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Montana Vacation Guide

Yellowstone Park Entrances

RED LODGE POST

Most visitors arrive at Yellowstone National Park during the summer months. This is expected as schools are not operating, and the weather is nice.




Is there any way to avoid crowds heading into Yellowstone? Maybe. Yellowstone has five entrances (East, South, Northeast, North, and West). Choosing one over others may be a tactic to get away from some of the congestion. A look at the number of visitors at each of the Park’s entrances is helpful in this regard.

Yellowstone entrances
Yellowstone National Park entrances. Map courtesy National park Service.

During July (2019), 12.3% of visitors entered the Park from near Cody, Wyoming; 21.8% of visitors entered from near Jackson, Wyoming; 6.6% entered from near Red Lodge, Montana; 16.0% entered from near Gardiner, Montana; and a whopping 43.2% entered from near West Yellowstone, Montana. A total of 936,062 visitors entered Yellowstone at all entrances in July 2019.

These numbers depend on lots of factors, such as where visitors come from (home states) and nearby “feeder” cities. Bozeman is many miles from the west side of the Park, but many people fly into the Bozeman airport, then head south to enter the Park at West Yellowstone, Montana. Jackson, Wyoming likely draws many who take in Grand Teton National Park before heading north to Yellowstone.

Where visitors enter the Park depends on circumstances of their travel. Still travelers from the Northwest, Midwest, and Canada, may want to choose entrances near Red Lodge or Gardiner Montana. Both Red Lodge and Gardiner have lots to offer before heading to an official Park entrance.

Northeast Entrance

Red Lodge is a charming town. Plus, Red Lodge is a starting point for travel up the amazing, scenic Beartooth Highway (U.S. 212) as it winds up into the mountains toward the Northeast Entrance to the Park. Inside the Park, the highway passes through the Lamar Valley, a scenic area, home to bears, buffalo, and other wildlife.

MTbest: In Red Lodge stay at the Pollard Hotel (406) 446-0001; dine at Carbon Fork Restaurant.

North Entrance

When entering from the North Entrance of the Park at Gardiner, visitors are greeted by the famous Roosevelt Arch. A few more miles down the road is Mammoth Hot Springs.

Before heading to the North Entrance of Yellowstone, many travelers stop in Livingston, about 53 miles north of Gardiner. Time spent in Livingston is sure to please, since Livingston is such an attractive small town. Livingston has many art galleries, nice restaurants, a historic hotel, an amazing historical museum, and much more.

Murray Hotel MT
Photos in this ad courtesy Murray Hotel. Sandy Archives.

MTbest: In Livingston, stay at the Murray Hotel (406) 222-1350; dine at Gil’s Goods Restaurant.

West Entrance

The West Entrance of the Park, near the village of West Yellowstone, puts visitors close to the Old Faithful Geyser and lower geyser basin.  West Yellowstone has an abundance of lodging and restaurants. Grizzly bears in captivity can be viewed at Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center at the east edge town.

MTbest: In West Yellowstone stay at the Hibernation Station (800) 580-3557; dine at Three Bear Restaurant.

East Entrance

Starting from Cody, Wyoming, visitors arrive at the East Entrance to the Park not far from Yellowstone Lake. The drive from Cody to the East Entrance is very scenic as the highway winds up into the mountains to the Park’s boundary. There’s lots of things to do in Cody. This makes the East Entrance ideal for entering or exiting the Park.

MTbest: In Cody, stay at the Chamberlin Inn (307) 587-0202; dine at Irma Hotel Restaurant.

South Entrance

The South Entrance is the gateway to Grand Teton National Park to the south and all the fun stuff in Jackson, Wyoming.





Absaroka Mountain, Mont.

© 2021 John Sandy

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About Montana

Enjoy the Treasure State. Learn about people and places.

 

 

 

Books on travel in the Treasure State. A few history books, too. Snag and read a few books before you go.

 

Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts

Wonderful lodging of all kinds is available for travelers in most cities, big and small. Here are a few choices that are sure to please. Prices for rooms are a bit higher during the peak tourist season. Lodging in Montana is still a good value, however.

