The Town Of Gardiner, Montana Was The First To Establish A National Park In America

When you think of Yellowstone National Park, you probably immediately associate it with Wyoming. This makes sense, as more than 90 percent of the park is located there. However, in southwest Montana, lies the town of Gardiner. And in Gardiner, you’ll find the North Entrance to Yellowstone. It’s the only year-round entrance (out of five) to the park and also the first-ever entrance to the first-ever national park established in America in 1872. There's no denying that Gardiner is one of the most impressive small towns in Montana!

With a population of only about 900, you’d think that this quaint, Old West-style town doesn’t have much, but you’d be wrong. Founded in 1880, Gardiner has seen it all, from gold rushes to devastating fires.

Small but mighty, the town hosts well over 100,00 visitors per year, is home to several eateries and shops, and is the gateway (with a literal arch!) to the park. In 2017, it received a multi-million dollar revitalization, which included updating parking and adding street lamps and trees.

At Gardiner's Yellowstone National Park North Entrance, you’ll find the Roosevelt Arch. Built in 1903, it is named after the 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt.

Visitors can pull off and explore the 52-foot arch on their own. You can bypass going through the arch on Highway 89, but why would you want to miss this?

At 3,500 square miles, Yellowstone National Park is the eighth-largest national park in America.

Aside from the abundance of native wildlife to witness, visitors can also take in tons of geothermal features like geysers and hot springs. The Yellowstone River and waterfalls are worth a visit too.

Just five miles from the North Entrance and right across the Wyoming state line, you’ll find Mammoth Hot Springs, a geothermal area on a hill that consists of almost 100 scattered hot springs.

Its terrace, which sometimes has water and other times just steam, makes it look like the interior of a cave.

The Yellowstone River, at 692 miles long, is the longest river in the lower 48 states, and it runs right through Gardiner as well as the park. About an hour from the North Entrance, you’ll find the 20-mile-long and 4,000-foot-wide “Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.”

Be sure to keep an eye out for ospreys, who love the soaring around and nesting near the river canyon.

The North Entrance is the only one open in the winter to Yellowstone Park visitors.

And while you’ll have to battle the snow and cold, know that the best wildlife viewing is in the winter since there aren’t as many crowds to keep them in hiding.

Yellowstone National Park and the outskirts of Gardiner are known for their wildlife.

Just a few of the unique animals you’ll have the opportunity to see include elk, bighorn sheep, bears, wolves, and bison.

Probably the most popular features of the park are its geysers. While there are over 500 here, it’s Old Faithful (located in Wyoming about 55 miles south of Gardiner) that remains the most famous.

About twenty times a day, it erupts and shoots out steam and hot water 140 feet (on average) straight up.

Have you ever been to Yellowstone National Park? How about Gardiner, one of the most unique small towns in Montana? What was your favorite part of it? Tell us in the comments below -- we would love to hear from you! And for related content, see what Yellowstone National Park is like during the winter.

If you haven’t ever visited the park before, get yourself even more familiar with Yellowstone National Park through the NPS. And check out tips for staying safe while visiting the park.

You can also learn more about the North Entrance of Yellowstone when you watch this fascinating overview video: