YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY

56 YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY www.visityellowstonecountry.com · 800.736.5276

Billed as “America’s First Playground,” Yellowstone Country is a study in appealing contrasts. One minute, you’re sampling Montana’s legendary “cold smoke” powder, the next, soaking toastily, neck deep in a mineral hot spring. Breakfast might be home cooked and served in a stockyard shack; dinner, gourmet sushi. Here, rugged peaks open to prairies, ski bums and ranchers rub shoulders with creative professionals and college kids, and you’re just as likely to spot a grizzly or a wolf as a progressive art gallery. As for the region’s namesake, Yellowstone National Park proves no exception to the rule of extremes. Claiming nearly half of the world’s geysers, America’s first national park showcases tumbling waterfalls, calm forest valleys, roaring earth and intricate geothermal formations. This corner of Montana opens the door to Yellowstone in winter—a rare, otherworldly experience when bison wear frosted fur and geysers steam through a fresh blanket of white. True to its contradictory charms, Yellowstone Country can be a plush safari or a dirt bagger’s paradise, all while living up to its “America’s First Playground” moniker. With luxurious mountain lodges and bare-bones Forest Service cabins, dude ranches and day spas, world- YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY class skiing and self-guided hikes, Yellowstone Country offers an exhilarating taste of nearly every extreme.

Left: Camping under starry skies at Baker’s Hole Campground in the Gallatin National Forest Above: Snowmobiling at Two Top Mountain near West Yellowstone

AT A GLANCE + It’s perfectly legal to zoom around the streets of West Yellowstone on your snowmobile. + Enjoy the “Biggest Skiing in America” at Big Sky Resort with 5,800 acres of snow, 4,350 vertical feet and over 300 named ski runs to explore. + Calamity Jane—legendary army scout, prospector, prostitute, frontierswoman and star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show—lived in a cabin at 213 W. Main Street in Livingston for a spell, as well as in Big Timber. + At Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park, near Big Timber, prairie dogs frolic, socialize and bark (to the delight of visitors) on a 98-acre protected habitat.

YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM 57 HOW TO GET HERE FOOD to Cranbrook, BC KNOW BEFORE to Regina, SK to Cardston, AB Drivers will generally arrive via East or West Yellowstone Country pleasantly surprises to Assiniboia, SK to Lethbridge, AB to Kildeer, SK CANADA to Swift Current, SK Rexford I-90, while the jet set usually arrive at the most foodies.CANADA In Red Lodge, Livingston, Yaak Eureka YOU GO Westby GLACIER Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport Big Sky and Bozeman, you’ll find Whitetail Babb Sweetgrass Port of Four Flaxville NATIONAL Sweetgrass at Gallatin Field, a few miles outside stores and eateries catering to gluten- Opheim Buttes Fortine Polebridge BESTBLACKFEET TIME TO VISITSunburst Turner Trego St. Mary INDIAN Peerless Scobey Plentywood Bozeman. West Yellowstone has flights free, organic, vegetarianLoring and veganWhitewater ND to Fortuna, PARK RESERVATION Lake Yellowstone CountryCut Bank has four distinct in the summer. Car rentals are strongly diners, as well as the expected chain Troy Apgar McDonald seasons,Browning sometimes all in the same day. recommended. Chinookrestaurants and small-town diner fare. Medicine Lake Libby West Glacier FORT PECK Columbia K INDIAN RESERVATION Still, Montana’s unpredictable weatherShelby is AMTRA A little local questioning will lead you to Falls Coram Rudyard A Martin City what often affords pleasant surprises, like Chester Froid MT Havre Latin Fort cuisine, sushi, ThaiAMT Rfood,AK farm-to- Hinsdale RAK Whitefish Hungry Horse East Glacier Galata WHAT TO PACK Saco Saint weatheringPark a summer showerValier in one of Box tableBelknap establishments, fresh bakeries and Marie Lustre Elder Dodson Vandalia Kalispell Essex Agency Malta Culbertson Red Lodge’sHeart Butte microbreweries or getting Layers, and lots of them. Yellowstone chocolatiers.FORT BELKNAP Outside of these metros, Kila Dupuyer ROCKY BOY’S INDIAN Glasgow Nashua Wolf Poplar Marion Bigfork Flathead Riverdiscounted turns when the ski resorts Country is characterized by cold mornings expect to be pleasantly surprised by the AMTRAK Heron Big Sandy INDIAN RESERVATION Point Bainville Somers to Williston, ND to Sandpoint, ID Noxon open a week early. Conrad on even warm days, and snow-meltingRESERVATION occasional gourmet offering, and ready Lakeside FLATHEAD Rollins Bynum Brady moments on chilly ones. No matter what to savor local fare in one-restaurant small Proctor VALLEY Swan Lake Fort Fairview Trout Dayton In general, though, summertime hosts Virgelle towns. Montana restaurants sometimes Peck season, a weatherproof jacket, sunglasses C. M. RUSSELL Creek Elmo Fort Benton Loma Big Arm warm, not-too-hotChoteau weather and with it, and a bathing suit will all come in handy. In serve upLandusky unexpectedZortman treats like elk,NATIONAL bison WILDLIFE Thompson REFUGE Sidney Falls Hot Springs Polson the full gamut of outdoor recreation. This winter, bring snow boots or high-topped and wild game—if you haven’t tried it, Lambert DAKOTA NORTH Crane Condon is a dreamy season of farmersFairfield markets,Great hiking boots and an extra pair of dry shoes now’s your chance. Haugan Ronan outdoor concerts, and sidewalkVaughn dining. Falls Plains too. Fancy duds are hardly ever needed in Savage De Borgia Charlo Augusta Winifred Bloomfield St. Regis Paradise FLATHEAD INDIAN Spring and fall are often the best deal— Yellowstone Country. Moiese RESERVATION Fort Shaw LOCAL HAPPENINGS Brusett Circle to Coeur d’Alene, ID to Coeur d’Alene, IDAHO cheaper prices and recreational treats like Belt Dixon St. Ignatius Ulm Roy sunny spring skiing or fall color hikes. In theStockett Raynesford Denton To socialize like a local, check Jordan Brockway Superior Cascade BEAR SPRAYGeyser Arlee Seeley winter, Yellowstone Country transforms into RedLodge.com, the Bozone.com, 253 Lake a snowy playground of ski resorts, sleigh When traveling off the Stanfordbeaten path in LivelyTimes.com and flyers at the Glendive Ovando Craig Monarch Lewistown Alberton rides, backcountry yurt trips and steaming Yellowstone, recreating in some national Bozeman Community Food Co-op for Sand Springs Wibaux Missoula Lincoln Hobson Winnett Cohagen hot springs. Don’t be afraid Wolfto visit Creek 253 Greenough forest areasNeihart and venturing off the concerts,Grass operas, festivals andMosby special Bonner Range HelmvilleYellowstone in winter—snowcoaches keep Utica Lolo Beartooth All-American Road, travelers are events. Terry ND to Dickinson, Clinton Canyon Creek Fallon travelers toasty while whisking them into a advised to pack bear spray. Pick this up at quiet white worldMarysville seen by few tourists. BITTERROOT East outdoor stores in town and make sure to Florence Drummond Helena Judith Gap to Kooskia, ID VALLEY Helena read the directions. (Hint: don’t spray it on Melstone Ingomar PINTLER White Sulphur Ismay Victor Stevensville SCENIC Elliston Plevna ROUTE Garrison Montana Springslike bug spray.) Two Clancy Winston City Dot Harlowton Miles City Deer Baker Corvallis Philipsburg Jefferson Martinsdale Roundup Lodge Basin Hysham Forsyth Hamilton City Townsend Ringling ND to Bowman, Georgetown Lake Boulder Bighorn Rosebud

