Adventure, spectacular scenery, and seemingly endless access to fun and entertainment are all factors that can lead to lifelong memories when travelers make time to enjoy a trip to Yellowstone. As a top-rated vacation destination among families, solo travelers, couples, and groups of friends too, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy who decides to make a vacation here a priority. West Yellowstone is often an ideal place to settle in when you want easy access to fun on your first getaway to the area. Here, it’s simple to reach places like sprawling Yellowstone National Park as well as the many in-town options for customized thrills that aren’t far from your front door.
If you haven’t ever had the privilege of spending quality time in Yellowstone, there’s no better time than right now to plan your first time visit. In every season of the year, Yellowstone is packed with incredible adventures to add to an itinerary but in reality, if you only wanted to sit back, relax, and enjoy the stunning views here, that’s just as feasible! The beauty of a Yellowstone getaway for so many travelers lies in the fact that it’s a place where you can personalize every day of your stay with ease. Interests of all types are attended to across Yellowstone as visitors head out to explore the great outdoors, make the most of an impressive local dining scene, shop their way to fun, and check out amazing historical landmarks as well.
A first time visit to Yellowstone is likely to include plenty of time at the national park by the same name, and a trip here likely won’t feel complete without time set aside to come face-to-face with the likes of Old Faithful, Yellowstone Grand Canyon, and the Grand Prismatic Spring too just to name a few of many. Wildlife enthusiasts will adore pulling out the binoculars and being able to spot everything from elk and grizzly bears to bison on a whim. The park’s landscapes are incredible in every season and the options to book a guided tour (or two, or three) can elevate your experience with the inclusion of historical insight, more about the geology, and wildlife spotting that you might otherwise completely miss.
Beyond Yellowstone National Park, those who stay in West Yellowstone for a first time visit this way can expect to add everything from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to their agenda in the winter as well as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and museum-hopping in the summertime. Over at Big Sky Resort, those who travel to Yellowstone in the winter can indulge in some inevitably incredible time on the ski slopes while an afternoon at the Yellowstone Historic Center Museum is an authentic step into the past. No matter what it is that brings you to Yellowstone for the first time, taking time to plan your trip in detail is a sure way to maximize the fun. This guide is a great starting point when you want to really enjoy the moments you’ve come to experience to the fullest.
How to Get Here in Stress-Free Vacation Style
Just as Yellowstone offers its guests a diverse range of options for entertainment and fun year-round, how you choose to get here is just as easy to tailor to your preferences. In the warm-weather months of the year, many travelers choose to fly into the West Yellowstone Airport which sits a mere two miles from the center of town. Flying into this airport comes with the added benefit of it serving several flights daily throughout the summertime. Still, it’s important to note that it does shutter services in the winter when snowfall totals across Yellowstone are always at their most impressive. Not to worry, though; there are plenty of other nearby airports to consider that aren’t far from the fun you likely already have lined up on your itinerary.
If you choose to fly into Idaho Falls Regional Airport, you’ll only be two hours from West Yellowstone by car. There are plenty of vehicle rental options right on-site at this airport that serves a number of major hubs in the U.S. including Denver, Boise, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. Another option that keeps you just a 2-hour drive from the vacation you’ve been looking forward to is the Bozeman Airport-Gallatin Field. This airport serves flights from Seattle, Denver, and Salt Lake City as well as many other national destinations linked to United Airlines and Delta Airlines. If you’re okay with extending your road trip into town, the scenery from the Jackson Hole Airport to West Yellowstone is breathtaking as you venture for about 3.5 hours total. The Jackson Hole Airport sits right at the base of the Grand Tetons and is served by American, Delta, and United Airlines alike.
No matter which airport you choose, you’re going to want to make sure you have a rental car lined up to use for the duration of your stay. Yellowstone is vast, varied, and endlessly alluring. When you want to get out and see something spontaneously, or something planned for that matter, being able to hop behind the wheel and head out makes your stay that much more exciting and convenient. While there are certainly taxi services available locally, this can get expensive quite quickly if you’re using them often. A rental vehicle is by far the most cost-efficient way to enjoy your first visit to Yellowstone.
The Very Best Seasons to Travel to Yellowstone
It would be nearly impossible to pick a “wrong” season to visit Yellowstone. This should be a relief to first time visitors who are wondering what time of year is best to travel this way. Yellowstone is a dynamic destination that changes drastically with each passing season and every month offers up something unique to see, do, or experience during a stay.
Summer is typically the busiest time of year here because it appeals to those who are off of work and school for a while and want to enjoy time at Yellowstone National Park while they can. Winter is another busy time of year with the Big Sky Resort beckoning to downhill ski enthusiasts in droves. That makes shoulder seasons like fall and spring ideal for first time travelers who are looking for fewer crowds to contend with, but just as much access to all of the outdoor recreation options, tours, and wildlife sightings they can count on in the summer.
