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The West Yellowstone Destination covers parts of Wyoming and Montana, as well as a relatively small portion of Idaho. The region has a variety of national parks and forest areas, with part of Yellowstone National Park being found in the area, as well as the Custer Gallatin National Forest and parts of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Cities found in the area include the capital of Montana, Helena; Billings, Montana; Cody, Wyoming; Bozeman, Montana; and the namesake of the destination, West Yellowstone, Montana. Yellowstone National Park is a notable attraction in the region, with the opportunity for tourists to view wildlife, visit a variety of geysers, and hike. A variety of trails can be found throughout the park, including Washburn Peak and Sepulcher Mountain.[7] Custer Gallatin National Forest is another notable site, with 3,411,239 acres of protected land available to be explored. Through the forest passed six separate mountain ranges, including Bridger, Madison, and Crazy mountain ranges.[1] The largest city in the region is Billings, Montana, with a population of 184,167 people, according to the 2020 census.[2] Weather in the city and throughout the destination varies throughout the year, but the reported “best time” to visit the destination for warm-weather activities is from late June to late August. [4]
The West Yellowstone Destination is located in the northwestern corner of Wyoming and Montana. The region encompasses cities such as Cody, Wyoming; Billings, Montana; and Bozeman, Montana. Montana's capital city, Helena, is also found within the borders of the region. The namesake of the destination, West Yellowstone, resides in the southern part of the destination. Notable landmarks in the area include parts of Yellowstone National Park, Custer Gallatin National Forest, and parts of Crow Nation, a Native American Reservation.
The namesake, West Yellowstone, was founded in 1919. In 1905, the president of the Union Pacific Railroad traveled through Yellowstone National Park and decided to create a train route that could take passengers to the park. As time progressed, businesses started forming in the surroundings of the train station. The city of West Yellowstone was originally part of the land federally recognized as Yellowstone National Park, but in 1919 former President Woodrow Wilson repealed the area now known as West Yellowstone so the city could officially form. Today, the city is known for its entrance to Yellowstone National Park.[6]
Another notable attraction in the destination is the Custer Gallatin National Forest, which is situated on the border between Montana and Wyoming. The forest is comprised of 3,411,239 acres of land and is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, as the national forest is on the border of the national park that the ecosystem is named after. Six separate mountain ranges pass through the national forest, namely the Gallatin, Madison, Crazy, Beartooth, Bridger, and Absaroka. A variety of vegetation is found throughout the forest, as lower-elevation areas tend to grow various grasses and sagebrush, and higher-elevation areas support plants such as spruce, Douglas fir, cottonwood, and aspen trees. Throughout the forest, hiking trails can be found, as well as campgrounds. Snowmobiling is also possible during the winter months.[1]
Yellowstone National Park is also found partially within the destination. Viewing wildlife is a possible activity to participate in within the park. The Lamar Valley is reportedly a good place to see grey-headed wolves in the park. Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest basin in Yellowstone and is said to feature the "world's tallest geyser" as well. Hiking is also an option for those visiting the national park, with hikes such as Washburn Peak, Avalanche Peak, and Sepulcher Mountain. [7]
The largest city in the destination is Billings, Montana. Billings is also the largest city in the state of Montana. As of the 2020 census, there are 184,167 people living within the Billings Metropolitan Area, which includes three neighboring counties. Nicknamed "Magic City" due to its growth after the founding of the railroad and subsequent town, Billings reportedly is one of the largest trade areas in the United States. Per the 2010 census records, the most predominant race in the city is white (89.6%), followed by Native American (4.4%), African American (0.8%), and Asian (0.1%).[2]
The city of West Yellowstone has a variety of attractions that those visiting the area may be interested in outside of visiting Yellowstone National Park. Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is a not-for-profit wildlife park that is home to grizzly bears and wolves that are "unfit to survive in the wild." The park features a variety of outdoor habitats that the public can view. Additionally, for those looking for cross-country ski opportunities, the Rendezvous Trail System is located at the edge of West Yellowstone city limits. Due to the elevation of the trails, with a base elevation of 6,800 feet, the trails are generally snow-covered from November to March annually. [3]
The West Yellowstone Destination is located where the states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming meet. Montana and Wyoming make up the majority of the region, with only a relatively small portion of Idaho included in the boundary. Natural areas that can be visited include portions of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Yellowstone National Park, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, and the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The largest city in the destination, Billings, Montana, sits partially in the Yellowstone Valley, and seven mountain ranges can be seen from the city limits, including the Pryor Mountains, the Beartooth Mountains, and the Bull Mountains, to name a few.[2]
As Billings, Montana, has the largest population in the area and is located in the Yellowstone Valley with the majority of the destination, it can be used to approximate weather patterns for the West Yellowstone Destination.[2] Throughout the year, the temperature in Billings is generally between 20 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, rarely being warmer than 98 degrees and cooler than -2 degrees Fahrenheit. For warm-weather activities, it is recommended that guests visit between June and August due to annual weather conditions. During this time, the average high is above 79 degrees Fahrenheit, with the hottest month generally being July. The “cold season” in the destination is reportedly from November to February, with December having average highs of 37 degrees Fahrenheit.[4]
