Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. West Yellowstone is a snowmobile mecca come winter. The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is open 365 days of the year, and all admission tickets are good for two-day entry. On top of the many places to visit, there's a wide range of things to do. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Parade Rest Ranch, 104 Yellowstone AvenueWest Yellowstone, MT 59758(406) 646-1100. We independently evaluate all recommended services and products. Take note a lot of them do not have full hook ups. Check out our Yellowstone guides by clicking here. There are so many great things to do in West Yellowstone that will help to compliment your time in Yellowstone National Park. Watch a film (especially the special IMAX-ready Yellowstone film) to pass the time when its raining or cold during your visit to town. Official site: https://www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.org/. With that in mind, here are our favorite things to do in West Yellowstone. Distance from West Yellowstone: 48 miles or 1 hour and 18 minutes give or take due to traffic and animals. Grand Prismatic Spring. Rugged snowcapped mountain ranges tower over alpine lakes, rolling grasslands, and dense conifer forests providing habitat for diverse wildlife from bighorn sheep and elk to black bears. These are always a great way to help the kids learn and stay focused! Yellowstone Historic Center Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Local places like Yellowstone Vacations offer guided snowmobiling expeditions of these areas. Rendezvous Trails Hike like a pro: Get an AllTrails Pro membership! See a Grizzly Family watching rescued grizzly bear at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center Photo: Courtesy West Yellowstone Chamber CVB 12 Best Hotels in Bozeman, MT The Top-Rated Hotels to Stay At! West Yellowstone Restaurants Besides those, you should also visit Memorial Boulder to pay respects to the people who died during the 1959 earthquake. Youll see stories about railways, the national forest, and even of people who traveled to the West to search for work. Driving from Bozeman to West Yellowstone - February 2024 Yellowstone Zipline Adventure Park Visitors come to hike scenic trails that lead to glacial lakes, go mountain biking along old dirt roads, go fly fishing on the many pristine streams and the Gallatin River stocked with native trout, hunt for big game in the fall, and camp under a blanket of stars. With only a seating capacity of 480, this theater provides an intimate setup that makes it easy to immerse yourself in the production being played. The lake is now a place of quiet reflection at the site of a tragic natural disaster that killed 28 people. These hiking trails of eight loops ranging from 1 to 12 miles that wind through rolling sagebrush hills and aspen forests. Never boring, summer in West Yellowstone brings many things to do. Wildflowers bloom in abundance in the summer months and the rushing waters of Daly Creek provide a tranquil soundtrack. The Rendezvous Trails offer stunning views of Yellowstone and wildlife-watching opportunities near West Yellowstone. Hayden Valley 8. The park's West Entrance is around a mile away, and the city borders it. Cross Country Skiing 6. West Yellowstone has a number of excellent campsites available just outside the park, which only serves to enhance its ability to serve as a hub of adventure for those visiting the area. Enter the centers habitat and boarding area and youll come face to face with these majestic predators at only feet away. What to Do One of the top things to do in West Yellowstone with kids is to say hello to other animals who live inside the park. , Recommended hiking boots: Salomon Quest 4 Gore-tex , Recommended jacket: The North Face Antora Jacket , Recommended hiking poles: Black Diamond Trail Cork Trekking Poles , Recommended day pack: Osprey Daylite Pack , Hike like a pro: Get an AllTrails Pro membership! Fly fishing West Yellowstone offers a bunch to for all members of the family. Cross country ski The shop has really nice mountain bikes and helmets for all ages, plus they do have bike trailers if you have little ones that wont be able to keep up. 201 S Canyon StreetWest Yellowstone, MT 59758(800) 257-2570. Located right on the Idaho border, Johnny Sacks cabin is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to accommodations near the West Entrance. The Rendezvous Trail System is one of the most significant outdoor community assets in West Yellowstone. Preparation is key: Before your trip, familiarize yourself with the local weather, trail conditions, and potential risks associated with outdoor activities. This six-story-tall movie screen is one of a kind in the region. The Playmill Theatre offers a fun night out for the whole family in West Yellowstone. The friendly and knowledgeable staff also provides safety training and NRA certification courses. We also got a few pizzas and they definitely hit the spot. But West Yellowstone's appeal extends well beyond its proximity to the park. Here are some recommended things to do in West Yellowstone that you will want to check out. That said, the Madison Arm Loop is a good place to start for those looking for a gentler experience, while the Two Top Trail is fantastic for the more adventurous riders. 