▷ The Best Guide to Visit West Yellowstone

Overview

West Yellowstone is a modest town found in Gallatin County. Located just adjacent to the Yellowstone National Park, it currently shelters more than 1,000 residents. Included in the Bozeman Micropolitan Statistical Area, this town in Montana offers a great destination for exploring nature and wildlife and takes pride in being the best place for learning and enjoying the basics of skiing.

Things to Do

West Yellowstone’s geographical location and terrain provide the various activities that keep travelers and visitors coming. Communing with nature despite different seasons can be very well enjoyed in town.

The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in South Canyon shelters the natural habitats of wolves and bears while giving visitors a fun learning experience.
The Yellowstone Fishing Guides organizes fishing and boating activities for everyone along Madison River.
For an unforgettable and enjoyable horseback riding experience, the Diamond P Ranch is the place to go. Situated on Targhee Pass Highway, it never fails to delight the whole family with its friendly and accommodating service staff.
For fabulous film documentation of the history and sights of West Yellowstone, take time to experience the 6-story screen of the Yellowstone IMAX Theatre.
The Rendezvous Trail System can be considered as West Yellowstone’s most commended ski trails. Starting at the intersection of Geyser Street and Obsidian Avenue, these ski trails provide thrill and fulfillment to adventurous visitors sloping down the snow.

Best Hotel Accommodations

A place to stay while in West Yellowstone will never be a problem. With its numerous hotels and inns sprawled all over town, visitors and travelers will definitely have an unforgettable stay in town. A favorite of many is the Alpine Motel. Located on Madison Avenue, this modest motel gives its guests a homey feel because of the owners’ hospitality and friendly service. The rooms are neat and have free internet access. Another recommended is the Lazy G Motel on Hayden Street. It has 15 clean rooms and is very surprising for its affordable price.

Other wonderful places to spend the night include the Hebgen Lake Mountain Inn and the Kelly Inn on South Canyon Street. Book your West Yellowstone Hotels with Reservations.com.

When to Visit

Scheduled during Thanksgiving Week, cross country skiers across the United States and Canada flock to West Yellowstone for the Yellowstone Ski Festival. Celebrated for more than 30 years now, thousands of skiers gather annually during the ski season to compete for ski races, join skiing clinics, and take part in various ski shows and classes. Open to everyone from beginning skiers to amateurs to spectators, this season is the best time to witness great skiers and be informed of the latest ski gears and equipment.

Restaurants and Dining

West Yellowstone has a distinct line-up of dining spots that are sure to please everyone’s gastronomical preferences. Delectable breakfast and brunch of Danish specialties are offered by the Woodside Bakery. Located on Madison Avenue, its pastries and sandwiches satisfy diners and has become a favorite of many in West Yellowstone. Among their bestsellers include cinnamon rolls, croissants, thunderbolt éclairs, and berry pies. The Taqueria Las Palmitas on North Canyon Street serves the best tacos and delights customers with its entire store being uniquely situated on a bus. For spectacular Spanish specialties such as tortilla and calamari, head to the posse Cafe Madriz. For everyday meals and takeouts, check out Kiwi’s Takeaway along Firehole Avenue.

How to get to Yellowstone Park

Deciding what airport you want to fly into means taking into account a couple of factors.

The closest airport is the Yellowstone Airport which only 10 minutes from the West Entrance. While notably smaller than other options, this will give you a lot more flexibility in planning out your schedule because of its close proximity to the park.

If you’re scheduling savvy and looking to see more of what the area has to offer, the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is pretty close to the Park’s Northern Entrance and is only an hour and a half drive. This airport is great if you’re planning on visiting the Glacier National Park in Montana.

Alternatively, the Idaho Falls Regional Airport would mean an extra hour’s drive but is a worthwhile option if you’re considering swinging by the Grand Teton National Park.

A lot of people simply and rightfully include Yellowstone as an integral stopping point as part of a larger journey. If you are planning a larger road trip there are a few larger airports that you’ll want to consider.

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport can you put you on a good path to see the Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone along with a myriad of other monumental sites.

The Denver International Airport will also put you on route to the Grand Teton National Park, The Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain National Park.

The Salt Lake City International Airport puts you nearly in the middle of a state rich with its own beautiful vistas. Zion’s National Park in St. George, Utah is about a 4-hour drive from Salt Lake. It’s in the opposite direction from Yellowstone, but still a fantastic inclusion in making a memorable trip.

The best part of all of this is that most if not all airports provide car rental services. Not only are they extremely affordable but it’s one less thing to stress about. Regardless of where you choose to start your journey and where you decide to end it, having a reliable form of transportation to ensure that everything goes smoothly and you can enjoy a long-deserved vacation.

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