Which Airport for Yellowstone? The 6 Best Options
Planning a trip to Yellowstone is an exciting adventure, but figuring out which airport to fly into can honestly be one of the most confusing parts of the process. As America’s first national park, Yellowstone is MASSIVE and super remote, with entrances scattered across three different states.
Should you fly into the tiny, convenient airport just minutes from the gate, or the international hub that’s a full day’s drive away but could save you hundreds of dollars?
After years of planning road trips through the national parks, I’ve learned that choosing the right airport can make or break your trip. It all comes down to balancing your budget, your timeline, and your itinerary.
To make it easier, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you choose the absolute best airport for your Yellowstone adventure.
Let’s dive in!
Airline routes and rental car availability can change, so always confirm on the airport’s official website before booking
The Best Airports For Yellowstone at a Glance
Before we get into the details, here’s a quick overview of the best airport options. This is the same breakdown I use when I start planning my own trips.
As you can see, each airport gives you easy access to a different park entrance, but they all have their pros and cons.
If you’re not sure which one to aim for, my detailed guide on choosing the best entrance to Yellowstone can help you decide before you book your flight.
Map of Airports Near Yellowstone
Sometimes, a list of drive times doesn’t quite paint the full picture of just how remote Yellowstone is. To help you see exactly how everything lays out, I created this custom, interactive map for you.
Go ahead and explore it! You can zoom in, pan around, and click on any of the icons to see my notes on drive times and why you might choose that airport. I’ve organized it to make your planning easier:
- ✈️ Orange Airplanes: These are my top 6 recommended airports that we’ll cover in detail below.
- ⚫ Gray Dots: These are the other nearby airport options for context.
- 🌲 Brown Trees: These are the main entrances to Yellowstone National Park.
Use this map to get your bearings, then scroll down for a detailed breakdown of each of my top recommendations.
How to Choose the Right Airport for Your Trip
There’s no single “best” airport for Yellowstone because it completely depends on your priorities. Before booking your flight, ask yourself these three questions:
- What’s Your Budget? Flying into a small regional airport like West Yellowstone (WYS) or Jackson Hole (JAC) is incredibly convenient but often comes with a premium price tag for both flights and rental cars. Flying into a major hub like Salt Lake City (SLC) can save you 50% or more, but you’ll trade those savings for a long drive.
. - How Much Time Do You Have? If you only have a few days, flying into WYS or JAC is your best bet to maximize your time inside the park. To see just how much you can pack into a short trip, check out my detailed guide on how to spend 2 days in Yellowstone.If you have a week or more, the long drive from SLC or Denver becomes part of the adventure.
. - What’s on Your Itinerary? Are you planning to visit Grand Teton National Park on the same trip? Then flying into Jackson Hole (JAC) is a no-brainer. Want to see the Badlands or Mount Rushmore? A one-way flight into Denver (DEN) or even Rapid City (RAP) could be a strategic choice.
The 6 Best Airports for Yellowstone National Park
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the top 6 airport choices for Yellowstone, including both regional and international hubs. I listed the pros, cons, and my personal take on each one.
I personally recommend Yellowstone Airport (nearest airport to Yellowstone), Jackson Hole Airport (to visit Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone), and Salt Lake City International Airport (best for cheap, direct flights).
1. Yellowstone Airport (WYS) – Closest Airport to Yellowstone
- Location: West Yellowstone, MT
- Drive Time: ~10 minutes to the West Entrance
- Major Airlines: Delta, United
- Major Rental Cars: Avis, Budget
My take: You absolutely cannot get closer than this. Yellowstone Airport is located just outside the town of West Yellowstone vis Route US-191 S, which puts you literally on the park’s doorstep.
The convenience is insane. You can land, grab your rental car, and be at the West Entrance gate in less time than it takes to drink a cup of coffee.
✈️ Best airport for: Travelers on a tight schedule who want to maximize every second in the park. This is the closest airport to Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic
👉 Keep in mind: This convenience comes at a cost. Flights into WYS are often the most expensive, rental car options are limited, and the airport is only open seasonally (typically from May to mid-October).
2. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)
- Location: Jackson, WY
- Distance to Park: 47 miles
- Drive Time: ~1 hour to the South Entrance
- Major Airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, United
- Major Rental Cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, Thrifty
My take: Flying into Jackson Hole is an experience in itself!
This is the only airport in the United States located entirely inside a national park (Grand Teton), and the view of the Teton Range as you land is absolutely jaw-dropping! We flew in here for a fall trip once, and the approach over the mountains was unforgettable, albiet a little bumpy.
This is the perfect airport if you’re planning to visit both Grand Teton and Yellowstone. You can spend a few days exploring the Tetons and then make the beautiful one-hour drive north into Yellowstone’s South Entrance.
✈️ Best airport for: Visiting both Grand Teton and Yellowstone on the same trip.
👉 What you need to know: Like WYS, flights and rental cars can be pricey. Also, the South Entrance is seasonal (early May to early November). If it’s closed, you’ll have to drive around to the West Entrance, which takes about 3 hours.
3. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
- Location: Bozeman, MT
- Distance to Park: 91 miles
- Drive Time: ~1.5 hours to the North Entrance
- Major Airlines: Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United
- Major Rental Cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Thrifty
My take: Bozeman is my pick for the best all-around airport for Yellowstone. It gives you the perfect balance of convenience, flight options, and reasonable prices.
BZN is the busiest airport in Montana, so you’ll find more direct flights from major cities and a much better selection of rental cars than at the smaller regional airports.
We used Bozeman on our last big Yellowstone trip, and it was perfect. The drive down to the North Entrance through Paradise Valley is beautiful, and it puts you right at Mammoth Hot Springs.
✈️ Best airport for: The best combination of price, flight options, and convenience. Also the best choice for winter trips because the North Entrance is the only one open to vehicles all year.
👉 Don’t forget: It’s still a 90-minute drive to Yellowstone, so you’ll need to factor that into your arrival day plans.
4. Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD)
- Location: Cody, WY
- Distance to Park: 53 miles
- Drive Time: ~1 hour to the East Entrance
- Major Airlines: Delta Airlines, United, United Express
- Major Rental Cars: Hertz
Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) in Cody, Wyoming, is the best airport to reach the east side of Yellowstone National Park.
The drive from Cody to the East Entrance along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway is one of the most beautiful drives in the country.
This route is often less crowded and offers incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. We once saw a herd of bighorn sheep just casually walking along the road here!
✈️ Best airport for: Exploring Yellowstone Lake, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the wildlife in Lamar Valley.
👉 Keep in mind: The East Entrance road is closed during the winter (typically early November to early May) due to heavy snow. Flight options are also limited, primarily connecting through Salt Lake City or Denver.
5. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – Cheapest Airport Near Yellowstone
- Location: Salt Lake City, UT
- Distance to Park: 324 miles
- Drive Time: ~5 hours to the West Entrance
- Major Airlines: Aeromexico, Alaska, American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Southwest, United
- Major Rental Cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Thrifty
My take: If you’re on a budget, this is your airport.
SLC is a major Delta hub, which means you can often find incredibly cheap direct flights from all over the country. The savings on both flights and rental cars here can be huge, often more than 50% cheaper than the regional airports.
The trade-off is the drive. It’s a solid 5 hours to the park, but it’s an easy and straightforward drive on major highways.
We did this route on a longer road trip and broke it up by stopping in Idaho Falls. It’s a great way to turn the journey into part of the adventure.
✈️ Best airport for: Budget conscious travelers and international visitors who want to fly into a major hub.
👉 Keep in Mind: You’ll lose most of a day to driving on both your arrival and departure days.
