Visiting Yellowstone National Park in 2024? Here are some tips on when to visit, how to get there, and which entrance to use.
Each year, Yellowstone National Park attracts millions of visitors from around the world. As the world’s first national park, Yellowstone features stunning landscapes, majestic wildlife, and awe-inspiring geysers and hot springs. According to the National Park Service, more than 4.5 million people visited Yellowstone in 2023. Based on the park’s enduring popularity, 2024 will likely see a similar number of visitors.
While it is true that the massive number of visitors can make navigating the park a challenge, a visit is so worth it! Visiting the park is such a memorable and rewarding experience, everyone who has an opportunity should plan a visit. Below are tips for when to visit, and how to get there.
When to Visit Yellowstone National Park
If you are visiting Yellowstone National Park during the summer 2024 season, the park partially opens in May. However, many of the park’s facilities will not fully open until June. A complete listing of the various opening dates can be found here. If you wish to visit the Old Faithful Geyser, which is arguably the most famous attraction in the park, the Old Faithful Visitor and Education Center opens as early as April 19. Many of the amenities near Old Faithful (such as restaurants) will not open until late April or early May.
According to the National Park Service, Yellowstone’s busiest months are July and August. If your goal is to avoid crowds, you might want to consider visiting in May (at the beginning of the season) or in October (the end of the season). The summer months of June, July, August, and September can be incredibly busy, with long lines to enter the park, lots of congestion on the roads, and many visitors will face difficulties with parking at some of the major attractions. My family and I have visited the park during May, June, July, August, and October. Our favorite time of the year to visit is May.
Getting There
Many options are available for those who are visiting Yellowstone National Park. According to the National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park spans 3,472 square miles, which is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined! Most of the park lies within the state of Wyoming, with smaller portions of the park located in Idaho and Montana. A handy map can be found here.
Yellowstone has five entrances that are open to the public. My family and I typically use the West Entrance (located in Montana), though we have also used the Northeast Entrance (near Cooke City, Montana), and the South Entrance (near Jackson, Wyoming). Each entrance has its own advantages, depending on your travel plans.
Which Entrance to Use for Yellowstone National Park?
- North Entrance (Montana). The North Entrance is located near Gardiner, Montana. The North Entrance will bring you closest to Mammoth Hot Springs, which is one of the most stunning sites in the park.
- Northeast Entrance (Montana). Located near Cooke City, Montana, the Northeast Entrance offers access to stunning wildlife. My family has used this entrance during October, and we were lucky enough to see some of the most majestic wildlife including bison, elk, and even wolves!
- South Entrance (Wyoming). Near Jackson, Wyoming, the South Entrance can be used if you are traveling from Grand Teton National Park. My family and I have used this entrance when we are conducting a “speed tour” of Yellowstone, we will bring visitors from Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Jackson, Wyoming, and then into Yellowstone via the South Entrance. It is a very long, very exhausting day, but it is doable!
- East Entrance (Wyoming). The East Entrance is nearest to the stunning Yellowstone Lake. The East Entrance makes sense for those who are traveling via car from Colorado, or any state east of Colorado.
- West Entrance (Montana). The West Entrance is ideal for those traveling from eastern Idaho. The West Entrance is near a small town called West Yellowstone, where you can find shops, restaurants, and lodging. The West Entrance is the nearest entrance to the Old Faithful Geyser but the lines at this entrance are very long during the summer.
Airports Near Yellowstone National Park
If you are visiting Yellowstone National Park, and traveling by plane, there are numerous airport options. The best airport mainly depends on which entrance you plan to use for Yellowstone.
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA). Approximately 110 miles to the West Entrance and 147 miles to the South Entrance.
- Jackson Hole Airport (JAC). Approximately 49 miles to the South Entrance.
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). Approximately 93 miles to the West Entrance and 90 miles to the North Entrance.
- Billings-Logan International Airport (BIL). Approximately 172 miles to the North Entrance and 173 miles to the Northeast Entrance.
- Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody, Wyoming (COD). Approximately 55 miles to the East Entrance.
As you can see, there are a multitude of options for getting to Yellowstone National Park, and planning a visit is not too daunting. Next, we’ll look at where to stay!
