A West Yellowstone vacation is already destined to be an unexpected surprise as you find yourself turning a corner and spotting a mama bison and her baby boy, discovering how the night skies spread out to all corners of the world, making you feel small and insignificant while also feeling safe and protected, and learning why our Sweet Home Montana vacation hideaways are the most popular accommodations in the area. You had some idea of what to expect, of course, filling your itinerary with activities that include hiking, fishing, and relaxing on large decks that overlook the natural landscape of West Yellowstone, but we can pretty much guarantee that this list of five unexpected things to do in our mountain town were more than likely nowhere in your consciousness. This guide will give you more ways to enjoy the wonderland that is West Yellowstone!
You Can Visit the Grand Canyon Without Leaving Montana
Before you think we have totally lost our minds, we should specify that it is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone we are talking about, a much smaller canyon located about 40 miles outside of West Yellowstone. Extending out about 24 miles long and offering depths that range from 800 feet to 1200 feet deep, you can catch sight of this formation from various lookout spots that can be reached by car, including Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point. The photographs you will take of the canyon may become the ones you frame and hang on your wall and if you feel like a challenge, you can hike along the trail that leads out from the Canyon Lodge Area to the North Rim.
Watch a Classic Musical Live at the Playmill Theater, 29 Madison Avenue
Although you may be visiting West Yellowstone to explore its stunning countryside, we also offer a taste of the urban life with our Playmill Theater. The oldest summer stock in the region, their season starts Memorial Day Weekend with a showing of The Little Mermaid, followed by the classic play Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Offering an elevated summer experience, reasonable ticket prices and the Disney show can make this a fantastic family activity, perhaps introducing your children to a lifelong love of the theater. Sadly, the summer of 2025 will be the last year you can enjoy the delights of the Playmill Theater in West Yellowstone as they are currently building a new one in Mack’s Inn in Idaho. It’s only about 30 miles outside of Yellowstone if you come back and decide you want to watch another play though, so it isn’t the end of theater, just the end of theater life in West Yellowstone.
Test Your Shooting Skills at Yellowstone Big Gun Fun, 15 Madison Avenue
If you have ever wanted to shoot the big guns, including AK-47s, M16s, even a Tommy Gun, Yellowstone Big Gun Fun can make your dreams come true. This unique shooting range lets you shoot your own, should you have brought yours, or rent any gun you desire from their large selection of weapons, offering guides that will help you shoot your best shots. Offering a safe place to play and a great way to kill a few hours on a rainy day (not that it rains all that much in West Yellowstone), children are invited to take part in the experience as well!
Visit a Lake Created by an Earthquake
Earthquake Lake hasn’t always been a lake, but you may surprise that it isn’t a manmade one, either. Created after an earthquake in 1959 caused a colossal landslide, 80 million rocks blocked the flow of the Madison River, and voila, Earthquake Lake was created. Popular with fishermen and women, the lake is home to a large variety of trout, including rainbow, brown, and cutthroat. There is a boat ramp for those who want to fish from the lake instead of the shoreline but be prepared for the timbers that rise up out of the water; remember that this lake was once nothing but land.
Feeling at Home with Sweet Home Montana
When traveling to places far from home, it can be difficult to feel at home in the accommodations you choose to stay in, but we at Sweet Home Montana make it our mission to provide the most comfortable spaces in the state for our guests who come in from all over the world. The sofas in our living room will be where your best naps will be taken, the beds in our bedrooms provide such a deep sleep you will awaken every morning feeling rested and ready for a new day of unexpected adventures, and the hot tubs on the decks of most of our escapes will make you wish you never had to return home. Reserve your favorite property today!
