Displaying items by tag: Yellowstone vacation

Yellowstone's roads are fully open by Memorial Day weekend, presenting an ideal opportunity for visitors who are ready to experience the park before peak summer crowds really start to hit. If you love the thought of playful baby animals or meandering along the shores of high alpine lakes, read on for a three-day Yellowstone itinerary that is best enjoyed in late May through mid June.

Day One: The Grand Loop/Geyser Gazing

Your itinerary begins in Gardiner, Montana at Yellowstone's charismatic and historic North Entrance. Eat a big breakfast and grab a packed lunch in Gardiner before heading out for your first day exploring Yellowstone. As you head south from Mammoth, you’ll cruise down roads lined with geyser basins. Stop and meander the boardwalks at Norris or Midway Geyser Basin. Further south, Old Faithful makes the perfect picnic stop to stretch your legs and learn more about the park’s geology at the Old Faithful Visitor Center. Finish the loop by heading east towards Yellowstone Lake and north through Hayden Valley or backtrack to stop at any geysers you missed on the way down.

Day Two: The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & Yellowstone Lake

Rise early and head to the Canyon area by driving east toward Tower Junction and up and over Dunraven Pass. Choose from one of several viewpoints and spend as much time as you like admiring the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone as it plunges more than 300 feet into the colorful canyon below. Continue south through Hayden Valley, leaving time for chance wildlife encounters including bison and grizzly bears. Beyond Hayden Valley you'll find yourself on the shores of spectacular Yellowstone Lake—the largest lake above 7000' in North America. After a picnic lunch on the pleasant beach behind the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center, take an hour or two to hike Storm Point Trail along the shores of the lake. Be sure check in with the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center to ensure the trail is not closed for bear management. As the afternoon winds down, head back to Gardiner the way you came or by taking the cut-across road from Canyon to Norris, then north to Mammoth Hot Springs and on to Gardiner, Montana.

Day Three: Northern Range

Spend your final day in our favorite part of the park, the Yellowstone Northern Range. Heading east from Mammoth Hot Springs, travel along what is known as the"Serengeti of North America" for a chance to spot Yellowstone’s most famous critters. In the springtime, highlights include bison calves (also known affectionately as "red dogs"), elk calves, moose, and clumsy black bear cubs. Break up the day with a short hike to Lost Lake or Trout Lake. For optimal wildlife viewing—and to leave the driving and planning to someone else—book with a local guide. If you prefer to travel solo be sure to get out early or stay out late as Yellowstone's wildlife are most active at dawn and dusk.

Helpful Sources

Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Hire a Guide
Park Road Opening Dates
What to Expect in YNP in March, April, and May

Photos courtesy of Yellowstone National Park Service.

Not so long ago, you’d be considered incredibly lucky to witness Steamboat Geyser blow its top. And despite a significant increase in the geyser’s eruptions, you’d still have to count yourself lucky today—the world’s tallest geyser puts on a spectacular show each time it erupts, spewing water up to 300 feet high and throwing huge amounts of mud, sand, and silica into the air. Even the steam phase that follows the eruption can last for several days.

Until recently, these dramatic eruptions generally only took place once every few years—if at all (with a few exceptions in the 1960s and '80s). But things took a drastic turn in 2018, when Steamboat erupted a record-breaking 30 different times.

The Hottest Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park

Steamboat is tucked away in Yellowstone’s Norris Geyser Basin, approximately 20 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs. Norris holds the distinction of being the hottest and most volatile geyser basin in the park. Visitors who venture here will discover a little over two miles of vibrant thermal features dressed in sapphire blue, toxic-looking green, and fiery orange. Divided into two regions—Porcelain Basin and Back Basin—Norris is often punctuated by the sounds of hissing steam and the acrid smell of sulphur.

The Evolution of Steamboat’s Eruptions

Steamboat's eruptions have been sporadic and infrequent prior to the record-breaking year of 2018. In fact, the geyser experienced periods of complete dormancy throughout the 1990s and late 2000s. In the past year, however, Steamboat erupted on 30 different occasions—surpassing the previous all-time record of 29 eruptions in 1964. The most recent and record-breaking eruption took place on December 8, 2018.

“The heightened activity at Steamboat this year is uncommon but not unprecedented,” said Jeff Hungerford, Yellowstone’s park geologist, in a December 2018 press release. “We have seen similar activity twice previously; once in the early 1960s, and again in the early 1980s. Conversely, the world’s tallest active geyser has also exhibited years of quiescence or no major eruptions, with the longest being the 50-year period between 1911 and 1961. We’ll continue to monitor this extraordinary geyser.”