Darby AnacondaYELLOWSTONE COUNTRY 569 Custer Conner Butte Worden Ekalaka Wise Wilsall Logan Big Colstrip Sula River Manhattan Pompeys Pillar Dewey Three Clyde Park Timber Whitehall Belgrade Greycliff Silver Forks Divide Livingston Reed Point Laurel Lame DAKOTA SOUTH Star Harrison Billings Wisdom Columbus Hardin Crow Deer to Melrose Pony A Ashland Olive Twin Gallatin McLeod W RRIOR Salmon, ID Agency PIONEER Bridges Gateway CROW INDIAN TRAIL MTNS Bozeman Park H 278 Sheridan Norris Absarokee City RESERVATION Garryowen Busby IGH SCENIC PARADISE Rockvale NORTHERN CHEYENNE WAY Broadus BYWAY VALLEY Fishtail Saint Xavier Jackson Nevada Joliet Pryor INDIAN RESERVATION Polaris City Ennis Pray Nye Roberts Lodge Fort Smith Birney Alder Emigrant Roscoe Grass 278 Bridger Virginia Big Bannack Dillon City Sky Otter Cameron Red Lodge Wyola Biddle Alzada BIGHORN CANYON Cooke Belfry Grant Gardiner Silver NATIONAL REC. AREA Decker 324 Gate City WYOMING to Belle Fourche, SD 324 Quake Tower Junction WYOMING to Gillette, WY Mammoth to Sheridan, WY Lake BEARTOOTH to Cody, WY to Lovell, WY Hot Springs ALL AMERICAN ROAD YELLOWSTONE Dell Canyon Norris Lima NATIONAL Madison Monida Lakeview West Junction PARK Yellowstone Lake West IDAHO to Idaho Falls, ID Thumb to Rexburg, ID Old Faithful Grant Village

This map is for reference only; see the to Grand Teton Natl Park Official Montana Highway Map for more detail. and Jackson, WY

58 YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM Downtown Bozeman Downtown Livingston YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY

406.995.3000 Ranch with a 30 km scenic trail system PLACES TO GO www.visitbigskymt.com professionally groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Bohart also offers COMMUNITIES BIG TIMBER is the gateway to the snowshoeing. Or find your own trail— Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and has you can showshoe anywhere you can ABSAROKEE is 14 miles south of some of the best blue-ribbon trout fishing hike or bike in the summer. Snowmobilers Columbus, on a scenic drive along MT 78. in the state. Granite Peak, located in the shouldn’t miss the ever-popular 120- The banks of the Stillwater and Rosebud nearby Beartooth Range, is the highest mile Big Sky Snowmobile Trail between Rivers are nearby; the warm and friendly mountain in Montana at 12,799 feet. Bozeman and West Yellowstone. The people you’ll meet will fill you in on the Activities and guided services for this area ride goes through the Gallatin Canyon best places to wet a line. include ranch vacations, hiking, river floats, and a small portion of Yellowstone Park, www.absarokeearea.com hunting, fishing, golf and the historic Big featuring some of the best scenery around. Timber Rodeo, held in June. South of Big If ice climbing is your thing, head south of BIG SKY The scenic community of Big Timber you can snowmobile the Boulder town to Hyalite Canyon. With more than Sky is nestled high in mountain meadows, Canyon Trail, which follows a beautiful 200 pitches of naturally forming, reliable surrounded by timberland, the Spanish corridor that divides the towering peaks of and accessible ice, this is a premier ice Peaks Primitive Area and the Gallatin the Absaroka and Beartooth ranges. climbing destination. National Forest. Majestic 11,166-foot 406.932.5131 800.228.4224 Lone Mountain towers over this paradise www.bigtimber.com www.bozemancvb.com and is home to Big Sky Resort. This lively village is a year-round playground BOZEMAN It’s not easy to describe COLUMBUS This full-service community for outdoor recreationists. Golf, tennis, Bozeman to someone who’s never been in the foothills of the Beartooth Range hiking, horseback riding, fishing, mountain here. It’s one of the most diverse small boasts the most scenic route to biking, whitewater rafting and ziplining towns in the Rocky Mountain West. Yellowstone National Park via MT 78 and are all spoken here. Big Sky is a prime Bozeman is blessed with an eclectic mix of US 212 over the Beartooth All-American destination for all winter activities. You’re ranchers, artists, professors, ski enthusiasts Road. Located at the confluence of close to Yellowstone National Park and and entrepreneurs drawn here by world- the Stillwater and Yellowstone Rivers, some of the finest snowmobile trails in class, year-round outdoor recreation, Columbus offers plenty of outdoor the country. Reliable, dry, powdery snow Montana State University and a slice of recreation. Visit the Museum of the provides a quality cross-country skiing old-fashioned Americana. Ranked as the Beartooths for an understanding of experience. Lone Mountain Ranch offers a #1 Ski Town in North America by Powder area history, including artifacts of the staff of certified Professional Ski Instructors Magazine in 2010, Bozeman is perfectly Rosebud River Crow Indians, Northern of America and the finest rental equipment located for the winter sports lover. Bridger Pacific Railroad memorabilia and World to guarantee a perfect outing. Big Sky Bowl, 16 miles north of town, offers some War II history. Resort allows skiers and boarders access of the most exciting ski, snowboard and 406.322.4505 to the “Biggest Skiing in America” with an telemark experiences you’ll find anywhere. www.stillwatercountychamber.com astonishing 5,800 acres of terrain. Just a bit farther down the road is Bohart

YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM 59 COOKE CITY is a small town full of rustic 90s still stand as a testimony of the Old Old West atmosphere. Hike the rugged West and give Livingston its special turn- terrain to Grasshopper Glacier, a cross- of-the-19th-century charm. The Heart of country skier’s dream in the snow-covered Art in Montana—Livingston Downtown months. Love snowmobiling? You’ll find Gallery Walks occur on the fourth Friday world-class groomed trails and deep during June, July, August and September powder play areas for novices and experts from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wander from alike. The makers of both Yamaha and gallery to gallery meeting artists and Arctic Cat snowmobiles have chosen enjoying refreshments. the Cooke City/Silver Gate area as a 406.222.0850 test site and promotional film location www.discoverlivingston.com for their machines. 406.838.2495 RED LODGE You’ll find no shortage of www.cookecitychamber.org things to do in this charming alpine town nestled in the foothills of the magnificent GARDINER Gardiner is the original and Beartooth Mountains. Summer lures avid only year-round, drive-in entrance to hikers, golfers, mountain bikers, anglers Yellowstone National Park and is known and campers. Visit the town’s historic as the “wildlife capital of the West.” The district and view buildings and houses town’s backyard is Paradise Valley. Need built between 1883 and 1915 during the we say more? Sandwiched between coal mining boom. Visit the Yellowstone Mountain goats near the Beartooth All-American Road the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness to Wildlife Sanctuary, Carbon County the west and Yellowstone to the south, Historical Society Museum and Red BEARTOOTH seasonal activities abound with a focus on Lodge Mountain Resort, which offers big ALL-AMERICAN ROAD the outdoors. Winter months allow you to mountain skiing without the big mountain Even seasoned mountaineers tend to gasp at access more than 84 miles of groomed crowds and prices. West of Red Lodge the high-elevation views on the popular drive snowmobile trails in the Gallatin National on MT 78 is Red Lodge Nordic Center (or legendary motorcycle tour) between Forest. The Yellowstone National Park with over 15 km of trails laid out to take Red Lodge and Cooke City. Heritage and Research Center in Gardiner advantage of the inspiring views and houses the National Park Service archives, easygoing terrain. A great place for Yellowstone museum collections and family fun. Custer National reference libraries. 406.446.1718 Forest Red Lodge 406.848.7971 www.redlodgechamber.org Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness www.gardinerchamber.com Area Gallatin WEST YELLOWSTONE serves as National Cooke Silver Forest Located between the the western entrance to the famous City BEARTOOTH LIVINGSTON Gate PASS 10,947’ MONTANA Gallatin Range and the Crazy Mountains, Yellowstone National Park—America’s first

YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY COLTER WYOMING PASS the town of Livingston is nestled along the national park. The town takes advantage 8,000’ YELLOWSTONE Beartooth NATIONAL PARK All-American free-flowing Yellowstone River. Main Street of extraordinary amounts of snow in (NE ENTRANCE) e k Y llo Road Clarks For w and the historic districts are reminders winter by grooming hundreds of miles st on e Ri ve r of the town’s bygone golden era. The of snowmobile and cross-country ski downtown buildings from the 1880s and trails and hosting races in both sports. + Since the drive is a winding 65 miles, it takes a minimum of two to three hours and is best enjoyed as at least a day trip, with time to pull off at scenic points and enjoy a hike. The route is peppered with campsites and trails, and can easily be stretched into a multiday camping and hiking trip. If you plan to hike, bring bear spray. + Due to snow, the road is typically open from mid-May to mid-October. (That said, you’ll still see hitchhikers with skis well into June.) + The road soars up to 10,947 feet in the Wyoming section and 10,350 feet in the Montana section. + Called one of the most scenic drives in America, the Beartooth All-American Road features sweeping views of more than 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation. 406.446.1718 www.beartoothhighway.com

