No commercial flight lands inside Yellowstone. The park spans three states and five distinct entrances, which means the “closest” airport depends entirely on where you actually want to go once you’re inside. This guide covers every gateway airport, with verified contact details, drive times to specific entrances, what each airport does well, and when it will let you down.
📍 Find Airports & Directions Near Yellowstone
Tap any button to load the map. Always confirm seasonal operating hours before booking — Yellowstone Airport (WYS) closes from late October through early May. Rental cars at all gateway airports are in high demand from June through August; booking 60–90 days ahead for summer visits is strongly recommended.
📌 Confirm all flight schedules and seasonal hours directly with each airport before booking.
Yellowstone NPS: nps.gov/yell ·
Park entrance fee info: nps.gov/yell/fees ·
Park phone: 307-344-7381
The questions travelers search at 11 p.m. when they realize Yellowstone is more remote than they thought — answered plainly, without the tourist-brochure spin.
Yellowstone Airport (WYS) in West Yellowstone, Montana, at just 3 miles from the West Entrance — about 5 minutes by car. It is the closest commercial airport to any entrance of the park by a significant margin. The catch: WYS is seasonal, typically running mid-May through early October, and only Delta and United operate there, primarily via Salt Lake City and Denver connections. Ticket prices are noticeably higher than at larger airports, and rental car inventory is thin during peak weeks. If you have a short trip, a flexible budget, and you’re visiting during summer, WYS eliminates nearly all the driving. If any of those conditions doesn’t hold, you’ll want to look at Bozeman or Jackson Hole.
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), and it’s not particularly close. BZN is open year-round and served by nine airlines including Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, and United — with nonstop flights to more than 20 U.S. cities. For travelers who value low fares, direct connections from their home city, or who are visiting in spring or fall when WYS is closed, BZN is the practical answer. The drive from BZN to the West Entrance runs about 90 miles and takes roughly 90 minutes. To the North Entrance at Gardiner it’s a similar distance. BZN also has the most rental car options and competitive pricing compared to the smaller gateway airports.
You almost certainly need a car — or a guided tour van. Yellowstone has no internal shuttle system like Yosemite or Zion, and attractions are spread across a park larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined. Distances between geysers, hot springs, and wildlife viewing areas are measured in tens of miles, with a 45 mph speed limit and frequent wildlife stops adding significant time. From WYS, taxis and shuttles can bring you to the West Entrance lodges without a car, but you won’t be able to explore the park independently. Private tour operators pick up from all major gateway airports, which is a legitimate option for travelers who don’t drive or prefer a guided experience — but for anyone who wants freedom to stop when a bison herd blocks the road, a rental car is the only reasonable choice.
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), located inside Grand Teton National Park itself — the only commercial airport in the country situated within a national park boundary. JAC sits about 50 miles from Yellowstone’s South Entrance by road, with the entire drive passing through Grand Teton. If your itinerary covers both parks, flying into JAC lets you start in Grand Teton, work northward, and potentially fly home from BZN after looping through Yellowstone — a one-way car rental between airports is often more efficient than backtracking. JAC has fewer airlines than BZN and tends to have higher fares, but the scenic approach and park-integrated location make it the most naturally woven gateway into the region’s full landscape.
Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) in Cody, Wyoming — about 53 miles from the East Entrance via the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway, one of the most visually striking drives in the region. United Express serves Cody primarily via Denver. Cody is consistently overlooked by travelers who default to Bozeman or Jackson Hole, which means lower rental car prices, no crowds at the small terminal, and immediate access to the eastern and southern areas of the park that the western-gateway crowds rarely reach. The drive through Wapiti Valley along the North Fork of the Shoshone River is legitimately one of the best approaches to any national park in the country.