Driving directions from Salt Lake City International Airport, the closest major airport to Yellowstone
6. Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Location: Denver, CO
- Distance to Park: 548 miles
- Drive Time: ~8-9 hours to the South Entrance
- Major Airlines: Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air France, Alaska, Allegiant, American, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Copa, Delta, Frontier, Icelandair, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Southwest, Spirit, United, Volaris, WestJet
- Major Rental Cars: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Thrifty
My take: Denver is another major international hub that offers some of the most affordable flights in the region.
However, it’s a very long drive to Yellowstone.
This option only makes sense if you’re planning an epic, multi-day road trip and want to see other sights along the way, like Rocky Mountain National Park or the Black Hills of South Dakota.
✈️ Best airport for: Travelers planning a major road trip who want the cheapest possible flights.
👉 Keep in mind: The drive is significant and will take up at least two full days of your vacation time.
Driving directions to from Denver International Airport, which is the biggest airport near Yellowstone
Read next: How to Plan Your Road Trip with Google Maps
Full List of Airports Near Yellowstone National Park
Listed in increasing distance from Yellowstone National Park.
- Yellowstone Airport (YWS) in West Yellowstone, MT
- Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) in Jackson Hole, WY
- Yellowstone Regional Airport (YRA) in Cody, WY
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Belgrade, MT
- Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) in Idaho Falls, ID
- Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) in Billings, MT
- Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF) in Twin Falls, ID
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Salt Lake City, UT
- Denver International Airport (DEN) in Denver, CO
How to get around
The best way to get from the airport to Yellowstone is by car or campervan.
Browse Kayak for the best deals on rental cars or rent a campervan through RVshare or Outdoorsy.
Yellowstone National Park does not have a shuttle service like some other national parks. However, you can find various companies offering bus tours, van tours, and specialized tours for wildlife watching or photography.
These guided tours usually depart from nearby towns like West Yellowstone, Gardiner, or Jackson Hole. If you don’t have a car or prefer not to drive, a guided tour is a good option to explore the park.
FAQs About Flying to Yellowstone
What is the cheapest airport to fly into for Yellowstone?
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is almost always the cheapest option for both flights and rental cars.
Can I get an Uber or Lyft to Yellowstone?
No. Ride-sharing services are not a reliable option for getting to or around Yellowstone. You absolutely need to rent a car.
Do I need to rent a car in Yellowstone?
Yes, 100%. There is no park wide shuttle system like in Zion or Glacier. The park is massive, and the only way to explore it is with your own vehicle.
What’s the best airport for a winter trip to Yellowstone?
Bozeman (BZN) is the best and only practical option for a winter trip, as it provides the closest access to the North Entrance, which is the only entrance open to cars year-round
What are the entrance fees to Yellowstone?
It costs $35 per vehicle to enter the park.
Alternatively, you can purchase the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 that grants free access to all National Parks, Forests, Monuments, and more for a year. This is the best deal if you plan on visiting more than three national parks within the next 12 months.
Do I need a reservation to enter Yellowstone?
As of 2026, Yellowstone does not require timed-entry vehicle reservations. However, this can change, so it’s always best to check the official National Park Service website for the most current information before your trip.
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone?
I personally prefer spring and fall because of fewer crowds. Summer has the best weather but is very busy. For winter trips, you must fly into Bozeman (BZN) as it’s the only airport with access to the park’s only open entrance
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right airport is the first step to an amazing Yellowstone adventure. While the convenience of a nearby regional airport is tempting, definitely don’t overlook the massive savings you can get by flying into a larger hub and enjoying the road trip!
No matter which airport you choose, you’ll LOVE the unforgettable experience of exploring America’s oldest and most iconic national park. It’s truly one of my favorites.
Did you find this guide helpful? Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!
More guides to Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Days in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone Entrances: Yellowstone National Park Entrances: Which is Best?
Hi, I’m Jackie! I’m a travel photographer and content creator based near the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. I’m also a millennial who works full-time, yet I still find ways to travel frequently without breaking the bank, because traveling is what makes me feel most alive. Now I help fellow travelers who also work 9-5 and are looking for ways to travel more with limited PTO.
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