Chico Hot Springs Resort, Pray 60 YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM Bighorn ram in Yellowstone National Park YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY Want to try something tamer? How GRANITE PEAK is Montana’s highest history. The exhibit is complemented by about Montana’s easiest-to-learn sport— peak at 12,799 feet. Located north of “The Livingston Depot in History and snowshoeing—keeping you on top of Cooke City in the Absaroka-Beartooth Architecture,” as well as one new special some spectacular trails. Or drive a team Wilderness, Granite Peak is considered exhibit each year. of sled dogs to scenery that’s otherwise one of the most difficult ascents in the 406.222.2300 inaccessible. In summer, when you lower 48 states. It was first climbed www.livingstonmuseums.org aren’t in the park, visit the shops in town by Elers Koch in 1923. As the name or wander outside of town to Hebgen indicates, it is composed mostly of PARADISE VALLEY Flanked by the and Quake Lakes and the picturesque granite. Climbing this peak is a time- Absaroka Range to the east and the Madison River. consuming endeavor and not one to be Gallatin Range to the west, and with 406.646.7701 tackled as a day hike or by the Yellowstone River running through www.destinationyellowstone.com inexperienced hikers/climbers. it, Paradise Valley is one of the most beautiful and serene drives in the state. NOTABLE SITES GRIZZLY AND WOLF DISCOVERY Take the East River Road for access CENTER is a not-for-profit wildlife park to campgrounds and hiking trails in CHICO HOT SPRINGS RESORT, and educational facility dedicated to the Absaroka Range. The drive from located east of Emigrant, was established providing visitors to the Yellowstone area Livingston to Gardiner on US 89 is well in 1900 and is on the National Historic the unique opportunity to learn about, view worth your time and is a good route to Register. Originally a hotel, then a medical and ultimately appreciate the grizzly bear Yellowstone National Park. facility, Chico is now a resort, complete and gray wolf. Visit the center to see live with spa facilities and exceptional dining. bears and wolves and get a fascinating YELLOWSTONE GIANT SCREEN Don’t miss the two open-air mineral hot glimpse into their worlds. Located in West THEATRE Until you’ve been to the springs pools, which were visited by Yellowstone, it’s a great family experience Yellowstone Giant Screen Theatre, you guests such as Teddy Roosevelt and that’s open all year. Grizzly and Wolf haven’t had the complete Yellowstone artist Charlie Russell. The resort is an Discovery Center bears do not hibernate! experience. The theatre boasts a six-story- ideal location for vacations, weddings, 406.646.7001 high screen and 12,000 watts of digital- family reunions and business meetings. www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.org quality surround sound. It’s conveniently The winter season gives you local located beside the west entrance of access to excellent cross-country ski LIVINGSTON DEPOT CENTER is Yellowstone National Park and the trails or the unique opportunity to be a beautifully restored 1902 Northern West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce in a sled or driving your own team of Pacific Railway station that operates as a Visitor Center on 101 South Canyon. huskies—dogsledding through Montana’s museum, typically from late May to mid- Open all year. backcountry without disturbing the land September. The museum exhibit “Rails 888.854.5862 or wildlife. Across the Rockies: A History of People www.yellowstonegiantscreen.com 406.333.4933 and Places” examines the Northern www.chicohotsprings.com Pacific’s key role beginning in the 1880s, as well as broader regional railroad

YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM 61 WINTER CARNIVAL – RED LODGE, FEBRUARY-MARCH This one-day extravaganza has tons of events, prizes and good times. It’s complete with live music, a rail jam, cardboard classic and lots of prize giveaways. 406.446.2610

RENDEZVOUS CROSS-COUNTRY SKI RACE – WEST YELLOWSTONE, MARCH The Rendezvous Cross-Country Ski Race is the region’s premier cross- country ski event. More than 600 skiers of both classic and skate technique compete in this festive and fun event. Sponsored by Holiday Inn West Yellowstone and local merchants, the event is for skiers of all ages and abilities. 406.640.0465

NATIONAL FINALS SKI JORING RACES – RED LODGE, MARCH What do you get when you cross alpine skiers and cowboys? Red Lodge’s National Finals Ski Joring Races. Horse and rider pull a skier through the course, which consists of four jumps and numerous slalom gates. It’s winter fun, Western style! 406.698.9322

