What is Best Entrance to Yellowstone | KOA Mountainside

What Is the Best Entrance to Yellowstone National Park?

When you are looking for a place to stay near Yellowstone National Park, it's ideal to pick lodging closest to the park entrance you want to use. The park has five entrances, each with different features nearby. Out of these options, the West Entrance near West Yellowstone is considered the best entrance to Yellowstone.

The 5 Yellowstone National Park Entrances

These are the five Yellowstone gates:

1. North Entrance (Gardiner): The North Gate in Gardiner, Montana, is the site of the Roosevelt Arch. It's close to Fort Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley.
2. Northeast Entrance (Silver Gate): The Northeast Entrance near Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana, is the least visited gate in Yellowstone but has some of the most rugged beauty. This entrance leads visitors into Lamar Valley, which has excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
3. East Entrance (Cody): The East Entrance near Cody, Wyoming, is close to some trailheads and picnic areas. The closest major attraction is Yellowstone Lake.
4. South Entrance (Jackson Hole): The South Gate near Grand Teton/Jackson, Wyoming, is close to Grand Teton National Park. The Continental Divide, West Thumb, Lewis Falls and Moose Falls are close to this entrance.
5. West Entrance (West Yellowstone): The West Gate in West Yellowstone, Montana, offers pristine views of Madison Valley with opportunities to see wildlife near the river. It's near the park's most popular attractions.

All these entrances connect to the Grand Loop, a figure-eight road that takes tourists to the park's viewpoints. Driving the Grand Loop without stopping can take up to seven hours, but it will take longer if you stop to hike a trail or see a viewpoint. The park's vast size means it's important to stay near a gate close to the best scenery to reduce your driving time.

Why Is West Gate the Best Entrance to Yellowstone National Park?

The West Entrance is the most popular Yellowstone entrance. The West Gate is the best because it is:

• Close to iconic points of interest: The West Entrance is a short drive away from some of the best sights in the park. It's close to Fairy Falls and the park's best geysers, including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic and Norris Geyser Basin. It's also one of the closer entrances to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Its proximity to these viewpoints means you can spend more time sightseeing and less time driving.
• Easy to access: Mountains surround Yellowstone on the north, east and south sides. Since the west side does not have a mountain range, the West Entrance is easier to get to, especially if you're touring the park in an RV. The West Gate is also the easiest to access if you come from the populated western states like Utah and California on I-15.
• Close to amenities in West Yellowstone: If you plan on camping outside the national park, the West Entrance is the best gate to stay near. It is close to West Yellowstone, a town with many tourist accommodations. West Yellowstone has a variety of campgrounds, restaurants, shops and other attractions.

Looking for a West Yellowstone Campground? Stay at Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA Journey 

Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA Journey is close to the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park and is one of the best places to camp in West Yellowstone. Located at the base of the Beartooth Mountains, our campers enjoy the beautiful scenery and amenities like Wi-Fi, KampK9 dog park, fire rings and cable TV.

Reserve your campsite today and read our blog for helpful information for planning your trip to the Yellowstone area.