Can You Really Do a Day Trip From Fort Collins to Yellowstone?

With the popularity of the hit TV show, "Yellowstone," many are wondering if you can head from Fort Collins up to the national park (and not the ranch) and back, for a day.

Making a trip to Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful idea. The beauty of expansiveness, the animals, the geysers. Everyone should go to Yellowstone at least once. Can you do a day trip to Yellowstone, though?

Maybe you'd like to head up there and do some fishing. State fishing permits aren't valid, but you can purchase a park permit and cast a line for a bit, then head home.

Maybe you'd get the chance to see some bears out in the wild while you're there for the day.

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The geysers.

You could be there to see one of the 500 geysers at Yellowstone go off, while you're there for the day.

Imagine: A day trip to Yellowstone to have a romantic picnic. Maybe pop the cork on some wine and pop the question before heading home?

There's not a very good chance that you'll see "Yellowstone" star Kevin Costner while you're in the park for the day, but, dang it, he's just too handsome to not include a photo.

CAN YOU REALLY DAY TRIP FROM FORT COLLINS, THOUGH?

It's about 8.5 hours in the car from Fort Collins to Yellowstone. Round trip, without getting out of the car, you'd be gone 17 hours. That doesn't even include stopping for gas/food/restrooms along the way, let alone enjoying the wonder of the park.

If you were to attempt driving up there, and then also doing something in the park, our bet is that you'd be much too exhausted to make the 8-9 hour trip back to The Choice City.

We're going to have to say, "No." No, you cannot make a day trip to Yellowstone from Fort Collins. Get a room; the pass you buy to get into the park is good for a whole week, so enjoy it.