If you do decide to travel this way in the winter, you can expect to find yourself in a place that receives an average of over 150 inches of snowfall annually. It’s a great time of year to travel here for the first time if you adore snowmobiling as the area plays host to no less than 400 miles of groomed trails to explore. Cross-country skiers can get their fill of fun too over on the iconic Rendezvous Trail System in West Yellowstone during a winter stay. This system hosts miles of groomed trails too with many designated as pet-friendly routes. Winter is also a time of year to enjoy a snow coach tour of Yellowstone National Park, take a winter wildlife-watching excursion, or try your hand at ice fishing.
Summer is the season when Yellowstone’s vast and impressive appeal to travelers really has a way of taking center stage. The days are long and sunny, and in downtown West Yellowstone, the warm weather brings travelers to the many local shops and restaurants in large numbers with good reason! Over at Yellowstone National Park, summer means photographers snapping away as geysers hurl thermal water toward the skies. This time of year, hiking trails become routes to relishing some of the area’s most impressive terrain from above. The park is also home to some of the area’s most lucrative waterways for trout fishing so if you’re a fan of fly fishing, a summer in Yellowstone is a must.
Those who choose to enjoy a first time getaway to Yellowstone in the spring can look forward to landscapes in full bloom with wildflowers as well as newly thawed out trails that are just starting to open up for mountain biking once again. The west entrance to Yellowstone National Park opens up to cyclists beginning in mid to late March depending on conditions and it’s a wonderful time of year to pair your cycling adventures with opportunities to spot bears in the park just emerging from their dens. Bison calving season in Yellowstone begins in mid-April and it can be a stunning sight to see newly born members of the herd in person. Fall is also a fantastic travel time for first time visitors to Yellowstone as it’s a colorful time of year to add leaf peeping to your itinerary. Elk mating season is marked by the arrival of fall, improving your chances of spotting these incredible creatures when you’re out and about. The cooler temperatures mean you can spend longer on the hiking trails as well as the waterways as fall means brown and rainbow trout are on the move from Hebgen Lake.
Can’t-Miss Restaurants
No matter what season you arrive in Yellowstone, how long you stay, or how many others you adventure this way alongside, the one thing that’s always certain is that along the way, you’re going to have some serious cravings to curb. Before and after adventuring out into nature, or spending time focused on serious shopping downtown, you’re going to want to know where to go to fuel up for even more fun ahead. Fortunately, West Yellowstone is packed with delicious eateries to enjoy while you’re in town. Whether you find yourself longing for local fare, or something inspired by a destination a bit further away, treating your tastebuds to a well-deserved and tasty moment or two isn’t hard to do.
When you’re looking for a local breakfast stop to add to your list where the excellent food is rivaled only by the quality of the coffee served up, the team over at Mountain Mama’s Cafe has you covered. Located at 17 Madison Ave in West Yellowstone, Mountain Mama’s is a top-rated place to enjoy a meal in good company. This cherished establishment is known for its friendly service, comfortable surroundings, and locally sourced meals. The breakfast menu features options like elk and bison breakfast burritos. When you have a sweet tooth to satisfy, an order of chocolate hazelnut turnovers is sure to please.
When lunchtime rolls around during your trip to Yellowstone, you’ll want to make sure your first visit here includes a meal at Firehole BBQ. Easily found at 120 Firehole Avenue, this restaurant’s reputation for amazing fare has earned it a featured place on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” If BBQ is your thing, this is the place to be. They serve up amazing options starting at 4:00 pm daily until it runs out. Everything on the menu here is guaranteed fresh, fantastic, and served up with a side of friendly service—what could be more refreshing than that!
At dinnertime, make your way to Hanks Chop Shop at 221 N Canyon St. in town to enjoy locally sourced USDA prime meat cuts, handmade ½-pound burgers, and more. The welcoming environment includes a pet-friendly patio, huge TVs to watch your favorite games, and even a casino section!
Wonderful Attractions
While there are a ton of attractions that you could add to your Yellowstone must-visit list when you’re here for the first time, if you have a passion for history, be sure to include a stop at the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center. This destination is a place to learn more about the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit the area near the Madison River and triggered a devastating landslide. Ultimately, the changes in the landscape formed the Earthquake Lake that can be seen today. It’s a fascinating dive into history that shows just how powerful Mother Nature can truly be.
If you have plans to visit Yellowstone National Park during your stay and you’re traveling here with kids, don’t miss out on swinging by the visitor center to pick up a fun and informative Junior Ranger Book! This resource is ideal for those four and up and is an educational and inspiring way to learn more about the park. If you complete the challenges and experiences listed in the booklet too while you’re at the park, you can stop by again to pick up a Yellowstone Junior Range badge as a commemorative keepsake.
Book Your Stay Today
Elevate your Yellowstone stay in style, comfort, and luxury when you book your vacation accommodations through Sweet Home Montana the next time you’re here. Our properties are close to the place you’ll be excited to explore and include the amenities that make you feel right at home as well. Reach out today to learn more about our rentals that are great for first-time visitors to the area.