A Guide to Visiting Yellowstone National Park
One of the most beautiful geographical wonders on Earth, Yellowstone National Park is located in the Western United States, surrounded by Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. It is known to be the first official park in the US and in the world, covering around 3,468.4 square miles of land, which includes several mountains, canyons, forests, lakes, and rivers.
Groups often visit this phenomenal park to connect with nature, camp outdoors, and participate in various physical activities. It can be a place to seek refuge or get away from the demands of everyday life. If you’re one of those groups looking to explore some of the greatest hiking trails known to man, the easiest way to travel to the park is by renting a charter bus.
National Charter Bus can assist your group with comfortable and efficient group transportation to and from the park entrance. We offer private charter bus rentals specifically for groups like you who want to explore the park without putting a dent in your budget. We’ll help you navigate the terrains leading up to the park entrance, as well as the traffic that you may encounter closer to your destination. Whether you’re an adventurous group of 10 travelers or 50, we’ve got the right bus rental for your trip. Contact us at 1-844-755-0510 to find your Yellowstone charter bus rental today!
COVID-19 Protocol
Due to COVID-19, it’s important to be mindful of park policies and procedures when you visit with a group. Currently, the park is following CDC guidelines to ensure safety and cleanliness before, after, and during park visits.
What they’re doing: The park has started to reopen most of its trails, pathways, and boardwalks so that travelers can stroll at their own leisure without worrying about which areas they can explore during their visit. The aim is to recreate responsibly which includes researching the park beforehand, employing the use of the ten essentials such as wearing face masks and using hand sanitizer, and always keeping your distance from other travelers.
What we’re doing: National Charter Bus is still allowing clients to book trips whenever they want, as long as they’re adhering to social distancing measures, wearing face coverings, and using hand sanitizer whenever possible. We work with the driver to ensure that each bus is sanitized after use and that groups are spaced out on the bus. You can even request HEPA filters for your trip in advance.
Bus Rentals to Yellowstone National Park
There are several pros to renting a bus rental to visit a national park and we’re here to guide you through the process. National Charter Bus wants to make this trip as enjoyable as possible for your group amidst COVID-19 while keeping safety, cleanliness, and financial constraints in mind.
Why should I rent a bus rental to Yellowstone National Park?
Easy question. Let’s start off with the bigger picture. Traveling in a bus is the most environmentally friendly way to travel since you’re reducing the number of cars on the road, and in turn, helping to lower the pollution levels in the atmosphere. To be more specific, during COVID, it’s best to avoid public transportation of any kind and a bus rental is the best way to do that.
In addition, if you’re traveling in a large group, parking fees can often get expensive, which is why utilizing one mode of transportation is the best way to save money. Lastly, there can be traffic as you head closer to the park, and your professional bus driver knows how to navigate these out-of-town terrains better than most drivers. Some things simply can’t be substituted.
What are the benefits of a charter bus rental?
Now let’s get down to the basics. National Charter Bus can truly accommodate any group size, which is why we offer bus rentals catering to 18-, 20-, 25-, and 55-passengers respectively. We want to find the right bus that works for your group, and having several bus sizes is helpful in the process.
The bus rentals we offer are also equipped with a wide range of amenities, such as free WiFi, reclining seats, electrical outlets, flatscreen TVs, and an onboard restroom in the larger models. Your group can go one step further and add a PA system if you’re traveling with a tour guide or can add a wrap to the bus if you’re part of an organization or celebrating something special.
Lastly, the bus rentals are all-inclusive which means we make it a point to cater to the needs of every individual. If you’re traveling with elderly passengers, you can request an ADA-accessible bus rental ahead of time. Each ADA-compliant bus rental includes space for 2 power or electric wheelchairs, with plenty of room to store them in the back.
Am I responsible for finding the best trip route or parking spots at Yellowstone?
Nope. Our reservation team will handle all the trip logistics, your group just needs to have a vague understanding of your park itinerary and what you want to explore. However, you will need to carry cash/card on hand in case your parking spot requires fees for oversized vehicles, as well as a park pass for entrance.
As always, if you have any questions you can contact us at 1-844-755-0510 or read through our FAQs.
Getting to Yellowstone National Park
Now that we’ve covered why charter bus rentals are the best way to travel, it’s time to cover how to get to Yellowstone National Park. To start off, your charter bus driver can simply plug in the following information in their GPS:
2 Officers Row,
Yellowstone National Park Headquarters,
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Since the park covers around 3,500 miles of sq footage, it can be accessed from five entrance points. It’s important to check when these entrance stations are open since they’re miles away from each other and are closed during winter (early November – late April.) This live map will indicate whether an entrance is closed to certain types of vehicles or if there are road conditions to keep in mind. Needless to say, the park itself is open 24/7 for visitors to enter or exit whenever they like.
When should I visit Yellowstone National Park?
We recommend visiting Yellowstone during the spring and summer months because temperatures can fall below 0°F in winter, which can make roads slippery and difficult to navigate. Since the weather is unpredictable, it’s important to be prepared with the right gear. You can always store your umbrellas, thick jackets, or coats in your overhead luggage cabins on your bus rental.
How do I get to Yellowstone National Park?
The easiest way to get to Yellowstone, apart from driving long distances, is to fly into a neighboring airport. Popular airports include Idaho Falls in Idaho, Bozeman and Billings in Montana, Cody and Jackson in Wyoming, or West Yellowstone in Montana, which is usually closed for service from May to October. Your charter bus driver can pick your group up from any airport of your choice and can safely drive you to any of the five park entrances.
North entrance: Open all year-round and is located near Gardiner, MT. It is also the only entrance that provides access to Cooke City, MT from November to April.
Northeast entrance: Open all year-round if you want to visit the areas of Cooke City, MT and Silver Gate, MT but access to the park is restricted during the colder months. Your charter bus driver can drive you from Cooke City and Silver Gate to the western portion of the park, as well as to Gardiner, MT in the spring or summer.
South and East entrances: Open during spring and summer, from May to November, since these parts of the park are often covered in heavy snowfall in winter.
West entrance: Open during spring and summer, from April to November, since this area is also susceptible to snowfall. You can usually travel through this entrance if you arrive at West Yellowstone airport.
How much does it cost to enter Yellowstone National Park?
The prices and fees vary for groups and vehicles at Yellowstone National Park. However, there are a few options for travelers entering the park in a charter bus rental. The first is a Private Non-commercial Vehicle pass that costs $35.00 and is valid for 7 days. Another option is the Yellowstone Annual Pass that costs $70.00 and is valid for one year. This pass will provide entry access to all passengers in a single, non-commercial vehicle. Your group can also purchase an Interagency Annual Pass, which costs $80.00 and is also valid for one year. This particular pass will provide all bus passengers entry access to any national park or federal recreation area in the US (!) and the “per person” fees do not apply here. Lastly, if you prefer not to purchase an annual pass, there is a fee if you’re traveling with more than 15 passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. The fee is usually $12 per person.
Purchase your Yellowstone Annual Pass here.
Purchase your Interagency Annual Pass here.
How many days should I spend at Yellowstone National Park?
If you’re a first-time group and are only visiting Yellowstone just to see the major attractions, we recommend spending 2 days at the park. If you prefer to see the park in its entirety, then 3 or 4 days is usually best.
Whatever you decide, our 24/7 reservation team is here to walk you through the process. Simply contact us at 1-844-755-0510 to speak to an agent today.
Bus Parking Procedures: Fees, Permits, and Logistics
Following the parking passes, your charter bus driver will need to park the bus in an oversized vehicle parking space. There are a few lots that allow oversized vehicle parking, and luckily they’re all free! We’ve listed the main ones below categorized by location:
Location: Canyon Area
Canyon Village
Where: Located close to the Canyon Visitor Education Center.
