The short answer
This is the classic geyser day: US-191 through Gallatin Canyon and Big Sky to West Yellowstone, then 30 miles into the park to Old Faithful, with Grand Prismatic Spring and the Firehole River along the way.
The route
Stops along the way
- 1
Big Sky
Coffee and fuel stop about an hour in.
Big Sky guide → - 2
West Yellowstone
Park entrance and last full-service town.
West Yellowstone guide → - 3
Madison Junction
Where the Gibbon and Firehole rivers meet the Madison.
- 4
Grand Prismatic Spring
Midway Geyser Basin and the Fairy Falls overlook.
Grand Prismatic Spring guide → - 5
Old Faithful
Check the eruption prediction, then walk the Upper Geyser Basin.
Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin guide →
By van
Road notes for van drivers
- Leave Bozeman by 6 a.m. in summer to beat entrance lines and full lots.
- Inside the park, the limit is 45 mph or lower — and wildlife jams are common.
- Return via Norris, Mammoth and Gardiner to make a full loop (about 280 mi).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can you do Old Faithful as a day trip from Bozeman?
Yes, but it’s a long day: about 2 hours 45 minutes each way. Start early or stay one night in West Yellowstone.
Is there an entrance fee on US-191 through Yellowstone?
No fee is charged for the US-191 through-route across the park’s northwest corner. You pay at the West Entrance station when you go into the park itself.
Destinations on this trip
