Cooke City

Cooke City-Silver Gate is a census-designated place (CDP) in Park County, Montana, it is located at the north east entrance to Yellowstone National Park and is a convenient stop when visiting the area. During the winter months highway 212 east bound is closed to traffic and Cooke City becomes a popular area for snowmobiles. In 2020, 77 people lived there.

Get in
You must have a car to reach Cooke City. The nearest airport is in Billings.

Get around
Cooke City is small enough that it can all be reached on foot and several trail heads into the surrounding wilderness start near town.

See
Cooke City is at the west end of the Beartooth Highway that has been called "the most beautiful drive in America," by late CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt. Because of heavy snowfall at the top, the pass is usually open each year only from mid May through mid October, weather conditions permitting. Located within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the last remaining large, nearly intact ecosystems in the northern temperate zone of the Earth and serves as a small outpost when exploring the surrounding area.

Do
Cooke City is at the center of many outdoor sports for every season. Backpacking, biking, kayaking, camping, cross country skiing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding,snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and wildlife viewing.

Stay safe
Though many of the animals in the park area are used to seeing humans, the wildlife is nonetheless wild and should not be fed or disturbed. Stay at least 100 m away from bears and 25 m from all other wild animals! No matter how docile they may look, bison, elk, moose, bears, and nearly all large animals can attack, and every year dozens of visitors are injured because they didn't keep a proper distance. These animals are large, wild, and potentially dangerous, so give them their space.

The weather can change rapidly and with little warning. A sunny, warm summer day can quickly become a cold, rainy or even snowy experience. Hypothermia can be a concern. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions by bringing along appropriate clothing. Lightning can and does injure and kill people in the park area, so watch the sky and take shelter in a building if you hear thunder. Be aware of snow conditions before heading out in winter, check online at www.mtavalanche.com

Finally, with so many people visiting the park each year petty crimes are something to be vigilant against. Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables.

Go next

 * Greenough Lake: this small lake is 13 miles west of Red Lodge. There are a few campgrounds along the road. You will need to park in the Greenough Lake campground then take a ¼ mile walk to access the lake.