Yellowstone Country

Yellowstone Country, or south central Montana, is a place of rugged beauty, with its roaring rivers and snow capped peaks, and is considered by many to be one of the most naturally beautiful places on Earth. It also encompasses cultured cities and historic towns. It is partly in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is one of the last remaining large, nearly intact ecosystems in the northern temperate zone of the Earth. It serves as a gateway for visitors to Yellowstone National Park and as a major migration route for animals coming in and out of the higher areas of the park. Much of the area appears the same as it did when Lewis and Clark explored the area.



Regions

 * Beartooth area – encompasses Cooke City and the northeast entrance to the Yellowstone National Park
 * Big Sky – an area south of Bozeman known for its ski resort, Gallatin River and West Yellowstone entrance to the park
 * I-90 Corridor – the main east–west travel corridor, which includes Bozeman and Livingston
 * Paradise Valley – carved by the Yellowstone River, extending from Yellowstone National Park and broadening out between Yankee Jim Canyon and Livingston. It is populated with small farms and ranches and serves as a major migration route for animals coming and going from the park.

Cities
Yellowstone Country offers a variety of cities and towns as a welcome relief from exploring the areas rugged wilderness. From the bustling Bozeman with its many museums and convenient airport to the quaint Cooke City which isn't much more than a convenient place to dine, refuel and perhaps spend the night after exploring Yellowstone.
 * – magnificent scenery and western culture
 * – the largest city, offering the widest variety of museums, restaurants and shopping
 * – rural county with great hiking and fishing
 * – at the north east entrance of Yellowstone National Park
 * – at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park
 * – historic downtown is a favorite stopping point for visitors
 * – charming town in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains and surrounded by Custer National Forest
 * – at the turn off between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, known for its annual rodeo
 * – a popular entrance with a small airport on the west side of the park

National parks
is a United States National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the world's first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. The park contains 3,472 square miles (8,987 km2), and 3 of the main 5 entrances to the park are in Montana at Cooke City, Gardiner (Montana) and West Yellowstone.

National forests
There are two large National Forests in Yellowstone Country helping to complete the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.



Ski areas
There are four different public ski resorts in the area, each with their own unique terrain and character. Check individual websites for current conditions and pricing. The mountains usually open around mid-late December and remain open into April, sometimes May. There are also options for backcountry and heli-skiing.
 * Bridger Bowl. Locally owned and adored, Bridger Bowl has operated as a nonprofit community ski area since 1955. With over 2,000 acres spanning 2,600 vertical feet located just minutes from Bozeman.
 * Big Sky — Montana's largest ski resort located south of Bozeman with a low cost shuttle from Bozeman twice a day in winter.
 * Moonlight Basin Located on the north side of Lone Mountain, which it shares with Big Sky Resort.
 * Red Lodge Mountain basic all around skiing.

Major rivers
The areas rivers are famous world wide for their blue ribbon trout fishing and water sports.

Talk
Although English is the primary language spoken in the area tourists come from all over the world to see the natural beauty of the area and it's not unusual to hear dozens of languages being spoken in public.

By plane
Don't expect a dazzling array of services available from larger airports, just the basics means short waits and not much else. Several smaller landing strips dot the area provide space for small private planes and a few may offer private tours. In a few areas such as Chico Hot Springs the road seconds as a runway so be prepared to pull over as planes obviously have the right of way.

By car
There was a short time when Montana experimented with eliminating its speed limits to help cope with the long distances between towns. This proved to be too risky as drivers that were unfamiliar with the area were taking unnecessary risks. The good news is that its almost impossible to find an area that does not provide breath taking views of staggering natural beauty including the Beartooth Highway which is the section of U.S. Highway 212 between Red Lodge, Montana and Cooke City, Montana. An official National Scenic Byways All-American Road, it traces a series of steep zigzags and switchbacks, along the Montana-Wyoming border to the 10,947 ft (3,337 m) high Beartooth Pass that has been called "the most beautiful drive in America," by late CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt.
 * I-90 connects Billings with Bozeman, Livingston, Butte, Missoula and Idaho.
 * I-89 runs north south through Livingston to Yellowstone National Park
 * Highway 212 leads from Cooke City and Yellowstone National Park and connects to I-90 and Billings Montana via 310 at Laurel (Montana).
 * U.S. Route 191 runs from West Yellowstone through Big Sky Resort area and eventually to Bozeman.

By foot
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (in short Continental Divide Trail) is a United States National Scenic Trail running 3,100 miles between Mexico and Canada. It follows the Continental Divide of the Americas along the Rocky Mountains and traverses five U.S. states; Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

By car
It can be a long way between towns in the area so make sure you are aware of your fuel level and weather conditions before heading on the road. Even major roadways can be treacherous due to animals on the roadway so use extreme caution at night. Car rentals are available near major airports for those not driving into the area. The road between Gardiner and Cooke City is the only road open to cars during the winter

By bus
Xanterra Resorts provides bus tours within the park during the summer season. The Grand Loop Tour departs from Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel to tour the entire park in one day. During the winter season snowcoach tours are provided from various locations. Call +1 307 344-7311 for information or reservations.

