U.S. WEST
West Yellowstone is the ideal place from which to explore America’s oldest national park
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America’s oldest national park is also one of its largest—this guide of places to see in West Yellowstone, along with things to do and where to stay, should help you plan a special trip, without the overwhelm.
Based on my own family trip to Yellowstone, the key to success was to keep pacing reasonable (build in some downtime) and add enough variety to keep your travelers engaged, but not exhausted.
Yellowstone National Park is busy and many hotels inside the park book up, up to a year ahead. I chose to stay just outside the park, near the town of West Yellowstone, for several reasons. It is close to the park entrance and there is a lot to see and do within a manageable drive. The glamping resort Under Canvas Yellowstone where we wanted to stay, was also just a few minutes from town. Read my review, Glamping in Yellowstone.
A note about seasons: This guide is designed for travel in high season, May through September. If you visit in the winter, when large parts of Yellowstone are closed, West Yellowstone may not be the best area to stay in. More about that at the end of the article.
West Yellowstone: Things to do Near the Park
- Mountain Biking - Explore hundreds of miles of scenic paved routes
- Visit Grizzly & Wolf Wildlife Park -Observe and learn about rescued bears & wolves
- Fly Fishing - instructions available for beginners
- White Water Rafting and River Floats (Gardiner, Montana)
- Horseback Riding - explore the Gallatin National Forest
- Playmill Theatre - family-friendly musical productions such as Newsies and Cinderella in the town of West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone Map
West Yellowstone refers to both an area of the park (the west side and west entrance) and the charming town that is the gateway to this side Yellowstone National Park.
In town, you’ll find accommodation, dining and many outfitters to help plan and equip your adventures. If you aren’t sure what you want to do, wander around town, pop into some of the outfitters and get more information about activities currently running. Then grab a huckleberry ice cream cone and consider your options.
Above I listed things to do outside of the park. What to see and do inside the park, assuming you are staying on this side, comes next, below.
Things To Do In West Yellowstone
The high season months of June, July & August are ideal for outdoor exploration and adventure. These ideas should offer something fun for every type of traveller in your group.
1. Cycling. West Yellowstone is surrounded by terrific cycling terrain with lots of options for both mountain biking and paved cycling. Free Heel & Wheel is right in town and can set you up with bike rentals and advise on where to go, depending on your group’s interest and skill level.
2. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. Learn more about rescued grizzly bears and grey wolves and see a Yellowstone River Otter Exhibit. Learn how the animals and natural elements of the Yellowstone eco-system are all connected. Open 365 days a year; a Birds of Prey exhibit runs May to September.
3. Fly Fishing. If you’re an avid fly fisher you can pop in to Arrick’s on Canyon St. (the main street of town) and get advice on what flies to use. Or, book a guided float or walk/wade fishing trip. For beginners, instructional trips are available as well.
4. White Water Rafting & River Floats. You’ll have to drive to the town of Gardiner to take a trip down the Yellowstone River but it’s supposed to be great fun. Inquire about river floats for a more serene experience.
5. Horseback Riding. Ride through the Gallatin National Forest and enjoy views of Yellowstone National Park and the Continental Divide. The Diamond P Ranch has rides twice a day, every day except Sunday. Open Memorial Day through September.
6. The Playmill Theatre. This small-town theatre has operated since 1964 and gets rave reviews for its family-friendly musical productions such as Newsies and Cinderella. A local gem.
Dining in West Yellowstone
don’t miss!
- Huckleberry Ice Cream
- The Taco Bus (Los Palmitos) parked on Canyon Street
- Barbeque at Firehole
Yellowstone, the park itself, is not known for exceptional food. But there are some solid casual-dining options in the town of West Yellowstone. We particularly liked the Taco Bus known as Las Palmitas, which is parked right on Canyon, the main street that runs through town. (We preferred the tacos to the burritos.)
Other good options include: Firehole BBQ CO., the Beartooth Barbeque, Wild West Pizzeria and Ernie’s for breakfast. And don’t forget to try the local treat, Huckleberry ice cream; it’s served in many places! 🍦
We ate dinner one evening at the Bar n’ Ranch restaurant. We were staying on the same property, at Under Canvas. It’s less than 10 minutes from West Yellowstone. The food was very nice and the views wonderful. We thought prices were reasonable as well. You can see their dinner menu here.
West Yellowstone - What to See Inside the National Park
From the town of West Yellowstone you are well positioned to explore some of the most interesting attractions within the national park including Old Faithful, some pretty waterfall hikes, and the fascinating Grand Prismatic, the largest hot spring in the U.S.!
And if you are willing to drive further you can also explore the area of the park known as the Serengeti of America, the Lamar Valley.
Old Faithful
It takes about an hour to get to Old Faithful from West Yellowstone and the drive is scenic. Old Faithful is worth seeing, although we learned that the geyser doesn’t get a copy of its own schedule. It is supposed to erupt every 90 minutes or so, but it was almost 40 minutes late when we visited.
And don’t be fooled— we saw several mini eruptions which we mistook for the big show and were about to leave. Luckily a park employee told us to wait a little longer and we were glad we did because seeing the geyser erupt 150 feet in the air is pretty remarkable.
(TIP you can call the park hotline to find out when Old Faithful is next scheduled to erupt: 307-344-2751.)
Old Faithful Inn - Dining and Staying
You’ll find the Old Faithful Inn, next to the geyser. This national historic landmark was built in 1903 and is National Park architecture at its finest as well as the largest log structure in the world. Make sure to visit the hotel, if you come to see the geyser!
