A trip to Yellowstone Park—how much does it cost? The answer to that question depends on several factors, including the number of days you want to spend in Yellowstone. Do you wish to drive to Yellowstone instead of taking a plane and renting a car?
A 7-day pass to Yellowstone National Park for personal, non-commercial automobiles costs $35 per vehicle but does not include entry to the neighboring Grand Teton National Park. The latter park, home to the formidable Grand Teton and other untamed peaks, also levies an entrance fee of $35 per vehicle.
Keep reading below for more information.
Yellowstone National Park Travel Cost
Getting to Yellowstone will cost you different amounts based on the location you’re coming from. Prices for plane tickets to Jackson, Wyoming; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Bozeman, Montana, can go into the hundreds.
You will need a car to get to Yellowstone via one of these airports and explore Yellowstone. Yellowstone offers guided tours, but if you want to stay more than a day, you’ll want to have the freedom to explore on your own.
Like Yosemite and Zion National Parks, Yellowstone does not have a shuttle system. There are moderate speed limits throughout the vast park.
If you decide to drive, you’ll have to factor in the price of petrol, and any hotel stays along the way. It’s easier to get about if you drive to Yellowstone if you currently have a vehicle.
For a more detailed guide on a trip to Yellowstone, watch this video below:
Yellowstone National Park Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia
How Much Does Entrance to Yellowstone Park Cost?
The cost to enter Yellowstone National Park is:
- Yellowstone National Park Pass for 7 Days (covers the Yellowstone entrance fee for everyone in your vehicle)
- Private, non-commercial vehicle: $35
- Snowmobile or motorcycle: $30
- Individual (by foot, bicycle, ski, etc.): $20/person
- Yellowstone Pass annual charge (covers the Yellowstone National Park entrance fee for everyone in your vehicle): $70
Both pass options are available for purchase online at the Your Pass Now website as well as at all admission points.
You can drive straight in if you have previously paid your National Park admission fees using the America the Beautiful All Access Pass by presenting it to the ranger at the entrance kiosk. You may buy a U.S. Park Pass for $80 online or at any National Park entry.
Knowing that you are supporting national parks makes Yellowstone costs much more tolerable, especially given how frequently the federal government reduces funding for national parks. Yellowstone entrance money is repaid to the national parks at a ratio of 80%.
How Much Does Lodging in Yellowstone Cost?
The price of lodging varies depending on where you stay, just like it does with everything else in our budgeting guide for a vacation to Yellowstone. Of course, hotels are more costly and offer a different feel than camping. You have a choice between lodging inside the park or in a gateway neighborhood close to the park’s entrances.
No matter where you want to stay, book your reservations as soon as you can. Hotels and campsites in Yellowstone fill up soon!
How Much Does Camping in Yellowstone Cost?
Yellowstone National Park has 12 campsites, and the National Forests surrounding it have many more. The other campsites are first come, first served, and only five of them accept bookings.
Yellowstone camping sites range in price from $15 for a simple tent site to $47.75 for one with all the amenities. Tax is not included in it.
What Are the Hotel Rates in Yellowstone?
The cost of accommodation in Yellowstone is high. The least expensive hotel option in Yellowstone, Roughrider Cabins, costs $101 plus tax. This price is for one double bed that does not include access to a bathroom.
On the other extreme, lodging at the Lake Yellowstone Lodge can cost up to $550 per night. The Old Faithful Inn charges more than $700 for a suite.
In Yellowstone, the majority of hotel rooms cost $150 to $300 per night. Outside of Yellowstone National Park, there are other motels with comparable lodging prices.
Price of Food on a Vacation to Yellowstone
You have to factor in food expenditures when estimating how much a vacation to Yellowstone might cost.
At Yellowstone, there are several eateries and grills. One person’s lunch may cost as little as $10 at one of the barbecues or dramatically pricier in one of the dining establishments. Dinners cost between $15 and $40 per person. Food can be cheaper when eaten outside of the park at one of the nearby gateway communities.
We advise clients who use coupon service apps to shop outside the park in order to get better deals and a wider selection. You could dine at a Different restaurant for every meal, but it would take a lot of time out of your day. You should pack at least lunch so you may have a picnic along the road.
How Much Does Gear for Yellowstone Cost
Traveling to a national park may require additional shopping if you don’t own the proper clothing and equipment. Think of specialist clothes, rain, sun protection, and items that make an outdoor excursion more enjoyable.
Family Vacation Packages to Yellowstone
The best way to see Yellowstone will depend on your reasons for going there. Obtaining an all-inclusive package could be simpler for certain travelers who are organizing trips to Yellowstone Park. This can cover travel, hotel, meals, and excursions to Yellowstone National Park.
Purchasing a trip package to a national park is the most convenient and expensive option. Like all of these other expense categories, the price varies greatly based on the length of your vacation to Yellowstone, the level of luxury you choose, and the season you visit. A four-night trip to Yellowstone can cost as little as $1,000 per person or as much as $5,000 per person, excluding taxes and tips.
Conclusion
A trip to Yellowstone can cost different amounts depending on how you want to travel there, whether you want to purchase any additional gear or the kind of accommodation you would like to have. Nevertheless, it’s a small price to pay for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.