Cities Near Yellowstone to Visit on Your National Park Trip

Northern Entrance to Yellowstone: Gardiner, MT

Nestled along the Yellowstone River off of Highway 89, Gardiner is a small but significant town at the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. As the original entrance to the Park featuring the iconic Roosevelt Arch, Gardiner lays claim to a rich history. For an elevated cabin experience with a view, stay at Yellowstone Park Riverfront Cabins. Or, stay a little further north close to the charming town of Livingston at Yellowstone Valley Lodge

While you’re in Gardiner, take a stroll down to Confluence Park to enjoy some time down by the river, or if the weather agrees, consider signing up for a guided rafting trip with local Wild West Rafting. Be sure to visit the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center, which boasts one of the largest collections of National Park Service records in the United States. The Center offers free tours on Wednesday evenings from Memorial Day to Labor Day. At the end of the day, relax at Yellowstone Hot Springs and then grab a bite at Yellowstone Pizza Company.

Yellowstone Adventure from Gardiner: Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs is one of Yellowstone’s most popular attractions, and for good reason. This is where you’ll get to see some of the Park’s most phenomenal geothermal features, creating a landscape that will make you feel like you’ve landed on another planet. Since the floods of 2022 destroyed a good portion of the original road leading from Gardiner to Mammoth, if you’re visiting in 2024, you’ll get to journey along the “new” Old Gardiner Road, ascending through majestic mountain scenery to get there. Budget in extra time for the drive and to explore the terraces on foot.

West Entrance to Yellowstone: West Yellowstone, MT

West Yellowstone is a bustling, Western-inspired town nearest to Old Faithful. There are plenty of lodging options available, including the family and pet-friendly Explorer Cabins at West Yellowstone.

Be sure to check out the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, a world-class educational center that offers fun for all ages, and yes, you’ll also get to see bears, wolves, and other live animals when you go. If you happen to visit in the winter, join Backcountry Adventure for a thrilling guided snowmobile ride in the park.

For a blast from the past, enjoy classic diner fare at the Canyon Street Grill, or chow down on some excellent tacos at Las Palmitas taco bus. After dinner, enjoy a show at the Playmill Theater before resting up for a great day in the Park.

Yellowstone Adventure from West Yellowstone: Old Faithful

While there are many fantastic sites to explore near West Yellowstone, you haven’t really experienced the Park if you haven’t been to Old Faithful. Erupting around 15-20 times a day and reaching heights of up to 120 feet, this spectacular active geyser is a reminder that there’s a lot more going on below the surface.

While the famous geyser is only about 30 miles from West Yellowstone, be sure to budget up to an hour to get there during busy months. Since it can be up to 90 minutes (give or take) between eruptions, take some time to stop by the historic Old Faithful Inn, visit the gift shop and see some of the best authentic “Parkitecture” around. Once you’ve witnessed Old Faithful in all its glory, it will be well worth the wait.

East Entrance to Yellowstone: Cody, WY

If you love the Wild West, you’ll have a grand old time in Cody, Wyoming, known for being founded by a group that included the iconic Western soldier and showman William “Buffalo Bill” Cody. This beautiful spot near the East entrance of the Park offers good food, top notch Western shopping, and a thriving community spirit that shines through.

Stay at the 100-year-old Irma Hotel if you want the full Cody experience, or try the K3 Guest Ranch for some authentic Western hospitality.

You’ll definitely want to make time for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, where you can explore the history, art, science and culture of the region. Then, head to Old Trail Town’s authentic frontier town to get a glimpse of how that history really felt. If you’re there in summer, Cody hosts a nightly rodeo featuring both professional and amateur barrel racing, calf roping, bull riding, and more. Enjoy a meal at the Irma Hotel (even if you don’t stay there, its dining room is not to be missed), and then finish the night with a banana split from Annie’s Soda Saloon.

Yellowstone Adventure from Cody: Yellowstone Lake

A little over an hour from Cody, Yellowstone Lake is a stunning, expansive lake that offers an opportunity to glimpse incredible wildlife, see pristine landscapes, and take part in a variety of recreational pursuits. Just driving the perimeter of this high elevation lake (the largest in North America) is a treat, but visitors can also camp, hike, paddle, or enjoy an afternoon of fishing. One of the best activities to try is a boat tour on the Lake Queen, which will allow you to see much more of the lake and its environs as well as the historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel.

Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone: Cooke City & Silver Gate, MT

Located near the Northeast Entrance on the Montana-Wyoming border, these small but mighty Yellowstone border towns offer plenty of charm, easy access to outdoor recreation, and a hearty welcome to Yellowstone adventurers.

Check in at Grizzly Lodge, a warm and rustic lodging option along beautiful Soda Butte Creek, then head to downtown Cooke City to take a stroll down main street, where you’ll find gift shops, restaurants and cafes. The next day, enjoy the beauty of the area’s trails with a guided horseback ride, hike, or bike adventure, then head back to the Miner’s Saloon, a classic Western bar that also has great pizza and fresh food.

Yellowstone Adventure from Cooke City & Silvergate: Drive the Beartooth Highway

Known as one of America’s most scenic roads, the Beartooth Highway is an experience not to miss. The road is only open from May through October, so you’ll want to time your visit for that window. You’ll experience amazing vistas, see wildlife, and climb so high that you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world.