Dining at Old Faithful Inn historic dining room:
- Breakfast and lunch are first come, first served.
- Reservations are required for dinner, which can be made in advance for hotel guests.
- Day visitors can make same-day dinner reservations in person at the host stand.
Of course, you can also stay at this historic inn, but you will have to book well ahead, typically a year+ out!
• Reservations typically open on May 1 for the following summer season. For example, on May 1, 2025, bookings opened for stays through Summer 2026.
Waterfalls & Scenic Walks near West Yellowstone
Mystic Falls is a gorgeous cascade waterfall along the Little Firehole River. The Firehole Loop trail is a moderate hike of 2.4 miles which follows the river through the conifer forest.
Fairy Falls is one of the park’s most spectacular waterfalls at 200 feet high, and requires a significant hike. There are two ways to reach fairy Falls one is 5.4 miles return and the other is 6.6 miles there and back. Either park at the end of Fountain Flat Drive or park 1 mile south of Midway Geyser Basin at the Fairy Falls Parking Lot. This is on my list for next time!
Visiting Hot Springs in Yellowstone
Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is a 1.6 mile out and back trail gets a lot of traffic. It features a view of this stunning hot spring known for being the largest in the United States, and for its psychedelic colors. It’s the third-largest in the world — bigger than a football field and deeper than a 10-story building.
Alternatively you can see Grand Prismatic from the Midway Geyser Basin where a boardwalk also passes Excelsior Geyser, Turquoise Pool, and Opal Pool. Complete with dramatic sound effects.
West Thumb Geyser Basin: It’s a little further from West Yellowstone but this area filled with thermal pools and set at the edge of the enormous Yellowstone Lake is fascinating. The boardwalk allows a close-up view of the turquoise pools and is easily accessible. My kids loved this!
Yellowstone Wildlife Viewing - Lamar Valley & Hayden Valley
My one regret, and it’s a big one, is we didn’t get to the Lamar Valley. It’s apparently the best spot in Yellowstone from which to see wildlife, which is why it’s called America’s Serengeti. It is a significant distance from West Yellowstone and we had already travelled extensively through Grand Teton National Park so my teen crew was not keen on a lot of extra driving at that point in the trip.
The bison in Yellowstone N.P. are unique because it’s the only place in the U.S. where they’ve lived continuously since prehistoric times.
If wildlife viewing is your priority, you might want to consider spending a couple of nights in Gardiner or Cooke City to better position you to explore the Lamar Valley and nearby Hayden Valley. The ideal time to see wildlife is early in the morning.
Where to Stay in West Yellowstone
Glamping Resort - Under Canvas
If you are interested in a glamping adventure on the west side of the park, I recommend Under Canvas which is just a few minutes outside of town and set in a gorgeous open valley with pretty Montana mountain views.
Glamping gives you the benefit of being immersed in nature which I felt was the perfect compliment to the incredible nature experience you have as you tour Yellowstone National Park.
I loved the setting, the stream for swimming, and that lots of activities were available on site. The Bar N Ranch restaurant, which shares the property is also very good.
Tents are available in various sizes including those with full ensuite bathrooms. If interested, read my complete review of Under Canvas Yellowstone.
RV Park - Yellowstone Holiday RV Campground
The Yellowstone Holiday RV Campground & Marina has 16 cabins as well as RV sites at its pretty lakeside setting with a swimming beach and shoreline fishing. Another great option for families, whether you are traveling by RV or not.
They rent kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, and have a 22′ pontoon boat. Free activities include volleyball, horseshoes, barbecues and fire pits.
For campers there are shower facilities, laundry, and a camper kitchen. There’s also a general store and free WiFi.
Budget Friendly - Alpine Motel
The Alpine Motel gets rave reviews for basic but very clean accommodation and friendly helpful management. I liked the location in the heart of town and based on the reviews I would be very comfortable staying here. It has received Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice awards and has consistently high ratings. Breakfast is included.
Family Friendly - Kelly Inn
If you are traveling with kids and want to stay right in town, check out the Kelly Inn. It also received the Traveler’s Choice Award from TripAdvisor. The rooms look spacious and it has some family-friendly extras such as an indoor pool and mini-fridges in the room.
(When we travel with our kids, I love having a fridge to keep drinks and snacks cold.) Breakfast included.
Winter in Yellowstone
Yellowstone’s Northern Range is the only area of the park accessible by car in winter. The road connects Gardiner (north entrance) and Cooke City (northeast entrance). Winter means you’ll avoid the crush of summer crowds, but the main reason to go is because it’s a great time of year to see wildlife, in particular wolves in the Lamar Valley.
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Whenever you go, I hope your group enjoys the splendor of America’s oldest national park as much as we did.
And if your travels will take you to the park next door, I’ve written an extensive Guide to Grand Teton National Park you might enjoy. Grand Teton is my favorite of the seven national parks I’ve visited!
2 Responses
hello do you have a printable itinerary? This was a lovely post and i loved all your photos. Thank you!
We are looking for a close Hilton Hotel property because we have points and prefer to stay there!
Thank you!
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie. I don’t have a printable itinerary. I recommend you check out itineraries from “Dirt in My Shoes”. They are created by a former park ranger and really well done. I purchased one for our trip. Hilton on points sounds great. Have a wonderful trip! https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/grand-teton-itinerary/