Yellowstone Entrances Choose Your Perfect Gateway

Yellowstone National Park welcomes visitors through five distinct entrance gates, each offering unique advantages depending on your travel plans, seasonal timing, and preferred destinations. The best entrance for your visit depends on where you're coming from, which attractions you want to prioritize, and when you're traveling.

Understanding the differences between these entrances can save you hours of driving time and help you avoid crowds during peak season. Each gate provides access to different regions of the park, with varying seasonal availability and distinct character. Whether you're seeking the quickest route to Old Faithful or the best wildlife viewing opportunities, choosing the right entrance is crucial for maximizing your Yellowstone experience.

The Five Yellowstone Entrances

1. North Entrance (Gardiner, Montana)

The North Entrance stands as Yellowstone's most reliable gateway, serving as the only entrance open to regular vehicles year-round. Located in Gardiner, Montana, this historic stone arch entrance has welcomed visitors since 1903, bearing the inscription "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People."

Key Features:

• Year-round access for all vehicles
• Direct route to Mammoth Hot Springs (5 minutes drive)
• Historic Roosevelt Arch landmark
• Winter access to northern range wildlife areas
• Gateway to the Grand Loop Road

Best For: Winter visits, Mammoth Hot Springs exploration, and northern wildlife viewing including elk, bighorn sheep, and occasional wolves. The drive from Gardiner to Mammoth Hot Springs takes approximately 15 minutes, making this entrance ideal for visitors staying in the Mammoth area or those requiring reliable winter access.

2. Northeast Entrance (Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana)

The Northeast Entrance offers unparalleled access to Yellowstone's premier wildlife viewing corridor, the Lamar Valley. Often called "America's Serengeti," this entrance provides the most dramatic approach through the scenic Beartooth Highway (US 212), one of the most beautiful drives in America.

Key Features:

• Gateway to Lamar Valley wildlife viewing
• Access via scenic Beartooth Highway
• Less crowded than western entrances
• Winter access to Tower-Roosevelt area
• Best wildlife photography opportunities

Best For: Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and visitors seeking dramatic mountain scenery. The drive to Tower Junction takes approximately 60 minutes, but the wildlife viewing opportunities along the way often extend this journey as visitors stop for bison herds, wolf packs, and other wildlife sightings.

During winter, the road from the North Entrance to the Northeast Entrance remains open and maintained, providing access to some of the park's best winter wildlife viewing areas.

3. West Entrance (West Yellowstone, Montana)

The West Entrance reigns as Yellowstone's busiest and most popular gateway, providing the fastest access to the park's most famous attractions. Located in the tourism hub of West Yellowstone, Montana, this entrance offers abundant services and accommodations within walking distance.

Key Features:

• Closest entrance to Old Faithful (45-minute drive)
• Extensive lodging and dining options in West Yellowstone
• Direct access to Madison Junction and geyser country
• Full visitor services and gift shops
• Seasonal opening: typically mid-April through October

Best For: First-time visitors, families seeking convenience, and anyone prioritizing easy access to geothermal features. The town of West Yellowstone provides the most comprehensive visitor services of any gateway community, with numerous hotels, restaurants, and tour operators.

4. South Entrance (Jackson Hole/Grand Teton, Wyoming)

The South Entrance offers the most scenic approach to Yellowstone, connecting seamlessly with Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole valley. This entrance provides a unique opportunity to experience two iconic national parks in a single trip.

Key Features:

• Seamless connection with Grand Teton National Park
• Access to Yellowstone Lake and Grant Village
• Scenic mountain views throughout the drive
• High-elevation crossing (7,988 feet at Craig Pass)
• Seasonal opening: typically early May through October

Best For: Visitors combining Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks, those staying in Jackson Hole, and travelers seeking spectacular mountain scenery. The drive from the South Entrance to Grant Village takes approximately 50 minutes, with opportunities to view Yellowstone Lake along the route.

This entrance provides access to the Continental Divide at Craig Pass, where a unique phenomenon occurs: water flowing east goes to the Atlantic Ocean, while water flowing west reaches the Pacific Ocean.

5. East Entrance (Cody, Wyoming)

The East Entrance represents Yellowstone's most peaceful and scenic gateway, accessed via the dramatic Sylvan Pass route. This entrance offers stunning mountain vistas and significantly fewer crowds than other options, making it ideal for visitors seeking a more contemplative park experience.

Key Features:

• Most scenic mountain approach via Sylvan Pass
• Quietest entrance with minimal crowds
• Direct access to Yellowstone Lake
• High-altitude crossing (8,524 feet at Sylvan Pass)
• Buffalo Bill connection through Cody, Wyoming

Best For: Photography enthusiasts, visitors avoiding crowds, and those interested in Wild West history through Cody. The drive from the East Entrance to Lake Village takes approximately 60 minutes, winding through spectacular mountain terrain.

Cody, Wyoming, located 52 miles from the entrance, offers unique attractions including the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and nightly rodeo performances during summer months, adding cultural depth to your Yellowstone experience.

