How to Plan an EV or Tesla Trip to Yellowstone National Park: The Ultimate Guide for 2024

We highly recommend taking your Tesla or EV on a road trip! On a side, if you buy a new Tesla, you get three months of free supercharging. If you can, this is an awesome time to take that trip.

Yellowstone National Park is an incredible destination. The park’s geothermal wonders, wildlife, and stunning vistas make it one of our favorite parks. However, given the remote nature of the park, if you’re driving your EV or Tesla, you need to be prepared—managing range, knowing where to charge, and ensuring you have the right equipment are all part of the journey. The good news is that Yellowstone is one of the parks with the best EV infrastructure.

We’ve compiled everything you need to know for a successful EV or Tesla trip to Yellowstone in 2024. Whether you’re planning to camp for a few days or just making a scenic stop, this guide will help you avoid any unnecessary headaches. To explore other convenient national parks, check out this article of the 30 most accessible national parks for EV and Tesla drivers.

Difficulty: Yellowstone is a relatively easy park to visit in an EV or Tesla compared to some other national parks, thanks to its well-maintained roads and clear signage. However, due to the park’s vast size and remote locations, charging options are still limited. Careful planning is essential to avoid range issues, especially if you’re venturing into the more isolated areas of the park.

1. Yellowstone EV Charging Stations: Locations and Tips

• In-Park Charging: Currently, Yellowstone has limited Level 2 charging options within the park. These chargers are available at Canyon Village and Old Faithful Snow Lodge. You’ll find the Canyon Village chargers near the visitor center parking lot, and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge chargers are located directly behind the lodge’s main parking area. However, keep in mind these stations can be busy during peak seasons, so we recommend arriving early in the day to secure a spot.
• Charging in Nearby Towns: The gateway towns around Yellowstone are better equipped for EVs. You’ll find Tesla Superchargers in Jackson, WY (120 miles south of the park) and West Yellowstone, MT (just outside the park’s west entrance). These Superchargers are your best option for quickly topping off your battery before you head into the park.
  • Distance from Superchargers to Yellowstone:
    • Jackson Superchargers to Yellowstone’s South Entrance: 79 miles
    • West Yellowstone Superchargers to Old Faithful: 32 miles.

2. Managing Your Range in Yellowstone’s Mountain Terrain

Yellowstone’s landscape varies from mountainous regions to vast open valleys. The elevation changes can impact your EV’s battery consumption, especially on steeper routes like Dunraven Pass or Craig Pass, both of which exceed 8,000 feet in elevation. These roads are scenic but will deplete your battery faster than flat drives.

• Regenerative Braking: You’ll benefit from regenerative braking on the descents, especially on the drive down from Dunraven Pass. Make sure to monitor your range closely and plan your route with charging stops in mind. Given the size of the park, a fully charged battery is essential before starting any long drives across the Grand Loop Road.

3. Best Scenic Drives for EVs in Yellowstone

• Grand Loop Road: This 142-mile loop connects most of Yellowstone’s key attractions, including Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and Yellowstone Lake. Charging stations are spaced out, so starting with a full charge is crucial. Plan to charge at Old Faithful before completing the southern portion of the loop, as it’s one of the few reliable charging spots on the route.
• Lamar Valley: This area, famous for its wildlife, requires more planning due to its distance from major charging stations. Before heading out to Lamar Valley, make sure you’ve fully charged at Canyon Village or even in West Yellowstone.
• Old Faithful to Yellowstone Lake: One of the most iconic drives, this route takes you from Old Faithful’s geysers to the tranquil shoreline of Yellowstone Lake. With chargers at Old Faithful and West Thumb, this is one of the more manageable routes for EV drivers.

4. Essential EV Gear for Your Yellowstone Road Trip

• Portable EV Chargers: A portable EV charger is an invaluable tool when visiting Yellowstone. For example, Madison Campground and Grant Village both have standard NEMA 14-50 outlets, which can be used with a portable charger. These are not high-speed charging options, but they’re crucial for topping off while you camp overnight.
• Navigation Apps: PlugShare and Tesla’s onboard navigation are indispensable for finding real-time charging station availability. PlugShare often includes user reviews and notes about charging speed, reliability, and accessibility. It’s smart to check the availability of stations while planning your day trips within the park.
• Backup Power Banks: Yellowstone’s remote areas might not always have mobile charging stations, so we recommend bringing a power bank to keep your phone and devices charged. Check out our guide on the best backup power banks to find reliable options for your trip.

5. Top Yellowstone EV-Friendly Lodges and Campgrounds with Charging Stations

• Canyon Village Lodge: This location has Level 2 chargers right by the main parking lot, perfect for visitors exploring the northern part of the park. Charging here allows you to comfortably visit the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Tower Fall without worrying about range.
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge: Located behind the lodge, these Level 2 chargers are a great option for anyone staying overnight or visiting the Old Faithful area. Be sure to charge fully here before venturing deeper into the park or completing the Grand Loop Road.
• Madison Campground: While this campground doesn’t have dedicated EV chargers, you can use their RV-style outlets for charging with the right adapter.

