If you have ever dreamed of standing next to a roaring geyser, watching a grizzly bear wander across an open meadow, or gazing into the deep blue depths of a geothermal hot spring, then it is time to visit Yellowstone.
Visiting Yellowstone
How to Get to Yellowstone
The nearest major airports to Yellowstone are Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) in Wyoming (90 km from the South Entrance), Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Montana (135 km from the North Entrance), and Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) (175 km from the West Entrance). There is no public transport into the park, which makes a car rental absolutely essential.
Car Rental – Getting Around Yellowstone
Having your own vehicle is the only practical way to explore Yellowstone. Roads within the park form a large figure-8 loop spanning over 400 km. We recommend booking a car well in advance, especially for peak summer months. Reliable car rental options:
Rentalcars.com – compare prices from all major providers at all three airports
Discover Cars – ideal for longer trips, free cancellation available
Enterprise Rent-A-Car – large SUV and 4WD options for mountain roads
Budget Car Rental – budget-friendly options from Jackson Hole Airport
Tip: Opt for a high-clearance SUV or AWD vehicle if visiting in spring (May) or early winter when roads may be icy or unpaved.
Travel Insurance – Don’t Leave Home Without It
Exploring wilderness areas like Yellowstone National Park comes with risks – from altitude sickness and unexpected weather to wildlife encounters and trip cancellations. Medical evacuation from a remote area of the park can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Purchasing travel insurance is not optional; it is essential.
Recommended Travel Insurance Providers
World Nomads – ideal for adventure travelers; covers hiking, wildlife activities, emergency evacuation
SafetyWing – flexible monthly subscription, good for long-term travelers
Allianz Travel Insurance – comprehensive US-based plans with high medical coverage
Travel Guard by AIG – excellent trip cancellation and interruption coverage
InsureMyTrip – comparison tool to find the best policy for your needs
Key things to verify in your policy: medical emergency coverage ($100,000+ minimum), emergency evacuation, trip cancellation/interruption, and coverage for outdoor activities.
Accommodation: Where to Stay while visiting Yellowstone
Accommodation in and around Yellowstone National Park books up extremely fast. For summer 2026, begin your search at least 6 months in advance. There are two main options: staying inside the park (managed by Xanterra) or in one of the gateway towns.
Inside the Park – Xanterra Lodges
Old Faithful Inn – the iconic historic log lodge, steps from Old Faithful Geyser (the #1 bucket list lodge)
Lake Yellowstone Hotel – elegant colonial-style hotel on Yellowstone Lake, stunning sunrises
Canyon Lodge – modern lodges near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel – open year-round, near Mammoth Terraces and the north entrance
Gateway Town Hotels & B&Bs
West Yellowstone, MT lodging on Booking.com – closest town to the West Entrance; large variety of hotels and motels
Gardiner, MT lodging on Booking.com – gateway to the North Entrance (the only entrance open year-round)
Jackson Hole lodging on Booking.com – upscale base near the South Entrance, also close to Grand Teton National Park
Camping Inside the Park
Yellowstone has 12 campgrounds. Most can be reserved via Recreation.govup to 6 months in advance. Grant Village, Bridge Bay, Fishing Bridge, Canyon, and Madison are reservable. Others operate first-come, first-served.
7-Day Yellowstone Itinerary 2026
This Yellowstone itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want to see the park’s greatest highlights while still leaving time to slow down and soak in the scenery. The route follows a logical loop to minimize backtracking, starting and ending at West Yellowstone.
Day 1 – Arrival in West Yellowstone
Fly into Bozeman (BZN) or Jackson Hole (JAC) and pick up your rental car. Drive to West Yellowstone – a lively gateway town with restaurants, gear shops, and the Yellowstone Historic Center. Pick up your park pass at the entrance station and buy bear spray at any local outdoor store (check park regulations – bear spray is strongly recommended for all trail hiking). End the evening with a relaxed walk along the Firehole River.
Day 2 – Old Faithful & Geyser Country (Upper Geyser Basin)
Start early to beat the crowds. Old Faithful erupts approximately every 90 minutes, shooting superheated water up to 56 meters high – an unmissable sight. Walk the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk (5 km loop) to see over 150 geysers. Then drive to the Midway Geyser Basin to see the Grand Prismatic Spring – Yellowstone’s largest hot spring, measuring 91 meters across in shades of deep blue, emerald green, and fiery orange. For a bird’s-eye view, hike the short Fairy Falls Trail for the famous Grand Prismatic overlook.
