Yellowstone Entrances Compared: Which is the Best?
Choosing which Yellowstone National Park entrance you’ll use to start your vacation is a crucial one, based on what you’d like to see, how long you have in the park, and where you’ll head afterwards.
While each of the entrances has its own attractions, lodging, and natural beauty, there are a few that offer more convenience and the incredible hydrothermal features that the park is known for.
Given that Yellowstone covers 2.2 million acres across 3 states, you want to make sure that the start and ending of your time in the national park lines up with your list of must see sights.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know to choose the correct Yellowstone entrance for your national park vacation. I’ve included suggested places to stay near each, as well as waterfalls, hikes, tours, and food options.
The Camping Kiddos and me next to the northeast entrance sign to Yellowstone National Park
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The 5 Yellowstone National Park Entrances: Pros and Cons
North Entrance: Gardiner, Montana
The Camping Kiddos and I at the north entrance sign
Known as the north entrance, the Gardiner, Montana, entrance puts you closest to Mammoth Hot Springs, an otherworldly collection of tiered hot springs.
The Camping Kiddos and me at the Roosevelt Arch
But first, you’ll have to pass underneath the famed Roosevelt Arch.
The arch is named after President Teddy Roosevelt, who also laid the cornerstone in 1903. Today, the beautiful stone arch welcomes visitors coming into the park from Gardiner.
There’s also an entrance sign directly behind it if you like to get a photo with those at each park you visit.
You’ll wind up North Entrance Road with spectacular views of the Gardner River and the surrounding mountains.
The small town of Mammoth Springs is worth a short stop before you head into the nearby hot springs.
Here, you’ll find the newest hotel in the park, the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins, an ice cream shop, a convenience store, and multiple dining options.
This area is also home to the oldest buildings in the park. We recommend taking the self-guided history tour of Fort Yellowstone to learn about the original homes, hospital, and more as they were in the late 1800s, right as the park was founded.
One of those historic buildings houses the ranger station and visitors center for this corner of the park. The Albright Visitors Center has a small museum inside with taxidermied animals from the park on the first floor, and historic photos of the park’s earliest visitors in the basement.
Just down the road is the trailhead for the Beaver Ponds loop, and the Lower Terraces. My favorite of the Lower Terraces is Devil’s Thumb, which is down a short path just off of the parking area near Liberty Cap.
Head south on Grand Loop Road to access the Upper Terraces by car (you can also walk along the stairs and boardwalks from the Lower Terraces to the Upper).
I found that the Upper Terraces were much more varied than the ones below, so if you only have time for one area, make it the Upper Terraces.
Drive through the Upper Terrace Loop to see Angel Terrace, with its spooky dead trees, the ever-evolving Orange Spring Mound, and the hilariously named Little Burper Spring.
From this area, you can head south on Grand Loop Road about 30 minutes to get to the Norris Geyser Basin. (See below West Entrance: West Yellowstone, Wyoming, for more information on what to do.)
If you head the other direction on Grand Loop Road, and head west past the Albright Visitors Center, you’ll be in Tower-Roosevelt where you can tour on horseback, see a petrified tree, or explore a waterfall. See Northeast Entrance: Silver Gate, Montana, directly below, for more information.
Want to add some adventure to your Gardiner Yellowstone experience? Try a rafting tour on the Yellowstone River in this section of the park:
Northeast Entrance: Silver Gate, Montana
Some bison check out the visitors driving by in Lamar Valley
The northeast entrance nearest Silver City, Montana, is an excellent choice if you’d like to see several waterfalls or take a trail ride as it brings you into the park near Tower Falls and the Roosevelt Corral.
You’ll come into the park on Northeast Entrance Road, which goes through both Silver Gate (about 45 minutes from Tower-Roosevelt in the park) and Cooke City (about 55 minutes from the park).
