The most popular gateway to Yellowstone National Park, the lively town of West Yellowstone lies at the park’s western entrance. It boasts a history museum and renowned wildlife park, as well as a good selection of restaurants and outdoor-oriented shops.
Things to do in West Yellowstone
Get up close to wolves, bears and birds of prey at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, which helps educate the public about living alongside these creatures. View different packs of wolves from the Naturalist Cabin, see ground squirrels observing their annual hibernation and get hands-on at the interactive Bears, Imagination and Reality exhibition.
Delve into West Yellowstone’s history at the Yellowstone Historic Center, housed in an old train depot on the southern edge of town. Discover what it was like to visit Yellowstone at the turn of the 20th century and come face to face with a life-size stuffed grizzly bear.
Want to see the most famous geyser in the world? Visit Old Faithful, which is easily accessed from Yellowstone National Park’s western entrance. Watch as up to 32,000 litres of boiling water is shot more than 30 metres into the air, with eruptions taking place every 30 to 120 minutes.
West Yellowstone also makes a good base for visiting the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, just downstream from Yellowstone Falls. Exposure to the elements has oxidised the rocks and exposed brilliant colours that range from bright yellow to rust red.
Getting around West Yellowstone
Yellowstone Airport lies just five minutes’ drive from West Yellowstone, which is around two hours from Idaho Falls. Buses connect West Yellowstone to the surrounding towns and cities, but having your own vehicle is the best way of accessing Yellowstone National Park.