Watch Before Visiting Yellowstone | 2024 Trip Planner

[@mickster1780]

flying into Billings works well too. it's only 2 1/2 hour drive to Gardiner from there and you can get cheap flights to that airport

[@Dewittburton]

I think we have watched ALL of your Teton and Yellowstone KZbins! Thank you so much as they really helped us plan our trip - 5/9/2024 - 5/17/2024. As you can see, we took a chance traveling that early to try to miss the crowds. We lucked out as the weather turned springlike the week before we arrived and the south entrance opened on schedule (5/10). Landed at Salt Lake (because we had many SouthWest points), spent 2 nights there, 2 nights at Jackson, 2 nights at the Yellowstone Inn, one night at Mammoth Hotel, a night at Bozeman and flew out of there. Again, thank you for helping make this a great trip!

[@WereintheRockies]

Sounds like you had an epic trip. I'm glad the weather was cooperative. Thanks for the support.

[@gsitzkowitz]

Just coming back after watching many of your videos. Just fantastic. Only 2 negatives, food is ok, prices are not. Seems like it’s $18-20 for a $12 burger and not much variety except maybe in Grand Teton. After a week of that it just got annoying. Also the crowds. We went the week before Memorial Day hoping to beat the crowds. There no way I would come here during the height of the season. Aside from that just amazing. Your videos were so helpful! Thank you!

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for sharing. We're glad you had a good time and we're glad we could help!

[@emmatodd6541]

@@gsitzkowitz I absolutely agree with you, we went there in beginning of June and the crowds were absolutely ridiculous. Prices are outrageous as well. Beautiful place, but hard to enjoy when you so much people and most of them are extremely rude

[@coltinwevley649]

I’ve been watching quite a few of your Yellowstone videos as I plan on going in June. I live in Billings, MT and just wanted to recommend you add us as a good fly in spot. Billings has great food, hotels, and activities. You can also get to Yellowstone by driving the Beartooth Highway and staying in Cook City or Silvergate. They are smaller towns but the journey there is amazing!!

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you so much for the recommendation. This is a great idea and we will do so!

[@lonipaige981]

I flew out of Billings once, and it was definitely not too far from Yellowstone. Good suggestion.

[@SusanLZimmerman]

I really enjoy all your video. My husband and I have been to YNP and GTNP 13 times and always see new things, never gets boring. Even with being there so many times your information is helpful and reminders of things to look for. We recommend your videos and guidea to everyone that ask us about information on the parks. Thank you for this great site.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you for watching and recommending us to others, we appreciate it!

[@tjsteeler]

Matt and Cheryl, it was a pleasure to meet you at the Irma in Cody Wy. on Sunday. Thanks for taking time out to talk about our wonderful trip to Yellowstone. Love your videos. Yellowstone is an amazing place we will be back. Tony J

[@WereintheRockies]

It was a pleasure meeting you. We hope you had a great time.

[@judywelday9387]

We will be leaving for Yellowstone in two weeks and already have your information guide and audio guide. We have been pouring over them for months and are very excited to get there and be comfortable with our daily itinerary as you have recommended. Everyone should have these for their Yellowstone adventure, thanks so much!

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for purchasing our guide! Let us know how your trip goes. We love to hear from our customers. Have a great time.

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Lol as a cultural tourism professional near YNP, i do want to clarify that most of us don't have this level of commitment - I'm impressed you visit every year! I'm 2 hours (ish...WY gets kimda chippy about speeding lol) away. I am embarassed that i havent visited in sooo long. Well i accidentally took the wrong turn out of emigrant last year and ended up taking a very snowy April trip around Hebgen (terrifying but 10/10, stunnnnnnnning). Anyway lol, my actual point is that outside the park and its entrance towns, a lot of us working within a couple hours of the park do not know the layout very well & may not have the info you expect. Videos like this are great! But, if you visit YNP but, because of crowds, dont get your "I'm out in the wild and my family is alone with nature" moment, see the local museum. We'll send you to a less crowded spot where you can have a great experience like that, and we'll tailor to your experience level. There are camping/picnic spots that feel secluded and forested, but you actually are 20 feet from roads/people. But please do your research using videos like this!

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for sharing.

