Our 11 Favorite Towns Near Yellowstone

If you’re trying to decide which towns to see or stay in on your trip to Yellowstone, the first thing to know is that America’s first national park is massive. It’s bigger than some states and frequent wildlife sightings mean speed limits are low and getting around can be tedious. Start by deciding what you want to see and which entrance makes the most sense for you to use. Then, peruse our guide to learn more about the small towns filled with Old West charm and incredible outdoor recreation that await you. The good news is that whether you’re staying in Wyoming, Montana or Idaho, Yellowstone is surrounded by some of the best towns in the West. From soothing hot springs to Western history, majestic mountain trails to rodeo, these towns are worth visiting all by themselves. The fact that they’re less than an hour and a half from Yellowstone is just the cherry on top. These are the best towns near Yellowstone National Park.

Best Towns Near Yellowstone’s West Entrance

West Yellowstone, MT

West Yellowstone, Montana (Photo courtesy Lumir Pecold/Getty)

The park’s most popular entrance can be found in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana. A small-but-lively Old West hub with plenty to do both inside and outside the park, it’s a safe choice if you want to be close to all the action. The park entrance is right in town and you can be gazing out at Grand Prismatic in 45 minutes. Staying here makes it easy to get up early to watch the sunrise, spot wildlife before the heat of the day, or get a headstart on the trails. A few local markets provide groceries, or you could order a to-go picnic lunch from Ernie’s Bakery & Deli, complete with French macarons for dessert. Running Bear Pancake House is a favorite for a leisurely breakfast of cinnamon roll pancakes before you hit the park. Don’t forget to fill up on gas before you head into Yellowstone, as the park is seriously big.

For a primer, you’ll want to stop at Yellowstone Giant Screen, showing an intro film on America’s first national park during the day, and a feature film at night. If you aren’t lucky enough to spot a wild wolf or grizzly inside the park, head to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, a wildlife education facility that has rehomed problem or injured bears, wolves, otters and more.

Explorer Cabins in West Yellowstone (Photo courtesy Delaware North)

There’s lots of lodging at the West Entrance, including the Explorer Cabins which provide a modern stay with kitchenettes and outdoor fire pits. A little bit outside of town sits Under Canvas, a resort stay full of safari-inspired canvas tents for an upscale getaway.

Big Sky, MT

Downtown Big Sky, Montana (Photo courtesy Visit Big Sky)

Home to the world-class Big Sky Resort, this mountain town is a great place to stay for outdoor recreation in both the winter and summer months. Town Center, just down the road from the resort, gifts a charming and walkable downtown with restaurants, shops and hotels. An hour from Bozeman, it’s quick to fly in and stay in Big Sky, putting you just an hour from Yellowstone’s West Entrance. Blindside Burger is a favorite for old fashioned shakes and smash burgers, while Block 3 is a Montana steakhouse offering local game. Perhaps Big Sky’s most unique evening, though, is Montana Dinner Yurt, an excursion into the wilderness for a three-course meal.

Nestled in the Madison Range, the best thing to do in Big Sky is to get outside. In the summer months, Big Sky Resort has scenic lift rides where you can take in the views. Or, bring or rent a mountain bike and use the lifts to access adrenaline-inducing downhill riding. On foot, check out the 1.6-mile roundtrip to Ousel Falls. On a hot summer afternoon, nothing beats a trip down the Gallatin River with Montana Whitewater.

Because Big Sky is a ski town, there’s no shortage of lodging options. At the mountain, you can stay in hotels, condos and vacation rentals. In town, check out the Wilson. A Marriott property offering rooms with small kitchens, it’s a great way to take advantage of hotel amenities while still having the ability to cook your own meals. Or, opt for a true Western getaway and book a cabin at 320 Guest Ranch where you can go on a trail ride, take a fly fishing lesson and tuck into a pig roast dinner.

