Lower Loop via West Yellowstone
Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and the geyser basins along the Firehole River: what most first-timers want. In summer, start early; parking at the big geyser basins fills up.
Bozeman sits between two Yellowstone gateways. The North Entrance at Gardiner is about 1.5 hours away via I-90 and US-89 through Paradise Valley. The West Entrance at West Yellowstone is about 1.6 hours via US-191 through the Gallatin Canyon and past Big Sky. (Our drive-time estimates from Belgrade, without traffic.)
The essentials
- North Entrance (Gardiner): the only park road open to regular cars all year: Mammoth Hot Springs → Tower → Lamar Valley → Cooke City. NPS
- West Entrance (West Yellowstone): the fastest way to Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic. Open to cars April 17 – October 31, 2026 (projected); guided over-snow only Dec 15, 2026 – Mar 15, 2027. NPS
- Entrance pass: an entrance fee applies to private vehicles. Check current fees with the NPS. NPS
- Directions: NPS directions
Road dates are projections and change with weather and construction. Check NPS road status the morning you go.
Pick one loop, not the whole park
Mammoth & Lamar Valley via Gardiner
The Mammoth Hot Springs terraces, then Lamar Valley for bison, pronghorn and, with luck, wolves (best at dawn and dusk). Paradise Valley is part of the drive, and this route works in winter too.
Upper Loop
Mammoth, Norris Geyser Basin, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Lamar. Long for one day from Bozeman, so it’s a good one to let a guide drive.
Let someone else drive: Yellowstone day tours from Bozeman
Full-Day Best of Yellowstone Tour from Bozeman
No car needed: a naturalist guide drives you through the park for geysers, canyons and wildlife.
Good for: No car needed, Wildlife
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From Bozeman: Yellowstone Day Tour, Lower Loop
Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic and the Lower Loop highlights in one guided day.
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Private Upper Loop Tour of Yellowstone
Mammoth Hot Springs terraces, Lamar Valley wildlife and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, private for your group.
Good for: Wildlife
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Yellowstone Wildlife Safari in Lamar Valley from Bozeman
A guided day in Lamar Valley searching for wolves, bison and elk with a naturalist guide and spotting scopes.
Good for: Wildlife
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Driving yourself
- Most visitors fly into BZN, where the rental counters sit next to baggage claim.
- Fill up before you enter: distances inside the park are long, speed limits are low and wildlife jams are normal.
- Plan a long day (12 hours or more) for the Lower Loop from Bozeman. With two days, use the other entrance on day two.
🚗 Rent a car in BozemanFlying into BZN? Compare rental cars and drive to Yellowstone and Big Sky on your own schedule.
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Where to stay
We host three homes plus a duplex with two private units that can be booked together in Belgrade, about 5 minutes from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN): an easy base for Bozeman, Big Sky and both Yellowstone entrances. See our homes →
More: Yellowstone entrances & drive times · West Yellowstone · All tours
Frequently asked questions
How far is Yellowstone from Bozeman?
About 1.5 hours to the North Entrance at Gardiner and about 1.6 hours to the West Entrance at West Yellowstone, by our estimates without traffic.
Can you do Yellowstone in a day from Bozeman?
Yes, if you pick one area: the Lower Loop (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic) via West Yellowstone, or Mammoth and Lamar Valley via Gardiner.
Which entrance is open in winter?
Only the North Entrance road (Gardiner–Mammoth–Lamar–Cooke City) is open to regular cars all winter. Elsewhere you need a guided snowcoach or snowmobile tour from mid-December to mid-March.
Are there Yellowstone tours that pick up in Bozeman?
Yes. Several full-day guided tours start in Bozeman, including Lower Loop and Lamar Valley wildlife trips.