Explore The Best

Experience the Treasure State

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  • Go to Official Montana Travel Website
  • Highest Mountain Peaks in Montana, with Elevation, County, and Mountain Range
  • Gates of the Mountains. Montana Painting for Sale
  • Fishing in the Bitterroot River in Montana
  • Fishing on the Madison River in Montana
  • Fishing the Upper Missouri River in Montana
  • Minnesota farms and farming undergo major changes in 1940s and 1950s: A revolution in farm machinery sweep the land
  • Horseback Riding in Montana
  • Trip planning Glacier National Park Montana.
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  • Glacier Park Chalets
  • Thomas Cruse: Prospector, Banker, and Rancher
  • Lookout Cabin Rentals
  • Montana National Forests
  • Bozeman Hotels
  • Yellowstone Park Entrances
  • Current Weather in Montana
  • Glacier Park Webcams
  • Blackfeet Tribe and Glacier Park
  • Saint Mary Lake
  • Glacier Reborn
  • Wildlife Refuges
  • Montana on my Mind
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  • Many Glacier Hotel
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  • Trail of the Cedars
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RSS Glacier Official News

  • Glacier Park updates for Mother’s Day weekend 08/05/2025
  • Glacier National Park Taking Comments on Multiple Utility Projects 06/03/2025
  • Glacier National Park’s Fire Management Plan Environmental Assessment available for public input 10/02/2025
  • Timed Entry Vehicle Reservations open February 13 07/02/2025

RSS Yellowstone Official News

  • Man gored by bison in Yellowstone National Park 07/05/2025
  • Select Yellowstone National Park entrances and roads open to public April 18 10/04/2025
  • Yellowstone National Park's winter season begins Dec. 15, 2024 10/12/2024

Hiking In Helena Montana

Want to go hiking in the mountains. Try the trail that goes to the top of Mt. Helena, in Helena. This is an easy one even for young people. Elevation at top, 5,468 feet. Biking allowed too. The view of the mountains to the south and west from the top is awesome.

Don’t Miss in Montana

Montana Historical Society Museum in Helena. *** Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. *** Bigfork, a quaint and charming town in the wilderness. *** Funky downtown Missoula.

Shop Merino Wool Clothing

Made is Montana is always special. For the finest Merino Wool clothing go online to DuckworthCo.com. Wool used in their products comes from sheep raised on a ranch in southwest Montana.

Montana Luxury Vacations

Luxury vacation destinations offer extra nice lodging, great cuisine, and abundant activities, all in beautiful surroundings:. Triple Creek Ranch near Darby, Montana in the Bitterroot Valley offers so much. (406) 821-4600. TrippleCreekRanch.com. *** The Resort at Paws Up near Greenough, Montana, located 35 minutes northeast of Missoula, rivals the best. (877) 580-6343. PawsUp.com *** The Sage Lodge, a few miles south of Livingston, Montana, offers luxury and great amenities. This is a new resort. In a word, very Nice. (855) 400-0505. SageLodge.com *** The Silver Bow Club, in southwest Montana, offers luxury and wonderful outdoor activities. In Divide, Montana. (406) 491-2157. Silverbowclub.com ***

Gold Prospecting Supplies

The Prospector Shop is on U.S. Highway 12 a few miles west of Helena, Montana. A great place to pick up all kinds of supplies needed for prospecting. Gold mining pans and more. Nice souvenirs here too for wanna-be prospectors. Call (406) 442-1872.

Starbucks in Montana Too

Hey you are in far away Montana.  But finding a familiar coffee shop is a good thing.  Starbucks coffee houses:  in Billings (Grand Avenue); in Kalispell (Main Street); in Bozeman (Main Street) in Missoula (Reserve Avenue); in Helena (Prospect Avenue); in Great Falls (10th Ave. South).

Photo gallery Montana (click on image below)

Blackfeet Nation

Blackfeet Nation (Native Americans) seek to keep cultural traditions alive. Their reservation borders the east side of Glacier National Park in north-central Montana. Flathead Beacon story.

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