No — the entrance fee is collected at the park gate, not at any airport. As of the current fee schedule, a private, non-commercial vehicle pass costs $35 and is valid for 7 consecutive days, covering all passengers in the vehicle. You can purchase your pass online in advance at Recreation.gov to skip the entrance line, which during peak summer season can stretch 30 to 60 minutes. International visitors (non-U.S. residents, 16 and older) face an additional $100 per-person surcharge introduced in 2026 — a significant change for international family groups. The America the Beautiful annual pass at $80 covers unlimited entry to all national parks for 12 months and pays for itself after just two park visits.
Summer (mid-June through August) is peak season — all five gateway airports are operating, rental cars are available but expensive and must be booked well ahead, and the park is at full capacity. Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) offer lower prices and fewer crowds but WYS is either just opening or just closing — Bozeman becomes the default gateway. Winter visitors — who come for snowmobile tours, wolf watching, and Old Faithful in snow — fly into Bozeman year-round, as it’s the only nearby major airport with consistent winter-season service. The North Entrance at Gardiner is the only vehicle entrance open year-round, making BZN the logical winter hub. Idaho Falls (IDA) is a lower-cost alternative for west-side access in shoulder and off seasons.
Five commercial airports serve Yellowstone travelers. The table below lays out the essentials — use it to identify which fits your entrance and travel style, then read the full entry for contact info and what to say when you call.
| # | Airport (Code) | City / State | Closest Entrance | Drive Time | Season | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yellowstone Airport (WYS) | West Yellowstone, MT | West | 5 min · 3 mi | May–Oct | Shortest possible drive · summer only |
| 2 | Bozeman Yellowstone Intl (BZN) | Belgrade, MT | West / North | ~90 min | Year-round | Most flights · lowest fares · winter |
| 3 | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) | Jackson, WY | South | ~60 min | Year-round | Grand Teton + Yellowstone combo trips |
| 4 | Yellowstone Regional (COD) | Cody, WY | East | ~53 mi · under 1 hr | Seasonal (United) | East entrance · less crowded · scenic drive |
| 5 | Idaho Falls Regional (IDA) | Idaho Falls, ID | West | ~110 mi · 1.5–2 hr | Year-round | Budget fares · west-side access · off-peak |
Three miles from the park gate. Seasonal. Small. Expensive. Here is everything you need to know about whether it actually makes sense for your trip.
Yellowstone Airport sits 3 miles north of the West Entrance kiosks along U.S. 191 — the shortest gap between any commercial airport and any Yellowstone entrance. The airport is owned by the Montana Department of Transportation and operated on a seasonal schedule that typically runs from mid-May through early October. Delta (via Salt Lake City) and United (via Denver) are the two airlines currently serving WYS. Flights book up early during summer and tend to run higher than comparable routes to Bozeman. The terminal is small and efficient — no long walks, no confusing concourses, and rental car pickup is immediate (Avis and Budget, plus local operators). Taxis and shuttles run directly to West Yellowstone lodging and the park entrance. On-site FBO services for general aviation are handled by Ascension. The AWOS weather line is 406-646-7727 if you’re checking conditions before a flight.
From the West Entrance, WYS gives you direct access to Old Faithful (about 30 miles south), Madison Junction wildlife viewing, the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook, and the Lower Geyser Basin. For a 3- to 5-day trip focused on the western side of the park, WYS is genuinely the superior choice when it’s open and when fares are comparable.
When WYS is closed and the park’s North Entrance is the only gate open to cars, these three airports keep Yellowstone reachable. Bozeman is the workhorse. Jackson Hole is the scenic option. Idaho Falls is the budget pick that most travelers overlook.
Bozeman Yellowstone International is the practical hub of Yellowstone travel. Located about 5 miles northwest of downtown Bozeman and just east of Belgrade, BZN handles over 2 million passengers annually — an extraordinary number for a small Montana city — and it’s still expanding, with an ongoing East Terminal expansion project underway. Nine airlines serve BZN: Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Sun Country, and United, with nonstop service to more than 20 U.S. cities year-round and additional seasonal routes. For most travelers, BZN offers the best combination of affordable fares, flight frequency, and rental car availability.
