Nearest Airport to Yellowstone National Park: 7 Closest Airports & Travel Guide
Planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park by air? Choosing the nearest airport to Yellowstone National Park can save hours of driving, but the best airport depends on which entrance you plan to use.
Yellowstone is enormous—covering about 3,472 square miles—and has five main entrances. An airport that is closest to the South Entrance may be a poor choice if your hotel is near the North or West Entrance.
In this guide, we’ll compare the 7 closest and most useful airports near Yellowstone, including distances, entrances, approximate driving times, seasonal access, and which airport is best for different types of Yellowstone trips.
Quick Answer: What Is the Closest Airport to Yellowstone?
The closest airport to Yellowstone National Park is Yellowstone Airport (WYS) in West Yellowstone, Montana, at roughly 5 miles from Yellowstone’s West Entrance. However, WYS is a small seasonal airport, so it isn’t available for every itinerary or time of year.
For most travelers looking for a year-round commercial airport, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is one of the best overall choices because it provides access to Yellowstone’s North and West Entrances and generally offers more flight options.
Here is a quick comparison:
| Airport | Code | Closest Yellowstone Entrance | Approx. Road Distance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone Airport, West Yellowstone | WYS | West Entrance | ~5 miles | Fastest access to West Yellowstone |
| Jackson Hole Airport | JAC | South Entrance | ~50 miles | Grand Teton + Yellowstone |
| Yellowstone Regional Airport, Cody | COD | East Entrance | ~54 miles | East Yellowstone & Cody |
| Bozeman Yellowstone International | BZN | North Entrance | ~88 miles | Best overall year-round option |
| Idaho Falls Regional Airport | IDA | West Entrance | ~109 miles | Idaho + West Yellowstone |
| Billings Logan International | BIL | North/Northeast Entrance | ~133–175 miles | Northern Yellowstone |
| Salt Lake City International | SLC | West/South routes | 300+ miles | More flights and road trips |
Distances are approximate and can vary depending on the route, entrance, road conditions and seasonal closures.
1. Yellowstone Airport (WYS) – Closest Airport to Yellowstone
Airport: Yellowstone Airport
Airport code: WYS
Location: West Yellowstone, Montana
Closest entrance: West Entrance
Distance: About 5 miles
Type: Small seasonal commercial airport
If your priority is simply finding the nearest airport to Yellowstone National Park, WYS is the clear winner.
The airport is located just outside West Yellowstone and is only a few miles from the park’s West Entrance. Current routing data puts the drive at roughly 5 miles, making it dramatically closer than the larger regional airports.
Why choose WYS?
- Closest airport to Yellowstone
- Excellent for the West Entrance
- Very convenient for Old Faithful and the western side of the park
- Minimizes airport-to-park driving
The biggest disadvantage
WYS is seasonal and has limited commercial service. The National Park Service lists West Yellowstone as a seasonal airport, with service generally operating during the warmer months. Flight schedules can change, so check the airport and airline schedules before booking.
Best for: Summer travelers who want the shortest possible drive into Yellowstone.
2. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – Best for Yellowstone + Grand Teton
Airport: Jackson Hole Airport
Airport code: JAC
Location: Jackson, Wyoming
Closest Yellowstone entrance: South Entrance
Distance: About 50 miles
Best for: Combining Grand Teton and Yellowstone
Jackson Hole Airport is one of the most convenient airports for travelers planning to visit both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
The South Entrance is approximately 50 miles from the airport, although the actual drive time depends heavily on traffic, stops and seasonal road conditions.
Another interesting fact: Jackson Hole Airport is the only commercial airport located inside a U.S. national park.
Why choose JAC?
- Closest major airport for the South Entrance
- Excellent option for a Grand Teton + Yellowstone itinerary
- Convenient access to Jackson
- Scenic approach and drive through the Jackson Hole region
Important seasonal consideration
The road through the South Entrance has seasonal restrictions. Before booking a spring, fall or winter trip, check current Yellowstone road and entrance conditions.
Best for: Travelers combining Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
3. Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) – Best for the East Entrance
Airport: Yellowstone Regional Airport
Airport code: COD
Location: Cody, Wyoming
Closest entrance: East Entrance
Distance: About 54 miles
Best for: East Yellowstone and Cody
Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody is another excellent choice if your itinerary begins on the eastern side of Yellowstone.
The East Entrance is approximately 54 miles from Cody’s airport based on current road-distance data.
Cody is also worth considering as a destination in its own right. Travelers can combine Yellowstone with Cody’s western attractions before entering the park.
Why choose COD?
- Very close to Yellowstone’s East Entrance
- Convenient for Cody
- Good choice for an eastern Yellowstone itinerary
- Can reduce unnecessary driving compared with airports farther away
What to consider
Flight availability is more limited than at larger airports such as Bozeman. The National Park Service lists Cody among the airports with year-round commercial airline service near Yellowstone.
Best for: Travelers entering Yellowstone from the East Entrance.
4. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) – Best Overall Airport
Airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
Airport code: BZN
Location: Belgrade/Bozeman, Montana
Closest entrances: North and West
Distance: About 88 miles to North Entrance and 91 miles to West Entrance
Best for: Most travelers seeking a year-round airport
If you want a balance between flight availability, rental cars and access to Yellowstone, BZN is arguably the most practical airport for many visitors.
The airport is about 88 road miles from Yellowstone’s North Entrance and around 91 miles from the West Entrance according to current routing data.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges also identifies Bozeman as the closest airport for the North Entrance, at approximately 85 miles.
Why BZN is popular
- Year-round commercial service
- Convenient for the North Entrance
- Useful for the West Entrance
- Good rental-car availability
- Convenient starting point for Montana road trips
- Access to Bozeman, Livingston and other Montana destinations
The North Entrance is particularly useful because it provides the most important year-round vehicle access into Yellowstone.
Best for: First-time visitors, families and travelers who want a practical year-round airport with good flight options.
5. Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA)
Airport: Idaho Falls Regional Airport
Airport code: IDA
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Closest Yellowstone access: West side
Distance: Roughly 109 miles to the West Entrance
Best for: Idaho road trips and western Yellowstone
Idaho Falls Regional Airport is another useful option for travelers coming from the west.
Current road-distance data puts the airport at approximately 109 miles from Yellowstone’s West Entrance.
The National Park Service lists Idaho Falls among the airports with year-round commercial airline service near Yellowstone.
Why choose IDA?
- Year-round airport
- Useful for western Yellowstone
- Good option if your trip also includes Idaho
- Can be combined with destinations such as Idaho Falls and Island Park
Compared with WYS, IDA usually requires substantially more driving, but it can provide another practical option when airfare or flight schedules work better.
Best for: Travelers combining Yellowstone with Idaho or finding better airfare into Idaho Falls.
6. Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)
Airport: Billings Logan International Airport
Airport code: BIL
Location: Billings, Montana
Closest Yellowstone access: North or Northeast Entrance
Distance: About 175 miles to North Entrance or approximately 133 miles via Northeast route
Best for: Northern Yellowstone and Montana road trips
Billings is farther from Yellowstone than the airports above, but it can still make sense depending on your itinerary and flight availability.
The North Entrance route is approximately 175 miles, while the Northeast approach can be shorter in mileage but depends on the seasonal availability of the Beartooth Highway.
Why choose BIL?
- Year-round commercial airport
- Useful for northeastern Montana
- Good option for a wider Montana road trip
- Convenient for the Northeast Entrance when seasonal roads are open
The National Park Service specifically identifies Billings as a year-round commercial airport near Yellowstone.
Best for: Travelers exploring northern Yellowstone, Beartooth Highway and Montana.
7. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Airport: Salt Lake City International Airport
Airport code: SLC
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Distance: 300+ miles depending on Yellowstone entrance
Best for: Travelers prioritizing flight choices and road trips
Salt Lake City International Airport isn’t one of the closest airports geographically, but it can be an excellent alternative airport for Yellowstone.
The advantage is the much larger air network and the possibility of combining Yellowstone with other destinations in Utah, Idaho or Wyoming.
The National Park Service’s visitor-use research also found that Salt Lake City International was a commonly used arrival airport for visitors entering Yellowstone through the West and South areas.
Why choose SLC?
- Large airport
- Many flight options
- Potentially competitive airfare
- Excellent for a multi-state road trip
- Useful if Yellowstone is part of a larger Western U.S. itinerary
The downside is obvious: you’ll have a much longer drive to Yellowstone.
Best for: Travelers who find substantially better flights or want to build a larger Western U.S. road trip.
Which Airport Is Best for Yellowstone?
There isn’t one airport that is best for everyone. Your choice should depend on the Yellowstone entrance closest to your itinerary.
Best airport for each Yellowstone entrance
| Yellowstone Entrance | Recommended Airport | Approx. Distance |
|---|---|---|
| West Entrance | Yellowstone Airport (WYS) | ~5 miles |
| South Entrance | Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) | ~50 miles |
| East Entrance | Yellowstone Regional (COD) | ~54 miles |
| North Entrance | Bozeman (BZN) | ~88 miles |
| Northeast Entrance | Billings (BIL) | ~133 miles via seasonal route |
Best Airport for Yellowstone in Summer
Summer is the easiest season for accessing Yellowstone because more roads and entrances are available.
For a summer trip, consider:
1. WYS – shortest drive to the West Entrance
2. JAC – excellent for Grand Teton + Yellowstone
3. COD – excellent for the East Entrance
4. BZN – best all-around option for many travelers
If you’re staying around West Yellowstone or Old Faithful, WYS can be especially convenient.
If you’re doing a Grand Teton → Yellowstone road trip, JAC is usually the more logical choice.
Best Airport for Yellowstone in Winter
Winter changes the airport decision considerably.
Many Yellowstone roads close to regular vehicle traffic during the winter season. The National Park Service notes that vehicle access is particularly limited in winter, and transportation into much of the park is generally handled differently from summer travel.
For a winter trip, Bozeman is often one of the most practical airports because the North Entrance near Gardiner provides the primary year-round vehicle access into the park.
Always check current road, entrance and transportation conditions before traveling.
Do You Need a Rental Car at Yellowstone?
For most Yellowstone vacations, yes.
Yellowstone is extremely large, and attractions are spread across a huge area. The National Park Service notes that destinations such as Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are about 50 miles apart by road.
That means flying into the nearest airport doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be finished traveling.
For example:
Airport → Yellowstone entrance → hotel → attractions
can involve considerable driving each day.
A rental car gives you considerably more flexibility to:
- Visit multiple geyser basins
- Stop at overlooks
- See wildlife
- Change your itinerary
- Visit multiple entrances
- Explore Grand Teton and Yellowstone together
How to Choose the Right Yellowstone Airport
Before booking your flight, answer these four questions.
1. Which Yellowstone entrance will you use?
This is the most important question.
Don’t automatically choose the airport with the shortest distance to the center of Yellowstone. Instead, choose the airport closest to the entrance you’ll actually use.
2. What time of year are you visiting?
Some roads and airports have seasonal limitations.
WYS is particularly convenient but seasonal, while BZN, JAC, COD, BIL and IDA have year-round commercial service according to the National Park Service.
3. Are you visiting Grand Teton too?
If yes, Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) deserves serious consideration.
4. Is airfare significantly cheaper from another airport?
Sometimes a longer drive can be worthwhile if you save substantially on airfare or get a much better flight schedule.
Yellowstone Airport vs Bozeman Airport
This is one of the most common comparisons travelers make.
| Feature | Yellowstone Airport (WYS) | Bozeman Airport (BZN) |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to West Entrance | ~5 miles | ~91 miles |
| Seasonal? | Yes | No |
| Airport size | Small | Larger regional airport |
| Flight options | Limited | More extensive |
| Rental car options | Limited | Better |
| Best for | West Yellowstone | North/West Yellowstone |
| Winter usefulness | Limited | Better |
Winner for proximity: WYS
Winner for flight flexibility: BZN
Winner for year-round convenience: BZN
Jackson Hole vs Bozeman for Yellowstone
Both are excellent choices, but they serve different itineraries.
Choose Jackson Hole Airport if:
- You’re visiting Grand Teton National Park
- You’re entering Yellowstone through the South Entrance
- Jackson is part of your vacation
- You want a Wyoming-focused road trip
Choose Bozeman Airport if:
- You’re entering through the North or West Entrance
- You want year-round flexibility
- You’re visiting Montana
- You want a convenient starting point for a northern Yellowstone itinerary
Tips for Booking Flights to Yellowstone
Book the airport based on your itinerary
Don’t search for the “closest airport” alone. Look at your hotel location and planned entrance.
Check seasonal road conditions
A route that looks short on a map may not be available during your travel dates.
Compare total trip cost
A cheaper flight isn’t necessarily cheaper overall if it adds several hours of driving and another hotel night.
Reserve your rental car early
Rental-car availability can become tight during popular Yellowstone travel periods.
Allow extra driving time
Yellowstone roads can be slow because of wildlife, traffic, construction, weather and scenic stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nearest airport to Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone Airport (WYS) near West Yellowstone, Montana, is the closest airport, at roughly 5 miles from the West Entrance. It is a small seasonal airport, so it isn’t suitable for every travel date.
What is the best major airport for Yellowstone?
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is one of the best overall choices because it offers year-round commercial service and convenient access to the North and West Entrances.
What airport is closest to Yellowstone’s South Entrance?
Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is the closest commercial airport to the South Entrance, at approximately 50 miles by road.
What airport is closest to Yellowstone’s East Entrance?
Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) in Cody, Wyoming, is approximately 54 miles from the East Entrance.
Can you fly directly into Yellowstone National Park?
There is no large commercial airport inside Yellowstone itself. The closest airport is Yellowstone Airport (WYS) outside West Yellowstone. The airport is seasonal.
Is Bozeman or Jackson better for Yellowstone?
It depends on your route. Bozeman is generally better for the North and West sides, while Jackson Hole is better for the South Entrance and trips combining Yellowstone with Grand Teton.
How far is Bozeman Airport from Yellowstone?
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is approximately 88 miles from the North Entrance and about 91 miles from the West Entrance by road.
Final Verdict: Which Airport Should You Fly Into?
If you want the absolute closest airport, choose Yellowstone Airport (WYS) when its seasonal schedule works for your trip.
For most travelers, however, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is the best all-around choice because of its year-round service and access to Yellowstone’s northern and western areas.
Here is the simplest way to decide:
- 🛫 Closest overall: WYS – Yellowstone Airport
- 🏔️ Grand Teton + Yellowstone: JAC – Jackson Hole
- 🐎 East Yellowstone: COD – Cody
- ⭐ Best overall/year-round option: BZN – Bozeman
- 🌲 Western Yellowstone + Idaho: IDA – Idaho Falls
- 🏞️ Northern Montana route: BIL – Billings
- 🚗 Large-airport road trip option: SLC – Salt Lake City
Because Yellowstone’s roads and entrances have seasonal restrictions, always check the National Park Service’s current road and entrance conditions before finalizing your flight and rental-car plans. The National Park Service lists Cody, Jackson, Bozeman, Billings and Idaho Falls as year-round commercial airports near Yellowstone, with West Yellowstone served seasonally.
Read Also: How Big Is Yellowstone National Park? Size, Area & Facts