MONTANA SNOWMOBILE EXPO – WEST YELLOWSTONE, MARCH Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park West Yellowstone’s Snowmobile EXPO combines top-notch drag, kids racing and full-action snowcross racing with a “First YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK the park during the winter season and are Look” at the upcoming season’s new YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY Come and experience the most active available from a number of National Park snowmobiles and products. Radar runs geothermal region on Earth. There are Service vendors. and a funny-money casino night round out 10,000 thermal features and more than 307.344.7381 the weekend. 300 geysers within the park’s 2.2 million www.nps.gov/yell 406.646.7701 acres. See Old Faithful, the most popular geyser in the world. View the colorful TERRAIN PARK JAM SNOWBOARD/ Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the THINGS TO DO SKIER – BOZEMAN, MARCH Terrain wild beauty of Yellowstone Lake. Look for Park Jam Snowboard/Skier is held in the bears, wolves, elk and bison in the Lamar EVENTS Terrain Park at Bridger Bowl. Competitors and Hayden Valleys. Go hiking, camping have the opportunity to hit a feature as and fishing and enjoy exhibits and ranger- For exact dates and a complete listing of many times as the clock allows in this led programs throughout the park. all events go to visitmt.com/events. judged event. Wintertime is truly a magical time to visit 406.586.1518 Yellowstone, where there is the best snow WILD WEST WINTERFEST – on Earth! It comes early, stays late and BOZEMAN, FEBRUARY Put on your THE POND SKIM – BIG SKY, APRIL offers an incredible powder experience. coats and boots and join us for the annual Back by popular demand, Big Sky Resort The greater Yellowstone area has WinterFest. A fun day of family events: hosts this popular event where skiers and numerous trails and excellent backcountry the All-Breed Horse Sale, chili cook-off, snowboarders navigate and skim across, skiing. The Yellowstone Association offers Dog Keg Pull, hockey tournament, kids’ or in some cases, directly into, a pond a variety of winter animal watching day activities, farm barn, ski joring competition filled with water. Also featured is live music, trips. Try snowshoeing on paths at the and the Sweetheart Fur and Feather Show. food specials and an after party. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Guided In between events, enjoy some delicious 406.995.5765 snowmobile tours are a great way to get food, listen to great music and wander an up-close and open-air park experience. through the commercial exhibitor building. Snowcoach tours run through most of 406.582.3270

62 YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM LIVINGSTON ROUNDUP RODEO – Rendezvous. The encampment, complete GET WET LIVINGSTON, JULY This rodeo draws with Traders’ Row, fires the imagination of Yellowstone Country is full of aquatic over 10,000 spectators every year to its what it must have been like to live in that open-air arena near the Yellowstone River. era. Entertainment, demonstrations and diversions, from soothing, naturally heated Come see all-American cowboy traditions seminars are included. Admission is free. mineral soaks, to rip-roaring river trips to blue- ribbon streams. Choose your temperature and and fireworks each night. 406.646.7931 thrill-level to suit. 406.222.3199 SWEET PEA FESTIVAL – BOZEMAN, Hot Springs SUMMERFEST ALONG THE AUGUST Sweet Pea is a festival of Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa, YELLOWSTONE – LIVINGSTON, JULY the arts featuring a microbrew and east of Emigrant, has two open-air mineral Summerfest is held in Livingston’s Mars beer garden, dining on Main Street and hot springs pools, a garden-to-table Park. Events include kids’ activities, a entertainment in Bozeman’s Lindley Park, restaurant and historic lodging on-site. beer garden, a great variety of live outdoor which includes music, dance, theater and www.chicohotsprings.com music, dancing, art and craft vendors, children’s activities. food from across the West and free 406.586.4003 Bozeman Hot Springs, located west of swimming. Bozeman on US 191, offers nine pools full 406.222.8155 BRIDGER MOUNTAINS RAPTOR of mineral-rich water flowing from a MIGRATION – BOZEMAN, AUGUST- geothermal well at the site. FESTIVAL OF NATIONS – RED LODGE, OCTOBER Be a part of the fall migration www.bozemanhotsprings.co AUGUST The Festival of Nations honors counts atop the ridge above the Bridger Red Lodge’s roots as a coal mining town Bowl ski area near Bozeman. The and the diverse ethnic groups that worked Bridger Range is an important fall flyway and settled the area. Sample ethnic food for raptors and is noted for the largest while enjoying a variety of cultural activities concentration of golden eagles in the and performances. lower 48 states. Seventeen additional 406.446.1718 species may also be seen during this time. Groups and children are welcome. YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY ROCKIN’ THE RIVERS – THREE 801.484.6808, ext 101 FORKS, AUGUST Rockin’ the Rivers Soaking in the Boiling River, Yellowstone National features a classic rock concert held at “RUNNING OF THE SHEEP” SHEEP Park “The Bridge” near Three Forks. Past years DRIVE – REED POINT, SEPTEMBER have been huge successes, with music The Reed Point Community Club’s annual The Boiling River is created where geothermally by Journey, Foreigner, 38 Special, Sammy “Great Montana Sheep Drive” features heated water cascades into the Gardner River, Hagar, Rick Derringer, BTO, Creedence hundreds of sturdy Montana-bred woolies just outside of Gardiner. Hot water from the Clearwater Revisited and other top name charging down the six blocks of Main springs mixes with cool water from the river to rock bands from the 60s to the present. Street in an event some say is matched form a range of perfect soaking temperatures in 406.285.0099 only by the Running of the Bulls in scenic pools along the river’s edge. The river is Pamplona, Spain. The event also has a open during daylight hours only, swimsuits are SMOKING WATERS MOUNTAIN parade including the Shriner’s Band, floats, required, and you’ll need a pass to Yellowstone MAN RENDEZVOUS – WEST antique cars, covered wagons, horse National Park to get in. YELLOWSTONE, AUGUST groups and more. Whitewater Rafting Step into the experience of 1800s life 406.326.2315 In Big Sky, Gardiner and Livingston, at the Smoking Waters Mountain Man a multitude of rafting companies each strive to outdo one another—meaning when it comes to float trips, all your options are good ones. For information on guides and locations, visit visitmt.com/riverguides. Fishing The Yellowstone River is considered to be one of the greatest trout streams in the world and is officially classed as a blue-ribbon stream. The 692-mile undammed river flows northward through Yellowstone National Park and into Paradise Valley where you can easily catch rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. For information on guides, regulations and more, check out visitmt.com/fishing. For more information on hot springs, whitewater rafting and other water adventures and opportunities, go to visitmt.com/outdoors.