6. Must-Have EV Plug Converters for Yellowstone Travel

Yellowstone’s charging infrastructure includes a mix of standard outlets and more advanced Level 2 chargers, which means bringing the right adapters is critical to ensure you can plug in when necessary.

• Tesla to J-1772 Adapter: If you’re driving a Tesla, you’ll need this adapter to use public Level 2 chargers at Canyon Village and Old Faithful Snow Lodge.
• NEMA 14-50 Adapter: This adapter allows you to charge at campgrounds like Madison Campground and Grant Village, which often have RV outlets for charging.
• NEMA 5-15 Adapter: Always have a standard household outlet adapter on hand for emergency charging situations at campgrounds or visitor centers.

7. Yellowstone’s 2025 EV Infrastructure Improvements

By 2025, Electrify America will have installed fast-charging stations at multiple key locations near Yellowstone, including West Yellowstone, Jackson, WY, and Cody, WY. These fast chargers, offering 150 kW and 350 kW charging speeds, will allow EV drivers to top off their batteries quickly before entering the park.

The park is also working on expanding its internal infrastructure with more Level 2 chargers at locations like Lake Village and Mammoth Hot Springs, ensuring EV drivers have more charging options as they explore deeper into the park.

8. Pro Tips for an EV Road Trip to Yellowstone

• Charge Outside the Park: Charging outside the park, at West Yellowstone Supercharger or Jackson Supercharger, ensures you have a full battery before heading in. With fewer charging options inside the park, this strategy will give you more flexibility.
• Timing Your Charges: Plan your charging stops for early mornings or late evenings, as the park’s stations—especially at Old Faithful—tend to get busy during peak daytime hours.
• Prepare for Cold Weather: Cold weather can drain your EV’s battery faster, particularly in Yellowstone’s higher elevations. Always keep an eye on your range and adjust your plans if temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Check out our additional tips for exploring national parks in your EV or Tesla.

9. Our Recommended Itinerary for EV and Tesla Drivers in Yellowstone

Planning your Yellowstone trip with an electric vehicle requires strategic charging stops and mindful range management. To make your experience stress-free, we’ve put together a recommended 3-day itinerary that takes into account charging availability, scenic drives, and must-see landmarks. This itinerary ensures that you maximize your park experience while keeping your EV fully charged.

Day 1: Arrive in West Yellowstone

• Morning: Start your trip by charging at the West Yellowstone Supercharger just outside the park’s West Entrance. This station is the perfect spot to top off your battery before beginning your adventure.
• Afternoon: Enter the park and take a leisurely drive along the Grand Loop Road to Old Faithful. Check out the famous geyser and spend some time walking the nearby boardwalks.
• Charging Stop: After exploring Old Faithful, charge your EV at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge Level 2 chargers while enjoying lunch at the lodge or taking a walk around the geyser basin.
• Evening: Head to your overnight accommodation, either at Old Faithful Snow Lodge or a nearby campground, making sure your EV is fully charged for the next day’s exploration.

Day 2: Explore the Geyser Basins and Yellowstone Lake

• Morning: Start your day by heading south from Old Faithful to West Thumb Geyser Basin, where you’ll be treated to stunning geothermal features right next to the lake.
• Afternoon: Drive along the shores of Yellowstone Lake and make your way to Lake Village. Be sure to check out the serene views of the lake and grab lunch at Lake Lodge.
• Charging Stop: Recharge your EV at Lake Lodge or continue your drive to Canyon Village for additional charging options.
• Evening: Settle down at Canyon Village and take in the sights of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Overnight at Canyon Village Lodge, where you can charge your vehicle at one of the Level 2 charging stations.

Day 3: Lamar Valley and Wildlife Watching

• Morning: Drive northeast toward Lamar Valley, Yellowstone’s premier wildlife viewing area. Keep an eye out for bison, wolves, and bears along the way.
• Afternoon: Bring a picnic and spend time observing the wildlife in Lamar Valley. This area is farther from charging stations, so make sure you’ve fully charged at Canyon Village before heading out.
• Return Trip: As you head back, stop at Tower Fall for a scenic break before driving back toward West Yellowstone for a final top-up at the Supercharger before leaving the park.

10. Wrap-Up: How to Make the Most of Your EV Road Trip in Yellowstone

Driving your EV or Tesla through Yellowstone in 2025 is not only eco-friendly but also rewarding, as long as you plan ahead. With a growing EV charging network and more options becoming available each year, you can enjoy an unforgettable journey through one of the most stunning national parks in the world.

Planning is essential—make sure to charge your vehicle fully before entering the park and have a backup charging plan for more remote areas. Keep an eye on weather conditions, as colder temperatures may reduce your range, and take advantage of regenerative braking on descents to extend battery life. The addition of more charging stations at key points like West Yellowstone and Old Faithful in the coming years will make EV travel even easier and more convenient.

Ultimately, with the right preparation, your EV road trip through Yellowstone will be smooth, scenic, and sustainable. Enjoy the natural beauty of the park and the peace of mind that comes with reducing your carbon footprint as you explore one of America’s most iconic landscapes.