Yellowstone National Park store prices

There's also some sort of yellowstone park tax/fee on top of everything. Also the store that's on the Montana side have no sales tax, while the stores on the Wyoming side do.

Montana has no state sales tax, but in recent years, the town of West Yellowstone has enacted a local sales tax. I forget the % rate - was just enough of a shock to find out there now is one! I don't remember if Gardiner MT has a local sales tax as well, but I tend to think it doesn't.

Wyoming does have sales tax, and each county can choose to add some. The park itself is basically divided between Teton County and Park County - Teton's sales tax rate is, I believe, 1% more than Park County's. Lake, Grant and Old Faithful areas charge Teton County rates, and Mammoth & Roosevelt charge Park County rates. I don't know which way Canyon goes.

Sales tax is of course a minor part of the cost of staying there. It's a very popular tourist area, with such long drives to places outside the park that you are virtually a captive audience - therefore, prices for everything are high. Just part of the experience. :) (And gas is often higher in West Yellowstone, outside the park, than inside the park itself.) Just go with the flow. Bring in what you can comfortably carry; otherwise just plan accordingly. And remember that you will likely be getting slightly better gas mileage inside the park than on the faster, straighter roads outside the park, due to the slower speed limit. That's been our experience.

As for eating out, the cafeterias are your best value - the food is almost as good as in the dining rooms, but the cost is much lower than for a sit-down meal. The Yellowstone General Stores, particularly at Old Faithful and Mammoth, have great ice cream, which makes for a wonderful mid-afternoon treat. :)