The fun-filled, small town of West Yellowstone is a year-round mecca for outdoor recreation enthusiasts and the busiest gateway of famed Yellowstone National Park. Summer offers activities like hiking, trail rides, mountain biking, river rafting, and fly fishing, while winter brings opportunities for touring snowcoaches, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Viewing wildlife is a popular activity throughout the entire year. However, West Yellowstone offers much more than just outdoor adventures. Visitors will find plenty of shops, museums, theater performances, and restaurants in town as well.
1. Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center was primarily established to provide people visiting the Yellowstone National Park area with a chance to understand, appreciate, and observe gray wolves and grizzly bears within a safe environment. The not-for-profit, AZA Accredited educational facility and wildlife park aims to help guests gain expand their knowledge of wolves and grizzlies through various educational programs and by watching the animals interact inside their outdoor habitats. The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is home to animals that are unable to be released into the wild.
201 South Canyon, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, Phone: 800-257-2570
2. Yellowstone River, West Yellowstone, Montana
The Yellowstone River is the last “free flowing” river within the contiguous United States, flowing the same way as it has for multiple centuries: untamed, in its natural state, and with no dams. Challenging, swift, cool, and clear, the river provides river runners and fishermen with some of the best waters anywhere in Montana. Floating and fishing are perhaps the two most popular activities to do along the Yellowstone River. Fascinating badlands scenery can also be seen along the river in Makoshika State Park or in Terry where people can easily see amazing rock formation during a scenic drive.
2300 Lake Elmo Dr, Billings, MT 59105, Phone: 406-247-2940
3. Playmill Theatre, West Yellowstone, Montana
The Playmill Theatre is a place in West Yellowstone, Montana to experience the art of live performances, putting on shows that are centered around family values and fun. The theatre cast provides an interactive and personal experience for guests from the time they are greeted at the door and shown to their seat through the whole performance. Along with an opening that includes songs, the cast of the Playmill Theatre entertain and captivate audiences with a featured production and a variety show. First opening its doors in the Yellowstone area back in 1964, the theatre continues to provide quality family entertainment today.
29 Madison Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, Phone: 406-646-7757
4. Earthquake Lake, West Yellowstone, MT
One of North America’s strongest recorded earthquakes took place only a few miles outside of West Yellowstone, Montana. The Earthquake Lake Visitor Center shares the story of the 1959 Hebgen Lake Earthquake, as well as the following “night of terror.” The center highlights the rich geologic activity of the area, while also providing spectacular vistas of the fallen mountain, along with the lake that was created as a result. A short path outside the visitor center guides visitors to a boulder that acts as a memorial for 28 people who lost their lives that night, echoing the magnitude of the earthquake.
317 US-287, Cameron, MT 59720, Phone: 406-682-7620
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5. Hebgen Lake, West Yellowstone, Montana
Spanning approximately four miles wide and fifteen miles long, West Yellowstone’s Hebgen Lake is considered to be Montana’s premier “stillwater fishing lake.” This man-made lake is a popular fishing and vacation spot near the famous Yellowstone National Park. Hebgen Lake today is a great destination for outdoor recreation activities, such as camping, fishing, and boating. The lake is home to a healthy fish population of rainbows, cutthroats, and browns. Hebgen Lake is also located near the Madison Canyon Earthquake Area and the Visitors Center, making both the Hebgen Lake and the Earthquake Lake an easy day trip.
West Yellowstone, MT 59758, Phone: 406-823-6961
6. Museum of the Yellowstone, West Yellowstone, Montana
The Museum of the Yellowstone showcases what draws thousands of visitors to the iconic Yellowstone National Park every year, as well as how people have reached the park. Situated within West Yellowstone’s historic Union Pacific Depot, the Museum of the Yellowstone features artifacts and displays about the history of transportation and visitation to the first national park of the United States, including exhibits on railroad and stagecoach companies that transported the thousands of people to Yellowstone National Park. The museum, open seasonally from mid-May until mid-October, also hosts educational programs, guided walking tours, daily films, and guest speakers.
104 Yellowstone Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, Phone: 406-646-1100
7. Two Top, West Yellowstone, Montana
Two Top Snowmobiles proudly operates out of West Yellowstone, Montana, just outside of Yellowstone National Park’s west entrance. The town itself is often called the “Snowmobile Capital of the World,” due to its extensive system of trails and the close proximity to the national park. Hundred of miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling extend through Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, offering a winter wonderland experience of natural beauty. Two Top Snowmobiles provides an opportunity for visitors to get up close to many natural wonders and a wide array of animals in Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area.
645 Gibbon Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, Phone: 406-646-7802
8. Running Bear Pancake House, West Yellowstone, Montana
The Running Bear Pancake House provides the West Yellowstone community with a family-style dining experience, known for its friendly and clean atmosphere, homemade baked goods, and delicious pancakes. The Running Bear Pancake House was originally opened by a couple named Thompson in 1965, running the pancake house during the summer seasons through the year 1974. The name actually comes from a bear once locking itself in the storage building during construction of the restaurant. When the door was opened, the bear took off running. Running Bear has changed hands several times over the years, but still serves some of the best pancakes around.
538 Madison Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, Phone: 406-646-7703
9. Things to Do in West Yellowstone: Pete's Rocky Mountain Pizza Company
Pete's Rocky Mountain Pizza Company has been a part of the community of West Yellowstone, Montana for more than twenty-five years, taking pride in the ingredient quality used for each pizza served in the establishment, as well as the other dishes on the menu for dinner. Customers can stop in for a large selection of salad, pasta, or pizza, washing it down with one of the specialty lemonades or Italian sodas. Lunch also offers grilled sandwiches. Pete's Rocky Mountain Pizza Company also includes a seating area outdoors where dogs are welcome, with treats and water provided for them as well.
112 N Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, Phone: 406-646-7820
10. Bullwinkle's Saloon and Eatery, West Yellowstone, MT
Just minutes from Old Faithful and the Yellowstone National Park is Bullwinkle's Saloon and Eatery, a favorite dining establishment among both West Yellowstone residents and visitors alike. The family-owned and operated eatery takes a great amount of pride in serving made-from-scratch, delicious meals with the freshest ingredients available. At Bullwinkle's Saloon and Eatery, they make their own dressings and sauces, make their own meatballs, and cut their own meat. The restaurant offers a menu with plenty of options for everyone, with dishes including salads, sandwiches, chicken, Idaho Trout, pasta, prime rib, hand-cut chops and steaks, gluten-free meals, and vegetarian meals.
115 N Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT 59758, Phone: 406-646-7630