Tips for Visiting Norris Geyser Basin

Not surprisingly, the popularity of Norris Geyser Basin has shot up with visitors since the news of Steamboat’s record-breaking activity has spread. This time of year, when many of the park roads are closed to personal vehicles, visitors will need to book a snowcoach or join a snowmobile tour out of Gardiner or West Yellowstone to get to the basin. In the summer months when roads reopen to personal vehicles, visitors can reach the basin by heading in from the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and traveling south from Mammoth Hot Springs for approximately 20 miles. It’s a good idea to get to the basin as early as possible, as the parking area will often fill to capacity by mid-morning.

No matter what time of year visitors decide to go, it’s important to remember Steamboat’s eruptions—like most thermal features in Yellowstone—are still unpredictable. Here at the Gardiner Visitor Center, we recommend planning to stay in the area for several days and be sure to line out other attractions you’d like to see. But rest assured, if you are one of the lucky park visitors to catch a Steamboat Eruption, it's safe to say it's an experience you won't soon forget!

Other Trip Planning Sources

Hire a Yellowstone Guide
Nearby Lodging
Nearby Restaurants 
How to Prepare for a Yellowstone Winter Adventure
Yellowstone Snowcoaches: The Ultimate Ticket to Ride

Every autumn the high-pitched “errrr-EEEEEEEEEEE-rrrrr” of elk bugles fill the air around northern Yellowstone National Park and southern Montana. This marks the start of the elk “rut” – or mating season – where bulls challenge one another and lock antlers to determine breeding rights with nearby females. And it can be quite the spectacle – drawing onlookers from across the planet.

Preparing for Battle

Starting in springtime, after they shed their antlers from the previous season, bull elk grow new spikes and tines that branch off them at an incredible rate. At this time the antlers are covered in a soft, blood-vessel-filled covering called velvet, which nourishes the bone underneath. Once fall arrives, and the process is complete, they use trees, rocks, and shrubbery to vigorously rub off the casing and sharpen the points of their antlers in the process. They are then ready to challenge other bulls to do battle using bugles to call in contenders.

The Challenge

This is where things get interesting; onlookers wait with bated breath to witness bulls lock antlers and push each other back and forth in a test of dominance. However, not every challenge is answered in a battle. Sometimes a young bull commits to more than he’s ready for and is chased off easily by the more mature male. Sometimes two big bulls size each other up and decide to go their separate directions. What remains consistent, though, are the large – seemingly unimpressed – groups of female elk called harems. These female, or cow, elk and their calves nonchalantly chew grass while the bulls, when not battling, jealously guard them and try to keep them in an organized group. Bulls consistently test whether the females are ready to mate using an organ in the roof of their mouths that can detect pheromones.

The spectacle has attracted onlookers since Yellowstone was established as a national park in 1872. Most of the activity now takes place in Mammoth Hot Springs, a National Historic District inside the park that is a mere 15-minute drive from Gardiner, Montana. Here, grass cultivated between buildings attracts the elk and provides easy viewing of bulls and harems.

Where to View the Rut

From Gardiner, drive to Mammoth to park your car and safely view the wildlife from a developed area, including from the porch of the Albright Visitor Center. If you’d prefer to seek elk in a more private setting, hire a guide from a local wildlife watching company who can take you to lesser-known regions including outside of the park. You can also inquire into autumn elk hunting opportunities following the rut with one of Gardiner’s local hunting outfitters. The area is well known for hunting with a permit outside the park’s boundaries.

Please note that elk – really at all times of the year, but especially in the rut – can be extremely dangerous and often attack parked cars and visitors who don’t afford them appropriate space. For more information on staying safe while watching these animals during their mating season, please visit the Yellowstone National Park website and follow all rules and regulations.

Chelsea DeWeese is a guide and writer based in her hometown of Gardiner, Montana, at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Plan Your Elk Rut Adventure

Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Getting Here
Other Fall Activities

 If you drive into Gardiner, Montana, after the hustle and bustle of the short three months of summer, you’ll notice a tranquility settle upon the town. The locals relax, the wildlife wanders in from the park, and the crowds disappear. Glancing at the passing license plates, the traffic is distinctly more Montana based. Yet spring, fall, and winter are ideal times to visit Yellowstone National Park. According to the Park Service, only 35 percent of the yearly visitation occurs outside of summer, which means that the off-season is the best way to avoid the crowds and experience Gardiner—and Yellowstone—in silence and solitude.

