Yellowstone

Fly-and-drive RV road trip · round trip from BZN

Bozeman to Yellowstone RV Road Trip

From Bozeman through Paradise Valley to Yellowstone's North Entrance at Gardiner.

Photo: YellowstoneNPS (Public domain)

Bozeman to Yellowstone by RV is about 85 miles and about 1½ hours of driving via Wineglass, Emigrant. This round trip covers 171 miles in 4 nights (5 days): Gardiner and Yellowstone (3 nights), then back to Bozeman. Best months: Jun–Sep. Off season now · best Jun–Sep.

At a glance

Trip length
4 nights · 5 days
Route
Bozeman → Gardiner → Bozeman · 171 mi · about 3 hours driving
Longest driving day
About 1½ hours
Arrive and depart
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
RV pickup and return
Bozeman area (rental listings around Bozeman)
Overnights
Gardiner and Yellowstone → Bozeman (near the airport and RV return)
Best months
Jun–Sep

Customize a suggested itinerary. RV rentals, campgrounds, and activities are booked separately with providers. Airports are planning reference points; flights are arranged separately.

Route map and itinerary

Loading map…
  1. Day 1 Gardiner and Yellowstone · about 1½ hours
  2. Day 2 Gardiner (night 2)
  3. Day 3 Gardiner (night 3)
  4. Day 4 Bozeman (near the airport and RV return) · about 1½ hours
  5. Day 5 Fly home from BZN

Day by day

  1. Day 1 Arrive in Bozeman and pick up your RV

    Experience

    Land at BZN, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.

    Getting there

    After pickup: about 1½ hours · 85 mi to Gardiner and Yellowstone. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.

    Your stay: 3 nights (check out Day 4)

    Inside the parkMammoth Campground (Yellowstone)Mammoth, WY · inside the park · 5.0★ (517)Why stay here: Inside the park, so no daily drive to the entrance; lists RV sites up to 40 ft; 5.0★ from 517 reviews.
    Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner
    Compare 3 other campgrounds
    • Inside the parkSlough Creek CampgroundYellowstone National Park, WY · inside the park · 5.0★ (95)Lists sites up to 60 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Inside the parkIndian Creek Campground (Wy)Mammoth, WY · inside the park · 4.0★ (220)Lists sites up to 49 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Inside the parkTower Fall CampgroundYellowstone, WY · inside the park · 4.0★ (95)Lists sites up to 40 ft; confirm your site fits

    Getting around Gardiner

    From Mammoth Campground (Yellowstone): you're inside the park.

    Driving the RV
    • Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.
    Shuttles

    We don't have verified shuttle information for Gardiner; check the park or town's official site.

    Activities with pickup

    Loading activities…

    Other local transport
    • Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.

  2. Day 2 Gardiner and Yellowstone: explore

    Experience

    Three nights for the geyser basins, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and an early-morning wildlife drive.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a second night at Mammoth Campground (Yellowstone) · same site, no packing up

  3. Day 3 Gardiner and Yellowstone: explore

    Experience

    A free day: revisit a favorite viewpoint or take a longer hike.

    Travel today

    No campground change today; local travel is additional.

    Your stay

    Stay a third night at Mammoth Campground (Yellowstone) · same site, no packing up

  4. Day 4 Drive back toward Bozeman

    Experience

    Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.

    Getting there

    about 1½ hours · 86 mi

    Your stay: 1 night

    Near the airportGallatin County FairgroundsBozeman, MT · about 15 min from the RV return area · 3.4★ (43)Why stay here: About 15 minutes from the RV return area; lists RV sites up to 50 ft; 3.4★ from 43 reviews.
    Change or extend:
    Compare 2 other campgrounds
    • Near the airportVanGoBoon CampgroundBozeman, MT · about 25 min from the RV return areaLists sites up to 40 ft; confirm your site fits
    • Near the airportTrapper Springs (Mt)Norris, MT · about 45 min from the RV return area · 4.0★ (15)Lists sites up to 60 ft; confirm your site fits

  5. Day 5 Return the RV and fly home from BZN

    Experience

    Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.

    Getting there

    Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.

Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.

RV pickup and return

Pick up and return the RV in the Bozeman area. Day 1 allows time to get from BZN to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 1½ hours to Gardiner and Yellowstone. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.

Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 171 miles.

RV rentals near Bozeman airport

Before you go

  • Most Yellowstone roads close to cars from early November to mid or late April. The road from Gardiner to Cooke City stays open all year.
  • Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground in the park with full hookups.
  • Book early for July and August.

Official National Park Service pages: Plan your visit · Alerts & conditions · Directions & access · Fees & passes

Bozeman to Yellowstone by RV: common questions

How far is it from Bozeman to Yellowstone?

Bozeman to Yellowstone is about 85 miles, roughly about 1½ hours of driving via Wineglass, Emigrant without stops. The whole round trip in this itinerary is about 171 miles.

How many days do you need for Bozeman to yellowstone by RV?

Plan on 4 nights (5 days): Gardiner and Yellowstone (3 nights), with an easy first afternoon after RV pickup and a final night near the RV return so departure day isn't rushed. The longest driving day is about 1½ hours.

When is the best time to go?

Jun–Sep. Most Yellowstone roads close to cars from early November to mid or late April. The road from Gardiner to Cooke City stays open all year.

Where can you camp with an RV?

Suggested RV campgrounds near Yellowstone include Mammoth Campground (Yellowstone), Slough Creek Campground, Indian Creek Campground (Wy). Inside the park: Mammoth Campground (Yellowstone), Slough Creek Campground, Indian Creek Campground (Wy), Tower Fall Campground. Check site length and hookups with each campground before booking.

Can you rent an RV near Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport?

Yes. RV rental listings from Outdoorsy and RVshare are available around Bozeman. A few owners mention airport pickup in their listings and some deliver; otherwise you arrange your own transfer to the owner's location. RVs and campgrounds are booked separately with each provider.

Related trips

RV parks near Yellowstone National Park · All fly-and-drive trips · Road trip planner

Bozeman to Yellowstone
4 nights · round trip