Ennis, MT

Downtown Ennis, Montana (Photo courtesy D. Convertini/Flickr)

The folks in Ennis are fond of saying, “It’s a small drinking town with a fishing problem.” The tiny town is a little over an hour to Yellowstone’s West Entrance and makes for a laidback spot to stay if you’re hankering for cute, small town energy and a beautiful natural setting. You’ll find basic small town amenities in Ennis from groceries to lodging and gas stations, and Bozeman is just an hour away, where you can fly into the international airport. Stop by Willie’s Distillery on Main Street, full of wooden storefronts harkening back to yesteryear, to learn about this drinking town. Or if you’re traveling with kids, Yesterday’s Soda Fountain is a family friendly spot to grab a drink. Try the cream huckleberry, a cream soda featuring Montana’s state fruit.

Get out on the beautiful waters of the Madison River with your rod. The Tackle Shop on Main Street will teach you the basics if you’re a newcomer, including guided trips, or will tell you what’s biting and sell you flies if you already know the ropes. The well-preserved ghost towns of Virginia and Nevada cities are 20 minutes west of Ennis and worthy of a day trip to check out. Docents dressed in period costumes will bring you back to the 1800s when these towns were gold mining hubs.

A few vacation rentals, hotels and cabin properties have accommodations for overnight visitors in Ennis. Check out El Western Cabins & Lodges for a range of modern log cabin stays ranging from cozy two-person studios to large lodges to fit the whole crew.

Island Park, ID

Island Park, Idaho (Photo courtesy Grant Ordelheide)

The little town of Island Park is home to the United States’ longest Main Street and just 30 minutes from Yellowstone’s West Entrance. Located on the beautiful western–and if you ask a local, better–side of the Tetons, it’s a quiet small town with a handful of amenities but immediate access to extraordinary outdoor recreation. A little more than an hour from the city of Idaho Falls, home to the region’s biggest airport, it’s easy to get to Island Park and, in turn, Yellowstone from anywhere in the country. Stock up on essentials like groceries in Idaho Falls and then head to Island Park for a quiet stay full of nature. Note that the majority of hotels and restaurants in Island Park are south of the “Island Park” label on Google Maps. Navigate to Last Chance Bar & Grill at TroutHunter Lodge and you’ll find yourself in town.

Off-roaders love Island Park for its endless motorized trails. It’s a snowmobiler’s paradise in the winter and summer is just as fun on an ATV. Rent and get trail information at High Mountain Adventures. Another favorite off-roading spot is St. Anthony Sand Dunes, an hour south of Island Park. Explore the mesmerizing white dunes on a side-by-side rental. Henry’s Fork of the Snake River is a lovely place to try paddleboarding. You’re likely to spot moose here. Afterwards grab a table on the patio at Angler’s Riverfront Restaurant for Idaho trout and truffle fries.

There’s a few lodges, plus camping and cabin rentals in Island Park but if you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, look no further than Yellowstone Peaks Hotel. The boutique spot’s Scandinavian design blends into the landscape with cool cabins outfitted with full kitchens.

Best Towns Near Yellowstone’s North Entrance

Gardiner, MT

Autumn at Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner, Montana (Photo courtesy Yellowstone National Park Service)

Locals say that the North Entrance, located right at the cute town of Gardiner, is “nature’s favorite entrance,” and it seems to be true, with bison and elk often spotted in town. In the winter, this is the only park entrance with roads open to vehicle traffic (other than the isolated Northeast Entrance, only reachable by Gardiner). The rest of the park is only accessible by snowmobile or snowcoach in these months. Downtown is tiny–just a few blocks long–but it’s charmingly local, with wooden buildings reminiscent of the Old West framed by gently rising mountains in the background. You can grab groceries at Ridley’s Gardiner Market, or check out the food truck park anchored by Red’s Blue Goose Saloon.

You’re just a few minutes from the Mammoth Hot Springs area of the park, where scalding water has created terraces of dissolved limestone threaded by boardwalks, allowing you to walk through the steaming area. The hot springs here are way too hot to touch, but you can relax at Yellowstone Hot Springs Resort just outside of town on the banks of the Yellowstone River. The water provides tons of fun for those staying in town, with several outfitters offering rafting trips tackling both whitewater and calm sections of the river meandering along the park’s border.

Book a stay at the Ridgeline Hotel in Gardiner, Montana (Photo courtesy Delaware North)

There are quite a few hotels, vacation rentals and RV parks along Highway 89, which leads under the Roosevelt Arch into the park. We like the Ridgeline Hotel with cabins and hotel rooms, plus an excellent pool and restaurant.

