​Overview

West Yellowstone sits right at Yellowstone's West Entrance, the park's busiest gate, and is the closest town to Old Faithful (about 30 miles). The town is compact and walkable, with lodging, food, and shops packed into a grid of a few dozen blocks next to the park boundary.
 

• about 6,650 ft (bring a jacket, even in July)

• busiest late May through September; a major snowmobile, snowcoach, and Nordic ski destination mid-December through mid-March

• Park entrance: the West Entrance is about a block from downtown on US 20; the road to Madison and Old Faithful closes to regular cars from early November until mid-April (oversnow tours only in winter)

• Official visitor info: West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center, 30 Yellowstone Ave, destinationyellowstone.com
   

Getting There

Most visitors fly into Bozeman or Idaho Falls and drive; the in-town airport offers seasonal summer flights only.

Airports

• Yellowstone Airport, West Yellowstone — WYS · 1 mi · Seasonal (late May–Sept); United from Denver and Delta from Salt Lake City; rental cars on site

• Bozeman Yellowstone International — BZN · ~90 mi (about 1 hr 45 min via US 191) · Largest year-round airport in the region; most airlines and rental cars

• Idaho Falls Regional — IDA · ~110 mi (about 2 hr via US 20) · Year-round service; easy drive through Island Park

• Jackson Hole — JAC · ~130 mi via Idaho (about 2 hr 45 min); through the park in summer · Scenic but longer; park route closed in winter

• Salt Lake City International — SLC · ~320 mi (about 5 hr via I-15 and US 20) · Major hub; often the cheapest fares

Highways

• US 20 runs west into Idaho (Island Park, Ashton, Rexburg, Idaho Falls) and east into the park through the West Entrance.

• US 191 runs north through the Gallatin Canyon to Big Sky and Bozeman.

• US 287 branches off US 191 about 8 miles north of town and runs west past Hebgen and Quake lakes toward Ennis.

• Winter driving: Targhee Pass (US 20) and the Gallatin Canyon (US 191) can be snowy; check Montana 511 and Idaho 511.
   

Bus and shuttles

• Greyhound/Salt Lake Express stops at the Visitor Information Center, 30 Yellowstone Ave.

• Some hotels (for example Kelly Inn) offer airport shuttles; ask when booking.

Sources: WYS schedule, Greyhound stop

Where to Stay

West Yellowstone has 30+ hotels and motels, several cabin properties, and a dozen RV parks and campgrounds within 10 miles. Book summer stays months ahead; many motels close from late October to mid-December.

Hotels and motels

• Three Bear Lodge — 217 Yellowstone Ave · Local landmark since 1932, 70 rooms, 2 blocks from the park gate; outdoor pool, hot tub, free breakfast; Three Bear Restaurant and Grizzly Lounge on site. Seasonal: closed about Nov 1 to mid-April

• Starlite Yellowstone, Tapestry Collection by Hilton — 301 Madison Ave · Formerly the Days Inn; 133 rooms, reopened in 2025 after a full renovation; indoor pool, fitness center, HB on Madison restaurant

• Holiday Inn West Yellowstone (IHG) — 315 Yellowstone Ave · Indoor pool, hot tub, on-site restaurant in a historic rail car

• Kelly Inn West Yellowstone — 104 S Canyon St · Indoor pool, free breakfast, airport shuttle

• Gray Wolf Inn & Suites — 250 S Canyon St · 102 rooms, indoor pool, kitchenette suites, pet-friendly

• Yellowstone Park Hotel — 201 Grizzly Ave · Pool and spa; newer build

• Yellowstone West Gate Hotel — 638 Madison Ave · Pool, airport shuttle

• Best Western Weston Inn — 103 Gibbon Ave · Pet-friendly, summer outdoor pool

• Best Western Desert Inn — 133 Canyon St · Indoor pool, central location

• ClubHouse Inn — 105 S Electric St · Indoor pool, free breakfast

• Yellowstone Lodge — 251 S Electric St · Pool, pet-friendly

• Super 8 West Yellowstone — 1545 Targhee Pass Hwy (US 20) · Log-style building west of downtown, free breakfast

