650

Park Permittee

Explore the wilds of Yellowstone by foot, either through a morning, mid-afternoon or all-day trek. Climb a summit, follow rivers, or visit wildflower meadows. For all ages

Yellowstone Safari Company | YNP Day Tour

Join us for an unforgettable journey through Yellowstone National Park. Marvel at geysers, breathtaking waterfalls, and abundant wildlife guided by our experts.

Explorer Cabins - at Yellowstone's west entrance

Full-size cabins with kitchens and fireplaces, minutes from the park. Explorer Cabins gives you space to spread out between geyser runs.

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Overview

Thousands of travelers flock to Yellowstone every year, to take in the amazing scenery and diverse wildlife of America's first national park. Opened in 1872, Yellowstone's landscape includes alpine peaks, arid valleys, hot springs, geysers, mountain lakes, pine forests, canyons and so much more. A vast assortment of wildlife roam the park's interior, providing ample photo opportunities for visitors along the roads and trails. Grizzly and black bears, wolves, moose, elk, deer, eagles, antelope, and big horn sheep are just some of many species “at home” in Yellowstone.

Location/Directions

Situated mainly in southwest Montana and northwest Wyoming, Yellowstone has 5 entrances – North, West, South, East and Northeast. Visitors from Montana's Big Sky area generally enter the park via the North or and West Entrances.

Seasons

The North Entrance, near Gardiner, Mt, is open year-round. The West Entrance (West Yellowstone) is generally open from late April through early November but offers access to snowmobiles, snowcoaches, and cross country skis in the winter.

Highlights

Geysers and Hot Springs
Visit Old Faithful and take a boardwalk tour of Mammoth Hot Springs, just a couple of the many geothermal features in the park.

Lakes and Rivers
Anglers will enjoy their choice of locations including the Yellowstone, Firehole, Gibbon and Madison Rivers, Yellowstone Lake and more. Fishing licenses required.

Guided Tours
Make your Yellowstone vacation planning easier and book a tour with a local outfitter. Try a guided horseback ride, day hike, boat or bus tour, or sign up for regularly scheduled ranger-led presentations.

Wildlife
Yellowstone's diverse range of wildlife species is a primary draw for most travelers. Though an assortment of animals can be found throughout the park, the Lamar Valley is the ideal location to view such elusive creatures as wolves and bears.

Campgrounds
A dozen designated campgrounds are located in the park, providing hundreds of sites and certain amenities depending upon location. Be sure to make reservations early when available; campgrounds fill quickly during July and August. Call 866-439-7375 or Book Online.

Additional Information

7-day entrance fees for Yellowstone are as follows:

$30/private vehicle ($50 for access to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks)
$25/snowmobile or motorcycle
$15/foot, bicycle, skis
$60/annual park pass

For over 40 years, Big Sky's premier fly shop

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Yellowstone gateways closest to Big Sky, Montana are North (Gardiner, MT) and West (West Yellowstone) Entrances.
Visit Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
View wildlife in the Lamar Valley including wolves and bears.
Fish one of several rivers or Yellowstone Lake.
Open year-round, Yellowstone access is best during summer.

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