Annual “Running of the Sheep” sheep drive in Reed Point YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM 63 Exploring Lone Peak at Big Sky Resort, Big Sky

YELLOWSTONE SKI FESTIVAL – MISSOURI HEADWATERS STATE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES WEST YELLOWSTONE, NOVEMBER PARK Enjoy a picnic and some fishing at During November, West Yellowstone this scenic state park at the confluence of Sleep under the stars! YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY CAMPING comes alive for the annual Yellowstone the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers. Camping is the perfect way to get back Ski Festival. Thanksgiving week features Lewis and Clark anticipated this important to nature, and Yellowstone Country is technique clinics, manufacturers’ exhibits headwaters all the way up the Missouri a camper’s paradise for the novice and and wax clinics mixed with an overall River. A three-mile drive off I-90 at Three experienced camper alike. Whether you warm feeling of camaraderie. The clinics Forks, this undeveloped park provides want to set up in luxury at an RV park or vary in length and fees. Official Nor-Am outdoor interpretive signs, picnic spots, pitch a tent at the end of a mountain trail, races cap the month. short hiking trails and a small campground. we have the perfect spot for you. The 406.646.7701 Open all year. For more information on the stars in the night sky will astound you! park or for camping reservations, go to www.visitmt.com/camping CULTURE/HISTORY stateparks.mt.gov. 406.285.3610 COONEY STATE PARK Cooney AMERICAN COMPUTER AND Reservoir is a popular recreation area in ROBOTICS MUSEUM MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES Travel south-central Montana offering boating, The award-winning museum, located in through four billion years of Earth’s swimming, camping and fishing. It’s Bozeman, brings together 4,000 years of history at this entertaining and fascinating always a busy place in the summer. The technology through thousands of artifacts Bozeman museum, one of the 14 stops park features good walleye and rainbow displayed in a visitor-friendly environment. on the Dinosaur Trail. “One Day 80 Million trout fishing and boating opportunities. The exhibits are designed to appeal both Years Ago” is a re-creation of the dinosaur Seventy-three campsites are available, to the novice and technology expert. nesting colonies discovered by Jack 13 of which have electrical hookups, at Catch up on brains, thinking machines and Horner, the museum’s world-famous this 309-acre site. Located 18 miles south computing history and gain a newfound curator of paleontology. And don’t miss of Columbus. Open all year. For more respect for the speed of innovation during the world-class Taylor Planetarium. information on the park or for camping the past few decades. Open all year. Open all year. reservations, go to stateparks.mt.gov. 406.582.1288 406.994.2251 406.445.2326 www.compustory.com www.museumoftherockies.org

64 YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM to Cranbrook, BC to Regina, SK to Cardston, AB to Assiniboia, SK to Lethbridge, AB to Kildeer, SK CANADA to Swift Current, SK Rexford Eureka CANADA Yaak GLACIER Westby A Babb NATIONAL Fortine Polebridge BLACKFEET Sunburst Turner Trego St. Mary INDIAN Scobey Plentywood O PARK RESERVATION ND to Fortuna, Lake Cut Bank Troy 5 6 Apgar McDonald Browning Chinook Medicine Lake Libby West Glacier FORT PECK F Columbia Shelby INDIAN RESERVATION I M Falls Coram Rudyard Froid Martin City Chester Havre Hinsdale H G Whitefish Hungry East Glacier Galata Fort Saco Horse Park Valier Box Belknap E Elder Dodson Kalispell Essex Agency Malta Culbertson L Heart Butte FORT BELKNAP Kila N Dupuyer Wolf Marion Bigfork Flathead River ROCKY BOY’S INDIAN Glasgow Poplar Heron Big Sandy INDIAN RESERVATION Point Bainville Somers to Williston, ND to Sandpoint, ID Conrad RESERVATION Noxon 1 Lakeside Rollins Bynum Brady Proctor Swan Lake Fort Fairview Trout D Dayton Virgelle Peck Creek Elmo P Fort Benton Loma Thompson Big Arm Choteau Landusky Zortman Sidney

