Adventures In West Yellowstone
UTV Rentals from High Mark Rentals
If you’d like to hit the trails but aren’t sure you’re in the physical shape for it, Highmark Rentals is your outfitter of choice for UTVs/side-by-sides.
And best of all, the folks at Highmark are happy to share their local knowledge about trail conditions and which trails to ride. So, try adding some UTV adventures to your vacation fun!
Tell them Bill at Brook Trout Inn sent you, and they’ll take good care of you.
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
See live bears, wolves, river otters, raptors and ground squirrels at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center - West Yellowstone’s non-profit wildlife park and educational facility.
Explore the interactive, indoor bear exhibit, and if you’re lucky, you may be able to watch the bears test products for official “bear-proof ratings." There’s also a movie room that shows videos about the area’s wildlife and natural environment. Open 365 days a year.
Tour Earthquake Lake Geologic Area
On August 17, 1959 a 7.5 magnitude earthquake caused a massive landslide which damned up the Madison River and created Earthquake Lake. On that horrific night, hundreds of visitors camping along the river became trapped and 28 people lost their lives, many of whom were never recovered.
Located just north of West Yellowstone near Hebgen Lake, the Earthquake Lake Geologic Area consists of the Quake Lake Visitor Center plus 5 spots along Hwy 287 which highlight that fateful night’s significant events and remnants of the destruction. There are 2 additional stopping points at the West and East Portals to the area which introduce the geologic and human stories, as well as the timeline of the events that unfolded that night.
The visitor center offers educational movies and interpretive displays about the night Quake Lake was formed, education on plate tectonics and earthquakes, plus a working seismograph and gift shop.
The visitor center is open daily Memorial Day weekend to September 15th. But you can visit the well-marked geologic spots along Hwy 287 year round.
Yellowstone Aerial Adventures
This Zipline Adventure Park features over 1000 feet of ziplining thrills on 4 different family-oriented ziplines. There’s also a giant ropes course featuring 49 challenging elements. Options and activities for small children, ages 3 and up, are available as well. Zipline + Rafting combination packages are also available with Geyser Whitewater Expeditions (see lower down on this page).
Fly Fishing with Blue Ribbon Flies
Blue Ribbon Flies offers expertly guided float, wade/walk and Hebgen Lake trips as well as fly fishing equipment, information on hatches, fly patterns and fly tying materials. They’ve been around for over 30 years and are open year round.
To learn a little more about what you can expect fishing in this area, here's an article that discusses Montana's best places for fly fishing (three of which can be fished during your stay with us!: #1 The Yellowstone River, #2 The Madison River, and #4 Hebgen Lake).
Fly Fishing with Big Sky Anglers
Big Sky Anglers offers guided fly fishing trips throughout this part of Montana, Yellowstone National Park plus Henry’s Lake and Henry’s Fork of the Snake River in Island Park Idaho. They also offer a full service fly shop.
Geyser Whitewater Expeditions
Whether you’re looking for a gentle cruise or wild whitewater ride, Geyser Whitewater Expeditions has that and more! Gallatin River whitewater rafting, zipline adventures, horseback riding and whitewater kayaking are available and sure to satisfy a wide variety of interests and adventurers. Rafting & Zipline packages and Saddle & Paddle packages are also available.
Zipline adventures are located at Yellowstone Aerial Adventures in West Yellowstone, MT (see above).
Water fun and horseback riding are located on Hwy 191, Big Sky, MT 59730 (47 miles / 48 minutes north of West Yellowstone)
Montana Whitewater
A taste of Montana adventures to suit a variety of skill levels and interests. Half day scenic or whitewater rafting trips, full day and overnight rafting trips, zipline tours, rafting & horseback riding packages, fly fishing classes, fishing & rafting packages and guided fly fishing trips. A little something for everyone, plus some of the best Gallatin River whitewater rafting!
They have 4 locations in the area, with the Gallatin Office being the one closest to West Yellowstone and located on Hwy 191 at mile marker 64, between Big Sky and Bozeman (64 miles / 1.25 hrs north of West Yellowstone).
Boat Rental at Kirkwood Marina
Have a family-friendly day on Hebgen Lake. Kayak rentals, paddle boards, pedal boats, pontoons, party barges, fishing boats and ski boats are all available. Plus water ski, pull tube, wake board, wake skate and life jacket rentals are also available. Just north of West Yellowstone on Hwy 287
Horseback Riding at Parade Rest Ranch
Another great choice for horseback riding near Yellowstone is the Parade Rest Ranch. Ride through towering pines and mountain meadows filled with wildflowers and spectacular views, visit mountain lakes and watch for wildlife that frequent the area. Morning, afternoon, evening and cookout rides are available and guided by personable, experienced wranglers.
Horseback Riding at Diamond P Ranch
Horseback riding near Yellowstone through the serenity of the Gallatin National Forest and up into the mountains for beautiful views of the surrounding area. Morning, afternoon and evening trail rides are available Monday – Saturday. And after your ride you can also spend some time at their Cowboy Fast Draw shooting range. Open mid-May to September 30th
Yellowstone Museum in West Yellowstone
The Yellowstone Museum is located inside the 1909 Union Pacific train depot. You can browse through exhibits and learn about the history of the area and early travel to and through Yellowstone.
You can also see movies about the great Yellowstone fires of 1988, the earthquake that created Quake Lake in 1959, early travel and visitors to Yellowstone, and the first-ever aerial tour highlighting Yellowstone’s natural wonders. It's open mid May through early October.
Yellowstone Giant Screen
Yes, West Yellowstone even has a movie theater! They offer both educational movies about Yellowstone Park and local wildlife as well as current feature films.
They're open year round and also have historical exhibits, a gift shop and concessions.
Free Heel & Wheel Bike Rentals
Your go to source for West Yellowstone bike rentals, service and gear. Free Heel and Wheel offers mountain bikes, road bikes, kid’s bikes, kid carriers and strollers. They also offer bike servicing from simple flat tires to complete overhauls, as well as gear and clothing.
They're happy to share their local knowledge of trails and trail conditions, so stop by and say hi… and while you’re there you can also enjoy a hot or cold beverage from their coffee bar.
The Playmill Theater
The Playmill Theater in West Yellowstone has been providing live family theater and positive entertainment since 1964. Shows run daily (excluding Sundays) from Memorial Day through the end of August.
West Yellowstone Walking Tour
This FREE tour combines the fascinating history of West Yellowstone with some good, old fashioned exercise! (Try power-walking it and get your cardio in for the day as well. ;)
Fast or slow, following this informative self guided tour let's you relive early West Yellowstone. The green Bear Paw Trail that’s painted on the sidewalks leads the way, so pick up your map at the Chamber of Commerce and hit the sidewalks!
Hiking Trials In West Yellowstone
National Forest Trails - Easy to Strenuous
The Hebgen Lake Ranger Station at the north edge of town is a great place to ask about nearby hikes that are appropriate for your group’s ability level. They're open Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Located at 331 US-191 (aka Canyon Street) in West Yellowstone. Phone: 406-682-7620
Always hike in groups of 3 or more and carry bear spray with you. At the very least bring: sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, a light jacket and water. A snack is a good idea for longer hikes.
Riverside Trail - Easy
This easy, kid-friendly, 7.7 mile loop trail takes you to and along the Madison River. It’s a great option for families and those new to hiking. There are 3 options you can choose for this trail.
For a shorter hike, you can simply go the first part of the trail that takes you to the actual loop. This part is flat and straight and takes you through forest for about a mile. Once you reach the intersection for the loop parts of the trail, turn back. (About 2 miles round trip.)
For a medium distance hike, turn right when you get to the intersection and follow the upriver loop. This will circle back around to the point where you started, and you can turn to head back to the straight part of the trail you came in on. (About 3.5 miles round trip.)
For the longest hike, turn left at the intersection and follow the downriver loop. When you come back to the intersection you can either continue on with the upriver loop or turn right and head back out along the straight section of the trail. (About 5.6 miles if you just do the downriver loop, and 7.7 miles if you do both loops.)
The trailhead is located on Boundary Street in West Yellowstone at the end of Madison Avenue.
Always hike in groups of 3 or more and carry bear spray with you. At the very least bring: sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, a light jacket and water. A snack is a good idea for longer hikes.
Boundary Trail - Easy
The Boundary Trail runs about 3 miles along the boundary of Yellowstone National Park to Baker’s Hole Campground. (About 6 miles round trip.) This trail is pet friendly, but pets must be on leash and you must clean up after them.
