5 Affordable Hacks for Visiting Yellowstone on a Budget

Written by Erin Hoppe Updated on 11/26/2025

Yellowstone National Park is a bucket-list destination, but the cost of lodging, gas, and food inside or right next to the park can really add up. However, visiting this natural wonder doesn’t have to drain your bank account.

From staying in a town that’s off the beaten path to fueling up with gas in the right places, lots of small decisions can lead to big savings.

Here are seven practical, local tips to visit Yellowstone on a budget.

How to Visit Yellowstone on a Budget: 5 Smart Tips From a Local

1. Stay in a Small Town That’s Off the Tourist Path

One of the biggest factors in visiting Yellowstone on a budget is where you sleep. Many travelers immediately flock to the popular, well-known gateway towns like West Yellowstone and Gardiner, or the larger city of Bozeman. While these locations are closest to the park entrances, this high demand drives up prices and increases traffic, consuming both your time and budget.

You can save money by looking for lodging in a welcoming, less-obvious location, such as Belgrade, Montana. For example, the average price per night for a hotel in West Yellowstone during the high season can run around $267, while Belgrade offers significantly more affordable options, averaging around $173–$249 per night. 

Located right off I-90 and home to the Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), Belgrade's hotels are minutes from the airport and offer affordable, family-friendly comfort with perks like complimentary breakfast and indoor pools.

Find a place to stay in Belgrade →

2. Visit During the Shoulder Seasons

Yellowstone National Park’s main travel season is summer, which means everything from lodging to activities is at its peak price and the park is crowded. For an easier way of visiting Yellowstone on a budget, plan your trip during the spring or fall. These seasons offer:

• Lower Rates and Fewer Crowds: Lodging rates are often lower and the reduced number of visitors means less traffic congestion at attractions.
• Unique Experiences: In the spring (mid-April to May), you can spot new bear cubs and bison calves. In the fall (September to October), the weather is still pleasant, the crowds diminish, and you can enjoy the dramatic sound of bugling elk during the elk rut (mating season).

3. Focus on Free and Low-Cost Park Activities

Once you’ve paid your entrance fee or purchased an annual pass(which may be the best bang for your buck if you’re planning to visit multiple national parks in a year), the best attractions are either free or very low-cost. Your entrance fee gets you seven days in the park.

The following are some of Yellowstone’s most popular attractions, which you see over the course of one or more days:

• Midway Geyser Basin: Walk the boardwalk to see Grand Prismatic Spring and Excelsior Geyser. If you have time, hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring’s overlook.
• Old Faithful: You can’t leave Yellowstone without seeing Old Faithful erupt; download the NPS app for estimated eruption schedules.
• Yellowstone Lake: North America's largest high-elevation lake is a great spot for lunch.
• Hayden Valley: Hayden Valley is known for its abundant wildlife, including herds of bison, elk, birds, and — if you’re lucky — wolves or bears. Bring binoculars as you won’t be able to see much without them.
• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: This massive canyon, with a stunning river rushing through it, is definitely worth a stop.
• Norris Geyser Basin: Get even more geyser action here.
• Lamar Valley: Another wildlife hotspot.
• Mammoth Hot Springs: These unique hot springs are otherworldly, and worth a walk around the boardwalk.

4. Rent a Car, Camper, or Van Near the Bozeman-Yellowstone Airport (BZN)

A rental car gives you the freedom to explore the park at your own pace, and allows you to stop where and when you want, not when a tour company says you have to. If you're flying into Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), you can easily arrange ground transportation with any of the major car rental companies. Book in advance for the best rates.

If you’d like to stay in Yellowstone for multiple days, you may want to camp or rent a Sprinter Van from Explore Rentals. This can save money on hotels in gateway towns or in Yellowstone itself, as campsites are always cheaper.

Pro tip: Remember to top off your gas tank before entering the park, as gas prices inside Yellowstone are typically much higher.

5. Pack Your Own Food and Snacks

One of the easiest ways to save money on a trip to Yellowstone is to minimize the number of times you eat out in the park or the gateway towns.

• Stock Up Locally: Before you leave your hotel, stop at a local grocery store to stock up on food, snacks, and drinks. Buying groceries outside the park is significantly cheaper than buying concessions inside.
• Use Hotel Amenities: Choose a hotel with complimentary breakfast to get your whole family fueled up before you hit the road. You can also make use of in-room fridges and microwaves to prepare simple meals.
• Find Affordable Dinner Spots: One of the perks of staying in a lesser-known town is an authentic and unfussy food scene. You can find hearty comfort foods or international flavors at casual, .

We hope this helps you plan a memorable, cost-effective trip to Yellowstone. Book your hotel todayto lock in the most affordable stay!