Day 3 – Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Wake up before sunrise and drive to Artist Point for one of the most dramatic views in any national park in the USA. Watch the golden morning light fall across the yellow canyon walls and the thundering Lower Falls (93 meters – taller than Niagara Falls). Hike to the brink of the Upper Falls. In the afternoon, drive south through Hayden Valley to watch bison herds and, with luck, grizzly bears foraging near the Yellowstone River. Stop at the Mud Volcano area to see bubbling acid pools and the Dragon’s Mouth Spring.
Day 4 – Lamar Valley Wildlife Safari
Lamar Valley is known as the ‚Serengeti of North America‘ and is the best place in the park – and arguably in all of North America – to see wolves. Set your alarm for 5:30 AM, pack your binoculars, and park at one of the Lamar Valley pullouts to scan the hillsides. Besides wolves, you may spot grizzly bears, black bears, bison, elk, pronghorn antelope, and coyotes. In the late morning, hike to Trout Lake (easy 1.5 km loop) and continue to Tower Falls.
Day 5 – Mammoth Hot Springs & Norris Geyser Basin
Mammoth Hot Springs features a series of colorful travertine terraces that look like giant calcium-carbonate staircases. The boardwalk through the upper and lower terraces takes about 1.5 hours. Continue south to Norris Geyser Basin – home to Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser, which can shoot water over 115 meters into the air (eruption frequency varies from days to years). On the way back, stop at Roaring Mountain, a hillside full of steaming fumaroles.
Day 6 – Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb
Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-altitude lake in North America. Drive to Grant Village and explore the West Thumb Geyser Basin, where hydrothermal features sit directly on the lake shoreline. For a quieter, more adventurous day, consider hiking to Shoshone Lake (17 km round trip – the largest backcountry lake in the lower 48 states). Lewis Falls is a beautiful photo stop on the return journey.
Day 7 – Departure
Enjoy a final sunrise at Yellowstone Lake or make one last wildlife drive through Lamar Valley before heading to your departure airport. The drive from West Yellowstone to Bozeman takes approximately 2 hours; to Jackson Hole Airport, approximately 3 hours (via the South Entrance through Grand Teton).
What to Pack for a Yellowstone Trip – Complete Packing List 2026
Knowing what to pack for a Yellowstone trip is crucial. Yellowstone’s weather is famously unpredictable – you can experience four seasons in a single day. Summer temperatures range from 0°C at night to over 27°C midday, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. All items listed below can be found on Amazon.com.
Top Tips for Visiting Yellowstone in 2026
Book early. Accommodation, campsite reservations, and guided tours fill up months in advance for the June–August peak season.
Get the America the Beautiful Pass. At $80 per year, it grants access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites – an incredible value if you plan to visit more than one national park.
Start early. Arrive at popular sites like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic overlook, and Lamar Valley before 8 AM to avoid crowds and for the best wildlife activity.
Download offline maps. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the park. Download AllTrails or Gaia GPS offline maps before you arrive.
Wildlife safety. Always stay at least 91 meters (300 feet) from wolves and bears, and at least 23 meters (75 feet) from all other wildlife. Never feed animals.
Leave No Trace. Pack out all rubbish, stay on designated trails, and never pick flowers or remove rocks, wood, or thermal minerals.
Watch for bison traffic jams. Bison frequently walk on and across park roads. Stay in your vehicle and wait patiently – these animals weigh up to 900 kg and can sprint at 50 km/h.
Sample Budget for a 7-Day Yellowstone Trip (per person)
💰 Estimated Costs (2026, USD)
Park Entry: $35 (vehicle) or $80 America the Beautiful Pass
Car Rental: $400–$700 (7 days SUV, split between 2 people = $200–$350 per person)
Accommodation: $150–$350/night (inside park lodges) | $60–$150/night (gateway towns) | $30–$50/night (campgrounds)
Food: $30–$60/day per person (mix of self-catering and park restaurants)
Travel Insurance: $80–$150 for the full trip
Gear (bear spray, etc.): $40–$70 (buy locally in West Yellowstone)
Total estimated budget (7 days, 2 people sharing costs): $1,500–$2,800 per person, excluding flights
Final Thoughts: Visiting Yellowstone in 2026
Visiting Yellowstone National Park is one of those rare travel experiences that genuinely exceeds all expectations. From the thundering geysers and rainbow-hued hot springs to wolf packs hunting across snow-dusted valleys and bison grazing in golden meadows at sunset, Yellowstone is unlike any other place on Earth.
With the right Yellowstone itinerary, careful packing guided by this what to pack for a Yellowstone trip checklist, a solid travel insurance policy, comfortable accommodation, and a reliable rental car, your 2026 Yellowstone adventure is going to be unforgettable. This is one national park in the USA that deserves every superlative it receives.
Start planning early, respect the park’s rules, embrace the unpredictability of nature – and prepare to fall in love with one of America’s greatest treasures.
