West Yellowstone
Wildlife, earthquake history and lakes in summer; snowcoaches and Nordic trails in winter.
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region · Public domain
The town at Yellowstone's West Entrance is the gateway to Old Faithful and the geyser basins—and in winter the base for guided snowmobile and snowcoach trips into the park. Head south on US-191 through the Gallatin Canyon and past Big Sky.
🚗 99–113 min (~1.6 hr) · about 90 miles via US-191
Hours, dates and seasons change—please check current schedules with each business or event before you go.
Late spring to fall
AZA-accredited, not-for-profit wildlife park next to the West Entrance. Open 365 days a year (its bears don't hibernate); admission is good for two consecutive days. Yellowstone rangers typically host free evening 'fireside chats' in the amphitheater in summer. Hours vary with the seasons.
In the historic Union Pacific Depot at 104 Yellowstone Ave, telling the story of travel to Yellowstone and of West Yellowstone. Open seasonally, mid-May to mid-October.
On August 17, 1959 a magnitude 7.5 earthquake sent 80 million tons of rock into the Madison Canyon in under a minute, damming the river and creating Earthquake Lake; 28 people lost their lives. The Forest Service center overlooks the slide, with exhibits, a working seismograph and a walk to the Memorial Boulder. Open daily 10am–5pm from Memorial Day weekend to Sept 15; free.
Kirkwood Marina rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards by the hour or day; Madison Arm Resort rents kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and SUPs (generally May 15 – Oct 1, weather permitting).
The Madison River runs through this corner of Montana; Bozeman-based guide services such as Fins & Feathers and Montana Angling Company run guided trips on it.
The 35+ km Rendezvous trail system on Forest Service land right outside town becomes a hiking and mountain-biking network in summer; trails open to bikes June 15 (bikes not allowed Oct 15 – June 15).
Mid-December to mid-March
From mid-December to mid-March most Yellowstone roads are open only to over-snow travel: the only way to reach Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is on a guided snowmobile or snowcoach tour (or the non-commercial permit program). Winter travel hours are 7am–9pm. Local operators such as Yellowstone Vacation Tours run daily tours from West Yellowstone—reserve ahead.
Over 35 km of gently rolling, groomed cross-country ski trails through lodgepole pine and meadows, managed by the Forest Service, the Chamber and the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation. Regular season typically December 1 – March 31; a day pass is required. Also open to snowshoers.
Typically one weekend a month from December to March, kids and families can try ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more with local experts; there's also a March ice-fishing camp. Registration opens a few weeks before each weekend.
West Yellowstone typically hosts a snowmobile expo in early March—in 2026 the Octane Expo (March 6–7) at Heritage Park featured vintage racing, kids' racing and a freestyle show. Check for next year's dates.
Madison Adventures offers guided ice fishing on Hebgen Lake.
Open every day of the year, including holidays—a warm-up stop between snowy adventures.
The former Yellowstone Giant Screen (IMAX) Theatre closed permanently in January 2026 and has been demolished. source