29 Things to Do with Kids in West Yellowstone, MT | TripBuzz As part of that, it makes sense to bring some snacks and water along with you in case you are sitting and waiting longer than expected. Follow Leave No Trace: When enjoying the natural beauty of West Yellowstone, remember to leave the area as you found it. 17 Epic Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park By Catherine Parker | Reviewed by Ann Henson | Last updated on June 29, 2023 | Yellowstone National Park is known as the first national park in. West Yellowstone - Things to Do ; Silver Gate Guides; Search. The Daly Creek Trail offers a stunning hike through forest, meadows, and alongside a rushing mountain stream just minutes from West Yellowstone. Yellowstone Adventure Tours is an adventure travel company that takes you to different locations around Yellowstone National Park. West Yellowstone is the closest community to Yellowstone National Park. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Interested in having your whole Yellowstone trip planned out for you?! The center also hosts educational programs, living local history demonstrations, and childrens activities. They offer rentals and sales of guns including pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. If you want to make sure you dont miss anything when visiting Yellowstone National Park, then guided tours might be the best option for you! You can rent snowmobiles and sign up for a guided tour with Back Country Adventures. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone 6. Hebgen Lake Here are some tips for visiting the West Yellowstone area in Southwest Montana. Just outside of the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone thrives in the summer with park visitors. Despite its relatively small size the town boasts just over 1,300 permanent residents it is a busy hub for travelers looking for active escapes in Big Sky Country at any time of the year. West Yellowstone isn't a new vacation destination in Montana. Fortunately, West Yellowstone is surrounded on three sides by the Gallatin National Forest, which offers even more trails that riders can explore from the seat of their bike. Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. The friendly associates at the bike shop can also point you in the direction of some solid trails. The views of rolling hills and high mountains that you can see along the trail are simply spectacular. Situated less than 20 minutes northwest, this massive reservoir on the Madison River is a hot spot for summer recreation. The locals favorite spot for a cold beer and good times after a long day of hiking Yellowstone National Park, the pub offers an array of microbrews on tap, a full menu of casual bar food like burgers, nachos, and hot wings, and live music on weekends to draw crowds to its dining room and deck with scenic views of Electric Peak. By illuminating Yellowstones fascinating past, the Yellowstone Historic Center aims to inspire visitors to value and protect Americas first national park and the world it represents. Plus there is a great museum in the visitor center, restaurants and multiple general stores. I offer custom national park itinerary planning as a service to help you make the most of your adventures! Watch a Movie at Yellowstone's Giant Screen Theater 7. Zipline Adventure Park Unlimited Fun in West Yellowstone. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Holiday Inn West Yellowstone, an IHG Hotel, Related: Best Restaurants in West Yellowstone, Gallatin Road & US-191Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730(307) 344-7381. Mammoth Hot Springs Plus, you might even be able to spot more wildlife and you know you wont miss anything while youre in the most famous of Montanas national parks! The Ultimate Guide for West Yellowstone, MT - Travel Montana Now BOOK FLY FISHING TOUR HERE Mountain Mama's Coffeehouse and Bakery offers a caffeinated way to start the day. Whether youre a seasoned explorer or a newbie adventurer, this vibrant town is a treasure trove of outdoor experiences that invites you to immerse yourself in the untouched wilderness. Museum of the Yellowstone. With more than 400 miles of trails to ride, the region has a lot to offer those who prefer their snow sports to be motorized. This body of water is one of the must-see attractions in West Yellowstone because it is the largest hot spring in the whole country and the third-largest in the world. Recommended jacket: The North Face Antora Jacket Things can get wild out on the water at those times of the year, although the rafting remains excellent throughout the summer as well. See Yellowstone Tours is a local tour operator that offers visitors different kinds of experiences depending on what you want to see of the area. Enter the centers habitat and boarding area and youll come face to face with these majestic predators at only feet away. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western Weston Inn, 211 Yellowstone AvenueWest Yellowstone, MT 59758(800) 221-1151. Forget the downtown cinema in your city; this theater offers an unforgettable theater experience with its massive screen. Visitors can peruse souvenir shops along Madison Avenue stocked with gear for the park as well as arts and crafts made by regional artisans. Youll ride a hay wagon, horseback or van (depending on availability) to the outdoor cookout spot in the mountains where youll eat classic western food like baked beans, grilled chicken or steaks and coleslaw. Custer Gallatin National Forest Zipline Adventure Park Unlimited Fun in West Yellowstone, Private Yellowstone Tour: ICONIC Sites, Wildlife, Family Friendly Hikes + lunch. Feeding, approaching, or attempting to touch wildlife is dangerous and illegal. The museum isnt very big, but they have a great I Spy game for the kids to play and when they finish it they get a prize. My recommendationsBEST FOR BUDGET TRAVELERS: DUDE AND ROUNDUP Youll find tons of refreshing outdoor stuff to do in West Yellowstone that you wont be able to enjoy in the metropolis. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Yellowstone West Gate Hotel, 2865 Targhee Pass HwyWest Yellowstone, MT 59758(406) 646-0606. Situated at the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, the theater features a six-story domed screen that engulfs viewers in massive images of the park and beyond. Make sure to check the back of the menu for 20+ questions you can ask your kids to help them learn fun facts about Yellowstone while you wait for your food. You are guaranteed to see a grizzly at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, a nonprofit wildlife educational and research park at 201 S. Canyon St., in West Yellowstone. Where: Dont miss seeing one of the Wests long-lived traditions at Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo. Hebgen has been one of Montana's best lakes for a long time. The two-block long main drag features a quaint old west aesthetic with wooden sidewalks, antique street lamps and buildings dating back to the towns founding in the early 1900s. Nearby is the Union Pacific Depot Dining Room housed in the old Union Pacific Train Depot. The Theatre has been producing amazing live entertainment for over 50 years! Where: Missed seeing a grizzly in Yellowstone? The guided horseback riding tour through an old stagecoach trail is among the best things to do in West Yellowstone, MT, because of its relaxing and novel outdoor experience. All these insights and more at the museum add a deeper appreciation to the already inspiring landscape. She earned a, Have a Close Encounter with Grizzly Bears and Wolves, Ride a Mountain Bike on West Yellowstone Trails, Get Your Heart Pumping While Whitewater Rafting, Pitch Your Tent at a West Yellowstone Campground. To the north, steaming landscapes like Steamboat Geyser and Artists' Paintpots surround the Norris Geyser Basin. In fact, it is so much a part of the culture in the town that it is not uncommon to see snowmobiles zipping down the street alongside the regular traffic. Alongside the theatrical performance, engaging moments between acts offer other ways to enjoy the show. The lakes placid surface and mountain backdrop make Hebgen Lake a recreation gem and popular getaway near Yellowstone. While youre likely to be busy exploring the park during the day, I highly recommend spending a little time in the town if you possibly canits one of the top attractions in the Yellowstone region itself! 9 Awesome Things To Do In West Yellowstone - Crazy Family Adventure Today, this still-standing body of water is also known as Quake Lake and offers another popular place to visit. Yellowstone Zipline Adventure Park is open every day throughout the summer, with more limited hours in the shoulder seasons. 10 Things To Do In Jackson Hole: Complete Guide To Wyoming's Most - MSN Click for Privacy Policy / Disclosure Policy. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. National park essentialsYoull need to enter: National parks pass It was a popular destination in 1959, when an infamous earthquake rocked the Madison River Canyon below the Hebgen Dam. They also have new release movies and a couple other documentary films that also looked really interesting. Yellowstone Big Gun Fun is an outdoor shooting range and gun store in West Yellowstone, Montana located just outside Yellowstone National Park. The tour schedule and its transportation make it easier to see everything that there is to see inside the parks massive grounds. It also has spectacular views of the mountain range and forests. The lunch menu features sandwiches, burgers, and salads along with unique specialties like cheesesteak omelets and Navajo tacos. They do have a snack station just like a regular movie theatre and an awesome gift shop if you want to pick up some Yellowstone National Park gear. CHECK OUT TOUR OPTIONS FROM WEST YELLOWSTONE HERE Yellowstone Big Gun Fun. A mix of the charming, iconic, and modern. Basically a great collection of things that kids would love to do! Riders can take an enchanting tour of Yellowstone attractions, like Old Faithful and Norris Geyser Basin, covered in snow. After the shows final curtain call, many folks make the Playmill a tradition, returning year after year. Distance from West Yellowstone: 32 miles and 51 minutes, but same as above assume it is going to take longer and that there will be animal sightings or backups on the way.