West Yellowstone is a small Montana community that not only provides a gateway to the world famous Yellowstone National Park, but offers views of the majestic beauty of the Montana mountain valley and is a popular destination for those curious about the area’s heritage, wildlife and landscape. West Yellowstone is located on the western edge of Yellowstone National Park.
The town acts as a central location for nature devotees, vacationers and outdoor sports enthusiasts. This has drawn countless businesses to the town, making it a hub for travelers. The town of West Yellowstone provides numerous tour operators, sports rental companies, hotels and rental properties. The abundance of tourism businesses in the town makes it a convenient central location for visitors.
West Yellowstone has activities for every type of nature enthusiast, from adrenaline junkies to children, and honeymooners to parents with children.
Popular Attractions
The western entrance of Yellowstone National Park, located just minutes from West Yellowstone, provides the easiest access to some of the park’s most popular attractions including Old Faithful. This world famous geyser is an easy 31-mile drive from West Yellowstone, and is on one of the country’s most scenic routes.
West Yellowstone is also a famous spot for wildlife viewing. The city is located just blocks from the entrance of Yellowstone National Park, which is considered to be one of the best places in the nation to see over 60 species of mammals including, elk, the endangered gray wolf, mountain goats and the threatened lynx.
West Yellowstone is also conveniently located near Harriman State Park, Quake Lake, Hebgen Lake, Targhee National Forest, Red Rock Lakes and Henry’s Lake State Park.
West Yellowstone also provides access to a cultural activity that is unique for the area. The town is located near the old gold mining cities of Virginia and Nevada, which give visitors a glimpse into what the west was like during the gold rush.
Warm Weather Activities
The spring and summer months are the most popular for tourism in West Yellowstone. Some of the most popular warm weather activities include hiking, fishing, boating and bird and wildlife watching. The town is also a prominent destination for nature photographers during the summer.
One of the most popular all-time activities in West Yellowstone is fishing in Montana’s crystal clear waters. Indeed, West Yellowstone is often referred to as the fly-fishing capital of the world. Some of the areas top trouting can be found at Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone and Snake Rivers. These rivers are filled with many varieties of trout, including some of the best specimens of brown and rainbow. Fly fishers can find fishing rentals, lessons and tackle shops in West Yellowstone.
West Yellowstone is home to more than a dozen outlets that offer kayaking and rafting rentals and tours that cater to all levels of experience from families with small children to adrenaline seekers.
Biking and bird watching are other more peaceful West Yellowstone pastimes. The community is minutes from several of the country’s top bird watching hot spots that offer views of osprey and eagles in the spring, ducklings and goslings in the summer, migrating birds in the fall and trumpeter swans in the winter.
Cold Weather Activities
Though the area is its most popular during the spring and summer months, West Yellowstone offers a plethora of winter activities and one of the most unique and magical winter landscapes in the country. Winter visitors will get to experience the serene beauty of waterfalls frozen in time, snow-dusted trees and mountains with the ever-present backdrop of the geysers and other geothermal activity.
Despite freezing cold temperatures, Yellowstone National Park remains open during the winter months. Here visitors can see dozens of varieties of waterfowl and non-hibernating mammals. Nature photographers can also depict frozen waterfalls, ice cold flowing rivers and snow-covered trails.
Dog sledding is one of West Yellowstone’s most unique activities that draws hundreds of tourists every winter. Today very few places exist in the United States where one can experience this 1,000-year-old mode of transportation. West Yellowstone is home to several tour operators that offer excursions on hundreds of miles of dog sledding trails.
Other winter sports enthusiasts can rent snowmobiles and cross-country skis in West Yellowstone. Renters enjoy hundreds of miles of groomed tracks in the West Yellowstone area.
Though fly fishers flock to West Yellowstone during the spring and summer months, ice fishing is a popular pastime for winter visitors. Most of Yellowstone National Park’s rivers do not freeze in the winter and are patronized by winter fly fishers. Several outfitters in West Yellowstone also offer guided ice fishing tours on Hebgen and Quake Lakes.
Lodging
Though the city is small in size, it offers a wide variety of lodging options and amenities. Because of its proximity to Yellowstone National Park, many hotel chains have made their way to West Yellowstone. Large families and groups may also benefit from the variety of cabin, home and condo rentals in and around West Yellowstone. The town also has several bed and breakfasts and campgrounds.
Transportation
Getting to West Yellowstone is made easy by a network of freeways and a regional, summer only airport that is serviced by Southwest Airlines and makes regular flights to and from Salt Lake City. It also has several national and budget car rental companies and tour operators that will provide transportation.
Written by Jesse Gunther