Spring

Walk through downtown as the ice breaks up along the Yellowstone River and you’ll hear echoes careening off the canyon walls below Gardiner. When March sweeps in, spells of mild weather and longer days settle into the northern district of the park. Spring is the perfect season to get out and enjoy one of the most photogenic times of the year.

It’s a time of new life in the park, and viewing Yellowstone’s wobbly legged baby animals can be a highlight of many people’s trip in the spring. With more than 60 different animal species in the park, you have a good chance of spotting these youngsters in the spring. Elk begin calving in late May and June, making them the most likely animals to spot for most people. Bison are usually born in April, able to stand within a few hours of birth. They will stay with the all-female herd for protection from predators for up to three years, so you’ll see the smallest members of the group learning the ropes. Bear cubs are born during winter hibernation, but step out with mom in the spring, usually around late March. They are one of the prized sightings in the park—but keep in mind that you never want to get too close to the mother and cubs. Bring binoculars and a zoom lense for your camera.

Another unique opportunity to explore presents itself as the Park Service plows the roads connecting Gardiner and Mammoth to the West Entrance. For a brief window, bicyclists are allowed into the park while the roads are still closed to motor vehicles. This is an amazing chance to pedal the park in silence. However, make a plan and come prepared because spring in the Rockies can still be unpredictable. If you happen to be caught without the proper gear, Gardiner has plenty of shops like the Flying Pig Camp Store where you can find warm and comfortable layers.

As the months advance into April and May, it’s a great time to get out on the lower elevation trails, such as the Black Canyon and Lava Creek, and search for waterfalls and wildflowers. Along the way, dig out your bear spray and keep your binoculars handy to watch elk calves and baby bison take their first steps. If you’re lucky, you may even see a mother grizzly and her cubs wandering down from their winter sleep or wolf pups emerging from their dens.

Fall

After Labor Day weekend, the line of cars disappears from under the Roosevelt Arch and a steady stream of visitors slows to a trickle through the North Entrance. Pausing to listen in the early morning light, you might hear a bull elk’s bugle resound from across the Gardner River.

Fall is the perfect time of year to drive up to Mammoth and hike the Hoodoos Trail or Beaver Ponds Loop. Autumn colors dot the mid-elevation landscape and, as you gaze towards Sepulcher Mountain, it’s a good time to look up and catch the passing raptor migration as they head south for winter. Keep your eyes peeled for golden eagles and goshawks traveling south in the afternoons.

After the first frost, get out for a final night of camping or a late-season backpacking trip. The cool temperatures are a great excuse for gathering around a campfire at the end of the day. Here are a few campground recommendations for every vehicle type and recreational interest, from just outside of Gardiner to inside the park to nearby Cooke City. Pack along your rod for a day of fall fishing or, if you prefer, enjoy a weekend of world class elk hunting near town. While camping please remember to be bear aware and keep your food secure because hibernation doesn’t begin until well after the first snowfall.

Winter

Once snow falls, Yellowstone’s magic comes to the forefront of the softened landscape. With the arrival of winter, head south from town to Mammoth and walk the Terraces. As steam billows into the frosty sky and warm water pools in blues and greens, the boardwalk is a spectacular place to explore and enjoy the silent beauty of Yellowstone’s winter.

If you crave a bigger adventure, pack up your car with warm food and a thermos and head towards the Lamar Valley, before first light, for a morning of wolf watching. The winter snow forces the elk and bison out of the higher country and closer to the road. With a good lens, it’s fairly common to see wolves hunting on the edge of these herds. Winter is an excellent time to catch a glimpse of these carnivores on the landscape.

Another great option for wildlife watching is to head to the trails around Tower Junction with skis or snowshoes. Across the Yellowstone Northern Range, there are miles and miles of groomed trails to explore and wander. Bison graze around the melted snow of Tower’s thermal features and the nearby waterfalls are stunning when they are paused as pillars of ice.

After a long day in the park, Gardiner provides year-round dining and cozy lodging to enjoy on a cold winter’s night.

This year, make it a goal to experience the magic of Yellowstone throughout the seasons. Gardiner serves as the perfect basecamp with plenty of options for food, lodging, and tour guides to help you explore. When you visit Gardiner outside of the busy summer season, you can enjoy small town Montana life and see the park with the locals. It’s an incredible experience that will stick with you for a lifetime.

