The west entrance to Yellowstone National Park is on the edge of West Yellowstone, Montana. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is located next to the entrance. This puts both the park connection and a specific wildlife-watching opportunity close at hand when planning your trip.
Wildlife at the West Entrance
At the center, visitors can observe grizzly bears, gray wolves and related wildlife. The entrance and the center are distinct reference points: the entrance places West Yellowstone at the park, while the center offers wildlife watching as an experience in its own right. If you plan your trip around nature, you can weigh the park connection and wildlife watching separately.
History in Town
West Yellowstone also has a clearly defined historical side. The Oregon Shortline Terminus Historic District in West Yellowstone remains listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The area and its remaining buildings were designated a historic district in 1983. The Museum of the Yellowstone is located in the historic Union Pacific Depot. It presents local history as well as the history of visits to and transportation to Yellowstone National Park. As part of its seasonal museum program, it offers guided tours of the historic district. This gives you a choice of both the district and the museum’s themes when planning cultural activities, from local history to the history of visits to and transportation to the park.
Trails by Activity and Route
The Yellowstone Shortline Trail is nine miles long, non-motorized and runs from West Yellowstone to the Montana-Idaho border. It is considered a historic, scenic and family-friendly rail-trail for walking, cycling or running. Mountain biking and road cycling routes start right in town. Different details matter when choosing: the Shortline Trail is defined by its route and length, while the cycling routes start right in West Yellowstone. The Riverside Trail leads into Yellowstone National Park and down to the Madison River, which sets it apart from the Shortline Trail.
Winter Trails and Waterways
Winter activities vary by mode of travel. The Rendezvous Ski Trails are accessible from town and are suitable for skiers of all ability levels. West Yellowstone has more than 50 kilometers of groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Snowmobile trails also start right in town. Two different details are useful when making your choice: the trail kilometers indicate the extent of the network, while the Rendezvous Ski Trails are notable for their access from town and suitability for all ability levels.
The mountains around West Yellowstone are also part of the area’s natural landscape: streams that are considered particularly high-quality trout waters run through them. This adds the waterways of the surrounding mountain landscape as a distinct aspect alongside wildlife watching and trails.
For an overview of the wider trip: Gallatin.
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