[@larrydraper4451]

Another great video with lots of very good advice and recommendations. I watch a lot of videos on Yellowstone, my favorite place. I see so many people complain, "My house on wheels is too big for the campsites", "The campsites are too close together", "The traffic is too slow". All of those complaints shows me that they did NOT do any research, like watching wereintherockies. You should always research were you are going and plan for the unplanned (Murphy's Law). That's why I like your videos, you have been there and done that, so you know what to do and what not to do. I'm one of those "baby boomers" so I have plenty of time and in no hurry. I'll sit for hours watching for wildlife while eating a picnic lunch. This paid off in Hayden valley for my first wolf sighting. He didn't read the rules, he came to us and was less than 100 yards. Your enthusiasm about these places makes me want to get up and go. Thanks.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks so much. We're glad you enjoy our videos. So cool about the wolf!

[@robhamilton8993]

Great video. Thanks for the freebie entrance. We plan to stay 4 days in Yellowstone, 3 days in Tetons and 3 on Cody. We’re doing a road trip from Florida. When we were there in 2014 we LOVED the Tetons.

[@WereintheRockies]

Wonderful! Enjoy.

[@emmatodd6541]

Thank you for being so informative and your guys weren’t boring at all. I keep trying to find videos to plan our trip coming up and every video doesn’t help. You guys helped me a lot, thank you sm. We are going to yellowstone in two weeks, and driving 9 hours from oregon!

[@WereintheRockies]

We hope you enjoy your time in Yellowstone.

[@ranziey8273]

I hope that you had a great trip!

[@tsehelbenyosef2503]

Thanks for your latest Yellowstone update for 2024. We were just in Yellowstone two weeks ago, at the end of April upon some season openings like Mammoth Lodge. We already had run into several bison jams. We heard from a Old Faithful area employee that there is way less snow this year in April than in April 2023 and way less tourists too. It was a bit too early to see everything because most roads were not yet open, but still a cool time to be there.

[@WereintheRockies]

Glad you got to enjoy it!

[@emilyhess7816]

Nice to meet you today!

[@auspider4703]

Great info and video series. We are planning a yellowstone roadtrip this summer and you have set great expectations regarding driving and time planning. I enjoy your bits of history throughout the videos.

[@anthonymrbs]

My wife and I are going to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier in late August. Unfortunately we only have a couple days for each park mainly due to the cost of hotels in the areas, but will do the best we can with the itme we have. Your videos are the absolute best for trip planning..

[@WereintheRockies]

Glad we can help. Have a great time!

[@butcherboy86]

Loving your videos on tetons and Yellowstone we are coming out there next June for 10 days thank you for all the info 👌

[@WereintheRockies]

You're welcome. Have a great time.

[@melodyanderson7914]

Thank you for putting this out! Will watch soon with my husband as we are going here next month! 😁

[@scottcampbell6360]

Perhaps you would do a video on WORKING in the park.... I worked four summers - Old Faithful, Lake Hotel and Canyon Village. Fabulous experience. I also worked at the Paradise Inn on Mount Rainier. (And Sun Valley on Bald Mountain in Idaho, Big Sky on Lone Mountain in Montana and Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood) There's nothing like living in the parks 24/7 for up to six months. Patty (Scott's wife)

[@WereintheRockies]

Holy cow! You’ve had some great jobs (at least, jobs in great places)!!! Incredible. We should do an interview with you

[@henryjoy7018]

Only just saw your vids today... Really brilliant informative and good friendly content.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks so much!

[@Carling1969]

Thanks for sharing . God bless 🙏

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you too

[@CDRDDJ]

We visited last year Grand Teton/Yellowstone and it was amazing! Going back this year but we aren't staying as long since we are planning a huge road trip from Illinois to SD again😂 Theodore NP(first time) to Glacier, Oregon, California(Yosemite), the Mighty Five of Utah, Grand Canyon. Our hearts are in Grand Teton💜 and Yellowstone.

[@WereintheRockies]

Wow, what a great trip you're planning. Have a great time.

[@geleiaquevende]

Hi, Guys! Thankful for that video! Do you know if there are breackfast included at the lodges?

[@WereintheRockies]

The park lodges do not include breakfast in their room rate.

[@lesleykahle5475]

Awesome advice! We are heading to Glacier, YS, and GT in July

[@WereintheRockies]

Glad we could help. Thanks for watching. Enjoy your trip.