If you’re looking to base your northeast Yellowstone vacation from one of these, I’d pick Cooke City as it is a little bigger with more options for food. Plus, Cooke City is also the gateway to Beartooth Highway, a must-do in this area of Wyoming and Montana.
>> See my full guide to driving the Beartooth Highway here. <<
Once you’re in the park, you’ll first pass through the stunning Lamar Valley.
This area, along with Hayden Valley (see the Cody, Wyoming, section for more details), is where you’re most likely to see wildlife.
There can be thousands of bison that roam through this area at any given time, and they’re not shy about walking next to or in the road. So, be careful, go slowly, and pull over at the designated overlooks if you’d like.
Lamar Valley is much larger than Hayden Valley, and it takes up the bulk of the area between the northeast entrance station and the Tower-Roosevelt area.
At the intersection of Northeast Entrance Road and Grand Loop Road, you’ll find the Roosevelt Lodge and cabins, and the Roosevelt Corrals.
The younger Camping Kiddo being silly at the Roosevelt Cabins
We love both of these areas, and highly recommend you visit both.
The corrals offer up daily horse tours into the nearby rolling hills, but the real star of the show is the nightly trail ride out to a remote outdoor kitchen and dining area. The Old West Dinner Cookout was one of the absolute highlights of my family’s trip here!
PIN ME!
If you turn south on Grand Loop Road, you’ll come to Tower Falls, which is a great stop with easy access to the waterfall overlook. There’s a much harder hike down to the Yellowstone River if you have more time.
40 miles south of Tower-Roosevelt is Canyon Village, which offers up multiple dining options, an interpretive museum, and access to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. (More information can be found in the East Entrance/Cody, Wyoming section.)
Just north of Tower-Roosevelt is the Petrified Tree. This 50 million year old fossilized tree is the final reminder of the forest that once grew here. It’s a short hike to the tree, and an easy, quick side trip.
Mammoth Hot Springs and the North entrance near Gardiner, Wyoming, are about 35 minutes away. You could easily do a Tower-Roosevelt and Mammoth Hot Springs day trip from Silver Gate or Cooke City.
NOTE: This area of Yellowstone was badly damaged from flooding in June 2022, and the roads are still being fixed and reinforced. While you’re able to access the park from this entrance, there may be delays of up to 30 minutes as you enter and exit the park due to construction.
New to the parks? Check out our guide to the national parks for beginners here!
West Entrance: West Yellowstone, Montana
For easy access to the Norris Geyser Basin—and hundreds of hydrothermal features—use the West Yellowstone, Montana, entrance. You’ll enter the park and almost immediately be able to hop on Grand Loop Road.
If you head north of Grand Loop Road, you’ll be able to visit the Norris geysers, Canyon Village, and even Mammoth Hot Springs, while going south will take you to Grand Prismatic Springs and Old Faithful.
West Yellowstone to Norris Geyser Basin and Canyon Village
From the west entrance, head north 45 minutes into the park on Grand Loop Road. You’ll be able to explore the incredible Norris Geyser Basin here, where you’ll find dozens of hydrothermal features within easy walking distance.
On the way to the Norris Geyser Basin, stop to do the short but spectacular Artists Paintpots Trail. You’ll see a large mud pot and stunningly colored hot springs.
Stop by the interpretive center to learn more about the formation of the hydrothermal features. There’s a small but well-done Museum of the Park Ranger nearby, too, which is worth a visit if you have time.
Both museums are free.
The Camping Kiddos with their completed Junior Ranger booklets
Once you’ve explore the Norris Geyser Basin, you could continue onto Canyon Village via Norris Canyon Road. From the West Yellowstone entrance, Canyon Village is just over 1 hour each way, which is great for a day trip.
At Canyon Village, you can shop, eat, or explore the Canyon Village Education Center. There are some great hikes on both the South and North Rim of the Canyon. (See information below in the “Cody, Wyoming” section for details on how to spend your time here.)
