8 Adventures To Enjoy On The Montana Side Of Yellowstone National Park
We’ll be the first to admit that you can’t always tell for sure which state you’re in when you visit Yellowstone National Park. Since the vast majority of the park is in Wyoming — and a tiny portion with Idaho — it’s easy to lose track. But it’s possible to have a few adventures while you’re still in the great state of Montana. For this reason, Yellowstone is an incredible national park to visit in Montana. While you’re there, here are eight things you can do on our side of Yellowstone:
Saddle up with Flying Pig Adventure Company and enjoy views of Yellowstone like you’ve never seen it before. You’ll experience the life of a Montana cowboy as you ride the trails around the park, which is led by expert wranglers. For more information, be sure to check out Flying Pig Adventure Company online.
Just a few feet north of the Montana-Wyoming border lies the 45th Parallel Bridge, which is near the Boiling River. This is one of the few places in the park where you can actually enjoy a swim in warm water. It’s open for swimming from dawn to dusk. Learn more about how you can take a dip in this enchanting water.
Yellowstone National Park is one of America’s premier wilderness areas, with more than 900 miles of trails crisscrossing Yellowstone. You can start in Montana, cross into Wyoming and end your hike back in the Treasure State.
Backcountry camping is allowed in Yellowstone, including some spots on the Montana side. Pick up a permit from a ranger station or the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center.
The not-for-profit Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is located in West Yellowstone, offering park visitors a chance to see grizzly bears and gray wolves. All the animals at the center are unable to survive in the wild for various reasons, so they serve as ambassadors for their wild counterparts. For more information about planning your visit, be sure to check out the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center website.
Montana Whitewater’s Gardiner location offers rafting trips for beginners and families on their Half-Day Yellowstone River Raft Trips. You can also book a trip through Flying Pig Adventure Company.
Bison are the most common mammals spotted in the park, and plenty of herds can be seen without crossing the border into Wyoming. Looking for more places to spot bison in Montana? Check out one of America's oldest wildlife refuges that's located right here in Montana.
The historic Roosevelt Arch can only be found at the Gardiner entrance to the park, which is definitely in Montana. Dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in April of 1903, it’s one of Yellowstone’s most famous structures. While you're there, be sure to spend some time in the charming town of Gardiner, Montana.
2819 US-89, Gardiner, MT 59030, USA
What’s your favorite area of Yellowstone National Park? Do you agree that it’s the best national park to visit in Montana? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! For more information, head on over to the official Yellowstone National Park website.
Address: 511 Scott St W, Gardiner, MT 59030, USA
Address: Gardiner, MT 59030, USA
Address: 511 Scott St W, Gardiner, MT 59030, USA
Address: 2819 US-89, Gardiner, MT 59030, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
national park to visit in Montana
January 10, 2022
Beth C.
What are the top natural wonders in Montana?
There’s no doubt about it: Montana is one of the most breathtaking states to visit in the U.S. Boasting unspoiled landscapes of canyons, mountains, forests, and rivers, the Treasure State truly lives up to its nickname. Of course, pinpointing the best natural wonders in Montana can be somewhat of a daunting task given how many there are. Fortunately, we’ve done the work for you and have come up with a list of some of our favorites. If you’re looking to experience the wild, natural side of Montana, you can’t go wrong with any of the following attractions: Glacier National Park, Humbug Spires Wilderness Study Area, Kootenai Falls, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Makoshika State Park, Gates of the Mountains, Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, Quake Lake, and the Lewis & Clark Caverns. Curious to learn more about what makes these top natural wonders in Montana so special? Check out our previous article: The 10 Most Incredible Natural Attractions In Montana That Everyone Should Visit.
Address: 511 Scott St W, Gardiner, MT 59030, USA
Address: Gardiner, MT 59030, USA
Address: 511 Scott St W, Gardiner, MT 59030, USA
Address: 2819 US-89, Gardiner, MT 59030, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
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Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