The trailhead is located at the north end of Boundary Street in West Yellowstone
Always hike in groups of 3 or more and carry bear spray with you. At the very least bring: sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, a light jacket and water. A snack is a good idea for longer hikes.
Rendezvous Trail System
Great for summer and fall hiking, the Rendezvous Ski Trails offer a wide range of choices to explore. Trail options can be from as little as 0.5 miles to a seemingly infinite combination of intersecting loops. You can hike it every day while you’re here and do a different hike each time. Be sure to check out the maps at the trailhead.
This large trail system is located at the south end of Geyser Street behind the Povah Community Center in West Yellowstone.
Always hike in groups of 3 or more and carry bear spray with you. At the very least bring: sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, a light jacket and water. A snack is a good idea for longer hikes.
Adventures In Island Park
Explore Beautiful Mesa Falls
At Upper Mesa Falls, a thunderous curtain of water – as tall as a 10-story building – pours over remnants of an ancient volcanic super-eruption. A mile south, Lower Mesa Falls repeats the performance. The Mesa Falls Visitor Center is open daily in the summer and an accessible trail and boardwalk provide spectacular views of both falls.
Take Hwy 20 south and watch for the signs a little bit north of Harriman State Park.
Harriman State Park
Harriman State Park lies within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge and is known for its beautiful scenery and wildlife. It offers 22 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails and some of the best fly fishing waters in the nation. Moose, elk and Trumpeter Swans, are a common sight at Harriman.
3489 Green Canyon Rd, Island Park, ID
(208) 558-7368
Big Springs Scenic Overlook
A significant source for the headwaters of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, more than 120 million gallons of crystal-clear water flows from the ground daily. Fishing is prohibited, but you can feed and watch the huge trout from the bridge.
You'll also find osprey, bald eagles, waterfowl and the occasional moose, white-tailed deer and muskrat along the half-mile ADA-accessible trail.
Take Hwy 20 to S. Big Springs Loop Road (near the Macks Inn area) and keep going until you get there.
Johnny Sacks Historic Cabin
Located near Big Springs, the cabin is open to the public from mid-June through mid-September, and visitors are invited to visit and see firsthand the unique craftsmanship of one of Island Park’s early settlers.
Today many of the individually crafted pieces of wood furniture Johnny created for his home remain in their original location.
Use the directions for Big Springs (above) and follow the signs for Johnny Sack's Cabin.
Island Park Reservoir
This 7000 acre reservoir with 64 miles of shoreline offers exceptional recreation opportunities including swimming, picnicking, boating, water sports and year round fishing for trout, salmon, perch and blue gill.
The easiest and quickest access is via the Island Park Dam entrance just off Hwy 20, just north of Pond's Lodge. You'll see a big sign for it on the west side of the highway.
Horseback Riding at Eagle Ridge Ranch
You can spend the whole day here! Not only do they offer morning, afternoon and evening horseback rides, but swimming, fishing, paddle boats, canoes and other water activities are also available for free. Additional offerings for a day at the ranch include a picnic area, archery range, skeet shooting and a Cowboy Cookout in the evenings.
(32 miles / 40 minutes from the town of West Yellowstone)
Horseback Riding at Dry Ridge Outfitters
Enjoy a picturesque ride in Harriman State Park - an 11,000 acre working ranch, wildlife refuge and park near the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Choose from 1 hour, 2 hour and half day rides or have an adventure on a History Wagon Ride, Dutch Oven Dinner and Wagon Ride, or witness the elk rut during September and October on a Fall Elk Ride.
Open Memorial Day through October. (37 miles / 41 minutes from the town of West Yellowstone)
Float Trips on the Snake River
Relax on a leisurely float down the scenic, serene and peaceful Snake River. Rent kayaks, rafts, canoes, paddle boards or float tubes and immerse yourself in a lazy day adventure.
(23 miles / 23 minutes from the town of West Yellowstone)
Water Sports & Mountain Bike Rental with Experience Island Park
You pick the destination, and Experience Island Park will deliver the equipment to any location in Island Park… kayaks, float tubes, paddle boards, mountain bikes and fishing gear.
Yellowstone Playhouse at Island Park
Entertaining locals and visitors with family-friendly musical spoofs for 10+ years, the Yellowstone Playhouse at Island Park offers theater entertainment from Memorial Day weekend through August, Monday through Saturday. They offer dinner theater options or you can just watch the show without dinner.