Yellowstone National Park has five entrances, and choosing the right one can make a big difference for RV travelers.

Some entrances offer easy highway access and large RV campgrounds, while others involve steep mountain grades and tight switchbacks that can be challenging for larger rigs.

If you’re planning an RV trip to Yellowstone, understanding the pros and cons of each entrance can help you choose the best route for your rig and your travel style.

Yellowstone National Park Entrances Overview

Yellowstone has five entrances:

  • North Entrance (Gardiner, Montana)
  • Northeast Entrance (Cooke City / Red Lodge)
  • East Entrance (Cody, Wyoming)
  • South Entrance (Jackson / Grand Teton)
  • West Entrance (West Yellowstone, Montana)

Each provides access to different areas of the park and different driving conditions.

Best Yellowstone Entrance for RVs: West Entrance

For most RV travelers, the West Entrance is the easiest and most convenient way to enter Yellowstone.

Why RVers Like the West Entrance

  • Largest selection of RV parks
  • Easy highway access
  • Close to major geyser areas
  • Minimal steep mountain driving

The town of West Yellowstone, Montana is packed with RV parks, restaurants, grocery stores, and fuel stations, making it a popular basecamp for Yellowstone trips.

Major attractions nearby include:

  • Old Faithful
  • Upper Geyser Basin
  • Grand Prismatic Spring

For many travelers, this entrance provides the best mix of convenience and access to top attractions.

Best Entrance for Wildlife Viewing: North Entrance

The North Entrance near Gardiner, Montana provides access to one of the best wildlife areas in the park.

Highlights

  • Mammoth Hot Springs
  • Lamar Valley
  • Roosevelt Arch

This entrance is also the only Yellowstone entrance open year-round.

Road conditions are generally manageable for RVs, though services are more limited than in West Yellowstone.

Most Scenic Yellowstone Entrance: East Entrance

The East Entrance through Cody, Wyoming is one of the most scenic drives into Yellowstone.

The Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway (US-14/16/20) is one of the most beautiful approaches to the park, following the North Fork of the Shoshone River through Wapiti Valley and Shoshone National Forest. We have driven this route with a 43′ fifth wheel, and while there were some curves and you do climb up a mountain pass, it is very doable if you are comfortable with mountain driving, and the roads are big rig friendly, unlike the Northeast Entrance.

Best Entrance for Visiting Two National Parks: South Entrance

The South Entrance connects Yellowstone with Grand Teton National Park, allowing visitors to easily explore both parks in one trip.

Many RV travelers choose to stay near Jackson, Wyoming, which offers campgrounds, restaurants, and outdoor recreation.

This entrance provides access to:

  • Grand Teton National Park
  • Yellowstone Lake
  • Old Faithful via the southern loop

Most Challenging Entrance for RVs: Northeast Entrance

The Northeast Entrance near Cooke City and the Beartooth Highway offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the region.

However, it also features:

  • steep grades
  • tight switchbacks
  • high mountain passes

While smaller RVs and experienced drivers may enjoy the drive, many large RVs avoid this route.

If you’re traveling with a larger rig, it’s often better to approach Yellowstone via the North or West entrances instead.

Best Yellowstone Entrance for Large RVs

For larger RVs and fifth wheels, the easiest entrances are typically:

1️⃣ West Entrance
2️⃣ North Entrance
3️⃣ South Entrance

These routes generally have better highway access and fewer extreme grades.

Choosing the Right Yellowstone Entrance

The best entrance ultimately depends on:

  • where you’re coming from
  • where you plan to stay
  • what attractions you want to see

Many RV travelers enter through one entrance and exit through another to experience different parts of the park.

Planning Your Yellowstone RV Trip

If you’re planning where to stay during your visit, check out our guide to RV parks near Yellowstone National Park, which breaks down the best campgrounds near each entrance.

With the right route and campground, your Yellowstone RV trip can be one of the most memorable adventures in the national park system. And don’t forget your National Park Pass. There are a variety of America the Beautiful Passes to pick from, and we have a comprehensive breakdown for you here.

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