Livingston, MT

Winter in Livingston, Montana (Photo courtesy Yellowstone Country)

This quaint town at the mouth of Paradise Valley was the filming location for Robert Redford’s A River Runs Through It and feels equally charming today. Full of art galleries, cute shops and live music, this town an hour from the park’s North Entrance is a great basecamp. Livingston has everything you need close to the park including grocery stores, lodging and restaurants. Take a stroll along Main Street to check out shops, eateries and saloons, before grabbing dinner at 2nd Street Bistro in the Murray Hotel. It serves French dishes with local ingredients.

The aptly named Paradise Valley is formed by the meandering Yellowstone River with Highway 89 running along it. Livingston sits at one end and Gardiner and the park’s North Entrance at the other. Between the two is a gorgeous scenic drive you don’t want to miss. Stop and hike, fly fish or enjoy live music at spots like The Old Saloon in the tiny town of Emigrant. Wildflour Bakery is another great spot in this hamlet, be sure to grab a cinnamon roll. Along the way are two relaxing hot springs resorts: the upscale Chico, located in Pray, and the more casual Yellowstone Hot Springs in Gardiner. Both are worth a soak.

You’ll find chain hotels and motels here, alongside RV parks, bed and breakfasts and locally owned spots, but a favorite is the Historic Murray Hotel. Built in 1904, this property has Victorian-style rooms with a Western flair. Twenty minutes south, glamp at Under Canvas North Yellowstone.

Bozeman, MT

Downtown Bozeman, Montana (Photo: Getty)

One of the coolest mountain towns in the West, Bozeman is a vibrant spot filled with vibrant coffee shops, hip boutiques, tons of events and intriguing restaurants. The biggest draw, though? This university town is surrounded by stunning wilderness. The closest big population center to the North Entrance, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for a trip to the park, an hour and 20 minutes away. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is Montana’s busiest, offering flights from across the country on several different airlines so it’s an ideal spot to start your trip. Spend some time strolling Main Street where you’ll find tons of independent shops and restaurants. Stop in for a tasting at Bozeman Spirits Distillery (their Huckleberry Lemon Drop is a favorite). For dinner, head to local hotspot Blackbird for Italian fare, or the eclectic James Beard nominated PLONK.

South of Bozeman, Hyalite Canyon Recreation Area is one of Montana’s favorite places to get outside. Thick forests give way to wildflower-filled meadows and alpine lakes as you hike trails leading up onto the brilliant peaks above. Hyalite Reservoir is a no-wake zone, so it’s the perfect place for a peaceful paddle. Cap off the day with a visit to Bozeman Hot Springs in town.

There’s everything from luxury hotels to hostels in Bozeman, so you won’t have trouble finding somewhere to stay. Check out the boutique Lark or RSVP Hotel or the upscale Kimpton Armory Hotel with a sophisticated rooftop patio and pool.

Best Towns Near Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance

Cooke City and Silver Gate, MT

Cooke City, Montana (Photo courtesy Kaden Harrison)

The hamlets of Silver Gate and Cooke City, located at Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance, are truly tiny. Each has a year round population of less than a hundred, thanks to its winter isolation. When the snow begins to fall and the Beartooth Highway closes for the season, the only way in and out of the towns is through Yellowstone. This is the place to stay if you want a quiet mountain experience. The town is best known for its outdoor recreation and you’ll find several outfitters and guides offering everything from wildlife spotting tours to snowmobiling in the winter. In Cooke City, grab a table on the patio of the Beartooth Cafe for bison burgers paired with more than 80 types of beer, or bison steaks and steamed artichoke on the dinner menu. In Silver Gate, Stop the Car Trading Post is the place to grab an ice cream cone.

Cruise along the Beartooth Highway (Photo courtesy Montana Department of Tourism)

The communities sit on the western end of the Beartooth Highway, one of the most stunning scenic drives you’ll ever experience. Plan to spend the better part of a day cruising from Cooke City to Red Lodge, topping out at 10,947 feet on Beartooth Pass. Stop along the way to hike or picnic and take in the unbelievable views of snowcapped peaks and green valleys. Head east from Silver Gate and you’ll be in the park within minutes, perfectly poised to spot wildlife in Lamar Valley, known as “America’s Serengeti”.

