Staying in Gardiner is a Great Way to See Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance boasts a wide variety of activities that offer something for every type of traveler.
Adventurous hikers can embark on challenging mountain trails, enjoying the incredible scenery and breathtaking views along the way.
Wildlife enthusiasts can observe a diverse range of animal species in their natural habitat, including bison, elk, and wolves.
For those seeking a more relaxed pace, scenic drives through the park showcase stunning landscapes and stunning geological formations.
The options are endless, making Yellowstone's North Entrance the perfect destination for any thrill-seeker.
Our Recommended Trip from the North Gate
DAY 01
Discover Mammoth Hot Springs
Looking to uncover Yellowstone's best-kept secret? Make a beeline for Mammoth Hot Springs, an overshadowed natural wonderland begging to be explored. On day one, hunker down in the charming town of Gardiner, your gateway to kickstarting an adventure away from the crowds.
Enjoy a sunrise photo walk at Mammoth Hot Springs:
Arrive before dawn and explore the boardwalks around Mammoth's terraced springs as the sun rises. Photograph the mineral formations in the soft morning light when crowds are minimal. Experience the geothermal features in solitude during the magical morning hours. View Mammoth Hot Springs trails here.
Take a short river walk or extended mountain hike:
The trails around Mammoth offer a variety of hiking options. Shorter routes along Lava Creek lead to thundering Undine Falls and a suspension bridge crossing the Yellowstone River. Longer journeys on Sepulcher Mountain Trail and Bunsen Peak Trail traverse ponds and climb mountain summits. Hikes range from 4 to 11 miles in length. View day hikes in the Mammoth area here.
Take a rejuvenating swim at Yellowstone Hot Springs:
After exploring Yellowstone's backcountry, unwind at the nearby Yellowstone Hot Springs, located just 7 miles from 112 Yellowstone Street and 114 Yellowstone Street and 3 miles from the Premier Yellowstone River Home and studio apartments. We provide discount coupons where you can swim in the warm, mineral-rich waters.
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DAY 02
Become one of the ‘Geyser Gazers’
A day exploring Yellowstone's famous geysers and thermal areas is a must for any visitor. The North Entrance is the perfect starting point for an unforgettable day, surrounded by Yellowstone's unique geothermal features.
Spend some time at Norris Geyser Basin:
Spend a couple of hours exploring the dynamic landscape of the Norris Geyser Basin. This hydrothermal hotspot is home to a diversity of thermal features. Watch as the Whirligig Geyser spins like a top. If you're lucky, you may even witness Steamboat Geyser, the world's tallest active geyser, erupt up to 300 feet in the air.
Behold the brilliant bands of Grand Prismatic:
At Midway Geyser Basin, the dazzling Grand Prismatic Spring steals the show. This massive hot spring stuns visitors with its rainbow bands of fiery colors radiating from the center. A network of raised boardwalks grants access for photographers and onlookers to admire this natural spectacle up close.
Experience Yellowstone's most iconic natural show:
Old Faithful remains an unmissable attraction for most Yellowstone visitors, erupting on schedule approximately every 90 minutes. While waiting for the next burst, explore the boardwalks winding through the surrounding Upper Geyser Basin.
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DAY 03
The Gateway to Yellowstone's Wildlife
Gardiner provides easy access to Yellowstone's famous wildlife. Use this charming town as your basecamp to observe wolves, bears, bison and more in their natural habitat.
Take an early morning wildlife drive:
Start your wildlife adventure at dawn by driving the Blacktail Plateau. This one-way road offers prime wildlife viewing, including elusive wolves and black bears emerging in the early morning light or at dusk.
Get a glimpse into the past:
Next, stop to see the Petrified Redwood Tree, offering a glimpse into Yellowstone’s ancient past. Marvel at the subtropical flora captured in stone at this quick stop just past the exit from Blacktail Plateau Drive.
Watch abundant wildlife in Lamar Valley:
Proceed into picturesque Lamar Valley, where an abundance of wildlife gather in the pristine landscape. Bison, bears, antelope and wolves roam as they have for ages. Compare notes with fellow wildlife watchers to improve your chances of sightings.
Relaxing end to the day at Wraith Falls:
End your day by stretching your legs on the short hike to Wraith Falls. Enjoy wildflowers and cascading waters, capping off an unforgettable day in Yellowstone’s natural paradise.
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DAY 04
Experience ‘America's Most Beautiful Drive’
Traverse the awe-inspiring Beartooth Pass Highway, called "America's Most Beautiful Drive" for its unmatched mountain scenery. This 68-mile route climbs to nearly 11,000 feet and is open just a few months a year due to heavy snow, making summer the perfect time to embrace the high altitude adventure.
Take a hike Gardner Lake:
Stop at emerald Gardner Lake, where a 3⁄4 mile trail rewards hikers with views across the sparking waters and rugged peaks. Catch your breath - you are over 10,500 feet high!
Summit at Beartooth Pass (Elevation 10,947 feet):
Continue upwards to Beartooth Pass Vista Point, elevation 10,947 feet. From this lofty lookout, scan the landscape above the treeline. Spy roaming mountain goats and crystalline high-altitude lakes.
Enjoy the views at Rock Creek Vista:
A short stroll takes you to a stunning viewpoint overlooking nearby Red Lodge, Montana.
Explore Red Lodge, Montana:
Then meander down to the charming mountain town of Red Lodge, Montana. Wander Main Street before looping back to Gardiner through Livingston and Chico Hot Springs, soaking in even more stunning scenery.
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DAY 05
A memorable Yellowstone farewell
Conclude your Northern Yellowstone adventure by saving some of the park's most thundering waterfalls and grandeur for the final day.
Visit towering waterfalls:
Marvel at the unique 132-foot cascade of Tower Fall, including short walks to view the tumultuous Yellowstone River. This iconic waterfall plunges over volcanic rock formations, creating a thrilling sight and sound that should not be missed.
View Upper and Lower Falls, Artist Point, and more:
Continue to the Canyon Village area to witness Lower and Upper Falls, two of the largest plunging waterfalls in the Rockies. Hike down for crashing views of Lower Falls, take in the vast Grand Canyon of Yellowstone from Artist Point and try your hand at trout fishing in the canyon's depths.
Look for wildlife, lakes, and geysers:
Pause along the way to sight wildlife in Hayden Valley, relax on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, and stretch your legs among colorful pools and geysers at West Thumb Basin. With epic scenery and experiences around every bend, Yellowstone's north side makes for a memorable farewell.
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Yellowstone
Resources
Road Conditions and Closures
Check the resources below to ensure the roads you wish to travel are open
See a live map of Yellowstone road closures
Check weather and conditions with Yellowstone webcams
See if Beartooth Pass Highway is drivable or snowed in
Opening Times
When can I drive through Yellowstone? Snowmobile?
During the summer, all the parks road open, but in the winter, the North Entrance may be your best bet to get a fix of Yellowstone as Mammoth Hot Springs to Cooke City through Lamar Valley remains open all year.
You'll feel right at home in our luxury home away from home, which is located only minutes from Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance, the only park gate that is open all year long.
In a setting that is intimate and focused on the satisfaction of its clients, you can take advantage of a fully equipped kitchen, genuine living space that allows you to relax in privacy, and service that is unparalleled.