Written by Anthony Pavkovich for RootsRated Media in partnership with Gardiner CVB.

Fall in Gardiner, Montana and northern Yellowstone is spectacular—especially if you love wildlife watching, photography, and classic mountain town recreation. Here are just a few reasons to plan a fall adventure to Nature’s Favorite Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

The elk rut. Fall in Gardiner and northern Yellowstone means elk mating season is in full swing. You can be at the center of the action and watch the bulls (males) compete for the attention of females. Just be careful—the bulls are easily agitated this time of year so give them plenty of space. Check out this video from Yellowstone National Park if you need some visual proof.

Beautiful hiking weather. The Gardiner area is still relatively dry but the daytime highs are cooler, making the weather more comfortable for a day hike. Our favorite hikes this time of year include Knox Lake (Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, inquire at the Gardiner Ranger Station), any of these northern Yellowstone hikes, and Pine Creek Lake. All our favorite spring hiking adventures are great options in autumn as well.

Camping. Crisp mornings give way to warm, sparkling autumn days in Gardiner, Montana. We have a campground recommendation for every vehicle type and recreational interest, from just outside town to Yellowstone National Park to Cooke City. Just remember some campgrounds close by late September, so be sure to check with the Forest Service or Park Service before you go.

Scenic drives. Paradise Valley, Jardine Road, Yellowstone’s Northern Range, and the Beartooth Highway all offer spectacular scenic drives filled with alpine scenery, fall color, and opportunities for viewing wildlife—including bears, elk, and moose. 

Yellowstone has fewer crowds. Cooler temperatures mean the thermal features are even steamier than in the warmer months—plus you can view them without the usual summer crowds. Though September is still considered peak season in the park, October and early November are some of our favorite times to enjoy the wonders of Yellowstone National Park at your own pace (and find parking, too!)

Fly fishing. The Yellowstone River runs right through town—and just happens to be a world-class fishing destination. Try your luck in Gardiner, Tom Miner Basin, and the Paradise Valley. Visit the local fly shops to find out what the fish are biting on and where.

Endless photography opportunities. Wildlife are more active as the ungulates (elk, pronghorn, and deer) head into mating season and bears prepare for hibernation. Grab the big lens and take advantage of premier wildlife watching and photography opportunities. Bonus: If the animals are being elusive, you can always capture the stunning fall colors that surround Gardiner on all sides. Some excellent places to photograph fall foliage include Paradise Valley, the Tom Miner Basin, and Yellowstone’s Northern Range.

Best of all, many of the shops, restaurants, and comfortable accommodations available during the summer months are still open and ready to serve you. Try delicious local cuisine like elk burgers and huckleberry milkshakes, stay in a comfortable hotel or cozy cabin, and pick up all the supplies and mementos you and your family desire.

We look forward to seeing you in Gardiner this fall, where skies are cobalt blue and the air is filled with the sounds of bugling bull elk!

Photo Credits: Knox Lake; camping image: Loren Barrett/Gardiner Chamber of Commerce. Fall foliage and dirt road: Jean Modesette. Fall foliage in Paradise Valley: Zondra Skertich/Gardiner Chamber of Commerce. All others courtesy of Yellowstone NPS.

Camping in Yellowstone National Park is an unforgettable experience - and a wonderful way to dedicate more of your time exploring the park and connecting with the natural wonders around you. But whether you’re tent camping or coming with an RV in tow, even finding a campsite during the busy summer season can be a challenge. It’s always a good idea to plan ahead!

Fortunately, Gardiner, Montana, is located just minutes outside the park's North Entrance. We're thriled to offer travelers a wide variety of services and activities to help make the most of a Yellowstone National Park camping trip - including this handy list of helpful information on camping inside Yellowstone National Park. 

Campgrounds Operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Ideal for those who like to plan ahead, Yellowstone National Park Lodges operates 5 reservation-only campgrounds (1,700+ sites) at Madison, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Bridge Bay, Canyon, and Grant Village. You can make reservations online or by calling the numbers listed below.

