West Yellowstone – West Entrance
West Yellowstone is the most popular entrance to Yellowstone and is located 2 hours south of Bozeman/Belgrade via Jackrabbin Lane/Highway 191. Following the Gallatin River through the Gallatin Canyon, which locals refer to as the “Canyon”. Eleven miles south of Big Sky is the border of Yellowstone Park AND the speed limit drops to 55 HERE. This route is a beautiful dive and can often be a wonderful wildlife viewing journey.
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport to West Yellowstone – 2 hours, 91 Miles
Big Sky to West Yellowstone – 1 hour, 51 Miles
Ennis to West Yellowstone – 1 hr, 10 minutes – 72 Miles
Helena to West Yellowstone – 3 hours – 177 Miles
Virginia City to West Yellowstone – 1 hour, 26 minutes – 85 Miles
Gardiner, Montana – North Entrance
Gadiner, Montana, is located one hour south of Livingston, Montana, via the Paradise Valley. Following the Yellowstone River through this amazing valley, known for blue-ribbon fly-fishing.
The closest airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.
Livingston to Gardiner – 1 hour, 55 Miles
Bozeman to Gardiner – 1 hour, 15 minutes – 78 Miles
Silver Gate / Cooke City, Montana – Northeast Entrance
Silver Gate/Cooke City are small towns (even by Montana standards) located at the northeast gate of Yellowstone National Park and are open year-round. During the winter, however, this is the end of the road and is known as a great snowmobile destination. Silver Gate is two hours south of Billings via the Beartooth Highway, and you can only use this route during the summer. That said, due to the elevation, the Beartooth Highway often closes for a day or so due to snow during the summer, and it is a good idea to check before you go. Once you enter Yellowstone National Park, you are in the Lamar Valley, where you are likely to see grizzly, fox, antelope, bison, elk, and this is a popular place to see wolves. It is a good idea to have binoculars with you as the grizzly and wolves are often at a distance, which is generally a good thing!
Billings to Silver Gate / Cooke City – 2 hours, 15 minutes via Red Lodge/Beartooth Highway – 125 Miles
Billings to Silver Gate / Cooke City – 4 hours, 20 minutes via Livingston / Paradise Valley – 226 Miles
Gardiner to Silver Gate / Cooke City – 1 hour, 30 minutes – 53 miles
East Entrance – via Cody, Wyoming
The East Entrance to Yellowstone has long been a favorite, and that’s because it is the most untamed and wild entrance to the park. Once leaving Cody, Wyoming, visitors take what is known as the “Northfork” 54 miles deep into the wilderness to the official entrance of Yellowstone.
Road construction is underway on park roads. Check the park newspaper, Current Road Status, or call 307-344-2117 for delays or closures. The speed limit is 45 mph unless otherwise posted. Please drive slowly and cautiously to protect yourself and wildlife. This entrance opens in early May.
Cody, Wyoming to the East Entrance – 1 hour, 53 Miles
South Entrance – Via Teton National Park / Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The drive from Jackson, WY to the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park is a two-hour drive north along John D. Rockefeller Jr. Parkway. It’s a beautiful scenic highway, with many photo opportunities along the way, while viewing wildlife.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming to Yellowstone National Park – 2 hours, 45 minutes – 138 Miles