West Yellowstone to Norris Geyser Basin and Mammoth Hot Springs
If you continue on past the Norris Geyser Basin, and head north on Grand Loop Road, you’ll end up in Mammoth Hot Springs near the north entrance. (See above for more information.)
Along this drive, you should stop at Roaring Mountain, where the hot springs on the side of the mountain are so plentiful that you can hear the hissing steam from the parking lot!
The unusual Sheepeater Cliffs is also worth a quick stop.
Mammoth Hot Springs is 1 hour and 15 minutes from West Yellowstone if you’d like to head there for a day trip.
West Yellowstone to Grand Prismatic Springs and Old Faithful
The incredible jewel colors of Grand Prismatic Spring
You’re within easy driving distance of the park’s 2 most famous hydrothermal features with this entrance: Grand Prismatic Springs and Old Faithful.
Grand Prismatic Springs is only 40 minutes south of the west entrance, while Old Faithful is a little less than an hour.
This entrance is ideal for visitors who are coming from nearby must-see places like Craters of the Moon National Monument in Arco, Idaho (3 hours southwest of West Yellowstone) or Salt Lake City, Utah (4.5 hours south).
NOTE: There aren’t any accommodations at this entrance, though you will find multiple hotels in the Old Faithful area about 55 minutes from the entrance, and in the Canyon Village area, about 1 hour away.
East Entrance: Cody, Wyoming
The Wreck of the E.C. Waters in Lake Yellowstone
The east entrance via Cody, Wyoming, puts visitors right on the shores of Lake Yellowstone.
You’ll pass through the Fishing Bridge area as you wind your way to the top of Lake Yellowstone.
Fishing Bridge (which is oddly named now that there’s no fishing allowed from the bridge!) was once where you’d find rows of fishermen looking to catch a trout at the mouth of the Yellowstone River.
There’s more to Fishing Bridge than just the bridge. You can shop for souvenirs at the Fishing Bridge General Store, or grab a bite to eat at the cafe inside of the store. The black bean burger and chicken fingers were among the stand out items on the menu.
The general store is big and even has a decent selection of grocery store items like milk, bread, soft drinks, s’mores ingredients, and rice packets.
At Fishing Bridge, you’ll have to make a decision on which way you’d like to go on Grand Loop Road.
If you head south, you’ll be able to take a tour of Lake Yellowstone and see the West Thumb Geyser Basin.
If you head north, you’ll be able to explore Hayden Valley and the Mud Volcano area before going into Canyon Village.
Fishing Bridge to West Thumb Geyser Basin
Four miles beyond Fishing Bridge, you can rent a boat or jump on a ranger-led tour at Bridge Bay Marina. The 90-minute boat tour that we took was a huge hit with the entire family.
>> Discover more kid-friendly things to do in Yellowstone with my ultimate Yellowstone family vacation guide! <<
Continue your journey south along Grand Loop Road to the West Thumb Geyser Basin trail, about 25 minutes from Bridge Bay Marina.
The West Thumb area is an incredible treasure trove of hydrothermal features, including mud pots, steam vents, and hot springs.
There are even several steam vents in the parking lot!
Walk the West Thumb boardwalk to see various hydrothermal features, many of which are right on Lake Yellowstone.
Fishing Cone hydrothermal feature in Lake Yellowstone
The most famous feature in this area is Fishing Cone, a small hot spring that sits directly on the shore of the lake.
The name comes from the fact that, years ago when fishing was still allowed in this area, fishermen would put their catch on top of the boiling hot steam to cook it quickly.
Cody, Wyoming, to Fishing Bridge is an 1 hour and 45 minute drive, making it an easy day trip to this section of the park. I wouldn’t go much further than West Thumb if I only had one day in the park via the east entrance, though, as you’ll be driving more than 2.5 hours each way if you venture further down Grand Loop Road.
If you’re planning to spend more time in the park and are only entering through the Cody entrance, you can continue clockwise on Grand Loop Road to Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Springs.
