Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA Holiday Blog
Looking for a place to spend the 4th of July? We still have a few campsites available!
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
From West Yellowstone: 6 miles west of Yellowstone National Park West Entrance at West Yellowstone, Montana on US HWY 20, aka. the Targhee Pass Hwy.
From Idaho: 3 miles east of the Montana/Idaho border on US HWY 20, aka.the Targhee Pass Hwy.
Be aware that we are 1.5 miles east of the new Mountainside Journey KOA which is also on US Hwy 20.
GPS: N44.686. W111.2179
Get Google Directions
Yellowstone National Park is home to several of North America's most iconic animals and some of the most breathtaking sites. Some excursions in Yellowstone National Park include hiking the backcountry, fishing in the park's rivers and lakes, viewing wildlife and seeing geyser basins, hot springs and other natural attractions.
Depending on your preferences, you can tour the park guided or self-guided.
A self-guided tour of Yellowstone offers the flexibility to tailor your itinerary to your needs.
Yellowstone offers many viewpoints and overlooks. As you drive through the park, be sure to stop and take in the epic scenery, from geyser basins to the Yellowstone River, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and so much more. You might also catch a glimpse of wildlife like bison, elk, bighorn sheep, birds, wolves, foxes and moose.
Whether you want to get a closer look at Old Faithful, take a dip in Mammoth Hot Springs or explore mountains and petrified forests, hiking offers a fantastic self-guided tour of Yellowstone. You can take in all that this area offers and be even closer to nature.
Biking is allowed on public roadways, designated routes and parking areas during the summer. In the fall and spring, bikes are allowed on roadways that are closed to vehicular traffic as the weather permits. If you do not feel like hiking, biking is a memorable way to see Yellowstone.
Whether you want a short day trip or a multiday adventure, various companies offer guided Yellowstone tours focused on activities such as:
You can also explore recreational sites outside the park, either guided or self-guided. The surrounding area offers a wide variety of options, such as the Museum of the Yellowstone, Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo or Gold Rush Ghost Towns.
Each tour type has its own pros and cons, so the right choice for you will depend on your situation and needs. Consider these factors when selecting your preferred way to tour Yellowstone National Park.
Price is a major factor when considering guided or self-guided Yellowstone tours. Guided tours are often more expensive than self-guided ones, but they can offer added convenience if they offer all-inclusive pricing for lodging, meals and activities.
With a self-guided tour, you have more flexibility to control your costs. In addition to eliminating guide and transportation costs, you can choose attractions that are free to visit, pack your own food and drinks and camp instead of booking a hotel.
Both types of tours offer several family-friendly benefits. The self-guided option provides the flexibility to tailor the visit to your family's specifics. Need to stop frequently for snacks or potty breaks? You can do that. A self-guided tour also allows you to:
While a self-guided tour offers flexibility, a guided one eliminates most of the planning and logistics, so you can relax and enjoy the visit. It also permits children to meet their peers and make new friends.
The responsibility for safety primarily rests with you on self-guided tours. You must know how to react if you come across potentially dangerous wildlife or adverse weather. Other safety factors to consider on self-guided tours include:
Guided tours offer safety guidance and implement protocols to keep visitors safe. To enjoy a successful trip, observe these rules and come prepared for weather changes.
Self-guided tours excel at allowing visitors to see areas that might be off the beaten path. With a custom itinerary, you can focus on your interests and venture beyond the main tourist sites, as long as you follow park regulations.
With a guided tour, you may be limited to certain park areas. However, tours are designed to maximize sightseeing within a given period, so you will still have a satisfying experience.
A self-guided tour may let you avoid crowded areas, but you will probably have to venture beyond the main tourist areas, arrive early, stay later or visit off-season. If you choose a guided tour, be prepared to encounter crowded places, especially in peak season. You could experience fewer crowds by booking a guided off-season tour.
Whether you choose a guided or self-guided tour, you can expect to enjoy your overall Yellowstone experience. From stunning geothermal features to a diverse range of wildlife, the national park offers plenty of adventure. Select the option that suits your preferences and interests, and prepare for an epic experience.
Located a short drive from the park's west gate entrance, Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA Holiday offers the perfect place to rest and play when visiting Yellowstone. Choose to stay in a Tent Site, RV Site, Camping Cabin or Deluxe Cabin, for your self-guided or guided Yellowstone tour.
Reserve your stay today for a fun, convenient camping experience. You can enjoy an indoor pool, Wi-Fi, food services and other amenities.
That doesn't mean this area has to always be empty. When you start reviewing camping options, your history will display here to help compare sites and find the best stay. You will be able to share your stay information with friends or family and save it for a later time if you have a KOA Account.
Make checkout easy by booking all your reservations at once. Add your sites from different campgrounds into your shopping cart* and then choose checkout.