By bicycle
Cycling in area can be a very rewarding experience, but due to the great distances between towns and extensive mountain terrain some additional planning is necessary to ensure that lodging is available each night. Yellowstone National Park reserves a number of campsites for cyclists, but during the busy summer season it is probably best to reserve sites in advance wherever possible.

See


Although Yellowstone Country is known as the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park and Gardiner Montana is the only entrance to the park accessible by road year round. There are many other wilderness areas locally including Gallatin National Forest which offer many similar hiking and backpacking experiences that are available in Yellowstone but without all of the crowds.

Wildlife viewing
The greater Yellowstone ecosystem home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. Sixty-seven different mammals live here, including grizzly bears and black bears. Gray wolves were restored in 1995. Wolverine and lynx, which require large expanses of undisturbed habitat, are also found in the Yellowstone ecosystem. Seven native ungulate species - elk, mule deer, bison, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and white - tailed deer live here. Non-native mountain goats have colonized some areas and numerous small mammals are found throughout the area. Paradise Valley south of Livingston is a major migratory route for animals coming and going seasonally to the higher elevations in Yellowstone National Park.

Bird watching
Records of bird sightings have been kept in Yellowstone National Park since its establishment in 1872; these records document 330 species of birds to date, of which approximately 148 species are known to nest in the park. The variation in elevation and broad array of habitat types found within the park contributes to the region's relatively high diversity.

Museums and cultural centers
Bozeman has a range of museums that are worth exploring. The American Computer & Robotics Museum is a must-see for anyone with an interest in computers or computing. The Children's Museum of Bozeman emphasizes hand-on activities, learning, and play. The Emerson Center for Arts and Culture puts on art exhibits, classes, and concerts in a historic (1918) school building. The Pioneer Museum chronicles the history of Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. The Museum of the Rockies documents the changes that the Rockies have undergone.

The Carbon County Historical Society Museum in Red Lodge is a popular historical museum.

The Crazy Mountain Museum in Big Timber is a historical museum featuring exhibits that reflect the history of Sweet Grass County and the surrounding area.

In Livingston, the Depot Center of railroad history provides historic exhibits and cultural programs, and the Yellowstone Gateway Museum explores Park County and Yellowstone National Park history.

Rodeo
Yellowstone Country is cowboy country and rodeos are a natural extension of local pride. Cowboys are a common site in the area and although they are more likely to drive a four wheel drive ATV these days rather than a horse, rodeos are a great time to get together and show off their skills and compete with other riders. Check out the annual rodeos in Bozeman, Livingston and Three Forks.

Dude ranches
Although the OTO Guest Ranch near Gardiner has not been in business for over 50 years, it none the less can claim being the first Dude Ranch anywhere as the whole concept of Guest Ranches was developed in Yellowstone Country. A Yellowstone Country dude ranch vacation is a quintessential Western experience. Some are working ranches where guests participate in cattle drives and perform daily chores. Others provide a completely different experience, one with less labor and more glam camping involved. A range of activities are offered, including horseback riding for people of all abilities, fishing trips, archery, cookouts, swimming, hiking and square dancing.



Fishing
World famous area for fly fishing, outfitters can be found in most cities and many towns and rural areas. Ask at local fly shops and check river conditions online. June is high water month due to snow melting at higher elevations so can make rivers treacherous and water muddy and difficult to fish.

There are fishing shops in Gardiner and Livingston.

Kayaking, rafting
Most towns along major rivers will have a variety of rafting outfitters that can provide a safe trip down river. Gardiner and West Yellowstone have a broad range of services for the Yellowstone Rivers Class III rapids.

Hiking
Yellowstone Country offers some of the best hiking and wilderness backpacking in the United States. Check with local forest service offices for details and trail conditions before heading out and maybe more importantly remember to report back to them if you see something noteworthy. A fresh elk kill on the trail could mean that a bear is nearby for example. Know the 10 basics needed for all back country camping and that cell phones are not one of them, cell phones often don't work in rural mountainous areas. Topo maps are also available in local camping and fishing stores.

There are regional forest service offices in Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Big Timber, and South Livingston.

Horseback riding
Its difficult to imagine a more appropriate place than Yellowstone Country to go horseback riding. If only for an afternoon of riding around a high mountain prairie or a weeks long camping adventure deep in the Montana wilderness Yellowstone Country offers plenty of opportunities to ride a horse. Various National Forest trails are designated for horseback and outfitters and ranches that cater to tourists can be found across the region.

Eat
Yellowstone Country is cattle country and meat is on the menu. Search out restaurants that offer wild game such as elk and trout, but beef and buffalo is commonly raised in the area, not the easiest area of the country to find vegetarian options but they do exist especially in larger cities and tourist areas. See individual city listings for particular food recommendations.

