West Yellowstone RV Parks: The Best Basecamp for Yellowstone in 2026

West Yellowstone exists for one reason: it is the closest town to Yellowstone’s most popular entrance. Every summer, thousands of RVs funnel through this small Montana gateway — population 1,400 in winter, but the town swells to capacity from June through August. The West Entrance handles roughly 40 percent of all Yellowstone traffic, and the RV parks here have positioned themselves accordingly. Some charge premium resort rates. Others undercut the competition and still deliver full hookups within sight of the gate.

The good news: there are more RV parks per square mile here than almost anywhere in the Northern Rockies. The bad news: they book up months in advance for peak season, and pricing reflects the captive audience. A single night in July can cost more than a week of boondocking on BLM land.

This guide covers every worthwhile option — from the full-hookup parks within walking distance of the West Entrance to the quieter lakefront alternatives eight miles up the road on Hebgen Lake. Every price, site count, and cell signal stat was verified on Campendium, park websites, and review platforms in April 2026. We also cover Madison Campground inside the park itself, because that is the first question every RVer asks. And we will be honest about the tradeoffs, because picking the wrong park can put a real dent in your Yellowstone experience.

Inside the Park: Madison Campground#

Before we talk about private parks, let us address the obvious: can you camp inside Yellowstone near the west entrance? Yes — and it is worth serious consideration if you can live without hookups. Madison Campground is 14 miles east of West Yellowstone, situated right where the Gibbon and Firehole rivers merge to form the Madison River. It is the closest in-park campground to the West Entrance and one of the most sought-after campgrounds in the entire National Park system.

Madison Campground — Yellowstone National Park#

Madison sits at 6,800 feet elevation with 278 individual sites and 3 group sites. It is a big campground — the largest near the west side of the park — and it feels like it. Loop after loop of sites stretch through a lodgepole pine forest, and on a July evening every one of them will be occupied. But the setting along the Madison River more than compensates for the density. Elk regularly graze through the campground at dawn and dusk. Bison occasionally wander through and shut down the internal road for an hour. The fishing is legitimate right from camp — the Madison is a blue-ribbon trout stream, and experienced fly anglers have been known to book Madison specifically for the river access rather than the park attractions.

The critical booking detail: Madison Campground is NOT on recreation.gov. This is the single most important piece of information in this section. Madison is managed by Yellowstone National Park Lodges, which is operated by Xanterra Travel Collection under a National Park Service concession contract. You book exclusively through their website at yellowstonenationalparklodges.com. If you have been refreshing recreation.gov for weeks waiting for Madison to appear in the booking window, you are on the wrong website entirely. This catches an enormous number of first-time Yellowstone visitors off guard, and by the time they realize the mistake, the best dates are gone.

Reservations typically open in late winter for the following summer. The exact date varies year to year — monitor the Yellowstone National Park Lodges site starting in January.

The campground has no hookups, no showers, and flush toilets with cold water only. Cell service is limited to nonexistent across all carriers. Internet service is not available. You are 16 miles from Old Faithful and 14 miles from West Yellowstone’s full services — close enough for day trips in either direction, far enough that you need to be self-sufficient in camp. If you are driving a motorhome without a tow vehicle, you will burn significant fuel and time making supply runs back to town.

Madison has the earliest opening and latest closing dates of Yellowstone’s seasonal campgrounds, typically running late April through mid-October. That makes it the best shoulder-season option inside the park — you can be set up here weeks before private parks in West Yellowstone open their gates.

The sites themselves accommodate a range of RV sizes, but you should check individual site descriptions carefully when booking through the Xanterra system. Some loops favor tents and small trailers; others can handle larger rigs. There is no dump station at Madison — the nearest one is at Fishing Bridge, a long drive east across the park. Plan your tank management accordingly.

