America’s first National Park is an all-natural resource for photographers, outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes and for those who simply appreciate the beauty and solitude of the American West.
Scattered across its 3,500 square miles are geysers, hot springs and geothermal features that have made Yellowstone world famous. Its diverse ecosystem sustains populations of bison, elk, bighorn sheep, antelope, deer, bears, coyotes and wolves. Towering trees, wildflower meadows, rushing rivers and roaring waterfalls offer some of North America’s most stunning scenery.
Make Gardiner, the Northern Gateway to Yellowstone, your adventure base camp any time of year. It’s a short hop to many of Yellowstone’s iconic attractions.
- Witness an eruption of Old Faithful, the famed geyser. Twenty times a day, Old Faithful sends a plume of hot water and steam 140 feet into the air. It’s just an hour and a half from Gardiner. En route, you can stop to see the Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Hot Springs with Steamboat Geyser, and Midway Geyser Basin.
- Get in touch with your wild side in the Lamar Valley, 28 miles southeast of Gardiner. This valley is known as the 'Serengeti' of Yellowstone National Park for its wildlife viewing. You can go hiking, camping, backpacking or fishing.
- Looking for something different? How about llama trekking or horseback riding? All of these activities are seasonal, but available through business partners of Gardiner's Chamber of Commerce. Likewise, in the winter enjoy wildlife-watching, skiing and snowshoeing throughout the wilderness.
- In the summer, take a drive over scenic Dunraven Pass to see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where iconic Yellowstone Falls are located. The river plunges 308 feet into the canyon floor, twice the tumble of Niagara Falls.
- Traverse the Beartooth Highway between Cooke City, MT and Red Lodge, MT. Mountain goats and late season skiers can be seen at the summit.
To learn more about Yellowstone's iconic wildlife we encourage you to check out these free resources:
