There are five towns surrounding Yellowstone National Park. They're called gateway communities due to their location as an entrance gateway to the park. As you can see by the map, some of the towns are located at the entrance to the park and some are many, many miles away (though brochures and websites may make you believe they're "just down the road"). This little fact can cause disruptions to visitors that don't plan their trip before arriving. You can wing it, use up precious gas, get caught in a "bison jam" and before you know it your vacation is wasting away. Yellowstone is not your local state park. We cannot stress enough to plan your trip and study our Yellowstone Maps carefully prior to arriving.
Here's a breakdown of the closest airport to each town. Our Yellowstone Gateway Map is an interactive map of each community. Move your mouse over one of the gateway communities, or Yellowstone feature, and a quick fact pop-up screen will provide some information.
West Yellowstone - West Yellowstone is the largest gateway town closest to a park entrance. Yellowstone Airport operates starting June 1 to September 30. It is located 2 miles north of West Yellowstone on Hwy 191 and operated by Sky West through Delta Connection. For flight reservations and information call 1-800-221-1212. There is a restaurant at the airport, no lodging. Budget Car Rentals, at the airport is 406-646-5156. In Belgrade, Montana is the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport 92 miles north of West Yellowstone. This is the largest airport closest to Yellowstone.
Jackson Hole - The town of Jackson is 52 miles to the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Jackson Hole Airport is serviced by American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Skywest Airlines, and United Airlines seasonally. It is located in Grand Teton National Park (tip: get a window seat) 7 miles north of the town of Jackson. For flight reservations and information call or reserve online (JAC) the major airlines. There is a restaurant and no lodging at the airport. Most major car rentals are available.
Cody - Cody is 52 miles to the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone Regional Airport is service by by Skywest/Delta, Skywest/United Express. Mesa Airlines/United Express and United Airlines. Flight reservations (COD) can be made with Delta or United AirlinesIt is located in the town of Cody. Car rental is available through Budget, Hertz or Thrfty. There is 1 restaurant and no lodging at the airport.
Gardiner - Gardiner is located at the North Entrance to the Park. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the closest major airport to Gardiner unless you fly your own plane. Then you have the option of landing at the local strip 2 miles out of town. BZN is located 88 miles northwest of Gardiner in Belgrade, Montana. Most of the major airlines operate out of BZN. Bozeman has a population of 40,000 at an elevation of 4,800'
Cooke City/Silver Gate - Cooke City is 4 miles to the Northeast Entrance. Logan International Airport in Billings Montana is 129 miles from Cooke City. From Billings head 65 miles south to Red Lodge then take the seasonally open spectacular Beartooth Hwy to Cooke City.
* Use your mouse (no clicking necessary unless using a smartphone) for a roll-over quick fact popup of each gateway community or park highlight. |
