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Yellowstone: What to know before you go

Located in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into parts of Montana and Idaho is Yellowstone, America’s oldest and largest national park. A natural wonder of geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, lakes, canyons and unspoiled forests, it is a perfect getaway. Yellowstone is home to more than 300 geysers, including Old Faithful, and hundreds of species of wild birds and exotic plants.

Abyss Pool in the West Thumb Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park

Sightseeing tours

Layered clothing and comfortable footwear are recommended. We also suggest sunscreen, binoculars, your camera, sunglasses, a water bottle, and possibly some light snacks. More details on the specific tours are below. Tour itineraries may be modified due to weather, road, traffic and other unforeseen conditions.

Upper and Lower Loop tours

Hotel pick-up is available for those staying at Yellowstone Park Hotel, Explorer Cabins, Holiday Inn West Yellowstone and the Gray Wolf Inn & Suites. Please be ready in the lobby at least 15 minutes before your voucher's departure time. If you are staying at The Explorer Cabins, the tour will pick you up from the Gray Wolf Inn lobby. If you are not staying at one of these hotels, the summer pick-up location is 415 Yellowstone Avenue. In winter, the pick-up location is 201 Grizzly Ave, West Yellowstone, MT at the Yellowstone Park Hotel. Taxes and the National Park fee are included. Lunch is not included, however, there will be a stop provided for you to purchase lunch.

Old-Faithful-geyser

Old Faithful Explorer tour

Hotel pick-up is available for those staying at Yellowstone Park Hotel, Holiday Inn West Yellowstone and the Gray Wolf Inn & Suites, please call the number on your voucher for pick-up information. Please be ready in the lobby at least 15 minutes prior to the departure time on your voucher. Lunch, National Park fee, and gratuity are not included. Layered clothing, hats, gloves, and winter footwear are recommended for this tour.

Circle of Fire tour

The Circle of Fire tour is only available for those staying inside Yellowstone National Park at Canyon Lodge and Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Please reconfirm your tour reservation when checking in at your hotel and be ready in the lobby at least 15 minutes prior to the departure time on your voucher. Lunch, National Park fee, and gratuity are not included.

Getting to Yellowstone

Salt Lake Express shuttle transfers

We recommend that you pack snacks and water for your journey as there are limited stops, and there will not be a stop for lunch. If you require a wheelchair-accessible vehicle for the transfer, please give us a call as soon as possible so that we can inform Salt Lake Express.

Hotel pick-up is not offered. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time on your voucher. You are allowed 2 pieces of luggage and a carry-on per person. If you have additional or oversized luggage, please contact the number on your voucher and inform Salt Lake Express (additional fees may apply).

Departure from Salt Lake City

The shuttle departs from 60 N Temple, on the west side of the Conference Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, northeast corner of the intersection by the big flag pole. The shuttle will take you to the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center.

Departure from West Yellowstone

The shuttle departs from the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center at 30 Yellowstone Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. The shuttle will drop off at the same departure point in Salt Lake City.

Distance between West Yellowstone hotels and the Visitor's Center

  • Holiday Inn – West Yellowstone: 0.3 miles, 6-minute walk
  • Yellowstone Park Hotel: 0.3 miles, 6-minute walk
  • Gray Wolf Inn and Suites: 0.2 miles, 4-minute walk
  • Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone: 0.1 miles, 2-minute walk
yellowstone midway basin geyser in Wyoming

 

Renting a car and driving to Yellowstone

If you are renting a car and driving to Yellowstone, the rental car location varies depending on what time you’re arriving. Please refer to the location’s address on your travel vouchers. For parking information, please visit your hotel’s website or call them directly. National Parks are very easy to navigate on your own, and most National Parks will provide a park map upon arrival at the gates.

You can find more helpful information for planning your trip to Glacier National Park and download offline maps through the National Parks app or from the National Parks Service website.

National Park entrance fees and park passes

On your vouchers, it will mention if the National Park fee is included in a guided tour. If it is not included, you will need to pay upon entrance to the park. If you are driving to a National Park on your own, you will also need to purchase this same park pass. For US citizens over the age of 62, we recommend you take advantage of the senior pass savings.

Learn More About Park Passes

Learn More About Entrance Fees