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Experience Yellowstone National Park Like a Local: Your Insider's Guide

The Five Entrances of Yellowstone National Park

The North Entrance, near Gardiner, Montana, features the historic Roosevelt Arch and provides year-round access to Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley.
The Northeast Entrance, near Cooke City, Montana, provides access to the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley and the scenic Beartooth Highway.
The East Entrance, close to Cody, Wyoming, follows the scenic North Fork of the Shoshone River and leads to Fishing Bridge and Hayden Valley.
The South Entrance, near Jackson, Wyoming, connects visitors traveling from Grand Teton National Park to Yellowstone, offering access to Yellowstone Lake and Old Faithful.
The West Entrance, located in West Yellowstone, Montana, is one of the park's busiest entry points, granting easy access to the Lower and Midway Geyser Basins.
Planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park is an adventure in itself! Imagine flying into one of the nearby airports—Bozeman, Montana; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; or Cody, Wyoming—and starting your journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. Booking your flights and rental car early is a smart move, especially since Yellowstone is a hot spot in the summer, with visitors from all over the world flocking to see its wonders. Don’t forget to check the park conditions and seasonal weather to pack appropriately and make the most of your visit.
Whether you choose the North, West, South, East, or Northeast entrance, each gateway offers its own unique charm and exciting sights. With a bit of planning, you’ll be ready to dive into Yellowstone’s geysers, wildlife, and stunning vistas, making memories that will last a lifetime.
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Bordering Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is the ONLY year-round entry point. Here you’ll enjoy the unique experience of entering the Park through the Roosevelt Arch—a ceremonial entryway erected in 1903 and named after conservationist President Theodore Roosevelt.
If you are looking for jaw-dropping scenery that includes the iconic Tower Fall waterfall, then look no further than the dramatic Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It's an excellent starting point for exploring the northern reaches of the park, and its close proximity to the Beartooth Highway and easy access to the wildlife of Lamar Valley add to the allure. For those who appreciate beautiful mountain landscapes and are eager to spot a black bear or grizzly, the Northeast Entrance is a must-visit.
The East Entrance offers a peaceful and scenic introduction to Yellowstone National Park, with access to the impressive Yellowstone Lake as well as the famous Fisherman’s Bridge. Cody, Wyoming, the nearest gateway town, provides an authentically western experience, and caters to tourists wanting to take a walk on the wild side. This entrance is largely untamed with miles and miles of wilderness allowing guests to spread out and experience the beauty of the wild west.
The South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is within close proximity to Jackson Hole, Wyoming—a vacation destination like no other. It also provides a connection to Grand Teton National Park, making it a popular choice for national park enthusiasts. With easy entry to Yellowstone’s Lower Loop, the South Entrance provides access to numerous geyser basins as well as the more popular sites such as Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring.
Yellowstone’s most popular entrance, the West Entrance, provides easy access to some of the Park’s most iconic landmarks, including Old Faithful. Conveniently located just across the Wyoming border in Montana, and only an hour outside of Big Sky, the entry point is nestled in the charming town of West Yellowstone—a tourist destination in its own right, and a bustling hub of park-inspired activities. The West Entrance is perfect for those wanting to experience all the historic attractions Yellowstone National Park has to offer.
Bordering Gardiner, Montana, the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is the ONLY year-round entry point. Here you’ll enjoy the unique experience of entering the Park through the Roosevelt Arch—a ceremonial entryway erected in 1903 and named after conservationist President Theodore Roosevelt.
If you are looking for jaw-dropping scenery that includes the iconic Tower Fall waterfall, then look no further than the dramatic Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It's an excellent starting point for exploring the northern reaches of the park, and its close proximity to the Beartooth Highway and easy access to the wildlife of Lamar Valley add to the allure. For those who appreciate beautiful mountain landscapes and are eager to spot a black bear or grizzly, the Northeast Entrance is a must-visit.
The East Entrance offers a peaceful and scenic introduction to Yellowstone National Park, with access to the impressive Yellowstone Lake as well as the famous Fisherman’s Bridge. Cody, Wyoming, the nearest gateway town, provides an authentically western experience, and caters to tourists wanting to take a walk on the wild side. This entrance is largely untamed with miles and miles of wilderness allowing guests to spread out and experience the beauty of the wild west.
The South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is within close proximity to Jackson Hole, Wyoming—a vacation destination like no other. It also provides a connection to Grand Teton National Park, making it a popular choice for national park enthusiasts. With easy entry to Yellowstone’s Lower Loop, the South Entrance provides access to numerous geyser basins as well as the more popular sites such as Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring.
Yellowstone’s most popular entrance, the West Entrance, provides easy access to some of the Park’s most iconic landmarks, including Old Faithful. Conveniently located just across the Wyoming border in Montana, and only an hour outside of Big Sky, the entry point is nestled in the charming town of West Yellowstone—a tourist destination in its own right, and a bustling hub of park-inspired activities. The West Entrance is perfect for those wanting to experience all the historic attractions Yellowstone National Park has to offer.
Winter brings calm and snowy quiet, summer says sunny excitement and peaceful wilderness wanders, while spring and fall let you choose your own adventure with shoulder-season fun. Pick your season, and see what the park has to offer.