• White Buffalo Hotel — 236 Dunraven St · Large rooms, breakfast included

• Stage Coach Inn — 209 Madison Ave · Long-running downtown hotel, good value

• Crosswinds Inn — 201 Firehole Ave · Indoor pool, pet-friendly

• Brandin' Iron Inn — 201 Canyon St · Budget-friendly, central

• Golden Stone Inn — 115 S Faithful St · Mid-range, quiet street

• Moose Creek Inn — 119 Electric St · Small, family-run

• Adventure Inn Yellowstone — 103 S Electric St · Downtown, walkable

• Alpine Motel — 120 Madison Ave · Budget motel

• Dude & Roundup Motels — 3 Madison Ave · Budget, steps from Canyon St

• One Horse Motel — 216 Dunraven St · Budget, independent

• Pioneer Motel — 515 Madison Ave · Historic log motel

• Westwood Motel — 238 Madison Ave · Budget, independent

• Historic Madison Hotel, Motel & Hostel — 139 Yellowstone Ave · Early-1900s log hotel; the town's budget hostel option

• 1872 Inn — 603 Yellowstone Ave · Adults-only boutique inn

• The Aspen — 229 N Hayden St · Boutique lodging

• West Yellowstone Bed & Breakfast — 20 Crane Lane · Quiet B&B setting

• WorldMark West Yellowstone — 400 Yellowstone Ave · Condo-style timeshare rentals

• Al's Westward Ho Motel — 16 Boundary St · Corner of Yellowstone Ave, steps from the park gate; seasonal, mid-May to mid-October

• Ho Hum Motel — 126 N Canyon St · 16 rooms, pet-friendly, central near Town Park

• City Center Motel — 214 Madison Ave · Affordable, pet-friendly, two blocks from the park

• Geyser Inn — 101 Electric St · Air-conditioned rooms, short walk to the Giant Screen Theatre

• Faithful Street Inn — 120 N Faithful St · Apartment-style units with kitchens and grills; no pets

• The Evergreen — 229 Firehole Ave · Small 17-unit, owner-operated motel; guest laundry; no pets

• Tao's Inn — 102 S Electric St · 16 rooms, built in 2016, walk to downtown

• The Bucking Moose — 220 Firehole Ave · Rooms and suites, some with full kitchens; playground

• Yellowstone Holiday Motel — 24 Hayden St · Small seasonal motel; closed about November 1 to early May

• Pony Express Motel — 4 Firehole Ave · Motel with an RV park on site (see RV parks below)

• Yellowstone Country Inn — 234 Firehole Ave · Four blocks from the park; kitchenettes available

Cabins and lodges

• Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone — 250 S Canyon St · 50 modern cabins around fire pits (s'mores kits included)

• Hibernation Station — 212 Gray Wolf Ave · Standalone themed log cabins on landscaped grounds

• Elkhorn Cabins and Inn — 29 Gibbon Ave · Small, family-run

• Terra Nova Cabins — 35 Kirkwood Creek Rd (Hebgen Lake) · Lake-view cabins

• Bar N Ranch — 890 Buttermilk Creek Rd (about 5 mi west) · Upscale ranch lodge and cabins with a well-known restaurant

• Under Canvas West Yellowstone — 890 Buttermilk Creek Rd (about 5 mi west) · Glamping: furnished safari tents; summer season

• Parade Rest Guest Ranch — 1279 Grayling Creek Rd (about 10 mi north) · Historic log-cabin guest ranch with horseback riding and cookouts

• Firehole Ranch — 1130 Firehole Ranch Loop (Hebgen Lake) · Secluded all-inclusive fly-fishing lodge

• 9 Bar W Cabins — 132 Electric St · Small cabin property

• West Yellowstone Central Reservations — 211 Yellowstone Ave · Booking agency for condos, cabins, and homes around town

• Avalanche Retreat — 633 Parkway A #8 · Vacation rental

• Blue Cloud House — 621 Firehole Ave · Vacation rental home

RV parks and campgrounds

• Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park & Cabins — 210 S Electric St (in town) · Full hookups, Wi-Fi; dump station open to non-guests for a fee

• Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA Holiday — 3305 Targhee Pass Hwy (US 20), 6 mi west · Big-rig friendly, pool, cabins

• Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA Journey — 1545 Targhee Pass Hwy (US 20), about 7.5 mi west · Quieter spot west of town; cabins, tent sites, on-site pizza

• Buffalo Crossing RV Park — 101 S Canyon St (behind the Giant Screen Theatre) · About 25 full-service sites; the closest RV park to the West Entrance

• Pony Express Motel & RV Park — 4 Firehole Ave · RV sites alongside the motel; walk to shops

• Wagon Wheel RV Campground & Cabins — 408 Gibbon Ave · Wooded full-hookup and tent sites plus cabins, 6 blocks from the park

• Yellowstone Cabins & RV — 504 US 20 · Small property, about 13 cabins and RV sites

• Rustic Wagon RV Campground & Cabins — 637 US 20 (Highway Ave) at Gibbon Ave · Wooded, grassy sites 9 blocks from the park; cabins, tent sites, 30/50-amp hookups

• Yellowstone Holiday RV Campground & Marina — 16990 Hebgen Lake Rd (about 13 mi NW) · North shore of Hebgen Lake; 36 full-hookup big-rig sites, 16 cabins, boat and kayak rentals

• Madison Arm Resort, Campground & Marina — 5475 Madison Arm Rd · Lakeside campground, cabins, and marina on the Madison Arm of Hebgen Lake

• Kirkwood Resort & Marina — 35 Kirkwood Creek Rd · One of the widest selections of motorized and non-motorized boat rentals on the lake

• Baker's Hole (Forest Service) — 3 mi north on US 191 · 73 sites on the Madison River, some electric; hard-sided campers only (bear area); mid-May to Sept

• Rainbow Point (Forest Service) — 10 mi NW on Hebgen Lake · 80+ sites, some electric; reservable on Recreation.gov

• Lonesomehurst (Forest Service) — 8 mi west on US 20, then 4 mi north on Hebgen Lake Rd · On the South Fork Arm of Hebgen Lake; water, some electric sites; reservable on Recreation.gov

• Cherry Creek (Forest Service) — 8 mi west on US 20, then 6 mi north on Hebgen Lake Rd (FS Rd 167) · Small and primitive lakeside sites; no water; first-come, first-served

• Spring Creek (Forest Service) — About 18 mi NW via US 20 and Hebgen Lake Rd · On the Hebgen Lake shore; good trout fishing; first-come, first-served

• Cabin Creek (Forest Service) — About 22 mi via US 191 and US 287 · Near the Madison River and Earthquake Lake; start of the 6-mile Cabin Creek Trail

• Beaver Creek (Forest Service) — About 24 mi via US 191 and US 287 · Hillside above the Madison River and Earthquake Lake; reservable on Recreation.gov

• Henry's Lake State Park — 15 mi west in Idaho · Water and power sites, great trout lake

• Full lodging directory: Destination Yellowstone

Where to Eat

West Yellowstone has 40+ places to eat, from pancake houses to taco buses. Hours shrink sharply in the shoulder seasons (roughly November and April), so call ahead.

Restaurants

• Running Bear Pancake House — 538 Madison Ave · Breakfast institution: pancakes, cinnamon rolls

• Three Bear Restaurant — 205 Yellowstone Ave · Classic Montana comfort food, kids' menus at breakfast and dinner

• Madison Crossing Lounge — 121 Madison Ave · Upscale dinner and cocktails in a historic schoolhouse

• Firehole Bar-B-Que Co. — 120 Firehole Ave · Texas-style brisket, ribs, mac and cheese

• Slippery Otter Pub — 139 N Canyon St · Burgers (beef, bison, elk), pizza, craft beer; family-friendly

• Bullwinkle's Saloon & Eatery — 115 N Canyon St · Steaks, burgers, saloon atmosphere

• Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon — 14 Madison Ave · Pizza, wings, live music in summer