Oversized parking spaces: 19
Fee: It’s free!
Hours: It is open 24/7 for the most part, but may be closed from November 4th – April 16th.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – Artist Point Parking Lot
Where: Located near South Rim Drive.
Oversized parking spaces: 9
Fee: It’s free!
Hours: It is open 24/7, but may be closed from November 4th – April 30th.
Location: Midway Geyser Basin Area
Midway Geyser Basin Parking Lot
Where: Located near the Grand Prismatic and Excelsior geysers.
Oversized parking spaces: 12
Fee: It’s free!
Hours: It is open 24/7, but may be closed from November 4th – April 16th.
Location: Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin Parking Lot
Where: Located near the Steamboat Geyser and the Norris Geyser Basin Museum.
Oversized parking spaces: 17
Fee: It’s free!
Hours: It is open 24/7, but may be closed from November 4th – April 16th.
Location: Old Faithful Area
Old Faithful Central Parking Lot
Where: Located near the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
Oversized parking spaces: 29
Fee: It’s free!
Hours: It is open 24/7, but may be closed from November 4th – April 16th.
In order to get the best parking space available, make sure you arrive at your designated parking lot ahead of time. Just inform your driver of your chosen location and they’ll be happy to take you where you want to go.
Highlights of the Park
Now onto the park! Yellowstone is a fascinating place to visit since it contains a variety of landscapes, mesmerizing scenery, and incredible wildlife. We could go on and on about the attractions you need to see and the places you need to explore, but to save you time, we’ve listed the top sites that you should add to your list.
Yellowstone Grand Loop Road
Why it’s great: This is the most scenic road in Yellowstone National Park. If you’re running short on time, you can sit on your charter bus rental and complete an 8-shape loop to see all the major attractions in the park.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Why it’s great: Located in the Midway Geyser Basin, this is truly the highlight of the park. It is the largest hot spring in the US and resembles a circular rainbow. It’s also bigger than a football field.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Why it’s great: A towering rock formation overflowing with hot water for the last few centuries. You can walk up the boardwalk stairs to see it or you can drive past it in your bus rental. Also, if you look closely you might see an elk or two.
The Old Faithful Geyser
Why it’s great: A fountain of water that erupts every 90 minutes and is the most captivating natural wonder to witness.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River
Why it’s great: The canyon is a must-see attraction if you’re visiting Yellowstone. It’s around 20 miles long and 1,200 feet deep. The Artist Point offers an amazing view of the canyon, the Lower Falls, and the river, which stretches on for 600 miles through 3 different states! If you’re lucky, you might even spot a rainbow.
Lamar Valley
Why it’s great: It has rolling green hills, herds of bison grazing freely and towering summits in the distance. It’s called America’s Serengeti for a reason.
Hayden Valley
Why it’s great: It’s a lush valley brimming with wildlife such as grizzly bears, coyotes, and elk. It’s near the Yellowstone lake and is a must-see for hikers everywhere. Also, you may run into the occasional bison traffic jam from time to time.
Boiling River
Why it’s great: A natural hot tub that’s created the moment a hot spring collides with the river. It’s perfect for cooler months when you need to warm up with your group.
Mount Washburn
Why it’s great: A panoramic view of Yellowstone National Park from 10,000 feet above the ground. It has several trails and pathways to explore the park on foot.
When you’ve narrowed down your list, give National Charter Bus a call at 1-844-755-0510 to finalize your trip itinerary!
Travel to Yellowstone with National Charter Bus
Getting out of the house and interacting with nature is the most rewarding thing you can do for yourself, which is why National Charter Bus is here to streamline your trip from start to finish. We will make it easy for your group to book a bus to Yellowstone National Park, add on customized amenities, and mandate social distancing measures. Our reservation specialist can work with you on finding a bus rental for the right price as well as answer any potential questions you may have about the process. Contact us at 1-844-755-0510 to reserve your bus rental to Yellowstone National Park today!