There is no rail or train service to Yellowstone National Park. The closest Amtrak service is Salt Lake City, Utah.
Is there a train from Mt Rushmore to Yellowstone? Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone Adventure Tour Highlights
The Durango Silverton narrow gauge railroad is just one of the many historical attractions included in Caravan’s Mount Rushmore & Yellowstone park adventure vacation tour.
Then, Where should I stop between Salt Lake City and Yellowstone? The top stops along the way from Yellowstone National Park to Salt Lake City (with short detours) are Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, Grand Prismatic Spring, and Antelope Island. Other popular stops include Norris Geyser Basin, Lagoon Amusement Park, and Lava Hot Springs Foundation World Famous Hot Pools.
What is there to do from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone? Here are our favorite nine stops between your arrival in Salt Lake City and the loop up to Yellowstone and back.
- Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Brigham City, UT. …
- American West Heritage Center, Logan, UT. …
- Bluebird Candy Company, Logan, UT. …
- Lava Hot Springs, ID. …
- Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone, MT.
FAQ
Is there a bus to Yellowstone National Park?
There is no public transportation service provided within Yellowstone National Park. Xanterra Parks Resorts provides bus tours within the park during the summer season. The Lower Loop Tour departs from locations in the southern part of the Park only.
Do you have to reserve campsites in Yellowstone? You can make reservations on the Yellowstone National Park Lodges website. They get fully booked up for the summer months in advance, so make a reservation as early as you can. (The earliest you can book is May 1 the year before your trip.)
Which part of Yellowstone is the best? The Northeast Entrance is the best Yellowstone entrance for seeing the most wildlife, as it is closest to Lamar Valley, a hot spot for wildlife viewing.
What are the best months to visit Yellowstone National Park? The best months to visit Yellowstone are April, September, and October. These “off season” months provide more chances to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife and enjoy thinner crowds. Bears emerge from hibernation between March and April, migrating birds arrive just before May, and the elk rut begins mid-September.
How many days do you need in Yellowstone?
You should plan to spend at least 2 to 3 days in Yellowstone National Park. Two days gives you enough time to see the most popular destinations. Adding a third day gives you time to explore some less visited and off-the-beaten-path attractions.
What is the best month to go to Yellowstone National Park? The best months to visit Yellowstone are April, September, and October. These “off season” months provide more chances to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife and enjoy thinner crowds. Bears emerge from hibernation between March and April, migrating birds arrive just before May, and the elk rut begins mid-September.
Which entrance to Yellowstone is best?
East Entrance. Cody, Wyoming, is likely the most economical choice for a trip to Yellowstone. It’s 53 miles from the East Entrance — hence the budget-friendlier price tag — and yet still offers the best access to Yellowstone Lake.
Is Yellowstone closed right now? Yellowstone National Park is open after a brief closure due to COVID-19 this past spring. But before you head to the park, know that things may feel a bit different. The park is putting the necessary precautions in place to ensure visitors and staff stay safe, healthy and distanced!
Does it cost anything to enter Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone Entrance Passes
For private, non-commercial vehicles, a 7-day pass to Yellowstone National Park costs $35/vehicle and does not include entrance into nearby Grand Teton National Park. The latter park, home to the mighty Grand Teton and other rugged peaks, also charges $35/vehicle for entrance.
Where are entrances to Yellowstone?
Let’s first take a look at each of these entrances:
- North Entrance – thru Gardiner, Montana. …
- Northeast Entrance – thru the Beartooth Mountains.
- East Entrance – thru Cody, Wyoming.
- South Entrance – thru Grand Teton National Park via the John Rockfeller Memorial Highway.
- West Entrance – thru the town of West Yellowstone.
Can you get to Old Faithful from West Yellowstone? The closest you can drive is to West Yellowstone at the West Entrance or Flagg Ranch near the South Entrance. From these locations (or Mammoth) a snowcoach or snowmobile is necessary to access Old Faithful.
Does Yellowstone require timed entry? With national parks seeing unprecedented numbers in 2021 (Yellowstone, for instance, welcomed a record-breaking 1,080,767 recreation visitors in July1), measures like timed-entry tickets are being put in place in an effort to mitigate crowds. For some travelers, these new protocols can make or break a trip.
Can you leave food in your car in Yellowstone?
It’s okay to store food in your car as long as it’s out of sight and the car is locked with all of the windows up. If possible, don’t store food in your vehicle during the evening, and clear the inside of wrappers, crumbs and garbage as well.
What can you not do in Yellowstone? Let’s take a look at a few things NOT to do in Yellowstone National Park:
- Never approach (or pet) wildlife.
- Never go into the hot springs.
- Never leave the bear spray in the car.
- Never leave the boardwalks.
- Never feed the animals.
- Never leave the bear spray in the car.
- Never forget how to drive.
- Never fly your drone.
How many days should I spend in Yellowstone?
You should plan to spend at least 2 to 3 days in Yellowstone National Park. Two days gives you enough time to see the most popular destinations. Adding a third day gives you time to explore some less visited and off-the-beaten-path attractions.
Can you see all of Yellowstone in one day? Even if you’re planning to drive from Jackson to Yellowstone and back in one day, you can still pack in all the major sights. To avoid the crowds we recommend you get an early start—plan to set aside 10 to 12 hours of travel and sightseeing time. See Yellowstone’s official tips video.
Is 3 days enough for Yellowstone?
Yellowstone National Park is HUGE and there is so much to see and do. It’s best to have at least 4 days in Yellowstone, but if you are short on time (like I was) you can still see a lot of the highlights in 2-3 days. Keep reading to plan your trip with my 3-day Yellowstone itinerary!
Is it better to stay in Yellowstone or outside? Because Yellowstone has five different entrances into the park, it’s easy to stay close to the park without actually being in the park. I recommend staying outside of Yellowstone if you want nicer amenities, cheaper prices, or more dining and activity options.
