Yellowstone National Park Travel Forum

Is it easier and shorter to drive to Lamar Valley from Gardiner than from West Yellowstone?

From West Yellowstone to the Lamar Valley is 59 miles.

From Gardiner to the Lamar Valley is 23 miles.

Here's a bunch of Map Links that will help you.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/interactivemap/mapslist.htm

Gardiner is much faster, not only is it closer to the NW west entrance, where the north road that leads to Lamar Valley begins, but you won't have the slow traffic that you will have if you drive from West Yellowstone. I am glad that Lamar is a destination for you. If you haven't been to the Valley before, be sure to bring your binoculars, and a scope if you have one. If you see a lot of folks out with scopes, stop and find out what they are watching. There may be a wolf or bear in the distance that you missed seeing. These folks can point it out to you, and you can get a look with your binoculars, if you have them. If you don't have a scope, sometimes tourists or locals that do, will offer you a view through theirs. This is my favorite place to view wildlife in the park!! Have fun.