There’s a couple of motels in Cooke City, but the best way to stay in this part of Montana is in a solitude-filled cabin getaway. Sip coffee on your private front porch, cook dinner in your cabin’s kitchen and relax around the campfire at the end of the day at properties like Silver Gate Lodging.

Best Towns Near Yellowstone’s East Entrance

Cody, WY

The road to Cody, Wyoming from Buffalo Bill State Park (Photo: iStock)

Teddy Roosevelt once called the hour-long drive between Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone’s East Entrance the “50 most beautiful miles in America.” You’ll have to drive it yourself to see if you agree, but there’s no denying this route is gorgeous. Less crowded than the park’s other entrances and nestled among peaceful scenery home to tons of wildlife, this side of the park is a great pick for your Yellowstone basecamp even before you consider the town of Cody. Founded by the legendary Wild West showman Buffalo Bill Cody, this city is oozing with cowboy lore. You’ll find everything you need here to make your trip perfect from grocery stores and lodging options, to a convenient airport with easy flights from Denver. Check out Sheridan Avenue, home to historic hotels, saloons and steakhouses. Don’t miss a stop at Wayne’s Boot Shop to outfit yourself in boots, hats and other cowboy gear.

There’s boundless outdoor recreation surrounding Cody from mountain biking trails to ghost towns to explore, but if you want to lean into the town’s Wild West theme, there’s a few experiences you really shouldn’t miss. Start at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a five-museum complex that will give you a well-rounded perspective on this part of the country from its Indigenous inhabitants to art and firearms. In the evening, check out the Cody Cattle Company’s live country western music show and dinner buffet before heading over to the Cody Nite Rodeo, which takes place every evening June through August at 8 p.m.

The historic Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming (Photo courtesy Grant Ordelheide)

You’ll find accommodations across the spectrum in Cody from roadside motels to family owned lodges, vacation rentals, RV parks and chain hotels. For a historic stay, choose the Irma, built in 1902 and named after Buffalo Bill’s daughter. The cherrywood bar was a gift from the Queen of England. At the Buffalo Bill Cabin Village, you can stay in a historic log cabin. One of our favorite ways, though, to get off the beaten path is to check into one of the historic lodges along the North Fork Highway (Highway 14) leading into Yellowstone. Situated in some of the prettiest country out there, enjoy a rejuvenating stay with fun additions like horseback riding and gourmet meals. Many of the properties have ties to Buffalo Bill himself.

Best Towns Near Yellowstone’s South Entrance

Jackson, WY

Town Square’s Antler Arch in Jackson, Wyoming (Photo: Deposit)

When you stay in the swanky cowboy town of Jackson, it gives you the best access to both of Wyoming’s national parks: Grand Teton and Yellowstone. It’s a quick 20 minute drive to the soaring peaks of the Tetons, while you’ll reach Yellowstone’s South Entrance in a little over an hour. It’s home to a lively downtown, all the creature comforts you may need (grocery stores, tons of lodging and amenities, an airport) and incredible access to the great outdoors. Locals adore Persephone Bakery for coffee, pastries and brunch, and you can’t miss a stroll through Town Square, flanked on all sides by arches made of antlers. The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, a Jackson staple, can be found here as well.

Summer at Snow King Mountain Resort near Jackson, Wyoming (Photo courtesy Snow King Mountain Resort)

While it’s fun to stroll downtown, save that for when the sun goes down. Every moment of daylight should be spent exploring Jackson’s incredible backyard. While you may have heard of the town for its winter skiing, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is also fabulous for summer fun including a ride on the big, red aerial tram to access fantastic hiking and views. Snow King Mountain Resort, the town’s oldest ski area, also offers activities once the snow melts. Don’t miss dinner at the new summit restaurant. The beautiful Snake River runs through Grand Teton, hosting both scenic float trips and breathtaking whitewater adventures. Jackson Hole Whitewater guides both kinds of excursions, while Barker-Ewing and Solitude Float Trips are great choices for a peaceful outing.

There’s no shortage of places to stay in Jackson, though summer reservations do book up fast, so plan early. Our favorites? Town Square Inns has several properties downtown while Bentwood Inn and Jackson Hole Hideout are sweet spots if you’re looking for a quaint, mountain experience.

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