How to Visit Yellowstone Without a Car
10/05/2026
Visiting Yellowstone without a car takes a little more planning than tossing your bags in a rental and driving off, but it's absolutely doable, and it can make for a better trip!
Going car-free lets you travel more sustainably with a smaller carbon footprint, skip the rental-counter scramble after a long flight, and lean on local guides who know exactly where the wolves and bears tend to show up. Here's how to plan a Yellowstone trip without a car, from getting to the region to seeing the park itself.
Planning your stay? The Travelodge by Wyndham in Gardiner sits one mile from Yellowstone's North Entrance and runs on roughly 50% solar power, which makes it a natural home base for a low-impact, car-free trip.
FAQ About Visiting Yellowstone Without a Car
Can you visit Yellowstone without a car? Yes! Fly or bus into Bozeman, shuttle to a gateway town, and join guided tours into the park.
Does Yellowstone have a public shuttle? No. There is no park-wide public transit, so guided tours are the main way to get around inside the park.
What's the best gateway town without a car? Gardiner (North Entrance, open year-round) and West Yellowstone (West Entrance) have the most tour options.
How do you get from the airport? Karst Stage runs scheduled shuttles from Bozeman Airport to Big Sky and West Yellowstone, and many tours offer hotel pickup.
When is the best season for a car-free trip? Summer for the widest tour selection, or winter for snowcoach tours when most roads are closed to cars.
Arriving In the Region
Without a car, you can arrive in Southwest Montana by bus or plane. The closest major airport to the northwestern part of the park is the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, serviced by many mainline carriers.
The Greyhound bus routes pass by Bozeman, so it’s possible to travel by road from all around the country without needing to turn a key. The bus drops passengers off at the Walmart on 7th Avenue, and from there, it’s an easy walk, bus, or Uber ride into the central part of town.
Getting to the Park
Once you’ve arrived, you have a few shuttle options to get you to the entrance of Yellowstone. Karst Stage runs an airport shuttle to the west entrance, and you can also book private charter trips through their shuttle service. There are also tours that depart from Bozeman, Gardiner, and West Yellowstone, transporting you to the park once you’ve arrived in one of those nearby cities.
Some tours that provide transportation from these cities include:
Traveling Around the Park
Unlike many other national parks, Yellowstone does not offer a public shuttle system. There is an automated shuttle pilot program in Canyon Village in 2021, and there could be more to come in the future. But for now, car-free visitors will have to wait on a park-wide public transit option. That means for you to get around the park, you have to be a bit creative without a car.
In warmer months, it’s possible for the truly adventurous (and prepared) to travel through the park by bicycle. But keep in mind, this wouldn’t be a gentle coasting ride. With a lot of up and down, on top of winding roads with hundreds of vehicles and ample wildlife, this isn’t for the faint of heart. If you plan to go by bike, you might be better off visiting in spring, when roads are closed to most vehicles and plow crews are at work.
If this doesn’t sound like your idea of a relaxing vacation, don’t worry. Over a hundred tour operators run trips in Yellowstone, taking the wheel, so you don’t have to drive. From guided interpretive offerings that dive into the culture and wildlife within the park to photography-oriented groups to help you get the perfect shot, you can find a guided option to interest you and help you get around. In winter, the famous snowcoaches can help you see the sights when roads are closed to most vehicles anyway.
When your adventures bring you to Yellowstone without wheels, Highline Adventures’ properties, located conveniently in Bozeman, Gardiner, and Livingston, make an ideal jumping-off point for your door-to-door guided tour. Explore town without needing a rental, and take advantage of a convenient location and comfortable amenities. We’re here when you’re ready to explore.
