Yellowstone was the world's first national park, created in 1872, and it is huge: almost 9,000 square kilometers (about 3,470 square miles) spread across Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. It has the largest concentration of geysers on the planet, hot springs in impossible colors and bison that cross the road in no hurry at all. For international travelers, the two hard parts are getting there, because there is no big city nearby, and picking the right dates, because almost all of its roads close in winter. This guide covers what it costs to enter Yellowstone in 2026, which town and airport are closest, how many days you need, what to see, when the roads close and the wildlife rules that prevent the most accidents. Last checked October 27, 2026.
The essentials
- Where it is. Mostly in northwestern Wyoming, with parts in Montana and Idaho.
- Entrance. $35 per car for a week, plus a $100 per person surcharge for foreign visitors aged 16 or older.
- Nearby airports. Bozeman and Billings in Montana, Jackson and Cody in Wyoming, Idaho Falls, and West Yellowstone in season only.
- When to go. From late spring to early fall. In 2026, almost all roads closed on November 1.
- How many days. At least two or three, because distances inside the park are long.
How much it costs to enter Yellowstone in 2026
According to the National Park Service, entry costs $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle and $20 per person on foot or by bike, and it is valid for 7 days. Since 2026, visitors aged 16 or older who are not US residents also pay a $100 per person surcharge.
A couple of tourists in a car pays $235. The $250 America the Beautiful nonresident annual pass waives the surcharge and also works at Grand Teton, the neighboring park, which charges it too, and at others such as the Grand Canyon, Zion and Yosemite. If you are combining Yellowstone and Grand Teton, the pass almost always pays off. The full list of surcharge parks and the math on when the pass is worth it are in US national parks for international visitors.
What is the closest town, and how do you get there?
Yellowstone has no big city next door. It has small towns at each entrance, such as Gardiner to the north, West Yellowstone to the west and Cody to the east, and several regional airports a few hours away. According to the park, the most used airports are:
- Bozeman, Montana, the one with the most flights in the area.
- Jackson, Wyoming, to the south, which lets you add Grand Teton National Park.
- Billings, Montana, and Cody, Wyoming, to the east.
- Idaho Falls, Idaho.
- West Yellowstone, right by the west entrance, with flights from Salt Lake City only from early May to mid-October.
There are no direct international flights to any of them: most visitors from abroad connect through hubs such as Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas or Houston. You will need to rent a car, because there is no public transportation inside the park and the distances are long. If you have never driven in the US, read our guide to driving in the US with a foreign license.
How many days do you need in Yellowstone?
At least two or three full days. The park's main road forms a giant figure eight connecting the best-known areas, and a lot of time goes into getting from one to another, because speed limits are low and animals stop traffic. According to the park, just getting from an entrance to the first road junction takes between 15 minutes and an hour, depending on the entrance.
With two days you can cover the geyser basins and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. With three or four, you add the wildlife valleys and the lake.
What to see in Yellowstone
- Old Faithful. The most famous geyser, which erupts at fairly regular intervals. The park posts the predicted time of the next eruption.
- Grand Prismatic Spring. The largest hot spring in the park, with blue, green and orange rings. It looks best from the overlook on a nearby trail.
- The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. A canyon with yellow walls and two waterfalls.
- Lamar and Hayden valleys. The easiest places to see bison and elk, and with luck, wolves and bears.
- Mammoth Hot Springs. White stone terraces formed by hot water, near the north entrance.
- Yellowstone Lake, a huge mountain lake.
About the volcano: Yellowstone sits on a volcanic caldera, which is why it has so many geysers. Scientists monitor it constantly. The real, everyday danger is the thermal water, which can be boiling under a thin crust.
Where to stay
There are hotels and campgrounds inside the park, but they sell out months ahead for summer. Outside, the gateway towns are the practical option:
- West Yellowstone, at the west entrance, the closest to the geyser basins.
- Gardiner, at the north entrance, near Mammoth and the wildlife valleys, and accessible all year.
- Cody, to the east, farther away but with more services.
- Jackson, to the south, if you are combining the trip with Grand Teton.
Switching towns halfway through saves hours of driving: one or two nights in the west for the geysers and one or two in the north for the wildlife is a plan that works. An accident or a doctor's visit far from everything is expensive, so check our guide to travel insurance for the US before you go.
Rules for wildlife and thermal areas
According to the park, these are the minimum distances:
- Bears, wolves and cougars. At least 100 yards (about 91 meters).
- Bison, elk, deer and all other animals. At least 25 yards (about 23 meters).
The park warns that bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. They look slow, but they run fast. Don't get closer for a photo, even if other people are doing it.
In thermal areas, always stay on the boardwalks and marked trails. Leaving them is dangerous and prohibited.
When the roads close: the best time to go
Yellowstone has a short driving season. According to the park's October 21, 2026, announcement:
- The west, south and east entrances, and almost all roads, closed on November 1, 2026. October 31 was the last day to drive them.
- The road between the north entrance at Gardiner and the northeast entrance toward Cooke City stays open all year, weather permitting.
- From December 15, the park is explored in winter by snowmobile and snowcoach, on authorized tours.
The spring reopening usually happens in stages starting in April. Summer is high season, with every service open and the most people; September tends to bring fewer visitors and good weather, although nights are already cold. Cell service inside the park is limited: download your maps before you go in.
If you want to combine several parks on one trip, see also our guide to Zion and Bryce.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest city to Yellowstone?
There is no big city nearby. The gateway towns are Gardiner, West Yellowstone and Cody, and the airport with the most flights is Bozeman, Montana.
Where is Yellowstone?
Mostly in northwestern Wyoming, with parts in Montana and Idaho.
How many days do you need to visit Yellowstone?
At least two or three full days, because of the distances inside the park.
How much does it cost to enter Yellowstone?
The vehicle pass costs $35 and is valid for seven days; foreign visitors aged 16 or older also pay $100 each, unless they hold the nonresident annual pass.
When does Yellowstone close?
Almost all roads closed on November 1, 2026. The road between the north and northeast entrances stays open all year.
How far do you have to stay from bison?
At least 25 yards, about 23 meters. From bears and wolves, at least 100 yards, about 91 meters.