• Pete's Rocky Mountain Pizza & Pasta — 112 N Canyon St · Pizza and Italian

• The Buffalo Bar — 335 US 20 · Bison burgers, sports bar, casino

• Canyon Street Grill — 22 N Canyon St · 1950s-style diner: burgers, shakes

• Outpost Restaurant — 115 Yellowstone Ave · Family-style breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Serenity Bistro — 721 Airport Rd · Bistro and bakery brunch, a bit out of the downtown bustle

• Euro Cafe — 237 Firehole Ave · Breakfast, coffee, crepes

• Bar N Ranch — 890 Buttermilk Creek Rd (5 mi west) · Ranch-style dinners in a lodge setting

• Taqueria Malverde — 128 Firehole · The original taco bus: homemade tortillas, pork and steak tacos; summer season

• La Jungla (formerly Las Palmitas) — 21 N Canyon St · Converted bus with indoor and outdoor seating; tacos to ceviche

• Taqueria Resendiz — Downtown (address to confirm) · Family-owned food truck; tacos, burritos, enchiladas; dog-friendly picnic tables

Coffee, ice cream, and treats

• Espresso West — 8 N Canyon · Log-kiosk coffee, huckleberry bars, shakes

• The Book Peddler — 106 Canyon St · Bookstore + café: coffee, pastries, breakfast to go

• Mountain Mama's Cafe — 17 Madison Ave · Coffee, bakery, breakfast

• Ernie's Bakery & Deli — 406 US 20 · Big sandwiches for park picnics; check hours, it has had temporary closures

• Arrowleaf Ice Cream — 27 N Canyon St · Open year-round; huckleberry swirl-freeze in homemade waffle cones

• Eagle's Store soda fountain — 3 Canyon St · Old-time ice cream counter inside the town's oldest store

• Candy and fudge shops — Canyon St and Yellowstone Ave · Huckleberry everything: taffy, fudge, chocolates

Sources: Destination Yellowstone dining, Visit Yellowstone Country

Shops & Supplies

Two full grocery stores cover picnic and camping needs; prices beat the general stores inside the park.

Groceries

• Food Roundup Supermarket — 107 Dunraven St · Locally owned since 1961; butcher counter (bison steaks), produce, camping and RV supplies; about 8 am–9 pm

• Market Place Supermarket — 22 Madison Ave · Good selection for its size; about 7:30 am–9 pm

• Cenex convenience store — 136 Canyon St · Ice, firewood, snacks, bear-safe basics; open early to late

• Chevron convenience store — 3 Canyon St · Next to Eagle's Store; snacks and travel supplies

• Mobil convenience store — 11 Yellowstone Ave · Closest to the park gate; last stop for snacks before entering

Gifts and souvenirs

• Eagle's Store, 3 Canyon St: family-run since the town's early days, with souvenirs, Western wear, and an old-fashioned soda fountain

• Yellowstone Trading Post, next to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center: one of the largest souvenir shops in town

• The Book Peddler, 106 Canyon St: regional books, maps, and coffee

• Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center and Museum of the Yellowstone gift shops

• Canyon Street and Yellowstone Avenue are lined with T-shirt, huckleberry, jewelry, and Western-art shops

Outdoor gear and fly shops

• Freeheel & Wheel, 33 Yellowstone Ave: bikes, Nordic skis, snowshoes, outdoor apparel, and an espresso bar

• Blue Ribbon Flies, 305 N Canyon St

• Big Sky Anglers (the historic Bud Lilly's Trout Shop location), 39 Madison Ave, corner of Canyon and Madison

• Madison River Outfitters, 125 N Canyon St: fly shop and guided float and wade trips

• Jacklin's Fly Shop, 105 Yellowstone Ave: the town's oldest fly shop, open since 1974, and the closest one to the park entrance

• Arrick's Fly Shop, 37 Canyon St: full-service fly shop with a huge fly-tying selection and guided trips

• Bear spray is sold at most gear shops, grocery stores, and gas stations (rentals available in the park)

Services

West Yellowstone has an urgent-care clinic but no hospital; the nearest 24/7 emergency room is in Big Sky, about 50 miles north. For any emergency, call 911.

