Two days gives you enough time to see the most popular destinations. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Beyond that, the biggest expenses you will incur are gas andhotel or campsite nightly fees. Read More: Best Places to Stay in Yellowstone National Park. If youre lucky, you may also spot elk, moose, grizzly bears, and bald eagles! North-East Entrance: Some roads east of Cooke City may close in winter due to inclement weather. A better way to visit: target a region, see its iconic sites, then get off the road for a crowd-free hike. Wildlife viewing and winter activities, including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are still popular in February, when the park is still closed to car traffic and most lodges and tours remain closed. The hot springs are only five miles from the entrance and boast one of the parks two swimming areas. It is also ideal for park guests traveling from the Montana city of Bozeman. The best time to go is when you can. How many days does it take to drive through Yellowstone? Ultimately, the South Entrance is often the best entry point for those traveling from southern Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, or Colorado. As is the case with the majority of the Yellowstone National Park entrances, the Northeast Entrance is only open seasonally. In actuality, spring in Yellowstone can be downright unforgiving, chilly, and snowy right up until May. Without summers endless crowds to contend with, those that brave winters elements might also discover the only ones they have to share Yellowstone with are the non-hibernating wildlife. Sprawled across 3500-square miles, Yellowstone National Park is a haven of geothermal wonders, dense forests, and rocky canyons. Gas can run you into the hundreds of dollars depending on where youre coming from and how much you anticipate moving around. Therefore, I highly recommend booking your accommodations when you get your trip on the calendar. Throughout the day and night, bull elks emit both low- and high-pitched bugles and fight other males with their now-fully-grown antlers to assert dominance (or newfound dominance) over a herd. the west entrance? - Yellowstone National Summer is our busiest season with more than half our annual visitation occurs during June, July, and While most of the park is undeveloped forest and mountains, Yellowstones main attractions and eight developed regions are almost entirely situated along the 142-mile, Grand Loop Road, also dubbed the Figure Eight for its shape. Depending on the time of your visit you may be forced to choose one entrance over another, here are all the seasonal closures of access roads to the park: Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites. Which Entrance to Yellowstone is Best? - Travel in USA Marked by the iconic and original Roosevelt Arch, the North Entrance is the entry point of choice for those traveling from the Pacific Northwest. Staying Near the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park The Northeast entrance to the park is probably one of the least used entrances as there is not a ton of stuff nearby. Early Afternoon: Tower Fall. In other words, it is possible to enjoy the parks natural wonders without feeling claustrophobic, so long as you avoid spending too much time near popular attractions. Start your day early at Old Faithful, which erupts every 1.5 hours. Its hard to blame them: The weather is consistently sunny and warm, roads, trails, and facilities are all completely open, and seasonal activities allow tourists to enjoy Yellowstone to its fullest potential. In fact, it extends into 3 states (Wyoming, Montana, and a small part of Idaho), and along its borders, there are several access points to the park. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Those who prefer to spend the night at Yellowstone can take advantage of the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins, not far from Gardiner. Arriving at the West Entrance is advised for travelers coming from all over the West, though it is often proven to be the busiest entrance to the park. Yellowstones aspen and cottonwood trees turn brilliant shades of gold before shedding their leaves. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-94789760', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Yellowstone in a couple weeks Sept 25 -Oct 2 nd which days has the least crowds? As Travel in USA explains, the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park is best for those who are traveling from Codyor would like to pass through the town on their way to or from the park. Visitors can find outfitters and guides offering these experiences near the city, which is set against a backdrop of magnificent scenery. One of the worlds most intact temperate ecosystems, Yellowstone spans 2.2 million acres and three statesWyoming, Montana, and Idahoand has five entrances, with three in Montana and two in Wyoming. Perhaps because the amount of snowfall also doubles, with a monthly average of 9 inches, both the grizzly bears and black bears begin to hibernate at the end of the month and do not remerge from their dens until March. This region is home to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Hayden Valley. Jackson Hole, home to upscale stays like the Four Seasons Jackson Hole, is one of the park's most popular gateway towns. It is usually the first seasonal entrance to open in spring, and is usually open on the third Friday in April at 8 a.m., weather permitting. No least busy days. September in Yellowstone is particularly thrilling. Yellowstone Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 5 Days in Yellowstone Get your America the Beautiful Pass now for only $80. Yellowstone However, the credit card information that we publish has been written by experts who know these products inside out, and what we recommend is what we would (or already) use ourselves. It is the closest town to the East Entrance, despite being 53 miles away. The closest place to stay is in Grant Village. If youre worried about the snow conditions and icy temperatures of November, just wait until December rolls around.