West Yellowstone Montana
West Yellowstone is a rustic mountain town nestled between national forests and Yellowstone National Park, only 50 miles south of Big Sky.
- West Yellowstone Montana is less than an hour’s drive south of Big Sky.
- Nestled at the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the town’s economy is focused on tourists.
- Geared to tourists, there are many places to stay and a variety of good places to eat.
Overview
West Yellowstone Montana lies at the western entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Close by are the communities of Ashton and Island Park, Idaho and Big Sky and Ennis, Montana. This region is world famous for Island Park and West Yellowstone snowmobiling, Madison River fly fishing, and Yellowstone National Park winter and summer excursions.
Location
Located in Southwestern Montana just 1.5 miles from Wyoming and eight miles from Idaho, West Yellowstone shares a common border with Yellowstone National Park and is the Park's only West gateway. As such, West Yellowstone considers itself to be the "Hub of Yellowstone Country" because of its fortuitous location to all the wonders of Yellowstone National Park.
Services/Amenities
Tourism has been the main business of West Yellowstone since it was founded. The town's economy relies on tourists traveling to and from Yellowstone National Park, and not just during the summer months as it was initially. Beginning in 1971, when the first overnight accommodations opened for the winter in Yellowstone National Park, a two season economy became a reality.
With a year round population of approximately 912 – 1,500 in the summer season – West Yellowstone has one year around medical clinic, emergency services, schools, a public library and a parks and recreation department.
Geared to tourists, there are many places to stay and a variety of good places to eat. The main attraction lies right on the town’s western border, Yellowstone National Park.
Activities
West Yellowstone tops every snowmobiler's dream. The trail system begins right in town, where snowmobilers share city streets with motorists. Then there is a choice from 180 miles of groomed trails inside the park or 400 miles outside.
Winter season visitors can also revel in cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snow shoeing or touring by snowcoach.
Summer activities include hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and river rafting, all with a backdrop of spectacular scenery and wildlife.
Attractions
Yellowstone Park
Stay in West Yellowstone and visit Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park offers unique sights and unusual features that you cannot see anywhere else. Geysers, mud pots, wildlife, canyons, rivers, waterfalls, and more are found here.
The Grizzly and Wolf Discover Center
The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is a Wildlife Park and Educational Facility, providing all visitors to Yellowstone with the opportunity to find out all about grizzlies and gray wolves.
Imax Theater
Check out the huge 6 story screen at the Imax Theater. You can immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of a real Yellowstone experience, while relaxing in air-conditioned comfort.
Targhee National Forest
West Yellowstone is surrounded by 1.8 million acres of the Targhee National Forest. The Forest is a wonderful place to get out into nature. The landscape includes a wide diversity of climates, from semi-desert to timbered highlands, with numerous streams, rivers, waterfalls and lakes.
Red Rock Refuge
This Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935 in order to protect the trumpeter swan. The refuge is a National Natural Landmark, bordered on the south by the beautiful Centennial Mountains from which the winter snows replenish the lakes and marshes. It can be found less than 20 miles from West Yellowstone.
Getting Here
The distance between Big Sky Montana and West Yellowstone Montana is a short 50 miles north-south along US Highway 191.