Fishing Bridge to Canyon Village
Dragon’s Mouth at Mud Volcano
If you’d prefer to have a mixture of wildlife viewing and hydrothermal hikes, you’ll want to head north on Grand Loop Road from Fishing Bridge.
The Mud Volcano area is fascinating, and you should do at least the lower boardwalk here.
One of our favorite hydrothermal features, Dragon’s Mouth, can be found at the back of the lower boardwalk. It’s one of the best easy hikes in Yellowstone National Park since you can see so much in a short amount of time.
(Definitely do the upper loop trail, too, if you have time!)
There’s plenty of parking here and there are vault toilets.
A few miles to the north, you’ll find Hayden Valley, one of the 2 most likely places you’ll see wildlife in the park.
Here, you can view bison herds, pronghorn, trumpeter swans, and even bears.
As always, keep a safe distance from any wildlife, and never attempt to feed or pet them.
There are several overlooks throughout Hayden Valley, so go through this area, stopping as your family would like.
If the animals aren’t active, you’ll want to move onto Canyon Village, which is at the end of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Canyon Village has multiple restaurants if you’d like a bite to eat. There’s also an interpretive center where you can learn more about the seismic activity in this area, and grab a Junior Ranger booklet.
From Canyon Village, both the north and south rim drives are less than 10 minutes.
If you only have a day here, I’d recommend doing the South Rim, which has easier to access views of Yellowstone Falls.
Make 2 stops along South Rim Drive to see the best views of the falls and river.
The dramatic Yellowstone Falls from the South Rim Trail
The first stop is at the Upper Falls Viewpoint, which is the first parking area to your left on South Rim Drive. Here, you can access the incredible viewing area via a short, paved path. If you’d like to walk further along the rim, you can pick up the South Rim Trail for fewer crowds.
Otherwise, hop back in the car for the short trip to the end of South Rim Trail. Here, you’ll be able to walk along the paved area to Artist’s Point, where you’ll see one of the most famous views in the entire park.
From Cody, Wyoming, via the east entrance, Canyon Village is about 2 hours and 15 minutes by car, making it a doable day trip.
If you’re planning to spend more than one day in the park from the east entrance, you can continue north from Canyon Village to Mount Washburn and then, later, Tower-Roosevelt. Or, you can head west and cut across the park to the Norris Geyser Basin via Norris Canyon Road.
Fishing Bridge has a campground, but no hotels. The closest hotel is the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and cabins, which are just 7 minutes down the road.
South Entrance: Jackson, Wyoming
The southern entrance is about 90 minutes from Jackson, Wyoming, and borders Grand Teton National Park.
If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck in terms of national parks, you can’t do much better than this. You’ll need to wind your way through Grand Teton National Park (which has incredible—and different—views of what you’ll find in Yellowstone) to get to that southern entrance.
If you’d like to do both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in the same trip, this is the entrance that you’ll focus on.
Once you’re in the southern entrance, you’ll be closest to Grant Village and West Thumb geyser basin.
Grant Village has a beautiful trail on the shores of Lake Yellowstone, a visitors center, and a couple of restaurants with water views.
The Camping Kiddos on the shores of Lake Yellowstone at Grant Village
From Grant Village, West Thumb is about a 15 minute drive on U.S. Highway 191. As I noted above in the East Entrance: Cody, Wyoming, section, the West Thumb geyser basin is incredible—and an often overlooked part of the park.
There are jewel-colored pools that rival those at Grand Prismatic Spring, and a wide variety of mudpots, steam vents, and small geysers.
If you’d like to push further into the park, the Old Faithful area is another 40 minutes northwest of West Thumb, and offers up dozens of geysers, including the park’s most famous!
You could do the West Thumb geyser basin in a day trip from Jackson, Wyoming, as it’s around 1 hour and 50 minutes by car. If you’d like to go further into the park, you’ll want to stay overnight.
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