Yellowstone National Park is the crown jewel of the Rocky Mountains. Because the park goes across 3 states, there are multiple airports near Yellowstone National Park that require some advanced planning.
Where is Yellowstone National Park Located
Yellowstone National Park is undeniably one of the most popular national parks in the US. More than 4 million people visited Yellowstone National Park in 2023, making it consistently in the Top 10 most visited National Parks every year. It is personally one of my favorite National Parks for the big sights. There is nothing cooler than seeing geysers in person.
Established in 1872, Yellowstone holds the distinction of being the first national park globally. Encompassing over 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness, Yellowstone is renowned for its breathtaking geothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful geyser and the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring.
Yellowstone is nestled primarily in the state of Wyoming, although it also spills over into parts of Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone’s most iconic attractions are Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone Lake, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. There are also plenty of hiking and camping opportunities outside of the main attractions.
The park’s central location in the heart of the Rocky Mountains makes it easily accessible to many travelers, and there are multiple airport options that serves Yellowstone National Park.
What Are the Largest Airports Near Yellowstone National Park
If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park, you’ll want to research the closest airports to make sure you don’t have a crazy drive or flight cost. Yellowstone National Park is fairly remote, and whatever major airport you fly into, you will likely still need to drive a couple hours. There are 3 main airports near Yellowstone:
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
- Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
- Salt Lake (SLC)
One of the largest airports near Yellowstone is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), situated approximately 90 miles from the park’s north entrance. This airport serves as a major gateway for travelers heading to Yellowstone from various parts of the country. This airport balances reducing your travel time while also being a bigger airport to find reasonable flights from your home destination.
Another good option is Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), located around 60 miles from Yellowstone’s south entrance. This airport is a popular choice for folks flying to Jackson Hole for winter skiing or Grand Teton National Park, but it may also be a good option for Yellowstone.
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is approximately 300 miles from the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. While it is not the closest airport to the park, it might be one of your cheapest flight options because it is the largest airport. Despite the long drive, SLC Airport offers a wide range of flights and services, making it a convenient choice for those arriving from various parts of the country or internationally.
Which Other Airports Near Yellowstone Are Worth Considering
In addition to the airports listed above, there are other airports near Yellowstone that are worth considering, although they are not as popular.
If Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) doesn’t work for you, but you want a major airport to fly into, your last large airport option is Denver International Airport. Denver International Airport (DEN) is approximately 550 miles from Yellowstone National Park and will take you around a 10 hour drive. While it is the longest distance away, Denver Airport is one of the largest and busiest in the United States, meaning you will have by far the most flight options. You can also make a fun road trip out of it and stop along other destinations between Denver and Yellowstone.
If you are looking into more Yellowstone regional airports, West Yellowstone (WYS) has commercial flights starting every summer, typically around May. West Yellowstone Airport is located only 2 miles from the park and also serves other nearby destinations such as Big Sky, Island Park, Gallatin and Madison Rivers, Ennis, and Virginia City. You can check the West Yellowstone Airport website for more details on major airlines that serve this airport.
The closest airport to Yellowstone East Entrance, which serves Lamar Valley, is Cody Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD). Located approximately 52 miles from the park’s East Entrance, Cody Airport offers convenient access to this iconic destination. While relatively smaller compared to other airports in the region, United Express offers service to and from Denver year-round.
Lastly, you might want to consider Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA). IDA is the Idaho-entrance to Yellowstone and is located roughly 110 miles from the park’s west entrance. While slightly farther away, Idaho Falls Airport may be a good option if you are looking to explore the west-area of the park.
A Quick Note on Planning Your Drive
If you are plugging your directions into Google Maps in the winter but you are traveling in the summer, you may notice that the driving distances to Yellowstone Park are significantly longer. That is because the roads south of Yellowstone South Entrance are typically closed in the winter. They open back up when the snow melts.
For example, if you Google Salt Lake City Airport to Yellowstone South Entrance, it will take you all the way to West Yellowstone, up and around from the top, and then back south to Yellowstone.
Instead, from Salt Lake City Airport, I would recommend taking either Route I-15 via Ogden, going East on Route 30, following East to Route 34, and then North to Route 89. If you want a more scenic option, you can also take Route I-89 North.
What Should You Pack for Yellowstone
When packing your bags for Yellowstone National Park, you will want to make sure you’re packing comfortable and effective hiking clothes. adidas gifted me some awesome hiking gear recently, and they have been main staples in my rotation for being both fashionable and sturdy.
In the summer, the temperatures in Yellowstone are usually 70-80 degrees F during the day, but it can drop considerably at night once the sun sets. Because of this, you will want to dress in multiple layers.
My favorite hoodie to take with me right now is the adidas All Szn Fleece Boyfriend Hoodie in Black. Like the title suggests, it really is one of those hoodies that you can take with you for every season. It’s the perfect thickness and I don’t have to worry if it snags on a branch or anything while hiking because it’s incredibly durable!
You can also explore more women’s hoodies and sweatshirt options on their website.
Another thing you will want to pack is really good hiking sneakers. I have moved away from stiff hiking boots in the last couple of years, especially if I am going to a hiking destination that is very maintained like Yellowstone National Park.
The trails at Yellowstone National Park are very moderate and if you have pretty sturdy ankles and feet, you will be fine in trail runners rather than a stiff boot. My go-to hiking sneakers are the adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra Trail Runners (the new version is the Terrex Agravic Flow 2.0 Trail Running Shoes).
You can find more women’s running shoes at the adidas website.
Your Yellowstone Travel Itinerary
Travelers go to Yellowstone National Park for its famous geysers and also it’s breathtaking and unique views. One of the main destinations for hikers is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, renowned for its breathtaking vistas and awe-inspiring waterfalls. Trails such as the South Rim Trail and Uncle Tom’s Trail provide mesmerizing views of the canyon’s rugged terrain and the thundering waters of the Yellowstone River. Hikers can also explore the North Rim Trail, offering panoramic views of the canyon and its iconic Lower Falls, a sight not to be missed.
Another must-visit destination for hikers in Yellowstone is the iconic Old Faithful area, home to the world-famous geyser and a network of scenic trails showcasing the park’s unique geothermal features. The Old Faithful area is the most popular, and many visitors won’t walk over a mile on their trip here. This is where you will see the most ‘tourist’ population.
In my opinion, trails such as the Observation Point Trail and the Upper Geyser Basin Loop are worth the visit, but you will want to head up there very early to avoid the massive crowds.
For those seeking a more remote and rugged hiking experience, the trails around the park’s northern and eastern regions offer unparalleled solitude and breathtaking scenery. The Lamar Valley is a prime destination for if you are looking for wildlife. It is much more common to see bison, elk, wolves, and other iconic species there – because the human crowds are so much less.
Lastly, the Bechler region in the park’s southwest corner is probably the most remote and is home to secluded waterfalls and hot springs.
For more ideas for your trip, check out my post The Ultimate Yellowstone 4 Day Itinerary.
Final Thoughts on the Best Airports Near Yellowstone National Park
Overall, the best airport for you to fly into Yellowstone National Park will depend on where you are coming from, and what you are optimizing for, whether it be travel time, cost or any other dimensions.
My best advice is to first plan your Yellowstone Itinerary. What region of the park do you want to go to? How many days do you have? What is your budget? Then, check out the flight times and prices for each of the main airports, Bozeman, Jackson Hole and then Salt Lake City.