• Hookups: None
• Sites: 278 individual + 3 group (RV, tent, and combo sites)
• Cost: ~$30-35/night (verify current Xanterra pricing)
• Season: Late April – mid-October (longest seasonal campground in Yellowstone)
• Reservation: Yellowstone National Park Lodges — NOT recreation.gov
• Cell signal: Limited to none
• Amenities: Flush toilets (cold water), no showers, no dump station at campground (nearest at Fishing Bridge)
• Max RV: Most sites accommodate RVs; check individual site descriptions when booking
• Elevation: 6,800 ft
• Best for: Self-sufficient RVers who prioritize being inside the park, wildlife encounters, and river access

If you are choosing between Madison Campground and a West Yellowstone private park, it comes down to one question: do you value being inside the park (wildlife, no driving to trailheads, river access) or do you value hookups, showers, and connectivity? There is no wrong answer — just different priorities. Some RVers split their stay: a few nights at Madison for the immersive experience, then move to a full-hookup park in town to recharge — literally and figuratively.

In-Town West Yellowstone Parks#

The cluster of RV parks in West Yellowstone proper puts you within walking distance of restaurants, shops, the Yellowstone Giant Screen Theatre, and — most importantly — the West Entrance gate. During peak season you can be through the gate and into the park in under fifteen minutes from any of these parks, which is a meaningful advantage when your goal is to beat the crowds to a geyser basin parking lot at 7 AM. The tradeoff: higher prices and closer neighbors than you would get on the lake.

Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park — The Big One#

The Grizzly is the heavyweight of West Yellowstone RV parks. With 222 sites, it is the largest park in town by a wide margin — more than eight times the size of some competitors. Its location at 210 South Electric Street puts you just four blocks from the West Entrance, close enough to walk to the gate on foot, though you will obviously drive once you are heading into the park.

What makes Grizzly stand out is the combination of scale and execution. Forty of the sites are 70-80 foot premium pull-throughs built specifically for the largest Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels. Every site in the park gets 20/30/50-amp electrical service, water, sewer hookups, and cable TV. WiFi is available park-wide, though you should not expect streaming quality during peak hours when 222 sites are competing for bandwidth. For real work or video calls, tether to your cellular connection instead.

The grounds are gravel with shade trees throughout, and Campendium reviewers consistently praise the wide site spacing. You are not stacked on top of your neighbors the way you might be at a campground-style KOA. Several reviewers describe the layout as “spacious for a park this size,” which is a genuine accomplishment at 222 sites. The convenience store is well-stocked with essentials and basic RV supplies, and the staff gets high marks across every review platform we checked. “Amazing place” and “one of our favorites” are recurring phrases in the 44 Campendium reviews.

The main complaint — and it shows up in review after review: the laundry facilities are dated. Multiple reviewers mention out-of-order machines, long wait times, and high per-load prices. If laundry is part of your weekly routine on the road, plan to use a laundromat in town rather than relying on the on-site facilities. This is the kind of detail that does not matter for a two-night stay but becomes a real irritation during a week-long Yellowstone visit.

Cell signal is excellent for the area and a genuine differentiator compared to in-park camping. Verizon 4G has been confirmed by 22 Campendium users (last reported October 2024), AT&T 4G/5G by 11 users, and T-Mobile 4G/5G by 6 users. If you need to work remotely during your Yellowstone trip — or simply want to stream the evening’s entertainment after a long day of hiking — this is the park that delivers the most reliable connectivity.

At $137-150/night (per recent Campendium reports), the Grizzly is not cheap. That is over $900 a week at the lower end, which adds up fast on an extended trip. But for the combination of location, big-rig capacity, full hookups, reliable cell signal, and the confidence that comes with 222 sites (more availability even in peak months), it is the default recommendation for most RVers visiting Yellowstone for the first time.

• Hookups: Full (20/30/50 amp, water, sewer, cable TV)
• Sites: 222, including 40 premium 70-80ft pull-throughs, gravel pads
• Cost: $137-150/night (Campendium, Oct 2024)
• Season: Seasonal (typically May–October)
• Cell signal: Verizon 4G (22 users confirmed), AT&T 4G/5G (11 users), T-Mobile 4G/5G (6 users)
• Amenities: WiFi, cable TV, convenience store, gift shop, cabins, laundry (dated)
• Max RV: 80 ft on premium pull-throughs; 42 ft longest reported on Campendium
• Elevation: 6,660 ft
• Campendium: 44 reviews, highly rated — “Amazing place”, “One of our favorites”
• Location: 210 S Electric St — 4 blocks from West Entrance
• Best for: Big rigs, families, remote workers who need reliable cell signal and full hookups

Buffalo Crossing RV Park — Small, New, and the Best Value in Town#

Buffalo Crossing is the newest park in West Yellowstone and the closest to the West Entrance. With just 25 sites — 15 pull-throughs and 10 back-ins — it is a fraction of the Grizzly’s size. Whether that is a drawback or a selling point depends entirely on your preference. If you like the intimacy of a small park where you recognize your neighbors by day two, Buffalo Crossing delivers something the Grizzly cannot.

