Things to Do in West Yellowstone, Montana

Most people consider West Yellowstone the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, and of course, it is, however, I really enjoyed my stay there and I wish I had more time! Here are my recommended Swifty Picks for where to stay and what to do during your stay in West Yellowstone.

This question is highly dependent on your Yellowstone National Park Itinerary. Unless you pack up and move every night, you will end up backtracking a bit. We stayed in the here two nights. We arrived the first night, then after a long day exploring the Upper Loop we stayed a second night- then after that we explored the lower loop sights and slept inside the park at Grant Village. Three nights would allow even more time to explore at a slower pace.

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a non-profit wildlife park that focuses on educating the public on the animals of the Yellowstone Area. The animals that are here can no longer survive in the wild, whether they are injured, or perhaps, they are a nuisance animal that caused danger to folks visiting the park and would otherwise be euthanized.

In addition to Wolves and Grizzly Bears, the park also has birds of prey, and a nice display on the wetlands of Yellowstone.

This is a great place especially for families who want to view the majestic animals up close in a safe environment. Your admission ticket is good for two days, allowing plenty of time to see everything you want to see.

One attraction I wish I had time to visit was the Museum of the Yellowstone. This museum focuses on the history of travel to Yellowstone National Park and the role the park played in shaping the town of West Yellowstone. Exhibits explore everything from the arrival of rail service in 1908 to the evolution of transportation into the park, including stagecoaches, railroads, automobiles, and modern air travel.

By the time I discovered the museum, it had already closed for the day, but it looks like a fascinating stop for travelers interested in history. I was especially intrigued by the museum’s focus on the Union Pacific Railroad and how the arrival of the railroad helped transform West Yellowstone from a remote outpost into one of the park’s most important gateway communities.

Montana has all things Huckleberry!

You can expect high season prices when looking for a place to stay in West Yellowstone. I haven’t stayed everywhere, but I was very happy with my stay at the Best Western Desert Inn. The rates were very competitive, we had a spacious room, a great indoor pool, and a nice big breakfast buffet. My runner up hotels are also listed below

Book early and I always recommend booking a refundable room, you can also change if you find a better price!

HOT TIP: Mosquitoes are THICK in this area in the evening- so cover your skin or bring bug spray!

Yellowstone is my absolute favorite National Park- with such a variety of landscapes! Find out what to see at this incredible park with my full tour of the Upper Loop and Lower Loop Highlights!

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