You may have been wanting to explore Yellowstone for a while, or maybe it’s been on your bucket list.
However, you’re not sure exactly how to get there or what airport to fly into. We’re here to make sure your trip is not any more tedious than it needs to be!
In this article, we will be covering:
- Which airports are closest to each of the 5 Yellowstone entrances
- Tips for booking your trip to Yellowstone.
Let’s get into it!
Airports Near Yellowstone National Park
While the majority of Yellowstone National Park is located in the state of Wyoming, the park spans 2.2 million acres and extends to both Montana and Idaho.
Knowing which part of Yellowstone you want to explore is important when choosing which airport to fly into!
In the following section, we will cover all the airports in the area. It is important to consider all airport options to find the best one! Additionally, have a look at our curated map to help you locate your best choice.
Read on to help you choose which airport is best for travelers!
1. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), Montana
At a Glance:
- Best For: People visiting Yellowstone in winter. Or people looking for the closest airport to the park, i.e. people short on time, and those looking to explore the Northern or Western entrances.
- Airlines Operate: United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Frontier Airlines.
- Transportation Option: Car rentals, shuttle services, private transfers, bus services in peak season
- Distance to Yellowstone National Park: 90 miles from Yellowstone National Park’s North Entrance
- Time Take to Reach Park: 1 hour 30 minutes to North Entrance
- Route to Take: I-90 E or US-89 S to North Entrance
- Website
Overview:
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, located just outside of Bozeman, Montana, has daily flights all year round. It serves the communities of Bozeman and Southwest Montana, as well as Big Sky Resort and Yellowstone National Park.
BZN is Montana’s busiest passenger airport, servicing over 1.6 million passengers in 2019 alone. It is located just eight miles west of Bozeman and one mile east of Belgrade.
BZN is the busiest in the state, serving as a final destination for major airlines, including:
- United Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Alaska Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- Frontier Airlines
Bozeman Yellowstone is a gateway to Yellowstone Country and the booming college town, offering nonstop flights from several major U.S. cities, including Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Seattle, and Salt Lake City.
It also provides access to the eastern side of Montana’s Glacier National Park in just about 5 hours. During the winter months, the North Entrance via Gardiner is the sole entry into Yellowstone, making Bozeman airport one of the most operationally significant airports on this list.
2. Jackson Hole Airport, Wyoming (JAC) – South Entrance
At a Glance:
- Best For: people interested in exploring the western entrance of the national park, especially Geyser Paradise
- Airlines Operate: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines.
- Transportation Options: Car rentals from the airport, shuttle services, and private transfers.
- Distance to Yellowstone National Park: Approximately 137 miles to the West Entrance
- Time Taken to Reach Park: Approximately 2 hour 50 minutes to the West Entrance
- Route to Take: US-20 E
- Website
Overview:
The log cabin-inspired Jackson Hole Airport is located in Jackson, Wyoming, some 137 miles from the park’s West Entrance. The airport offers non-stop flights to and from 13 different destinations in the United States.
Additionally, the airport has daily and weekend flights from major cities in the US, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York City.
If you want to visit both parks on the same holiday trip, then Jackson Hole Airport is an excellent site to start and/or conclude your journey. Jackson, a nearby town, is a great place to stay for a night or two in between excursions, with many hotels and restaurants to pick from.
It is the most popular town near Yellowstone and boasts the most picturesque route into the park via the breathtaking Tetons. Flying to Jackson Hole airport is easy, convenient, and slightly on the higher price point but being the closest airport to Yellowstone National Park makes it a great choice.
3. West Yellowstone Airport, Montana (WYS) – West Entrance
At a Glance:
- Best For: People looking for the closest access to the Western Entrance, or people staying at the airport.
- Airlines Operate: Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are the exclusive commercial carriers for the Yellowstone Airport.
- Transportation Option: Car rentals and shuttle services from the airport
- Distance to Yellowstone National Park: 3 miles from the West Entrance
- Time Take to Reach Park: About 7 mins
- Route to Take: US-191 S
- Website
Overview:
Yellowstone airport is located in West Yellowstone, a resort town on the outskirts of Yellowstone National Park’s west entrance.
With a variety of hotels and eateries, West Yellowstone is an excellent place to base yourself if there is no other option for accommodation within the park.
Although WYS is the most convenient and nearest airport option, you must, however, keep in mind that Delta Airlines only serves one destination: Salt Lake City. Because there is only one route available, you must book flights from your departure airport to Salt Lake City.
West Yellowstone may only be reached via Salt Lake City, Utah. Flights are only scheduled from late spring through late fall. International visitors must fly into Salt Lake City and then take a connecting flight to West Yellowstone. Despite the location of the airport near Yellowstone, it is also the most complex to manage logistically.
4. Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah (SLC) – South or West Entrance