Every site has full hookups: 20/30/50-amp electric, water, sewer, and WiFi. The maximum RV length is a generous 70 feet, so even the largest Class A rigs are welcome despite the small footprint. Pads are gravel throughout. The park includes shower facilities, a laundry room, and a fenced dog park — a real convenience if you are traveling with pets, since keeping dogs on leash in Yellowstone is strictly enforced and off-leash options are hard to find.

The pricing is the real story here. Rates run in the $60 range during peak summer and drop to the $40s in shoulder season. That is less than half what the Grizzly charges for the same essential service: full hookups near the gate. You give up the scale, the convenience store, and the cable TV. You gain a quieter park, a smaller community feel, and an extra $70-90 per night in your pocket.

The season runs May through November, which is slightly longer than several competitors and means you can catch both the early spring wildlife activity and the golden fall color that transforms the Gallatin Valley.

At 25 sites, Buffalo Crossing books out quickly for peak dates. If this park interests you, do not wait until March to reserve July dates.

• Hookups: Full (20/30/50 amp, water, sewer)
• Sites: 25 (15 pull-throughs, 10 back-ins), gravel
• Cost: ~$40-60/night depending on season
• Season: May–November
• Amenities: Showers, laundry, dog park, WiFi
• Max RV: 70 ft
• Location: Closest RV park to West Entrance
• Best for: Budget-conscious RVers, big rigs who want proximity without resort pricing

Pony Express RV Park — Year-Round Access#

The Pony Express is notable for one thing no other park in the immediate West Yellowstone area can match: year-round operation. If you are visiting Yellowstone for winter snowmobile season or snowcoach tours — the park’s west entrance stays open for over-snow vehicles from mid-December through early March — the Pony Express may be your only full-hookup option in town. Every other park on this list shuts down for winter.

Located right in West Yellowstone with easy walking access to downtown restaurants, outfitters, and shops, it serves as a solid mid-range option during summer as well. The sites are more compact than the Grizzly but serviceable for most rigs. Full hookups keep you connected and comfortable, and the downtown location means you can walk to dinner rather than driving — a genuine luxury after a long day navigating Yellowstone’s crowded parking areas.

For winter visitors specifically: West Yellowstone transforms into a snowmobile capital from December through March. The town grooms extensive trail networks, and guided snowcoach tours into the park depart from town daily. Having a heated, hooked-up RV pad during a Montana winter is no small thing.

• Hookups: Full
• Sites: Mid-size park, pull-throughs available
• Cost: Verify current rates at park website
• Season: Year-round (unique in the area)
• Location: Walking distance to downtown West Yellowstone
• Best for: Winter visitors, shoulder-season travelers, anyone who needs year-round access

Wagon Wheel RV Campground — Walking Distance to Everything#

Wagon Wheel positions itself on competitive pricing and walkability. You are within walking distance of both downtown and the park entrance, and the staff gets consistently warm mentions across reviews. Full hookups with on-site showers and free WiFi round out a solid mid-tier offering.

This is a good “middle ground” option if you want full services and town access without the premium pricing of the Grizzly or the tiny site count of Buffalo Crossing. Wagon Wheel has been around long enough to have an established reputation, and returning visitors are common — always a good sign for an RV park in a tourist-heavy area where first-timers dominate the customer base.

• Hookups: Full
• Sites: Mid-size park
• Cost: Competitive with area pricing (verify current rates)
• Location: Walking distance to downtown and national park
• Best for: Couples and small families who want walkability and value

West Gate KOA — The Franchise Option#

The West Gate KOA sits about 10 minutes from the West Entrance, slightly farther out than the downtown parks but still well within easy driving distance. KOA brings the expected franchise consistency: standardized amenities, a recognizable booking system, and 50/30/20-amp service across their sites.

If you are a KOA Value Kard holder or simply prefer the predictability of a franchise operation, this is your option in the West Yellowstone corridor. The park offers the usual KOA amenities — pool, playground, camp store — that make it a reasonable pick for families with young children who want structured entertainment at the campground itself.

