Five Gateways Into Yellowstone
Yellowstone is enormous, and it has five different entrances spread around its edges. Which one you choose shapes your whole trip, from the drive in to what you see first. So which Yellowstone entrance should you use? It depends on where you are coming from and what you most want to see. Here is a simple guide to each gate.
The Five Entrances
Each entrance opens onto a different corner of the park, near different towns and highlights.
- West Entrance (West Yellowstone, Montana): the busiest and most popular, closest to Old Faithful and the geyser basins.
- North Entrance (Gardiner, Montana): the only entrance open to cars year round, near Mammoth Hot Springs and the wildlife-rich Lamar Valley.
- South Entrance: connects directly to Grand Teton National Park, great if you are pairing the two.
- East Entrance (near Cody, Wyoming): opens toward Yellowstone Lake.
- Northeast Entrance (Cooke City): the quietest, and the gateway to the Lamar Valley, famous for wolves and bison.
Match the Entrance to Your Plan
Think about your top priority as you choose:
- Geysers and Old Faithful: the West Entrance is closest.
- Wildlife watching: the North or Northeast entrances reach the Lamar Valley best.
- Combining with the Tetons: use the South Entrance.
- A year-round visit: the North Entrance stays open to vehicles all winter.
Seasons and Road Closures
Timing matters, because most park roads close to regular cars in winter, roughly early November into spring. During that season, only the road from the North Entrance through to the Northeast is open to vehicles, while the rest of the park is reached by guided snowcoach or snowmobile. Always check current road and entrance status before you travel, since openings shift with the weather.
Start Your Trip at the Right Gate
There is no single best entrance to Yellowstone, only the right one for your route and your must-sees. Pick the gate that lines up with the geysers, wildlife, or scenery you care about most, and check the season before you go. On a guided tour, your driver handles the entrance and route, so you can simply take in the park. Tell us what you want to see, and we will start you at the perfect gateway.