Yellowstone National Park Entrances

Yellowstone’s five paved vehicle entrances are the practical doorways into a vast and wildly varied landscape. Each entrance offers different advantages depending on where you’re staying, what you want to see first, and what time of year you plan to visit. Below I describe the West, North, Northeast, East, and South entrances in visitor-focused detail — where they lead, who they’re best for, seasonal notes, driving context, and practical tips so you can pick the right approach for your trip.

Quick Reference Guide: Yellowstone National Park Entrances

Entrance	Location	Access Season	Nearby Towns	Key Highlights	Visitor Notes
West Entrance	West Yellowstone, Montana	Open late April to early November (weather permitting)	West Yellowstone (0 miles), Island Park (30 miles)	Most popular entrance; provides quick access to geysers, hot springs, and the Madison Junction area.	Best for visitors exploring the Geyser Basins and Old Faithful. Expect long lines in summer; plenty of hotels and services nearby.
North Entrance	Gardiner, Montana	Open year-round (except during severe winter weather)	Gardiner (0 miles), Livingston (53 miles)	Historic Roosevelt Arch; access to Mammoth Hot Springs and northern wildlife areas.	Only entrance open all year. Convenient for winter visitors and those coming from Bozeman or Livingston.
Northeast Entrance	Cooke City, Montana	Open year-round (limited winter access via Beartooth Highway closure)	Cooke City (4 miles), Silver Gate (1 mile)	Gateway to Lamar Valley—Yellowstone’s best wildlife viewing area.	Ideal for wolf watchers and photographers. Access can be challenging in winter; check road conditions.
East Entrance	Cody, Wyoming	Typically open early May through early November	Cody (53 miles), Wapiti (30 miles)	Scenic drive through Sylvan Pass; access to Yellowstone Lake and Fishing Bridge.	Perfect for visitors traveling from Cody, with great scenic drives and abundant wildlife en route.
South Entrance	Jackson Hole, Wyoming	Open early May through early November	Jackson (57 miles), Grand Teton National Park (adjacent)	Connects Yellowstone with Grand Teton National Park.	Best for those visiting both parks. Expect heavy traffic in summer; beautiful views along the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Parkway.

Yellowstone National Park Entrance Map

1. West Entrance (West Yellowstone, Montana)

The West Entrance at West Yellowstone is the most popular gateway for many visitors because it puts you closest to the park’s main geothermal corridor — Old Faithful, the Upper Geyser Basin, and the Firehole/Lower Geyser areas — while also connecting quickly to Madison and the Grand Loop. The town of West Yellowstone has the largest cluster of visitor services immediately adjacent to a park gate: lodging, restaurants, rental gear, gas, and the year’s busiest visitor center (operating seasonally).

For those who want to minimize driving time to Old Faithful or who prefer a classic Yellowstone itinerary, the West Entrance is a natural choice. Expect heavier traffic here in summer and plan to arrive early for parking at popular stops. In winter the access pattern changes (many roads are closed or groomed for oversnow travel), so check current road conditions before you go. 

2. North Entrance (Gardiner, Montana)

The North Entrance at Gardiner is unique: it is the only park entrance that remains open year-round for normal vehicular access, providing continuous access to Mammoth Hot Springs and the northern range.

Gardiner itself is a good base for travelers who want quick access to Mammoth, the northern geyser terraces, and the Lamar Valley wildlife viewing areas to the east. Because the North Entrance stays open through the winter, it is the principal route for winter staff and for visitors using the park’s northern facilities. If you need guaranteed seasonal access or are visiting in shoulder or winter months, this entrance is the most dependable option.

The North Entrance also places you closer to the scenic drive along the Yellowstone River and to the park planning and interpretive services at Mammoth. Always check the latest road notices if you plan to drive long loops — some interior roads and passes close seasonally. 

3. Northeast Entrance (Cooke City / Silver Gate, Montana)

The Northeast Entrance at Cooke City / Silver Gate is the gateway to the Lamar Valley and Beartooth Highway approaches. This entrance is prized by wildlife watchers and photographers because Lamar Valley’s open meadows foster excellent predator and big-game viewing. 

The approach from Cooke City also gives access to the spectacular Beartooth Highway (seasonal), one of North America’s most dramatic summer drives, which climbs into high alpine scenery and connects to Red Lodge, Montana. 

The Northeast Entrance and the Beartooth route are subject to snow for much of the year; in practice the Beartooth and some approach roads open only in late spring or early summer and close with autumn snows. If you plan to enter or leave via Cooke City, factor in seasonal road openings and potential detours — during winter and early spring the approach options are limited and the road status changes year to year based on snow removal and weather. 

4. East Entrance (Cody, Wyoming)

The East Entrance near Cody is a long but scenic approach that is perfect for travelers who want to combine Yellowstone with Cody’s Old West attractions, rodeos, and museums. The drive from Cody to the East Entrance is an experience in itself, following the North Fork of the Shoshone River and crossing rugged valleys. 

Once inside, this route gives straightforward access to Yellowstone Lake, Fishing Bridge, and the park’s eastern highlands. The East Entrance is less used than the West or North gates, so you’ll find quieter roads and fewer crowds in many places. Because the approach is more remote, services are sparser near the gate, so stock up in Cody if you plan to enter here. 

The East Entrance is seasonal (spring through fall) and the opening date can vary year to year depending on snow removal; check the park’s operating dates before travel. 

5. South Entrance (John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway / Jackson Hole, Wyoming)

The South Entrance links Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole area, making it the natural choice if you plan to combine both parks. The drive north from Jackson is scenic and straightforward via the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Parkway; it takes you into Yellowstone near the West Thumb and Grant Village area along Yellowstone Lake. 

Jackson Hole’s airport and rich visitor infrastructure make the South Entrance an excellent logistical hub: fly into Jackson and drive north to enjoy the Tetons and then continue into Yellowstone. Like the East and West gates, the South Entrance is subject to seasonal road closures and snow clearing schedules — park roads across the southern corridor are typically open in summer and may have reduced services in shoulder months — so plan your timing accordingly. 

Practical Tips for Choosing an Entrance

Pick the entrance that best matches your priorities. If you want geysers first, West is nearest to Old Faithful; if you want year-round access or Mammoth Hot Springs, choose North; for wildlife and the Lamar Valley, approach via the Northeast; Cody and the East Entrance suit travelers who value scenic drives and western culture; and Jackson/South is perfect for pairing Grand Teton with Yellowstone. Entrance choice also affects driving time inside the park: Yellowstone’s loop roads are long, and traveling from one entrance to a distant destination can take several hours.

Always check the National Park Service “park roads” and “operating dates” pages before you travel because interior road openings, construction work, and seasonal grooming schedules change each year. Entrance stations require a valid park pass; fees and pass options (daily, annual, interagency) are available online and at entrance kiosks. Finally, no matter which gate you use, arrive early for popular pullouts, carry bear spray if you’ll hike or camp, obey wildlife-distance rules, and keep flexible timelines — Yellowstone rewards patience with wildlife and quiet moments you won’t forget.