From BZN, the West Entrance at West Yellowstone is about 90 miles south (roughly 90 minutes in normal conditions). The North Entrance at Gardiner — the only gate open to conventional vehicles year-round — is approximately 83 miles south, also about 90 minutes. In winter, BZN is the default gateway for snowmobile tours, wolf-watching expeditions, and winter lodge stays at Mammoth Hot Springs, which operates year-round. Rental car pricing from BZN during summer peaks at $65–$95 per day; booking 60 or more days ahead is strongly recommended for June through August travel.
Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport in the United States located inside a national park boundary — it sits within Grand Teton National Park, 7 miles north of the town of Jackson. The airport is certified as an International Dark Sky Place, and on a clear day the approach over the Tetons is one of the more dramatic arrivals in American aviation. JAC handles around 1.1 million passengers annually, making it the busiest airport in Wyoming by passenger traffic. American, Delta, United, and several seasonal carriers provide year-round and peak-season service with nonstop flights to major hubs including Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and San Francisco.
The drive from JAC to Yellowstone’s South Entrance — through Grand Teton National Park along the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway — is about 60 miles and takes roughly 60 minutes. If your itinerary covers both Grand Teton and Yellowstone, flying into JAC and out of BZN (or vice versa) with a one-way car rental is often the most efficient routing. Note that entering through the South Entrance requires passing through Grand Teton first, which charges a separate $35 entrance fee unless you hold an America the Beautiful annual pass. Rental cars run $75–$110 per day during summer peak at JAC, higher than BZN.
Idaho Falls Regional Airport, also known as Fanning Field, is the second-busiest airport in Idaho and one of the most consistently overlooked Yellowstone gateways. Five airlines serve IDA — Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, and United — with 10 nonstop destinations. Fares from IDA tend to run lower than comparable flights into BZN or JAC, particularly for travelers originating from western U.S. cities. The airport is open year-round with TSA staffing from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.
From IDA, the West Entrance at West Yellowstone is approximately 110 miles northeast (about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on season and conditions). The drive passes through Island Park, Idaho, and follows the western edge of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem through some genuinely beautiful high-plateau terrain. For travelers whose home airport connects more cheaply to Idaho Falls than to Bozeman or Jackson Hole, IDA can save $100–$300 per person in airfare at the cost of an extra 30–40 minutes of driving. The city of Idaho Falls received $12 million in federal funding for a terminal expansion, so the airport’s facilities are actively improving.
The Cody airport is the right answer for a specific kind of traveler: someone who wants the east side of the park — the Hayden Valley bison herds, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake, and the less-crowded interior — without a long cross-park drive from the west.
Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody is the closest airport to Yellowstone’s East Entrance — about 53 miles by road, typically under an hour’s drive. United Express provides daily year-round service to Denver, with seasonal service to Chicago. The airport is owned by the City of Cody and operated by a joint powers board funded 60% by the city and 40% by Park County. The terminal is small, parking is easy, security lines are minimal, and the staff-to-traveler ratio makes for a noticeably stress-free arrival.
The drive from COD to the East Entrance follows U.S. 14/16/20 through the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway along the North Fork of the Shoshone River — widely regarded as one of the most dramatic entrance drives to any national park. Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Lake, Mud Volcano, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its Upper and Lower Falls are all accessible within 30–60 minutes of the East Entrance — the areas of the park most visitors from western gateways end up missing entirely. Cody itself has the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a genuinely substantial museum complex worth half a day before or after the park visit. Car rental is available on-site; booking ahead is advisable for June through August.
Yellowstone Airport (WYS) — 3 miles, 5 minutes. Call 406-646-7631 to confirm seasonal dates before booking flights. Book your rental car through Avis or Budget at the same time you book the flight; WYS rental inventory is small and runs out weeks ahead for peak summer. If WYS is closed for your travel dates, Bozeman (BZN) is the next closest practical option at 90 minutes to the West Entrance.
