Closest Airports to Yellowstone National Park

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Closest Airports to Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is served by several regional airports, each offering access to different park entrances. The best airport for you will depend on which part of the park you plan to visit and what kind of flight options you prefer.

Here’s a breakdown of the closest airports and their proximity to Yellowstone’s entrances:

Closest Regional Airports:

  • Yellowstone Airport (WYS) – West Yellowstone, MT:

    • Closest to the park: This is the absolute closest airport, located just 2 miles from the West Entrance.
    • Seasonal: It typically operates from June through September.
    • Airlines: Primarily serviced by Delta/SkyWest with flights to Salt Lake City.
    • Best for: Quickest access to the park, especially if visiting Old Faithful or Grand Prismatic Spring.

  • Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – Jackson Hole, WY:

    • Closest to the South Entrance: About 49 miles (1 hour drive) to Yellowstone’s South Entrance, and located within Grand Teton National Park, offering scenic views upon arrival.
    • Airlines: Served by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and United, with year-round flights.
    • Best for: Visitors planning to explore both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

  • Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) – Cody, WY:

    • Closest to the East Entrance: About 54 miles (1 hour drive) to the East Entrance.
    • Airlines: Primarily United Express/Skywest with flights to Denver, and Delta Connection/Skywest to Salt Lake City (seasonal).
    • Best for: Exploring the eastern side of Yellowstone, including Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Cody also offers a unique Western town experience.

  • Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) – Belgrade, MT:

    • Closest to the North and West Entrances: Approximately 91 miles (1.5 hours) to the North Entrance (Gardiner) and 94 miles (2 hours) to the West Entrance (West Yellowstone).
    • Largest nearby airport: Offers the most airlines, flights, and rental car options, making it a popular choice.
    • Best for: Visitors looking for more flight flexibility and year-round service.

  • Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) – Idaho Falls, ID:

    • Access to West and South Entrances: About 110 miles to the West Entrance and 147 miles to the South Entrance.
    • Airlines: Served by Delta and Alaska Airlines.
    • Best for: An alternative regional airport with good access to the western and southern parts of the park.

  • Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) – Billings, MT:

    • Access to Northeast Entrance: Approximately 155 miles to the Northeast Entrance.
    • Airlines: Offers flights from various carriers.
    • Best for: Those interested in driving the scenic Beartooth Highway to the Northeast Entrance, though it’s a longer drive to the park itself.

Larger International Airports (further drive, but potentially cheaper flights):

  • Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – Salt Lake City, UT:

    • About 5-6 hours drive from the park.
    • Often offers more affordable flights compared to the smaller regional airports.

  • Denver International Airport (DEN) – Denver, CO:

    • A longer drive, but a major hub with many flight options.

Key Considerations When Choosing an Airport:

  • Which entrance you plan to use: This is the most crucial factor as it significantly impacts driving time.
  • Time of year: West Yellowstone Airport (WYS) is seasonal, so if you’re traveling outside of summer, you’ll need to use one of the other airports.
  • Flight cost and availability: Larger airports like BZN and SLC may offer more competitive prices and direct flights.
  • Rental car availability: All of these airports have rental car services, which are generally recommended for exploring Yellowstone.
  • Combining with other parks: If you plan to visit Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is ideal.
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