Things to Do in West Yellowstone, Montana

West Yellowstone Things to Do

West Yellowstone, Montana—abutting the west end of Yellowstone National Park—is the gateway community to the reserve. Explore Yellowstone, then head westbound for many things to do.

Catch a Movie at the IMAX Theater

After an exhilirating day on the trails, relaxing before the big screen is all you’ll have much energy for. The IMAX theater in West Yellowstone is sure to fit the bill–and it just so happens the playhouse consistently runs films related to the adjacent national park. The six-story screen and world-class sound system really detail the natural beauty of the park well. The theater also shows other nature films.

Wolves and Grizzlies

The wolf and the grizzly bear are of particular importance in Yellowstone National Park. At the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, you can learn just about everything there is to know about either of them. The educational center has exhibits and interactive displays about both animals. On top of that, they have live grizzlies and wolves on display. They are mostly bears and wolves that could not otherwise survive in the park without being taken care of properly. This is a great place to see one of these majestic creatures up close. Especially the wolf, which can be particularly elusive in the wild.

Have a Drink at Night

Particularly busy on the weekends, the Stagecoach Inn is where locals and visitors alike go for libations and live music.

Hebgen Lake 

There are some great places outside of Yellowstone Park where you can do some hiking. At Hebgen Lake, a number of beautiful hiking trails exist. There is a map of them at the West Yellowstone visitors center. Some of them are better-taken care of than others, most notably the Red Canyon Trail. This is an area with a lot of bears and other wildlife you may not be used to, so it is always advisable that you don’t hike alone for your best safety, especially on the less-traveled trails around the lake. The lake is only located about eight miles from the town, making this quick getaway easily accessible.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in West Yellowstone, Montana.