Bozeman (BZN) is your only real option for reliable year-round service. The North Entrance at Gardiner stays open all winter for regular vehicles — BZN to Gardiner is about 83 miles. Yellowstone in winter means snowcoach tours, heated snowmobile routes, and wolf-watching in the Lamar Valley with a fraction of the summer crowds. Call BZN at (406) 388-6632 for general questions, then book lodging at Mammoth Hot Springs well in advance — Mammoth is the only hotel inside the park open year-round.
Fly into Jackson Hole (JAC) and out of Bozeman (BZN) — or reverse the loop depending on your itinerary. A one-way car rental between the two airports costs about $15–$40 in drop fees and saves you backtracking 4–5 hours. JAC is at 1250 East Airport Road, Jackson, WY; call (307) 733-7682. Start in Grand Teton, work north into Yellowstone, and end near Bozeman. Buy the America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) to cover both park entrance fees — it pays for itself immediately on a dual-park trip.
Fly into Cody Regional Airport (COD) and drive the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway to the East Entrance. The drive itself is a highlight. Hayden Valley — arguably the best wildlife watching in the continental U.S. — is about 45 minutes from the East Entrance. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which most visitors from the West Entrance pass through in 20 minutes on a long park loop, becomes your first stop. Call Yellowstone Regional Airport at (307) 587-5096, confirm your rental car, and allow a full day in Cody itself — the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is four museums under one roof.
Compare fares to all five airports simultaneously: BZN, JAC, IDA, COD, and WYS. Google Flights and Kayak both allow multi-airport searches — enter “Yellowstone National Park” as the destination and the booking engine will surface all gateway airports ranked by price. Idaho Falls (IDA) frequently wins on airfare for travelers from western and midwestern cities, at the cost of an extra 30–40 minutes of driving. Call IDA at (208) 612-8224 for ground transportation questions. For BZN, the airline selection — 9 carriers including Southwest and Allegiant — typically generates more price competition than the smaller airports.
Consider flying into one airport and out of another — Yellowstone’s 5 entrances are spread across a park larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined, and driving the full Grand Loop Road takes the better part of two days. Common one-way pairings: fly into JAC (South Entrance), drive the full interior north and exit at Gardiner, fly home from BZN. Or land at COD (East Entrance), drive the Hayden Valley and geyser basins, exit the West Entrance at West Yellowstone, and fly home from WYS (if in season) or drive to BZN. One-way rentals between these airport pairs are straightforward — confirm drop fees when booking. The National Park Service’s main Yellowstone line at 307-344-7381 can answer questions about road conditions and entrance status before you set your routing.
All five commercial gateway airports maintain ADA-compliant facilities including accessible parking, restrooms, and boarding assistance. Contact each airport’s main line ahead of travel: BZN (406) 388-6632, JAC (307) 733-7682, WYS (406) 646-7631, COD (307) 587-5096, IDA (208) 612-8224. Inside the park, Yellowstone’s accessibility guide covers paved accessible trails, accessible restrooms, and lodging at each area. Request it through the NPS at 307-344-7381 or download from nps.gov/yell. Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook trail, and Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces all have accessible paved routes. The park’s entrance fee is permanently waived for U.S. residents with permanent disabilities through the America the Beautiful Access Pass, available at any park entrance or by mail through the NPS.
This guide is for general informational and travel planning purposes only. Airport contact information, seasonal schedules, flight routes, entrance fees, and road conditions change — always verify directly with each airport and the National Park Service before booking travel. Seasonal operating dates for Yellowstone Airport (WYS) are released closer to each year’s opening; do not assume prior-year dates will repeat. Entrance fees listed reflect current NPS fee schedules and are subject to change by federal rulemaking. Drive times are estimates under normal conditions; construction, weather, and wildlife crossings can significantly extend travel time in this region. This content is entirely original.