The short answer
Yellowstone is 80 miles from Bozeman at its North Entrance (Gardiner) and 90 miles at its West Entrance (West Yellowstone). Most visitors base in Bozeman and spend two or three long day trips — or one loop with a night inside — covering the geyser basins, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the wildlife valleys.
What to do
Top things to do at Yellowstone National Park
Geyser basins
Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and Norris hold the world’s greatest concentration of geysers and hot springs.
Wildlife valleys
Lamar and Hayden Valleys are the best places in the lower 48 to watch bison, elk, wolves and bears from the road.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The 308-foot Lower Falls and Artist Point are a short walk from the parking lots.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Travertine terraces and the historic Fort Yellowstone district, five miles inside the North Entrance.
By van
Getting there in a van
For the geysers, drive US-191 south through Gallatin Canyon and Big Sky to West Yellowstone. For Mammoth, Lamar Valley and the canyon, take I-90 east to Livingston and US-89 south through Paradise Valley to Gardiner. Doing one in and the other out makes a great loop.
- The park speed limit is 45 mph or lower, and wildlife jams are constant — budget twice the mileage time.
- Use pullouts only; never stop in a travel lane. A full-size van needs the whole pullout.
- Fuel up in Gardiner or West Yellowstone; in-park stations are limited and seasonal.
Pack list
What to bring to Yellowstone National Park
- Bear spray (buy in Bozeman — you can’t fly with it)
- Binoculars for every window
- Lunch and water for the day
- Layers for 40°F mornings
FAQ
Yellowstone National Park: common questions
How many days do you need in Yellowstone from Bozeman?
Two full days covers the highlights: one for the geyser basins via West Yellowstone, one for Mammoth, Lamar Valley and the canyon via Gardiner. Three days lets you slow down for wildlife.
How much is the Yellowstone entrance fee for a van?
The standard private-vehicle pass covers one non-commercial vehicle with 15 or fewer seats — so a rental passenger van pays the same as a car. Starting in 2026, international visitors also pay a per-person nonresident fee. Check NPS for current prices.
Things to do here
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