[@elaymarie09]

My hubby and I are planning to do a roadtrip from FL - WY this coming November and lo and behold Yellowstone is closed during November 2024. :( Will continue watching your videos for some tips. Thank you kindly

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes, unfortunately, they don't plow the majority of the roads in winter so once it snows, it closes. Have a great trip though!

[@sarahmarshall5434]

My husband and I are making the trip in June to the Black Hills in South Dakota and then to Yellowstone, we are in Northwest Ohio so this is a bucket list trip for us!! We want to definitely do some hiking, but are beginner hikers so want something doable for us that will have some great views. Can you recommend any?

[@WereintheRockies]

Our Black Hills Travel Guide shares lots of easy hike options wereintherockies.com/black-hills-packages/ a few are Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower that gives views of Deadwood and Spearfish Falls takes you to a 40ft waterfall.

[@ranziey8273]

I enjoyed your video. Yellowstone is one of my all time favorite places to go. I have had the chance to go about 15 times now. I have to say that you missed my favorite spot in Yellowstone, Hayden Valley. It doesn't have the big geyser basins as the other side of the loop but it does have a couple. The wildlife is amazing through here. My most recent trips it was more dependable to find wolves, mid summer, in Hayden Valley rather than Lamar. Also, if you want river swimming and/or a short run through the rapids (complete with a short cliff jump), the firehole river has the best spot. You have to climb down the stairs to the river and as anywhere in the park, parking is limited on the one-way road. It's off the main road on the Firehole river view road.

[@tonyc.1147]

Great Info. We will be in Yellowstone on the 23rd of September. Can you tell what type of weather we might have?

[@WereintheRockies]

Looks like you are already there. You should have great weather! 70's. Have a great time.

[@lisag9280]

@WereintheRockies Matt and Cheryl, can you post the link to the binoculars you recommend? I could not find a link in this post. Thank you for the wonderfully helpful info. We will be visiting in September.

[@WereintheRockies]

Here you go. Have a great time. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V3LDFCR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=ourwebsite089-20&linkId=3463d34fe979cada2d388e8f49c86006&language=en_US

[@rustylollar4329]

Thanks for your videos! I just found them. This is my second one and so far theyve both been so helpful. I am planning a trip from alabama to carson city nv in oct. It has been tough to figure out all of our stops. I think i have settled on staying in cody, going thru yellowstone and staying in jackson the next night. Can we do the loop and hit the hotpots in one day? Or should we try to stay somewhere like mammoth in between? We dont want to hike, just see some sights and get some pics. Thank you!!!

[@WereintheRockies]

If you have time, give more than one day to Yellowstone. Even if you just get out of your car and see the things close by the road, it's hard to see it in less than two days because it is so huge.

[@lonipaige981]

We are headed to Yellowstone this month. I've been in Winter and have been watching flights for years to book this trip. Southwest Airlines has opened quite a few flights into Bozeman, which makes it much more affordable. We just couldn't do the 4 hour drive from SLC in our short time. Hopefully this will help other families too.

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes! That is great.

[@DadTrippin]

Great video and tips!

[@WereintheRockies]

Glad you liked it!

[@alicia7679]

Is there a 3 day guide? Any tips on river rafting?

[@WereintheRockies]

Our Yellowstone Guide is a 4 day itinerary but it can be shortened to 3 days by eliminating a day from the guide or combining the two upper loop days into one. For river rafting, we suggest doing that in Grand Teton, see our article: wereintherockies.com/grand-teton-rafting/

[@christinawintrell5238]

Just came across your blog, very informative. Thank you! We are going to Yellowstone for fall break , October 18-22. (Only time it works for everyone) We are driving from SLC, what’s is the best entrance from here?

[@WereintheRockies]

The West Entrance. Have fun!

[@BB-bv6uq]

Definitely getting your guides for our trip in July 👍👍

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you!

[@rickstarr7626]

Why do you not mention flying into Idaho Falls? It is cheaper than Jackson and Bozeman and a lot closer than SLC.

[@WereintheRockies]

That's a good option too.

[@rickstarr7626]

We flew nonstop from Phoenix on Allegiant and it was an easy drive to Island Park from there where we stayed for the week.

[@lisawheeler3522]

Can you send me the link(to purchase) for attachment of zoom lens for Android phone? When you take the picture on your phone, the view appears closer.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks for watching. We don't use an attachment on our iPhone, so I'm not sure what to recommend.

[@LS-ku2xv]

We only have 3 days in Yellowstone how adaptable and easy to adapt with your 4-day guide be?