Regional food
Look for these locally made foods.
 * Wheat Montana Farms and Bakery- locally made breads from locally grown wheat.
 * Wilcoxson's Ice Cream- Made in Montana since 1912. Available at many local restaurants and utilizes several local flavors.

Drink
Although Montana is not known for its sophisticated variety of drinks, there are a few great regional micro breweries and bars hold an important part of local culture. Even small towns have been known to have several bars available and they often serve as a community hub for the latest news and fishing reports. See individual town pages for specific listings.

Regional breweries
Keep an eye out for local brews from Neptune's Brewery in Livingston and Bozeman Brewing Company. Neptune's has a taproom and restaurant, while Bozeman Brewing has a tasting room.

Campgrounds
The campgrounds within Yellowstone National Park are wonderful but often crowded and over booked during peak season. A nice alternative is some of the many state campgrounds located near the park. Here is a list with their mileage from the various park entrances.


 * North Entrance to Yellowstone near Gardiner
 * Eagle Creek Campground : 2 miles
 * Timber Camp Campground : 9 miles
 * Bear Creek Campground : 9.5 miles
 * Canyon Campground : 16 miles
 * Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone near Cooke City
 * Colter Campground : 7 miles
 * Soda Butte Campground : 6 miles
 * Chief Joseph Campground : 9 miles
 * West Entrance to Yellowstone near West Yellowstone
 * Baker's Hole Campground : 3 miles
 * Rainbow Point Campground : 10 miles
 * Lonesomehurst Campground : 12 miles
 * Cherry Creek Campground : 14 miles
 * Spring Creek Campground : 18 miles
 * Cabin Creek Campground : 22 miles
 * Beaver Creek Campground : 24 miles
 * Red Cliff Campground : 35 miles

Stay safe
Visiting Yellowstone Country is a safe and rewarding experience if common sense and good judgment are followed. Unfortunately this is not always the case so please take the following guidelines to heart.

Roads

 * During the winter, smaller secondary roads are often closed entirely, and even the Interstate can shut down rapidly when the weather turns poor. Verify weather conditions and road status  before setting out, and travel with emergency supplies.  Unpaved roads are typically impassable for over half the year.

Wildlife

 * Though many of the animals in the 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 potentially aggressive 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. Be especially cautious while traveling at night as animals (especially deer) are known to wander onto roadways.

Weather

 * 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 area, so watch the sky and take shelter in a building if you hear thunder.

Hiking and camping


There's no reason to fear the mountains, as long as you approach them with proper respect and preparation. As with anywhere else, recklessness and a lack of forethought can get you into trouble, especially in Montana's vast back country. 1.     Navigation 2.     Hydration & Nutrition 3.     Pocket Knife 4.     Sun Protection 5.     Insulation 6.     Fire! 7.     Lighting 8.     First Aid 9.     Shelter 10.    Whistle
 * Altitude sickness - Can lead to dizziness, headaches, nausea, even blackouts and pulmonary edema. Give your body a few days to adjust to the high altitudes before going full throttle with your hiking or skiing.
 * Dehydration - When you engage in strenuous outdoor activities, be sure to replenish your fluids as you go. You may be losing moisture through your mouth and nose and through sweating, but be completely unaware due to the arid mountain air. May result in dizziness, intense thirst and elevated heart and breath rates.
 * Giardia - Drinking untreated water from regional streams is not a good idea owing to Giardia parasites, but tap water is not a problem.
 * Hypothermia - Prolonged exposure to the cold can result in confusion, a slowed heart rate, lethargy, even death. Dress warmly in non cotton clothing to allow any sweat to wick away from your body and evaporate. Otherwise, it may thoroughly chill you later in the day when temperatures drop.
 * Frostbite - During periods of severe cold, your circulatory system pulls all your warming blood into the core of your body to protect your vital organs. This makes your extremities such as your ears, fingers and nose especially vulnerable. Wear a face mask, insulated gloves and other heavy gear on the worst winter days. It gets cold sitting still on those ski lifts!
 * Sunburn - Lather up with sunscreen, even if there's cloud cover. Montana's high elevation means you have less protection to the sun's powerful ultra violet rays. This can be compounded while skiing or snowboarding, when the rays are reflected off the snow and hits the underside of your jaw. Don't forget to wear UV-rated goggles or sunglasses, as well.
 * Know your 10 essentials when going on a hike, because cell phones won't always work in many rural areas, and may not be depended on in an emergency situation.

Crime

 * Finally, with so many people visiting the area each year petty crimes are something to be vigilant against. Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables, especially when leaving your vehicle at trail-heads or anywhere you might be away from your vehicle for any length of time.

Go next

 * Billings to the east is Montana's largest city
 * Butte is to the west and is known for its colorful past
 * Helena, Montana's capital, is to the north
 * Yellowstone National Park has three entrances in the south - Cooke City, Gardiner, and West Yellowstone