To make reservations:
Toll Free - 866-439-7375
TDD - 307-344-5395
Same-day reservations – 307-344-7311
Madison - Accessible campsites centrally located. Flush toilets, dump station, generators allowed between 8am and 8pm. Open April 28 - October 15. Cost: $24.25
Grant - Located on Yellowstone Lake near West Thumb Geyser Basin. Flush toilets, paid shower/laundry facilities, dump station, generators allowed between 8am and 8pm. Open June 7 - September 17. Cost: $29
Bridge Bay - Located on Yellowstone Lake near Lake Hotel and Bridge Bay Marina. Flush toilets, dump station, generators allowed between 8am and 8pm. Open: May 19 - September 11. Cost: $24.25
Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground offering water, sewer, and electrical hookups-50 amp service; it is for hard-sided vehicles only (no tents or tent-trailers are allowed). Open: May 5 - September 17. Cost: $47.75
Canyon - The closest campground to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Flush toilets, paid shower/laundry facilities, dump station, generators allowed between 8am and 8pm. Cost: $29

Operated by the National Park Service

Yellowstone National Park Service operates 7 first-come, first-served campgrounds (450+ sites) including Mammoth, Norris, Tower Fall, Indian Creek, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and Lewis Lake. Campgrounds usually fill by early morning; plan ahead to obtain a site!

Listed in order of what most commonly fills up first

Slough Creek - Scenic campground on the Northern Range popular with fly-fishermen. Vault toilets available. Open: June 15 - October 7. Cost: $15
Tower: Located near Tower Falls. Vault toilets available. Open: May 26 - Cost: $15
Norris - Located near Norris Geyser Basin. Flush toilets, generators allowed between 8am and 8pm. Open: May 19 - September 25. Cost: $20
Pebble Creek - Northern Range campground near the Northeast Entrance. Vault toilets. Open: June 15 - September 25. Cost: $15
Indian Creek -Located near Norris Geyser Basin. Vault toilets. Open: June 9 - September 11. Cost: $15
Mammoth - Located between Gardiner, Montana, and Mammoth Hot Springs. Flush toilets, generators allowed between 8am and 8pm. Open year-round. Cost: $20
Lewis Lake - A forested campground located near Lewis Lake and the South Entrance. Vault toilets. Open: June 15 - November 5. Cost: $15

Additional Camping Tips and Information:

1. Be sure to check for opening and closing dates for facilities inside the park.
2. Make your reservations early!
3. Overnight camping of any type (tent, vehicle, or RV) outside designated campgrounds is not permitted.
4. Campsite occupancy is limited to 6 people per site.
5. Camping is limited to 14 days from July 1 through Labor Day (first Monday in September) and to 30 days the rest of the year; no limit at Fishing Bridge.
6. Drinking water is normally available in all campgrounds with occasional exceptions.
7. Campfires, including those in portable wood or propane fire pits, are prohibited in the Fishing Bridge RV Park. Wood and charcoal fires are permitted in all other campground locations, though special fire restrictions are occasionally put in place when the danger of wildland fires is great. If you plan to light a fire in the park, be sure to ask about current fire restrictions at the entrance station when you arrive or email our Visitor Services Office immediately prior to your visit. Propane grills and stoves are normally not restricted.
8. Pack the camera and enjoy your outdoor adventure!

Other sources:
Camping outside the park near Gardiner, Montana
Staying Safe in Bear Country
Where to Purchase Camping Supplies
More Camping Information from the Yellowstone NPS website
Backcountry Camping in Yellowstone

All photos courtesy of Yellowstone National Park.

Here at the historic entrance to Yellowstone, May might feel like we’re standing at the water’s edge, getting ready for the plunge that is peak summer visitation. That said, it’s an incredibly rejuvenating and exciting time of year! Our seasonal employees are returning, offering a vibrant mix of the young, the old, and the adventurous. Baby animals - on the farm, in the park, and on neighboring forest land - are being born before our very eyes. With so much beauty and renewal happening all around us, we’ve taken a moment to reflect upon just a few of our favorite things about Gardiner in the month of May.

1. Everything is green. For us, April showers bring vivid, nutrient-rich spring grass to the hills above town and along the Paradise Valley. New leaves bursting from cottonwoods and aspen shimmer in the sunlight. Bison and elk calves teeter on unsteady legs in verdant fields. And speaking of going green, some of our area restaurants serving local, sustainably sourced meat and produce are just opening up for the busy summer season, offering a delicious and environmentally friendly dining option.