• Hookups: Full (50/30/20 amp)
• Sites: Multiple site types available
• Cost: Standard KOA pricing (verify current rates)
• Season: Seasonal
• Location: 10 minutes from West Entrance
• Best for: Families, KOA members, those who prefer franchise predictability

Hebgen Lake: The Quieter Alternative#

If the density and pricing of in-town West Yellowstone parks does not appeal to you, the Hebgen Lake corridor offers a genuinely different experience. The lake sits 8-15 miles northwest of town along Highway 287 — close enough for easy park access each morning, far enough that the tourist buzz fades to silence by the time you reach your site. Hebgen Lake is a 15-mile-long reservoir surrounded by national forest, with mountain views in every direction and some of the best stillwater trout fishing in Montana.

The tradeoff is straightforward: you gain scenery, quiet, and elbow room. You lose walkability to town, and you add 15-20 minutes of driving each way for every park entry. Over a week-long stay, that adds up — both in time and fuel. But for many RVers, especially couples and anglers, the lakefront experience is worth every extra mile.

Yellowstone Holiday RV Campground and Marina#

This is the standout on Hebgen Lake and arguably the most scenic RV park in the entire West Yellowstone corridor. Situated on the north shore with just 36 sites, Yellowstone Holiday is the antithesis of the 222-site Grizzly. The sites are gravel with concrete patios — a thoughtful detail that keeps mud off your outdoor setup during Montana’s afternoon thunderstorms. The lake views are, in the words of multiple Campendium reviewers, “gorgeous” and “worth the drive alone.”

At $80/night (last reported June 2023), it occupies a pricing sweet spot: significantly cheaper than the Grizzly’s $137-150, but with amenities and ambiance that justify every dollar over Buffalo Crossing’s budget rates. The on-site marina provides boat access to Hebgen Lake for fishing, kayaking, and general recreation. Brown and rainbow trout are the primary targets, and the lake produces fish consistently from ice-out through September.

The staff is the park’s secret weapon. “Went above and beyond” is a recurring phrase across the 10 Campendium reviews. Multiple reviewers describe the owners as welcoming, helpful, and genuinely invested in their guests’ experience. In an industry where corporate-managed parks dominate, this kind of personal attention stands out.

Cell signal is functional but not as robust as in town: Verizon 4G (3 users confirmed on Campendium), AT&T 4G (3 users), T-Mobile 5G (1 user). You can send emails and browse the web. Video calls and streaming may be hit or miss depending on your carrier and the time of day. If reliable connectivity is essential to your trip, the Grizzly in town is the safer bet.

The 38-foot maximum RV length reported on Campendium is worth noting. If you are running a 40-foot-plus Class A or fifth wheel, call ahead to confirm your rig will fit before booking. The season runs May 15 through September — slightly shorter than in-town options, so plan accordingly if you are targeting early May or late September dates.

• Hookups: Full
• Sites: 36, gravel with concrete patios
• Cost: $80/night (Campendium, June 2023)
• Season: May 15 – September
• Cell signal: Verizon 4G (3 users), AT&T 4G (3 users), T-Mobile 5G (1 user)
• Amenities: Marina, boat access, lake views
• Max RV: 38 ft longest reported on Campendium
• Elevation: 6,528 ft
• Campendium: 10 reviews, highly rated — “Great Staff, Beautiful Views”
• Location: 16990 Hebgen Lake Rd — 15 min from West Entrance
• Best for: Couples, anglers, anyone who prioritizes scenery and quiet over walk-to-gate convenience

Madison Arm Resort#

A family-owned RV park and marina on the south shore of Hebgen Lake, 8.5 miles from the West Gate. Madison Arm has been operating for decades and delivers a more rustic, family-run alternative to the polished parks in town. The location is slightly closer to West Yellowstone than Yellowstone Holiday, which shaves a few minutes off your daily commute into the park.

The marina is the main draw here. Anglers targeting Hebgen Lake’s trout population can launch from the resort and be on the water in minutes. Boat rentals are typically available for guests who do not have their own watercraft. The atmosphere is relaxed and unhurried — the kind of place where kids fish off the dock in the evening and nobody is in a rush.