[@WereintheRockies]

Super adaptable. We recommend combining the Welcome to Wonderland Day and American Serengeti Day into one day. Then only stop at the stops marked in Orange. The other two days, you can follow as planned. Thanks for considering our travel guide: wereintherockies.com/yellowstone-packages/

[@Charsy008]

We are taking the grandkids (2) ages 9 and 12 in August in a travel trailer. I booked all 5 nights at grizzly rv park...was that an ok idea? Thanks...on a binge watch of you videos...😂😂

[@WereintheRockies]

If you're not staying inside the park, West Yellowstone is the next best! Enjoy.

[@fsusarge]

Is this the video where WE met quite by chance?

[@nancyandjoel4134]

How many days are needed to see the park? What are the “ best” places to stay? How far is Jackson Hole from Yellowstone?

[@WereintheRockies]

We recommend at least 3 days, 4 preferably to fully take it all in and to see each area. Check out our video for where to stay: wereintherockies.com/where-should-you-stay-in-yellowstone/ Jackson Hole is 1.5 hours from West Thumb (the furthest south spot on the Grand Loop Road) but obviously it's even further to various sights on the loop.

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Could you do a PSA sometime that the Yellowstone River, once east of Livingston, and all of Yellowstone County are NOT related in any way to the show? We have some mountains but it's nothing like the places west of the park & river, where it is set & filmed. Fans keep showing up in Billings & we also have ranching history ofc, but we are not the scenery they want and they end up very disappointed.

[@lexyschex]

How do y’all feel about air bnbs near Yellowstone?

[@WereintheRockies]

We don't mind them, in fact, we have stayed in some.

[@billreptsis1029]

Hey guys, im a canadian and will be making out to grand canyon and Yellowstone. What is the best way to get there

[@WereintheRockies]

Check out this article wereintherockies.com/getting-to-yellowstone-and-grand-teton/

[@ToddM452]

Ordered the Big 3, Black Hills, Yellow Stone and Grand Tetons.

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank You!!

[@manuelmontecinos7797]

hello,my name is manny m.i would like to know if October is a good time to visit Yellowstone.i plan to stay for 10 days,we are going from san diego ca.please make a suggestion.thank you.very much

[@WereintheRockies]

October is a high-risk/high-reward month. Once the first big snowstorm comes, they shut the majority of the roads down for the winter. If however, you can get there before the storms, it would be a wonderful time to visit. Obviously the earlier in October, the better.

[@madhurik7808]

Hello my name is Madhu. Love your videos abt yellow stone. Is September end is good time to visit please suggest ? thanks

[@WereintheRockies]

September is a great time to visit! Some amenities may be closed but all the sites will be open.

[@jills2700]

We are going September 30th to October 3rd do you think it’ll be ok to see sights yet or do you think it’ll be snowing

[@WereintheRockies]

Usually those dates are fine for seeing the sights but many of the buildings begin to close in September. Storms usually hold off till October. This may help: wereintherockies.com/best-time-to-visit-yellowstone/

[@LouisapinkPadilla13]

Should I visit Yellowstone first before Banff Canada?

[@WereintheRockies]

It's all up to you. Both places are wonderful but are different. If you want emerald green lakes and hikes, do Banff. If you want to see waterfalls, geysers and thermal features, go to Yellowstone.

[@samajier2566]

Hello my frend......

[@WereintheRockies]

Hello!

[@davie2983]

DAM, THAT IS SO EXPENSIVE. YOU NEVER MENTIONED THAT PART FOR YOUR GUIDE. :(

[@WereintheRockies]

I'm sorry you think so. We feel our guides are valuable for people who do not want to do the research themselves. On average, our guides save people 10-20 hours of research. If you want to save some money and do the research yourself, we have lots of free information at wereintherockies.com. Thanks for watching.

[@MooseAndersonProductions]

You guys knocked it out of the park on this one. Very accurate and helpful. I absolutely love your videos and they have been a mainstay in my trip planning. Thanks for helping me have successful trips! 🫎

[@WereintheRockies]

You're alway so nice with the comments! Thanks for watching!

[@MooseAndersonProductions]

@@WereintheRockies if it weren’t for you, I’d be known as Goose Anderson by now. I can not emphasize enough, for anyone reading these comments…listen to these folks! They know what they are talking about!!!