West Yellowstone Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone

Outdoor opportunities abound in this gateway to Yellowstone National Park, with fishing, hiking and wildlife encounters all on your doorstep.

West Yellowstone is a town in Montana surrounded by national parks and many miles from a big city. See grizzly bears and wolves in their natural environment and explore the geysers, hot pools and hiking trails of neighboring Yellowstone Park.  Get to West Yellowstone by car from Salt Lake City in Utah, about 325 miles (523 kilometres) south. Ride a snow mobile to get around the town and surrounding wilderness in winter. Attractions such as an IMAX theatre and the Yellowstone Historic Centre keep you entertained indoors. 

Nestled beside the world-famous Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone has served as a gateway for those looking to explore its natural riches since 1908. Despite having a permanent population of just 1,200 the town receives more than 3.5 million visitors per year and is well set up to help tourists make the most of their time in the area. 

Head out into the park and waterfalls, geysers and rejuvenating hot pools that are all within easy reach of the town. Try and catch a trout in the nearby Madison and Gallatin rivers or rent a boat and enjoy a day on the water on Hebgen Lake. Enjoy a scenic drive out to the Earthquake Lake, which was formed in 1959 by a 7.5-magnitude earthquake.  

As you’d expect for a town that sits 7,000 feet (2,134 metres) above sea level, the winters can be harsh. This doesn’t have to stop you from getting into the outdoors. Wrap up warm and jump onto a snowmobile or take a tour of the area in a sled pulled by dogs. Cross-country skiing is also a popular activity. 

Visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery centre, where you can see grizzly bears and raptors in their natural environment. Learn about the town’s history in the Yellowstone Historic Centre, which holds old coaches and trains from the area and a display on the 1959 earthquake. Enjoy the area’s stunning scenery from the comfort of a seat in the IMAX cinema, or catch a show at the Bears Den Cinema. There are also outdoor theatre and musical performances in the town centre during the summer.

Where to stay in West Yellowstone

Default Image

Lazy Acres

While Lazy Acres may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Tweedy Lake and Two Top Mountain.

Lazy Acres
Default Image

Horse Butte

Plan a visit to nearby attractions like Hebgen Lake while you're exploring Horse Butte and the larger area.

Horse Butte
Gray Wolf Inn & Suites

Gray Wolf Inn & Suites

3 out of 5
250 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT
The price is ₹26,827 per night from 8 Aug to 9 Aug
₹26,827
₹31,567 total
8 Aug - 9 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in West Yellowstone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,277 reviews)
"Was very pleasant waiting for the opportunity to revisit"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Gray Wolf Inn & Suites
Yellowstone Westgate Hotel

Yellowstone Westgate Hotel

2.5 out of 5
638 Madison Ave, West Yellowstone, MT
The price is ₹25,029 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
₹25,029
₹28,205 total
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in West Yellowstone. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,021 reviews)
"Friendly staff, kids loved the late pool hours. They mailed back stuff that we had forgotten in the room, I am super grateful. Would happily stay again."

Reviewed on 22 Jul 2025

Yellowstone Westgate Hotel
Kelly Inn West Yellowstone

Kelly Inn West Yellowstone

2.5 out of 5
104 South Canyon, West Yellowstone, MT
Stay at this hotel in West Yellowstone. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,236 reviews)
"A great option when staying in the area. Definitely recommend it to families visiting YNP"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Kelly Inn West Yellowstone
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Terra Nova Cabins

Terra Nova Cabins

3 out of 5
35 Kirkwood Creek Road, West Yellowstone, MT
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly cabin in West Yellowstone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Kirkwood Marina and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (681 reviews)
"Enjoyed the staywith nice scenery"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Terra Nova Cabins
Castle in the Sky Unit X

Castle in the Sky Unit X

4 out of 5
128 D Pkwy, West Yellowstone, MT
Stay at this 4-star holiday home in West Yellowstone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and Netflix. Popular attractions Yellowstone Park West Entrance and West ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (12 reviews)
"I liked how clean it was as well as the fact that an icebox was provided, but the pots and pans in the kitchen were all very old and run down, some of them even had massive scratches in the Teflon coating, making it toxic and we weren't able to cook on them."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Castle in the Sky Unit X
The Yellowstone Hideaway Unit B

The Yellowstone Hideaway Unit B

4 out of 5
12 Gibbon Ave, B, West Yellowstone, MT
Stay at this 4-star apartment in West Yellowstone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and Netflix. Popular attractions Yellowstone Park West Entrance and West Yellowstone ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"Very well equipped property with full kitchen and laundry"

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2025

The Yellowstone Hideaway Unit B
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near West Yellowstone