Full hookups are available, and the sites accommodate a range of RV sizes. This is not the park for someone who wants resort-grade amenities and manicured grounds. It is the park for someone who wants to wake up to lake mist and osprey diving for breakfast, and who considers that a fair trade for polish.

• Hookups: Full
• Sites: Multiple types available
• Cost: Verify current rates at park website
• Location: Hebgen Lake, 8.5 miles from West Gate
• Best for: Anglers, families who want a quieter lake-based camping experience

Quick Comparison: West Yellowstone Area RV Parks#

Park	Sites	Cost/Night	Hookups	Max RV	Distance to Gate	Season	Unique Advantage
Madison (in-park)	278	~$30-35	None	Varies	14 mi inside	Apr–Oct	Inside the park, river access
Grizzly RV Park	222	$137-150	Full 50A	80 ft	4 blocks	May–Oct	Largest, best cell signal
Buffalo Crossing	25	$40-60	Full 50A	70 ft	Closest	May–Nov	Best value in town
Pony Express	Medium	Verify	Full	Varies	Walking	Year-round	Only year-round option
Wagon Wheel	Medium	Competitive	Full	Varies	Walking	Seasonal	Walkable + value
West Gate KOA	Multiple	KOA rates	Full 50A	Varies	10 min	Seasonal	Franchise amenities, pool
Yellowstone Holiday	36	$80	Full	38 ft	15 min	May–Sep	Lake views, quiet, marina
Madison Arm	Small	Verify	Full	Varies	8.5 mi	Seasonal	Family-owned, fishing

Planning Your West Yellowstone Basecamp#

When to Book#

The booking timeline for West Yellowstone follows a predictable but unforgiving pattern. Miss the window and you are either paying last-minute premiums or driving an extra hour to a park in Ennis or Big Sky.

July and August: These are the peak months. Book 3-6 months in advance for any park in the West Yellowstone area. The Grizzly and Buffalo Crossing sell out fastest because of their proximity to the gate. Hebgen Lake parks have slightly more midweek availability but still fill months ahead for weekends. Madison Campground inside the park is even more competitive — when Xanterra opens reservations, popular dates disappear within hours.

June and September: The shoulder months offer meaningfully better availability and lower prices at parks with seasonal pricing like Buffalo Crossing, where rates drop to the $40s. The park itself is substantially less crowded — you can actually find parking at Old Faithful and Midway Geyser Basin without arriving at dawn. Weather is cooler but entirely manageable. September in particular delivers fall color in the Gallatin Valley and reduced crowds in the park’s thermal basins.

May and October: Early and late shoulder. Not all parks are open — check individual season dates carefully. Madison Campground inside the park is often the best option for these months because it has the longest season of Yellowstone’s seasonal campgrounds. The Pony Express is your year-round fallback in town. Expect cold nights — freezing temperatures are normal at 6,600 feet in May and October — and potential snow.

Winter (November–March): Pony Express is effectively your only option. West Yellowstone becomes a snowmobile and snowcoach staging area. The West Entrance opens for over-snow vehicles only.

The Elevation Factor#

Every park in this guide sits above 6,500 feet. West Yellowstone itself is at 6,660 feet. Madison Campground inside the park is at 6,800 feet. This is higher than Denver, and the effects are real:

• Night temperatures: Even in July, nighttime temps routinely drop to the 30s and low 40s Fahrenheit. Some nights in June dip into the 20s. Bring warm sleeping gear regardless of season and expect to run your furnace every night. Propane consumption will be higher than you budget for if you are coming from lower elevations.
• Altitude adjustment: If you are arriving from sea level or near it, you will likely feel mild altitude effects for the first day or two — headache, shortness of breath on exertion, fatigue. Hydrate aggressively, take it easy on your first day, and avoid strenuous hiking until you have acclimated.
• Generator and engine performance: Expect 3-4 percent power loss per 1,000 feet above sea level. At 6,600 feet, your generator is producing roughly 20 percent less power than it does at sea level. Your tow vehicle or motorhome engine works harder on the mountain grades approaching West Yellowstone as well.
• Boiling point: Water boils at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit at this elevation, not 212. Cooking times increase for boiled foods — pasta, eggs, rice all take longer. Baked goods may need recipe adjustments.