Falls Hot Springs Polson DAKOTA NORTH Crane Condon Fairfield Great Haugan Ronan Vaughn 2 Plains Falls Savage De Borgia Charlo Augusta Winifred Bloomfield St. Regis Paradise FLATHEAD INDIAN Moiese RESERVATION Fort Shaw Brusett Circle to Coeur d’Alene, ID to Coeur d’Alene, IDAHO Belt Dixon St. Ignatius Ulm Roy Stockett Raynesford Denton Jordan Superior Cascade 253 Arlee Seeley K Geyser Lake 4 Stanford Glendive Craig Monarch Lewistown Alberton Sand Springs Wibaux Lincoln Hobson Winnett Missoula Ovando Wolf Creek 253 Greenough Neihart Grass Mosby Bonner Utica Range Helmville Lolo Terry ND to Dickinson, Clinton Canyon Creek Fallon C J Marysville SKIING IN YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY East Florence Drummond Judith Gap to Kooskia, ID Helena Helena Melstone Cross-CountryIngomar Skiing PINTLER White Sulphur Ismay Victor Stevensville SCENIC Elliston Plevna ROUTE Garrison Montana Springs Two Yellowstone Country is the Nordic ski capital of Clancy City Winston Dot Harlowton North America. You won’t find aMiles more Citydiverse Deer Baker Corvallis Philipsburg Jefferson Martinsdale Roundup Lodge Basin trail systemHysham anywhere.Forsyth Yellowstone National Hamilton City Townsend Ringling Park offers incredible backcountry skiing as well ND to Bowman, B Boulder Rosebud Georgetown Lake asBighorn a number of trails. Cross-country skiing is a Darby Anaconda 569 wonderfulCuster way to savor the Montana landscape. Conner D Worden Ekalaka Wise Butte Wilsall Visit wintermt.com/xcski. Logan 2 Big Colstrip Sula River Manhattan Pompeys Clyde Park Timber Pillar 3 Dewey Three A Yellowstone National Park Whitehall Belgrade Greycliff Silver Forks Divide Harrison Livingston Reed Point Laurel 307.344.7381Lame DAKOTA SOUTH Star Columbus Billings Deer Wisdom Melrose Pony Hardin www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/skiyell.htmCrow Ashland to Twin Gallatin McLeod Agency Olive Salmon, ID PIONEER Bridges Gateway CROW INDIAN MTNS Sheridan Bozeman Park 278 Norris Absarokee City RESERVATION Garryowen Busby SCENIC Rockvale Ski Trails in National ForestsNORTHERN CHEYENNE Broadus BYWAY Fishtail Saint Xavier Jackson Nevada Joliet Pryor INDIAN RESERVATION Polaris City Ennis E Pray Nye Roberts CusterLodge Gallatin National Forest Fort Smith Grass Birney Alder Emigrant Roscoe Bridger 278 1 Virginia Big Sky 406.522.2520 or 406.587.6701 Bannack Dillon City Red Lodge www.fs.usda.gov/gallatin Otter Biddle Alzada Cameron C Wyola Cooke Belfry Grant Gardiner Silver F Decker Gate City B 324 3 Bannock Trail WYOMING to Belle Fourche, SD 324 Quake Tower Junction WYOMING to Gillette, WY Mammoth B Cooketo Sheridan, City to WY Silver Gate Lake BEARTOOTH to Cody, WY to Lovell, WY Hot Springs A ALL-AMERICAN ROAD 406.848.7375 YELLOWSTONE Dell Canyon G Norris Lima NATIONAL C Madison Bear Creek Trail System Monida Lakeview West Junction PARK Jardine, 5 miles NE of Gardiner Yellowstone Lake West 406.848.7375 to Idaho Falls, ID IDAHO Thumb YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY to Rexburg, ID Old Faithful Grant Cross-Country Ski Centers/Trails Village D Bohart Ranch, 16 miles NE of Bozeman on MT 86, 406.586.9070 www.bohartranchxcski.com to Grand Teton Natl Park and Jackson, WY E Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky In Yellowstone Country, lifts whisk you up to Eagle Mount 406.995.4644 or 800.514.4644 acres of powder, groomers (or intrepid trail- Eagle Mount works in cooperation with www.lonemountainranch.com breakers) pave the way for skinny skiing, and Bridger Bowl, Big Sky Resort and Red Lodge snowcats deposit you into secret backcountry Mountain to provide quality adaptive lessons. F Red Lodge Nordic Center stashes and Yellowstone National Park’s All lessons are given by volunteer instructors 2 miles W of Red Lodge on MT 78 scenic spots. specifically trained in adaptive techniques of www.beartoothtrails.org mono and bi-skiing, 3- and 4-tracking, blind Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding G Rendezvous Ski Trails, West Yellowstone or visually impaired and those with cognitive Southwest Montana delivers the Biggest Skiing www.rendezvousskitrails.com or developmental delays. The program teaches in America, a hip college local’s hill and a lesser- skiers to become independent so they may Backcountry Skiing known, laid-back destination resort. one day be able to ski with family and friends. If you’re looking for a ski adventure, try Light, dry snow, untracked runs and non- Adaptive equipment is provided with lessons, or backcountry skiing. With the proper equipment, existent lift lines create the perfect recipe for a discounted rate is offered for those needing to a bit of hiking will deliver you to an alpine peak exploration, no matter what your skill level. rent equipment. Eagle Mount is a registered ski or mountainside gorge filled with untouched Visit skimt.com. school through the Professional Ski Instructors powder. Other opportunities to access the of America, PSIA.org. backcountry include snowmobile, helicopter or 1 Big Sky Resort, Big Sky snowcat. For access and guide information visit Bridger Bowl and Big Sky Resort 800.548.4486 wintermt.com/snowcoaches. 406.586.1781 www.bigskyresort.com www.eaglemount.org Go With A Pro 2 Bridger Bowl, Bozeman Red Lodge Mountain Learn to ski with a pro. Lesson packages 800.223.9609 406.996-2949 include two or three days of lessons, rentals www.bridgerbowl.com www.eaglemount.us and lift tickets valid over the course of the current winter season. Check out the list of 3 Red Lodge Mountain, Red Lodge participating ski areas around the state at 800.444.8977 wintermt.com/gowithapro. www.redlodgemountain.com

YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM 65 Dogsledding, Paradise Valley Ziplining in Gallatin Canyon with Yellowstone Zip

DOGSLEDDING Make like the Iditarod because there’s a good chance you might tame, bring along your skis or snowshoes. and drive your own team of fluffy encounter animals or unexpected changes Combined tours mix ’coaching and guided malamutes into the mountains. Husky in the weather. skiing, while a system of shuttle coaches hot spots are Big Sky and West www.visitmt.com/hiking cut straight to the chase, delivering Yellowstone. Some rides can take you skiers and snowshoers to trailheads to scenery that’s otherwise inaccessible. RANCH VACATIONS Yellowstone throughout the park. Beyond Yellowstone, You can find everything from quick half- Country has over 30 working and guest try snowcoaching’s burlier cousin, day sled outings with a guide to multi- ranches where you can have a real ranch snowcatting. Snowcats climb high into

YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY night resort adventures with planned adventure, complete with riding, roping, the mountains, transporting lucky riders dogsled itineraries. branding and cattle driving. Grab your hat, to a day’s worth of backcountry S-turns, www.wintermt.com/dogsled saddle up and hit the trail for unbelievable a high-altitude gourmet dinner spread, a vistas and a genuine Western experience. sleepover in a high-country yurt or some FISHING Browns, cutthroats, rainbows, www.visitmt.com/ranch combination of the three. No matter where brookies. Blue-ribbon trout streams— your snowcoach or snowcat takes you, the Yellowstone, Gallatin and Madison SLEIGH RIDES Watch the winter dusk rest assured: that place is a rarely seen, Rivers—totaling 1,000 miles. Yellowstone unfold to the tune of jingling sleigh bells spectacular side of Montana. And you’ve Country has 61 state fishing access sites. while gliding through snow-dusted got a window seat. Be sure to obtain permission before you woods on a horse-drawn sleigh. There www.wintermt.com/snowcoaches enter or cross private land. Consult local fly are various companies throughout shops for specific gear recommendations. Yellowstone Country offering sleigh rides. SNOWMOBILING Some consider this Fishing permits are required and may Some include appetizers or desserts, area to be the Sturgis of snowmobiling. be obtained at various centers around or a complete Montana-raised prime rib Groomed and ungroomed postcard trails Yellowstone Country. dinner illuminated by kerosene lanterns. lure you into the backcountry. Feel right 406.444.2535 Reservations are recommended. at home at sno-mo meccas like West www.fwp.mt.gov/fishing www.wintermt.com/sleighrides. Yellowstone, where you’ll see many of the same friendly faces (under helmets) HIKING AND BACKPACKING in SNOWCOACHES AND SNOWCATS every year, and nobody blinks twice if Yellowstone Country is truly endless, with Get whisked away on a snowcoach you ride your machine around town. more than 100 trails in the Absaroka- adventure—they do the driving, you Area outfitters can rent you one of the Beartooth Wilderness, Crazy Mountains, do the gawking. If the tour is through latest low-emission models, and usually Paradise Valley and Bozeman and Red Yellowstone, your driver will stop for clothing and helmets, too. Guides can Lodge areas. When hiking here, be strolls and photo shoots and you’ll catch show you the ropes and also (if you’re prepared for unexpected situations and an entrancing earful about the park. If good) their secret powder stashes. carry plenty of water and appropriate gear, a toasty snowcoach seems a little too www.wintermt.com/snowmobiling

66 YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM WEST YELLOWSTONE BIRDING the wild. Residents of the center include Red Lodge and Cooke City. Just out of TRAIL Take in the awesome scenery and mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, black Cooke City and Gardiner, you can access natural diversity of the West Yellowstone bears, bison and other animals native to the Bannock Trail or the Bear Creek area and Hebgen Lake basin. The area Montana. Open all year. Trail System for excellent snowmobiling, provides a stunning array of habitats for 406.446.1133 cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. birding and wildlife viewing. www.yellowstonewildlifesanctuary.org 406.522.2520 www.visitmt.com/birdwatching www.fs.usda.gov/gallatin ZIPLINING Big Sky isn’t only for skiing. WILDLIFE VIEWING Wildlife habits and Any time of the year you can experience GALLATIN CORRIDOR This drive personalities, weather patterns, mating flight through the trees for an unforgettable through the Gallatin Canyon from seasons and time of day greatly affect memory. Experienced and entertaining Bozeman to Big Sky and on to West the potential for viewing wildlife. Visitors guides take you via zipline over gullies, Yellowstone offers gorgeous views on who opt to view in the early morning through forests and across the Gallatin your way to Yellowstone National Park. or late evening hours have the greatest River. It’s the ultimate adventure. There are plenty of side roads and trails to potential to see wildlife. Yellowstone Big Sky Resort explore along the way, so plan ahead to Country viewing hot spots are Bozeman 406.995.5769 make some stops and enjoy this scenic for birds and Yellowstone National Park www.bigskyresort.com area. And don’t forget your fishing rod. in Mammoth and Lamar Valley for wildlife. The Gallatin River offers epic fly fishing. Be safe while wildlife watching. Never Montana Whitewater Raft Company and In the winter this is the perfect location try to touch, approach, chase or disturb Yellowstone Zip Line and Canopy Tours for the snowmobile lover. Yellowstone an animal. Not only can interacting with 800.799.4465 National Park is just south of the Gallatin wildlife endanger you, it can lead to their www.montanawhitewater.com Canyon, and you can sled all the way to demise. Animals accustomed to human www.yellowstonezip.com West Yellowstone on the popular Big Sky food and contact can become aggressive Snowmobile Trail. and must be destroyed if they can’t be SCENIC & WILDLIFE relocated. Leaving empty soda cans and LEE METCALF WILDERNESS AREA YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY food wrappers behind is the same as ABSAROKA-BEARTOOTH is scattered across the Madison Range feeding wildlife. If you see trash, please WILDERNESS AREA This part of in south-central Montana. Experience help by disposing of it properly. the Custer Gallatin National Forest is great hiking, camping and wildlife viewing www.visitmt.com/watchablewildlife a true paradise for hikers, anglers and including mountain goats and sheep, horseback riders. The wilderness area black and grizzly bears, moose, elk, YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE adjoins Yellowstone National Park on cougars and wolves. Cutthroat, rainbow SANCTUARY, in Red Lodge, provides its northern edge and offers more than and brook trout can be found in the lakes a home for native animals that have 640 alpine lakes and hundreds of miles and streams. been injured, orphaned or become too of hiking trails. Major access points are 406.522.2520 accustomed to humans to be returned to from Gardiner, Big Timber, Livingston, www.fs.usda.gov/gallatin

Horseback riding, Lone Mountain Ranch YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY - VISITMT.COM 67