2025 Entrance Fees and Passes

Yellowstone entrance fees remain valid for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase, providing excellent value for extended visits. All entrance stations accept both cash and credit/debit cards for convenient payment.

Annual Pass Options

For multiple visits or extended stays, annual passes provide significant savings and convenience:

• Yellowstone Annual Pass: $70.00 (valid for one calendar year)
• America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80.00 (access to all national parks and federal recreation sites)
• Senior Lifetime Pass: $80.00 (US citizens/residents age 62+)
• Military Passes: Free for current military members and veterans
• Access Pass: Free for visitors with permanent disabilities

The America the Beautiful Annual Pass represents exceptional value for travelers visiting multiple national parks within a year, requiring just three park visits to break even compared to individual entrance fees.

Seasonal Access and Timing

Yellowstone's entrance availability varies dramatically with the seasons, creating distinct travel windows that significantly impact your visit experience. Understanding these patterns helps optimize timing and entrance selection.

2025 Opening Schedule

• North Entrance: Open year-round to all vehicles
• West Entrance: April 18 - October 31, 2025
• East Entrance: May 2 - October 31, 2025
• South Entrance: May 9 - October 31, 2025
• Northeast Entrance: Open year-round (road to Cooke City)

Best Times to Visit by Entrance

Spring (April-May): West and North entrances provide the most reliable access as other gates gradually open. Wildlife activity peaks during this period as animals emerge from winter ranges.

Summer (June-August): All entrances operate at full capacity, but crowds concentrate at West and South entrances. Consider East or Northeast entrances for quieter experiences.

Fall (September-October): Excellent weather with reduced crowds. All entrances remain open through October, providing optimal conditions for photography and wildlife viewing.

Strategic Entrance Selection

Choosing the optimal entrance requires considering your priorities, travel route, and seasonal timing. Each entrance offers distinct advantages that align with different visitor goals and preferences.

By Primary Destination

• Old Faithful and Geyser Basins: West Entrance (30-45 minutes)
• Mammoth Hot Springs: North Entrance (15 minutes)
• Lamar Valley Wildlife: Northeast Entrance (direct access)
• Yellowstone Lake: East Entrance (60 minutes)
• Grand Canyon of Yellowstone: East or Northeast Entrance
• Grand Teton Combination: South Entrance (seamless transition)

By Travel Style

Convenience Seekers: West Entrance provides maximum services and shortest distances to major attractions, though with the trade-off of larger crowds.

Wilderness Enthusiasts: Northeast or East entrances offer more remote experiences with superior wildlife viewing and mountain scenery.

Photography Focus: East Entrance via Sylvan Pass provides the most dramatic landscapes, while Northeast Entrance offers premier wildlife photography opportunities.

Avoiding Summer Crowds

Peak summer crowds can significantly impact your Yellowstone experience, but strategic planning and entrance selection help minimize congestion and maximize enjoyment.

Crowd Avoidance Strategies

• Early Morning Entry: Arrive before 9:00 AM for minimal wait times
• Late Afternoon Entry: Enter after 4:00 PM when day visitors begin departing
• Midweek Visits: Tuesday-Thursday typically experience lighter crowds
• Alternative Entrances: East and Northeast entrances handle significantly fewer visitors

The East Entrance consistently ranks as the least crowded option, providing access to equally spectacular scenery with a fraction of the congestion experienced at western gates. This entrance requires additional driving time to reach central attractions but rewards visitors with peaceful mountain drives and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Peak Season Timing

July and August represent Yellowstone's busiest months, with July 4th weekend marking the absolute peak. During these periods, West Entrance lines can extend for hours, particularly between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Planning around these patterns dramatically improves your park experience.

Transportation and Access

Each entrance offers different transportation options and accessibility features, important considerations for trip planning and visitor convenience.

Nearest Airports by Entrance

• West Entrance: West Yellowstone (seasonal), Bozeman (year-round)
• North Entrance: Bozeman, Montana (80 miles)
• South Entrance: Jackson Hole, Wyoming (60 miles)
• East Entrance: Cody, Wyoming (52 miles)
• Northeast Entrance: Billings, Montana (130 miles)

Gateway Communities

Each entrance town offers distinct character and services. West Yellowstone provides the most tourism infrastructure with numerous hotels and restaurants. Jackson Hole offers luxury amenities and upscale dining. Cody features Wild West attractions and rodeo entertainment. Gardiner maintains a authentic frontier atmosphere with fewer but adequate services.

For visitors flying into the region, Jackson Hole Airport provides the most convenient access to the South Entrance, while Bozeman serves both North and West entrances effectively. Cody's regional airport offers limited commercial service but provides intimate access to the East Entrance.

Plan your entrance strategy as carefully as your park itinerary. The right gateway choice sets the tone for your entire Yellowstone experience, influencing everything from your first park impression to your final wildlife encounter. Take time to match entrance characteristics with your travel priorities for the most rewarding visit to America's first national park.