As the destination is home to multiple national forests and Yellowstone National Park, there is a variety of flora and fauna that can be found. One notable animal which resides in the region is the American bison. Wapiti, moose, North American porcupines, and American beavers are also mammals found in Yellowstone National Park and surrounding areas. Bald eagles have also been spotted in the areas surrounding the city of West Yellowstone. Other birds native to the area include tree swallows, ospreys, yellow-rumpled warblers, and yellow-headed blackbirds. A variety of plants and flowers grow in the national park, as well as the surrounding national forests, such as yellow columbine, creeping bellflower, western rattlesnake plantain, and bearberry. [5]
The region that is now known as the West Yellowstone Destination was originally inhabited by Native Americans. Specifically, the city of Billings, Montana, was inhabited by the Crow Tribe, who claimed the territory in the 1700s. The present-day Crow Nation is located south of the city. In 1806, the Lewis and Clark expedition traveled through the area, stopping at Pompey’s Pillar, where William Clark carved his name into it. This carving is reportedly the only physical evidence that the Lewis and Clark expedition traveled the course it did. Over time, the city continued to grow and is presently the largest city in the state of Montana. The formation of the railroad, as well as the discovery of oil fields in nearby areas, led to this growth.[2]
The city of Helena, Montana, is the current capital of the state and county seat of Lewis and Clark County. Artifacts found around the city show that a variety of Native American tribes used the area periodically. After Lewis and Clark traveled through the area on their expedition in 1805, more people traveled to the area, and gold was discovered in 1864, where the present-day main street of the city sits. Today, Helena is known for its agricultural and livestock trade, as well as the construction of the capitol building, which is copper covered and features a reproduction of the Statue of Liberty on the top. [8]
The K3 Guest Ranch is located in Cody, Wyoming, and is one hour from Yellowstone National Park. The ranch covers 33 acres and has scenic views, two trout streams, and animals for guests to see. There are a total of seven rooms available for guests to choose, each ranging in size and comfort levels. An abundant amount of animals roam on the property and the owner is happy to allow guests to feed them, pet them, and play with them. Another unique thing about the property is that the staff make the breakfast food over a campfire instead of using an oven, to create a more authentic, outdoor meal.
...Read MoreThe Madison Hotel, Motel and Hostel
Currently under the ownership of Garrett and Jan Ostler, the Madison Hotel, Motel and Hostel is situated in fairly close proximity to Yellowstone National Park. In total, the property has 31 rooms available for guests to occupy, each of which is designated as either a hotel room, motel accommodation, or hostel room. Garrett believes that the most unique element of the Madison Hotel, Motel and Hostel is its historical significance, as it dates back to 1912. Garrett also says that the vicinity also resembles that of a historic town, and the inn is in a portion of West Yellowstone, Montana, which has a fairly Old West-style atmosphere. Many of those who stay at the Madison Hotel, Motel and Hostel are traveling to the area to visit Yellowstone National Park.
...Read MoreRed Bear Inn is a lodging establishment that can be found in the city of Ennis, Montana, which is north of Yellowstone, about an hour away by car. Yellowstone National Park is located about an hour away from the inn by car. With 27 total rooms to choose from, guests can find a simple and less expensive spot to stay with Red Bear Inn. Due to the location of the property, many of the restaurants in Ennis are within walking distance from the inn. There are also a number of mountains, rivers, and lakes that can be used for recreational activities in the area, with most of them being less than one hour away. The owner describes Red Bear Inn as a spot that's good as a home base while its visitors are either traveling to another location or out exploring the vicinity.
...Read MoreRobin's Nest Bed & Breakfast
Robin's Nest Bed and Breakfast, located in Cody, Wyoming, features four rooms that are available year-round for patrons. One of the rooms has a king bed, while the other rooms all have queen beds. Two of the rooms can accommodate three people, as one has a futon and another has a roll-away bed available. The establishment serves breakfast each morning, generally consisting of a fruit course, an egg course, a meat course, and a baked course served "family-style," according to Robin, the owner. Robin remarks that a popular dish is Bob's Upside-Down Stuffed French Toast, named after her husband, Bob. The bed and breakfast is situated near two entrances to Yellowstone National Park, where guests "have multiple ways into the park from Cody."
...Read MoreThe Rivers Bend Lodge is located in Cascade, Montana on an acre of land lining the Missouri River. Many guests who visit the lodge spend a majority of their time on the river. There are six rooms available for reservation at the lodge. Each room is decorated with Native American and wildlife themes. A complimentary breakfast is offered every morning and an evening meal can be prepared as well with extra cost. The Cascade area is known for its fishing opportunities and its proximity to Tower Rock State Park. Soren DeTienne built this home for his family to use for their own vacation needs and opened it up for rentals while the family is not using the lodge. The Rivers Bend Lodge is open year round.
...Read MoreJust an Experience
Just an Experience, located in Virginia City, Montana, has four accommodations available year-round for patrons. Two of these are guestrooms located in the main lodge, with the other two being independent cabins located within 100 yards of the main lodge. The two guestrooms each sleep up to two visitors, while the cabins can house up to six visitors at a time. Situated on 2.5 acres of land, the property has views of the mountains, a walkthrough garden, seating areas, and a yard where outdoor games can be played. Breakfast is served each morning, which includes fresh fruits, coffee, tea, and a dish such as french toast, eggs benedict, or fresh tamales. It is served between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. in the dining room of the main lodge. Carma and John Sinerius, the owners of the establishment, converted their family home into a bed and breakfast in 1990.
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