Getting Around Yellowstone from West Yellowstone#

The West Entrance puts you on the park’s western Grand Loop road, optimized for the geyser basins and thermal features that most first-time visitors prioritize. Here are the key distances from the West Entrance:

• Madison Junction: 14 miles (the first major intersection, connects to Norris or Old Faithful)
• Midway Geyser Basin / Grand Prismatic Spring: 25 miles (~40 min)
• Old Faithful: 30 miles (~45 min, depending on bison jams and construction)
• Norris Geyser Basin: 28 miles (~45 min)
• Canyon Village / Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: 52 miles (~1.5 hrs)
• Tower-Roosevelt / Lamar Valley: 75+ miles (~2 hrs each way)
• Mammoth Hot Springs: 50 miles (~1.5 hrs)

The Lamar Valley reality check: If wildlife watching in Lamar Valley is high on your list, understand that it is a four-hour-plus round trip from West Yellowstone — and that is without stops. The best wildlife viewing happens at dawn, which means a 3:30 AM departure in summer. This is doable as a once-per-trip experience, but it is exhausting and impractical as a daily routine. If Lamar Valley is your primary goal, you are better based on the north side of the park at Gardiner or Cooke City. West Yellowstone is optimized for geysers, hot springs, and the western thermal features.

Driving tips: Yellowstone’s roads are narrow, winding, and frequently blocked by wildlife. “Bison jams” — where a herd crosses the road and traffic stops for 10-45 minutes — are a daily reality on the Madison to Old Faithful corridor. Build an extra 30 minutes into every drive. Do not attempt to rush through the park to make a reservation time. Also note that construction projects regularly close or delay sections of road — check the NPS Yellowstone road status page before each day’s outing.

Fuel, Groceries, and Services#

West Yellowstone is a real town with real services, not a gas-station crossroads. You will find:

• Fuel: Multiple gas stations in town. Fill up before entering the park — fuel inside Yellowstone is limited to a few locations and priced accordingly.
• Groceries: The Food Roundup is the main grocery store and is well-stocked for a town of 1,400. You will not find Costco-level selection, but you can get everything you need for a week of cooking. For major provisioning, Bozeman (90 miles north) has full-service grocery stores and a Costco.
• Dining: Restaurants range from casual burgers and pizza to sit-down dinner options. The town has enough variety for a week without repeating.
• RV services: An RV service center in town can handle basic repairs and parts. For major work, Bozeman is your nearest option.
• Propane: Available at multiple locations in town. You will use more than you expect at this elevation.
• Dump stations: All the private parks listed here have full hookups with at-site sewer connections. If you are coming from Madison Campground inside the park, note that the nearest dump station is at Fishing Bridge — on the far east side of the park, not in West Yellowstone.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Can I get into Yellowstone without an entrance pass if I am staying in West Yellowstone? No. West Yellowstone is outside the park boundary. You need a Yellowstone entrance pass ($35 for a 7-day vehicle pass or $80 for an annual America the Beautiful pass) every time you enter through the West Gate. The annual pass pays for itself in three entries.

Is there cell service inside Yellowstone? Minimal. Some areas near developed facilities (Old Faithful, Canyon Village) have limited connectivity, but most of the park has no service. Download offline maps before you leave your RV park each morning.

What is the best park for a 40-foot fifth wheel? Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park (80-foot premium pull-throughs) or Buffalo Crossing (70-foot capacity). Avoid Yellowstone Holiday on Hebgen Lake unless you confirm your rig fits — the longest reported on Campendium is 38 feet.

Can I drive my RV inside Yellowstone for sightseeing? You can, but parking is extremely limited at popular stops. Most experienced Yellowstone RVers leave their rig at the campground and drive a tow vehicle or dinghy into the park. If you do not have a second vehicle, arrive at trailheads and geyser basins before 9 AM to find RV-sized parking spots.

Should I base out of West Yellowstone or Gardiner? West Yellowstone for geysers and thermal features (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Norris). Gardiner for Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley wildlife. If you have a week or more, consider splitting your stay between both entrances.

Planning an extended Montana road trip? Our guide to Glacier National Park RV camping covers the other crown jewel of Montana’s national park circuit — Glacier is roughly 5.5 hours north of West Yellowstone and pairs naturally with a Yellowstone visit for a two-park itinerary.