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Pacific Northwest
ACCOMMODATIONS
Bed and Breakfast
Cabins and Cottages
Campgrounds
Hotels and Motels
Ranches
Resorts
RV Parks
Vacation Rentals
Cities and Towns of South Central Montana
Absarokee
Belgrade
Big Sky
Big Timber
Bozeman
Bridger
Columbus
Emigrant
Gallatin Gateway
Gardiner
Livingston
Norris
Pray
Red Lodge
West Yellowstone
More Montana
Northwest
Southwest
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South East
West Yellowstone, Montana is located on US Highway 20, near the junction of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Located less than two miles from Wyoming, it is best known as the western gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Highway 20 and connecting state roads are open year-round.
The Oregon Short Line Railroad opened the south-central tip of Montana to settlement and commerce in the early 1900s and in 1920, land that had originally been part of Yellowstone National Forest was signed over for private development, paving the way to the formal establishment of a town site.
While parts of the nearby national park are closed to traffic during the winter, the town of West Yellowstone and some of the surrounding forest areas are open during all four seasons. Popular winter activities include hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and dog sledding. The world-renowned Rendezvous Ski Race, a part of the American Ski Marathon Series, takes place in West Yellowstone each year. Also, there are more than 600 miles of snowmobile trails within easy reach from town.
Western Montana is also known for its fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding opportunities. Situated amidst numerous lakes and rivers, the West Yellowstone area is considered a premier destination for the dedicated angler. South Central Montana�s rivers and lakes are world famous for their brown and rainbow trout fishing. Nearby Hebgen Lake, which is fed by the Madison River, offers canoeing, kayaking and sailing, as well as ideal opportunities for catching that 14- to 20-inch trout.
Accommodations vary from comfortable hotels to rustic ranches. Camping and RV accommodations are scattered throughout the area. Visitors who are planning to visit the national park may wish to make a stop at the Yellowstone Historic Center first, which has rotating exhibits on Yellowstone history and ecology.
Explore West Yellowstone in more detail by clicking through the pages listed below and the links they provide to more detailed descriptions and presentations:
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Moon
Handbooks: Montana
by W. C. McRae and Judy Jewell. March 2009, (guidebook). Filled with unique travel strategies such as the Hot
Springs Tour of Montana, and following Lewis and
Clark’s Corps of Discovery.
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Adventure Guides: Montana by Genevieve Rowles. Guide to museums, historic sites and shops
with the focus on activities. Learn about the best spots for diving, snorkeling,
horseback riding, hiking, biking, rock climbing and more.
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Montana
Atlas & Gazetteer. Paperback, May 2004.
Detailed map including campgrounds, attractions, historic
sites and museums, recreation areas, trails, freshwater fishing site
& boat launches, canoe trips & scenic drives.
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Montana
Wild and Beautiful II by Chuck Haney, Photographer and John Reddy, Photographer. Photograph collection of Montana landscape.
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Ghost
Towns of Montana: A Classic Tour Through the Treasure State's Historical
Sites by Shari Miller. First published in 1974, Ghost Towns of Montana is
the classic look at the history of Montana. An invaluable resource for ghost
town tourists and history buffs alike.
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Hiking
Montana, 3rd: 25th Anniversary Edition by Bill Schneider and Russ Schneider. Completely field-checked and updated
edition. The classic guide to 100 of the best hikes in Big Sky Country from
easy day hikes to backpacking trips.
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Montana River Maps & Fishing Guide by Ray Rychnovsky, Editor and Esther
Poleo, Illustrator. Features the best 30 Montana rivers including best
seasons and species for each river.
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Fly Fishing Montana: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters by Brian
Grossenbacher and Jenny Grossenbacher. All the information needed to fly
fish from the Yellowstone River to the Boulder River.
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