• Emergency — Anywhere · 911

• Billings Clinic West Yellowstone — In town · Primary and urgent care, X-ray

• Big Sky Medical Center (nearest ER) — Big Sky, ~50 mi north on US 191 · 24/7 emergency, imaging, pharmacy

• Madison Memorial Hospital — Rexburg, ID, ~80 mi west on US 20 · Full hospital

• West Yellowstone Police — Town offices · Non-emergency police services

• First Security Bank — 106 S Electric St · Full-service branch and ATM. Additional ATMs in grocery stores, hotels, and gas stations

• Gas: Cenex — 136 Canyon St · Open about 6:30 am–11 pm

• Gas: Chevron — 3 Canyon St · Next to Eagle's Store

• Gas: Mobil — 11 Yellowstone Ave · Closest to the park gate

• West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center (Chamber of Commerce) — 30 Yellowstone Ave · Open year-round; town info plus an NPS ranger desk (summer and winter) with geyser predictions

• Hebgen Lake Ranger District (Custer Gallatin NF) — 330 Gallatin Rd · Forest campgrounds, trail and ski-pass info

• West Yellowstone Public Library — 23 N Dunraven St · Free Wi-Fi, public computers, Montana Room on regional history

• Post Office — 209 Grizzly Ave · ZIP 59758

• Town of West Yellowstone offices — 440 Yellowstone Ave · Permits, town services

• Fuel tip: "Regular" gas in West Yellowstone is often 85 octane because of the altitude; if your vehicle requires 87, choose midgrade.

Sources: Ready Gallatin, NPS Visitor Center, Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Recreation & Tours

West Yellowstone is a year-round outfitter hub: park bus tours and fly fishing in summer, snowmobiles and snowcoaches from December 15 to March 15.

Park tours (summer and winter)

• Yellowstone Vacation Tours (Buffalo Bus Touring Co.) — 415 Yellowstone Ave · Summer bus tours of the Lower and Upper loops; winter snowcoach and guided snowmobile tours

• See Yellowstone / Yellowstone Alpen Guides — 555 Yellowstone Ave · Guided snowcoach and snowmobile tours, multi-day winter packages

• Yellowstone Adventures — 131 Dunraven St · Snowmobile rentals and guided park tours

Snowmobile rentals (winter)

• Two Top Snowmobile Rentals & Tours, 645 Gibbon Ave: rentals and guided park tours

• Rendezvous Snowmobile Rentals (Yellowstone Vacations), 415 Yellowstone Ave: sleds plus head-to-toe clothing rental

• Travelers Snowmobile Rentals, 36 Electric St: packages with Days Inn lodging

• 400+ miles of groomed trails start right from town streets; the famous ride is , with wind-sculpted "snow ghost" trees and views into three states. Riding inside the park requires a commercial guide.

Fishing guides and fly shops

The Madison, Firehole, Gibbon, and Gallatin rivers plus Hebgen and Henry's lakes make this one of the best trout towns anywhere. Guided float and wade trips: Blue Ribbon Flies, Big Sky Anglers, Madison River Outfitters, Jacklin's, and Arrick's. Park waters need a Yellowstone fishing permit; outside the park, a Montana license.

Horseback riding and rodeo

• Diamond P Ranch (Teton Horses), 2865 Targhee Pass Hwy (US 20), 7 mi west: guided trail rides into the national forest since 1953

• Jake's Horses: year-round rides in the Gallatin and Beaverhead forests

• Parade Rest Guest Ranch, 10 mi north: rides and chuckwagon dinners

• Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo, US 20 west of town: summer evening rodeos (roughly late June through August), with ride-and-rodeo combo tickets

Bikes, skis, and other rentals

• Freeheel & Wheel, 33 Yellowstone Ave: bike rentals by the hour or day, Nordic ski and snowshoe rentals, lessons

• Rendezvous Ski Trails: trailhead at 100 S Geyser St; 30+ km of groomed Nordic trails on the south edge of town; mountain biking and hiking in summer (daily or season pass required in winter)

• Car rentals: at Yellowstone Airport (summer) and Big Sky Car Rentals, 415 Yellowstone Ave

• Boat rentals: marinas on Hebgen Lake: Yellowstone Holiday (16990 Hebgen Lake Rd), Madison Arm Resort (5475 Madison Arm Rd), and Kirkwood Marina (35 Kirkwood Creek Rd)

Sources: Destination Yellowstone tours, Two Top, Diamond P Ranch, Freeheel & Wheel

Attractions

The town's headline attraction is the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, open 365 days a year; the rest of the list mixes history, live shows, and outdoor scenery within an hour's drive.