2. Wildlife watching. If you ask Chamber Executive Director Loren, baby bison alone could be numbers 1-5 for this post. There’s a reason she and our local guiding companies love the month of May. Brand new bear cubs and playful bison calves provide for endless hours of observation. Elk calves are born towards the end of the month, followed by baby pronghorn. May is the perfect time to watch these youngsters take some of their first steps.

3. The annual Hell’s A-Roarin’ Horse Drive Fundraiser. If you ask us, unique events like this one are just one of the things that make our community so special. Each Memorial Day, the Hell’s A-Roarin' Ranch moves their herd of horses from pasturing in eastern Montana​. It’s a step back in time as visitors and locals watch the horses pass through Gardiner to their mountain ranch located up a narrow, winding road ​in neighboring ​Jardine, Montana​. The drive is followed by a cowboy cookout and western dance.



4. Whitewater rafting. For the more adventurous types, spring runoff makes May one of the most exciting times to take to the Yellowstone River. The experts at our local rafting companies have been helping visitors and locals alike enjoy a safe but high-octane adventure on the Yellowstone River for decades. Choose between a few-hour scenic float to a multi-day rafting adventure in some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.

5. Scenic driving. As the plows continue to clear snow in Yellowstone National Park and along the Beartooth and Chief Joseph Highways, more roads begin to open for the season. This increase in access provides for endless scenic driving opportunities. Try the drive from Gardiner, Montana through Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley to Yellowstone Lake for incredible wildlife watching opportunities and fewer crowds. Or be sure explore Yellowstone's Northern Range with a visit to our friends in Cooke City then continue on to the Beartooth Highway for a taste of truly rugged - and breathtaking - southwestern Montana scenery. The Chief Joseph Highway on to Cody, Wyoming, is currently open, and the remainder of the Bearthooth Highway on to Red Lodge will open towards the end of the month.

What do you love about May in your corner of the world? Don’t forget to tag your adventures with #VisitGardinerMT if you’re lucky enough to experience our little town this time of year for a chance to be featured on our website and Instagram!

Photo Credits: Gardiner Bridge and Horse Drive, J. Modsette. Baby Bison in Yellowstone: Evan Barrett. Whitewater rafting: Paradise Adventure Company. Yellowstone Lake: Yellowstone NPS.

Whenever family or friends ask what time of year they should visit, my answer is always an easy one—spring. Free from the intensity of summer crowds, this charming season provides a more intimate experience with Gardiner, Montana, and the incredible public lands surrounding us on all sides.

To begin with, spring is one of the most photogenic times of the year. We’re fortunate to live amongst an abundance of spectacular wildlife—some of which make their homes right here in town. April and May are wonderful times to watch a small elk calf take her first steps, or witness the rusty red coat of a baby bison against impossibly green hillsides. Top that off with early spring wildflowers and waterfalls flowing at their peak, and you have yourself a nature photographer’s paradise.

Speaking of paradise, I might also suggest taking advantage of lower elevation hiking opportunities. Pine Creek Falls and Passage Creek Falls are mellow, dog-friendly hikes on the Gallatin National Forest in Paradise Valley. Or if you’re craving a shorter hike in Yellowstone National Park, trails suitable for the entire family include Lava Creek, Rescue Creek, and Wraith Falls along the park’s Northern Range.

Spring is also the ideal time of year to take a day trip into Yellowstone National Park. Thermal attractions like the Upper Geyser Basin (home to Old Faithful) or Midway Geyser Basin (hello, Grand Prismatic!) are packed in July and August, but both are accessible and breathtaking before Memorial Day crowds arrive. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and crisp alpine air surrounding a partially frozen Yellowstone Lake are also not to be missed.

Cycling enthusiasts will also love a visit to the Gardiner area this time of year. For a brief window of time, Yellowstone National Park roads that are still closed to automobiles become bike-friendly. Although weather can be fickle, a cycling trip into the park will leave you with an unprecedented memory of Yellowstone solitude – just you, the whir of your tires, and the blur of (hopefully) far-off bison herds rushing past you.

Best of all, our gateway community shakes off its heavy winter coat and springs to life! Local area businesses including comfortable lodging, local eateries, and recreation and guiding companies are ready to help you make the most of your spring visit.

If you find yourself lucky enough to be in the area this spring, be sure stop by the Gardiner Chamber and say hello! Whether it’s a Northern Range wildlife watching excursion or sinking your teeth into one of Montana's best elk burgers we look forward to sharing this unsung season with you.

Happy trails,

Guest Author for Gardiner Chamber of Commerce