Q: How close is Gardiner to Yellowstone National Park?
A: The park entrance is located ¼ mile from the Gardiner Montana Visitor Center. However, you step into the park right out the door of the Chamber of Commerce (or any other business on Park Street).
Q: What is the cost to get into Yellowstone National Park?
A: There are a variety of options for entrance fees and passes. For complete information, please reference the Fees & Passes page of the official Yellowstone National Park website.
The entry fee to Yellowstone National Park is $35 for private, non-commercial vehicles and $30 for motorcycles. Entry fees are valid for seven days from the date of purchase and cover all passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle. You can purchase your seven-day entry pass online in advance here, or in person at an entrance station at Yellowstone National Park. You can also purchase an annual pass specific to Yellowstone National Park for $70, which you can learn about here.
Interagency passes, known as the America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass Series, allow annual or, in some cases, lifetime access to Yellowstone National Park and other federal recreation lands across the USA. The series includes the Annual Pass, senior passes, military and veterans' passes, Access Pass, and more.
For information about these passes visit https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes. You can order a pass online (you MUST receive the pass in the mail BEFORE you begin your trip) or purchase a pass in person at an entrance station at Yellowstone National Park.
You can also purchase the Interagency Annual Pass here in Gardiner, MT Visitor Center, located at 216 Park St, Gardiner, MT 59030. The cost for this pass is $80.
Free Entrance Days
Fees are waived at Yellowstone National Park on the following days:
- January 15, 2024: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 20, 2024: First Day of National Park Week / National Junior Ranger Day
- June 19, 2024: Juneteenth National Independence Day
- August 4, 2024: Great American Outdoors Act Commemoration
- September 28, 2024: National Public Lands Day
- November 11, 2024: Veterans Day
Q: Will I have cell phone service or WiFi?
A: Verizon Wireless is the most reliable cell phone service provider in the Gardiner area. Most restaurants and hotels in Gardiner offer WiFi, and there is complimentary WiFi available at the Gardiner, Montana Visitor Center. In Yellowstone, cell phone service is typically only available in developed areas (such as Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs). Public WiFi is available at some visitor centers, but in general, WiFi is scarce in Yellowstone National Park.
Q: What is the weather like in Gardiner?
A: Gardiner is characterized by a cool, semi-arid climate and we're located at 5,259 feet above sea level.
Summers are generally pleasant with warm days and cool nights, as well as the occasional afternoon thundershower. The warmest month is typically July, with the daily high temperature averaging 87 degrees Fahrenheit, and daily low averaging 53 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the winter months, the daily high temperature averages 35 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 17 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature often plunges sub-zero on the coldest days. Annual snowfall averages 25 inches in Gardiner, though Mammoth Hot Springs, just 5 miles into the park, receives an average of 150 inches of snow. This makes Gardiner the perfect winter basecamp with little snowfall in town but great snowshoeing and cross-country skiing nearby in the mountains.
No matter the time of year, the weather in this mountainous area can be unpredictable. It's always a good idea to bring rain gear and dress in layers.
Q: Where is the nearest grocery store?
A: The Gardiner Market offers a large selection of groceries, camping gear, liquor, toiletries, and other supplies. Two local gas stations, Town Station and Gardiner Sinclair, have convenience stores. A variety of other businesses in town offer gear, souvenirs, and snacks. Learn more about Gardiner's shopping options here.
Q: Is there public transportation to and from Gardiner?
A: There are no public transportation options in or around Gardiner. In general, Montana has extremely limited public transportation. Do not rely on rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft.
Silverback Transportation services Gallatin County and Park County, including trips to and from the Bozeman International Airport.
Q: Is there a local newspaper?
A: The Gardiner Community Newsletter is distributed weekly. The Livingston Enterprise is published in Livingston, Montana several times a week. View other local publications here.
Q: Is Gardiner open year-round?
A: Yes! US Highway 89, which connects Gardiner to Livingston, is plowed and maintained year-round by the Montana Department of Transportation.
In Yellowstone, the only road that remains open to private, wheeled vehicle traffic year-round is the road from Gardiner to Cooke City. Call 307.344.2117 for road conditions in Yellowstone National Park or click here.
Q: Is Gardiner located in Montana or Wyoming?
A: Gardiner is in Montana, just a few miles north of the Wyoming state line. You will pass into Wyoming as you drive to Mammoth Hot Springs.
Q: Are there places to camp in the Gardiner area?
A: There are several Forest Service campsites within a few miles of town as well as designated campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park. Check out our favorite camping areas in Gardiner, Yellowstone, and nearby Cooke City and the Beartooth Highway.
Winter camping is available in some campgrounds nearby. Be prepared for harsh weather and limited or non-existent services.
Q: What kinds of wildlife can I see in Gardiner?
A: Elk, deer, and pronghorn can frequently be seen in and around the town of Gardiner. Bison stroll through town during the winter. On very rare occasions bears, coyotes, wolves, bighorn sheep, and moose can be seen in or just outside of town as well.
Q: Is there a park or picnic area in town?
A: Arch Park, next to the Roosevelt Arch, has a pavilion, picnic tables, and other facilities. An additional picnic area is located on Park Street overlooking the confluence of the Yellowstone and Gardner Rivers. Inquire at the Gardiner Montana Visitor Information Center for directions.
Q: Are there places for wedding receptions and other group gatherings in Gardiner?
A: The Gardiner Community Center and Arch Park are popular places for receptions and group gatherings, as well as several of our lodging facilities. The Gardiner Montana Visitor Center conference room is also available for rent for smaller group gatherings; please call 406.848.7971 for more information.
Q: Where are the nearest medical facilities?
A: The Mammoth Clinic located in Mammoth Hot Springs can treat most minor medical problems. The nearest hospital or urgent care facility is Livingston Healthcare, located 58 miles north of Gardiner in Livingston, Montana. For emergencies, don't hesitate to call 911.