Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Bermuda
Canada
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Egypt
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Before you go
Your trip to West Yellowstone.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
West Yellowstone – Montana Destination Yellowstone and Grand Teton
How to get there
-
Yellowstone Airport (WYS) 2 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Bozeman Airport (BZN) is about 145 km away; in summer the small West Yellowstone Airport (WYS), 2 km away, receives regional flights. Jackson is about 200 km through the park.
How many days
Two to three days, for the park’s southern geysers, the Grand Prismatic and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
When to go
May to October, while the park roads are open to cars; July and August are the busiest months. Late December to March, to enter the park in snow vehicles, with organized tours.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No, for the park: there is no public transport to the geysers. The town itself is small and walkable.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in West Yellowstone
-
Morning
Grand Prismatic
Enter the park via the west entrance and go to the Midway Geyser Basin for the Grand Prismatic; then hike the Fairy Falls trail to the overlook above the spring.
-
Afternoon
Old Faithful
Continue to the Old Faithful basin, check the next eruption time, and walk the boardwalks among the other geysers.
2 days in West Yellowstone
Day 2
-
All day
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Head to the Canyon area for overlooks of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, with the Upper and Lower Falls, then return via Hayden Valley, where bison often graze.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is West Yellowstone far from Old Faithful?
About 50 km along the park road, roughly an hour’s drive when there are no animals on the road.
Does West Yellowstone operate in winter?
Yes, but the park road closes to cars: access is by snow vehicles, with organized tours departing from town.
Where to see bears and wolves in West Yellowstone?
At the town’s brown bear and wolf observation center, which houses animals that cannot live in the wild. In the park, sightings depend on luck and the season.
What time zone is West Yellowstone in?
UTC−7 in standard time (Mountain Time) and UTC−6 from March to November, during daylight saving time.