Destinations / Wyoming / Yellowstone
Yellowstone Travel Guide
Yellowstone is bigger than people expect, and the mistake I see most is trying to do it as a day trip from Jackson. Stay inside the park for at least two nights, split between Old Faithful and the Lake or Canyon area, and get to Lamar Valley at dawn for wildlife.
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Where I'm sending people now
From mid-December to early March you reach Old Faithful only by guided snowcoach or snowmobile, from Mammoth, West Yellowstone or the south.
Late May to mid-June and September for open roads, baby animals or the elk rut, with fewer people than July and August. Mid-December to early March for snowcoach trips and wolf watching in Lamar Valley.
In-park lodges run about $250 to $650 a night and fill up a year out; upscale stays like Sage Lodge north of the park run about $450 to $900. Winter snowcoach transfers to Old Faithful are about $180 per adult each way.
Most park roads closed to cars on November 1, 2026, leaving only the North Entrance to Cooke City road through Lamar Valley. Oversnow travel starts December 15, Old Faithful Snow Lodge opens December 16, and bridge work near Old Faithful and Mammoth will mean delays once roads reopen in spring 2027.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Know before you go
Getting there
Bozeman (BZN) has the most flights and is about 90 minutes from the North and West entrances, Jackson (JAC) is about 1 hour 15 minutes from the South Entrance, and Cody (COD) is about an hour from the East Entrance in summer. International visitors usually connect through Denver, Salt Lake City or Minneapolis.
Getting around
From late spring to fall you'll want your own car: the Grand Loop is about 140 miles, and wildlife jams add hours. In winter only the north road is drivable, so I book snowcoach transfers or a guided tour for the interior.
Money and tipping
Entry is $35 per vehicle for seven days, and non-US residents 16 and older pay an extra $100 each unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass. In-park rooms cost less than Jackson hotels, but they have no TV, air conditioning or in-room Wi-Fi, and only in-park guests can book dinner ahead.
How I'd spend 4 days
Day 1 Enter from the south, stop at Lewis Falls and West Thumb, check in at Old Faithful
Day 2 Upper Geyser Basin early, Grand Prismatic from the Fairy Falls overlook, then Midway and Norris
Day 3 Hayden Valley at dawn, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, dinner at Lake Yellowstone Hotel
Day 4 Lamar Valley at sunrise, Mammoth Hot Springs, then out to Gardiner or Bozeman
Tip Fill up on gas and snacks before you enter; services inside the park are spread out and close early.
Hotels I'd book in Yellowstone
Things to do in Yellowstone
Where to eat in Yellowstone
Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Old Faithful Inn Dining Room
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Yellowstone FAQ
Can you visit Yellowstone in winter?
Yes. You can drive the north road from Gardiner to Cooke City all winter for Mammoth and Lamar Valley wildlife, but Old Faithful is reachable only by guided snowcoach or snowmobile from December 15. Old Faithful Snow Lodge is open December 16, 2026 to March 7, 2027, and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel stays open until March 8, 2027.
Where should I stay in Yellowstone?
Split your nights: Old Faithful for the geyser basins, and Lake or Canyon for Hayden Valley and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. In-park lodges book up a year out; if they're gone, Gardiner, West Yellowstone or Sage Lodge in Paradise Valley are the best outside bases.
Is there construction in Yellowstone in 2027?
The park lists work on the Firehole River Bridge near Old Faithful, the Gardner River High Bridge near Mammoth, and parkwide chip sealing, all of which can cause delays. Check the park's road status page or text 82190 to 888-777 for alerts before you drive.