In town

• Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center — 201 S Canyon St · Nonprofit wildlife park with grizzlies, two wolf packs, river otters, and seasonal raptors (May–Nov); tickets good for two days; plan 2+ hours

• Museum of the Yellowstone — 104 Yellowstone Ave · Regional history in the 1909 Union Pacific depot: railroads, early tourism, the 1959 earthquake

• Westgate Theatre — 29 Madison Ave · Family musical theater every summer

• Yellowstone Giant Screen Theatre — 101 S Canyon St · Six-story screen, Yellowstone films and new releases; next to the Visitor Center

• West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center — 30 Yellowstone Ave · Exhibits, ranger desk, Old Faithful eruption predictions

• Yellowstone Big Gun Fun — 15 Madison Ave · Guided shooting-range experience

• Yellowstone Nature Connection — 10 Yellowstone Ave · Nonprofit nature programs for families

• Union Pacific Dining Lodge and historic district — 210 Yellowstone Ave · 1920s railroad-era buildings near the old depot
   

Trails right from town

• Riverside Trail: about 6 miles (one way) from the east edge of town into the park to the Madison River; good for walking, biking, and spotting wildlife

• Boundary Trail: 3.8-mile loop around town and a 5-mile route north to Baker's Hole; dog-friendly

• Rendezvous Ski Trails: Nordic skiing in winter, hiking and mountain biking in summer

Within an hour's drive

• Yellowstone West Entrance → Madison Junction — 14 mi · Madison River valley, bison and elk, the start of the Grand Loop

• Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin — 30 mi · The park's most famous geyser area

• Grand Prismatic Spring (Midway Geyser Basin) — 27 mi · Largest hot spring in the U.S.

• Hebgen Lake — 8–15 mi NW · Boating, fishing, lakeside campgrounds

• Earthquake Lake Visitor Center — 25 mi via US 191/287 · Site of the 1959 magnitude 7.5 quake and landslide that formed Quake Lake; open late May to mid-Sept, 10 am–5 pm

• Henry's Lake & Harriman State Park (Idaho) — 15–30 mi west · Trophy trout lake, wildlife, Mesa Falls Scenic Byway beyond

• Gallatin Canyon — 20–50 mi north on US 191 · Rafting, hiking, and the drive to Big Sky
   

Annual events

• Yellowstone Ski Festival and Nordic races on the Rendezvous Trails (Thanksgiving week and winter)

• World Snowmobile Expo (March)

• Rendezvous Ski Race (March)

• Fourth of July parade and fireworks

• Summer rodeo season and Westgate Theatre shows

Sources: Destination Yellowstone family adventures, PlanetWare

Seasonal Tips

• Summer (June–Aug) — Peak crowds; book lodging and tours months ahead; enter the park before 8 am to beat the gate line

• Fall (Sept–Oct) — Elk rut along the Madison, quieter town; many businesses close after mid-October

• Late fall (Nov–mid Dec) — Park roads close to cars in early November; quietest time in town; Nordic skiers arrive for early snow

• Winter (mid Dec–mid Mar) — Snowmobile and snowcoach season; temperatures can drop well below 0°F

• Spring (Apr–May) — Park roads reopen to cars around mid-April; spring bear and bison-calf viewing; some shops still closed
   

Sources

• Destination Yellowstone (West Yellowstone Chamber)

• NPS: West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center

• Visit Montana: West Yellowstone

• Visit Yellowstone Country: Best West Yellowstone Eats

• Custer Gallatin NF: Earthquake Lake Visitor Center

• We're in the Rockies: Groceries near Yellowstone

• First Security Bank locations